Thursday, June 23, 2011

CCHR offers condolence​s to the family of acid attack victim In Soklyda and calls for a holistic approach to acid violence

CCHR Media Comment, Phnom Penh, 23 June 2011

Media Comment: CCHR offers condolences to the family of acid attack victim In Soklda and calls for a holistic approach to acid violence

Acid attack victim Ya Sokhnim, the aunt of a prominent beauty queen In Soklyda, died in Phnom Penh yesterday (22 June 2011) of injuries resulting from a 2008 crime masterminded by her niece’s former lover Chea Ratha. On 8 May 2008, two men on a motorcycle accosted Ya Sokhnim in the capital and poured acid over her face and upper body. She suffered severe burns as a result, losing her right eye and her breast. In 2009 the Appeal Court found that Chea Ratha, a former deputy chief of staff of the military police and In Soklyda’s lover, had ordered the attack after In Soklyda fled a forced relationship. Four of the suspects including Chea Ratha remain at large and are thought to have fled Cambodia.

Commenting on the Ya Sokhnim case John Coughlan, Senior Legal Consultant at the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, a non-aligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia, said:

“I am both shocked and saddened to hear that Ya Sokhnim has succumbed to her injuries as a result of this horrific attack. My thoughts and condolences are with her family during this extremely difficult time. This wretched case reminds us of the need for a holistic approach to acid violence which goes beyond having a robust acid law, which hopefully the forthcoming law will be. The Royal Government of Cambodia needs to ensure that enforcement is effective which includes the putting in place of bilateral extradition arrangements that hold perpetrators to account for their crimes, irrespective of whether they have absconded or not. The likes of Chea Ratha should not be able to evade the justice that the victims deserve and that sadly Ya Sokhnim has now been deprived.”

For more information please contact John Coughlan at +855 89 58 35 90 or 

Please find this media comment attached in English. A Khmer version will follow shortly.
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The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is a non-aligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia. For more information, please visit www.cchrcambodia.org.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't Hun Sen talk about the treaties from 1979-1985 that result over 30 000 km2 of Cambodia to Vietnam ? Why does Hun Sen only using 4.6 km2 as an excuse in order to redirect attention from Vietnam invasion and it is not just small invasion but over 30 000 km2 of cambodia.

In Hun Sen political career 4.6km2 is much begger than over 30 000km2. He gave over 30 000km2 of Cambodia to Vietnam with his two hands.

Anonymous said...

CCHR, why? don't u send condolences,to Khmer's family, who was attacked by Black thai solidiers.. sucked,,,

Anonymous said...

i think if we keep demanding that the gov't look into this law seriously, we in a better position. it takes good, caring people to help make a real difference whether in law enforcement, etc, etc. we law should educate people to think twice that if they commit such crime against another human being, they will be punished by the law. people do it because they can get away from the law, but if the law is strict and enforced, then they will think twice, i'm sure!