Showing posts with label Chea Vichea's commemoration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chea Vichea's commemoration. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Commemoration of the murder of Chea Vichea in Cambodia: accusing fingers pointed at Hok Lundy
Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 22/01/2009: Chea Mony, union leader, at the commemoration of the assassination of his brother Chea Vichea (Photo: John Vink/ Magnum)22-01-2009
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set in English
In all, it was more than 200 workers, trade unionists, defenders of Human rights and MPs of the opposition who met on Thursday January 22nd at the FTUWKC (Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia) headquarters in Phnom Penh, to mark the fifth anniversary of the murder of Chea Vichea, the popular activist who during the last years of his position as president of the FTUWKC, shaped the movement into workers' living force in their demands, which could not be ignored in social negotiations. Among the crowd, solemn faces, and the noticeable presence of Born Samnang, one of the two men accused of murdering Chea Vichea, released on bail on December 31st 2008 after spending nearly five years behind bars. In the ceremony speeches, several calls were made to identify and bring to justice the true perpetrators of the crime, and accusations were formulated against Hok Lundy, the former top national Police chief of Cambodia, who died in an accident in November 2008.
Chea Vichea should be granted the title of “workers' hero”
The procession was led by Chea Mony, the brother of Chea Vichea who took over the leadership of the FTUWKC, Rong Chhun - Chea Vichea's close friend and president of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) - and opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha accompanied by elected representatives of their parties. The march ended in front of the news stand located behind one of the walls of Wat Langka and in front of which their “hero” was shot to death by two strangers on January 22nd 2004. There, on the pavement, they laid flower wreaths and collected their thoughts in silence as the air was slowly filled with the fragrant smoke of incense.
Every year since 2005, the ritual is repeated, initiated by the unions led by Chea Mony and Rong Chhun, gathered within a single confederation, and with permission of the authorities to facilitate the holding of the event. This 5th anniversary was yet another tribute to Chea Vichea's hard work and ceaseless fight for freedom, Human rights and the improvement of working conditions in Cambodia.
Participants reiterated their demand to the government and to King Sihamoni that Chea Vichea be awarded the title of “workers' hero”, a title which they had already granted him by printing these words on the back of the tee-shirts they were wearing, below a photograph showing the late union activist sat at his desk and busy writing. Rong Chhun, who organised the ceremony, also renewed an old request: for a statue of Chea Vichea to be erected on a corner of the junction of Street 51 (Rue Pasteur) and Sihanouk boulevard, a few steps away from the crime scene.
"Finding the true assassins"
Born Samnang spoke the first. Looking solemn and a little apprehensive, he carefully stayed by his mother's side who came with him, even though he claimed he was not scared. “Today, I want to appear in front of everyone to tell them that I have been released. I hope justice will soon dismiss the case, because I did not kill Chea Vichea!”, he declared, before expressing his deep gratitude to Chea Vichea's relatives, “especially his brother and his wife who called several times for my release”. His companion in misfortune, Sok Sam Oeun, was not present because he has now taken monastic robes, his father said. The latter briefly said a few words, in particular to thank the Supreme Court for having promoted justice for Born Samnang and his own son.
Ou Virak, the president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), stressed the fact that justice had not been dealt in that case, and encouraged the government “to find the true assassins of Chea Vichea in order to send a clear message to all: Cambodia does not tolerate murders, and nor does it tolerate impunity”. His call was echoed by Chea Mony, Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy in their respective speeches.
Those to be held accountable for the murder: "Hok Lundy" and "above him..."
Chea Mony, standing on a chair and looking at the crowd, declared solemnly but with determination, that “Heng Pov, the former deputy police commissioner in charge of the Chea Vichea case, revealed before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were not the murderers and that the person behind it was none other than Hok Lundy. [...] The government has of course changed a little: these two men have been released on bail and the case has been sent back to the Court of Appeal. [...] But since the country's policemen and soldiers are faced with the lack of independence in the judiciary system, they cannot put their professionalism into practice to catch the culprits”.
Sam Rainsy also deplored the government's obvious lack of willpower in bringing to justice the real murderers. “I hope that when we come back here at this scene on January 22nd 2010, the criminals and their accomplices will already be in jail!” Welcoming this “first step forward” in that process, materialised by Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun's provisional release, the opposition leader, who was also perched on a chair for the occasion, bluntly said: “Hok Lundy is dead but this is not enough! It is necessary to find who was above him! He cannot have done this on his own without receiving orders from someone above him”!
These attacks were not to the liking of Kiet Chantharith, the spokesman for the National Police, who, called by Ka-set to react on the remarks, explained on the phone that “in order to make such accusations, it is essential to have evidence! One cannot make snap allegations like this because it damages the honour and rights of others”.
Chea Vichea should be granted the title of “workers' hero”
The procession was led by Chea Mony, the brother of Chea Vichea who took over the leadership of the FTUWKC, Rong Chhun - Chea Vichea's close friend and president of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) - and opposition leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha accompanied by elected representatives of their parties. The march ended in front of the news stand located behind one of the walls of Wat Langka and in front of which their “hero” was shot to death by two strangers on January 22nd 2004. There, on the pavement, they laid flower wreaths and collected their thoughts in silence as the air was slowly filled with the fragrant smoke of incense.
Every year since 2005, the ritual is repeated, initiated by the unions led by Chea Mony and Rong Chhun, gathered within a single confederation, and with permission of the authorities to facilitate the holding of the event. This 5th anniversary was yet another tribute to Chea Vichea's hard work and ceaseless fight for freedom, Human rights and the improvement of working conditions in Cambodia.
Participants reiterated their demand to the government and to King Sihamoni that Chea Vichea be awarded the title of “workers' hero”, a title which they had already granted him by printing these words on the back of the tee-shirts they were wearing, below a photograph showing the late union activist sat at his desk and busy writing. Rong Chhun, who organised the ceremony, also renewed an old request: for a statue of Chea Vichea to be erected on a corner of the junction of Street 51 (Rue Pasteur) and Sihanouk boulevard, a few steps away from the crime scene.
"Finding the true assassins"
Born Samnang spoke the first. Looking solemn and a little apprehensive, he carefully stayed by his mother's side who came with him, even though he claimed he was not scared. “Today, I want to appear in front of everyone to tell them that I have been released. I hope justice will soon dismiss the case, because I did not kill Chea Vichea!”, he declared, before expressing his deep gratitude to Chea Vichea's relatives, “especially his brother and his wife who called several times for my release”. His companion in misfortune, Sok Sam Oeun, was not present because he has now taken monastic robes, his father said. The latter briefly said a few words, in particular to thank the Supreme Court for having promoted justice for Born Samnang and his own son.
Ou Virak, the president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), stressed the fact that justice had not been dealt in that case, and encouraged the government “to find the true assassins of Chea Vichea in order to send a clear message to all: Cambodia does not tolerate murders, and nor does it tolerate impunity”. His call was echoed by Chea Mony, Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy in their respective speeches.
Those to be held accountable for the murder: "Hok Lundy" and "above him..."
Chea Mony, standing on a chair and looking at the crowd, declared solemnly but with determination, that “Heng Pov, the former deputy police commissioner in charge of the Chea Vichea case, revealed before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were not the murderers and that the person behind it was none other than Hok Lundy. [...] The government has of course changed a little: these two men have been released on bail and the case has been sent back to the Court of Appeal. [...] But since the country's policemen and soldiers are faced with the lack of independence in the judiciary system, they cannot put their professionalism into practice to catch the culprits”.
Sam Rainsy also deplored the government's obvious lack of willpower in bringing to justice the real murderers. “I hope that when we come back here at this scene on January 22nd 2010, the criminals and their accomplices will already be in jail!” Welcoming this “first step forward” in that process, materialised by Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun's provisional release, the opposition leader, who was also perched on a chair for the occasion, bluntly said: “Hok Lundy is dead but this is not enough! It is necessary to find who was above him! He cannot have done this on his own without receiving orders from someone above him”!
These attacks were not to the liking of Kiet Chantharith, the spokesman for the National Police, who, called by Ka-set to react on the remarks, explained on the phone that “in order to make such accusations, it is essential to have evidence! One cannot make snap allegations like this because it damages the honour and rights of others”.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
CCU annuncement to Chea Vichea's commemoration
Press ReleaseMarch to Place a garland of Flowers
Mr.Chea Vichea, Former President of FTUWKC,
Gunnded down on 22nd January 2004
Mr.Chea Vichea, Former President of FTUWKC,
Gunnded down on 22nd January 2004
On 22nd January 2008 Cambodian Confederation of Union (CCU) which consists of Cambodian Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) and Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) organizes a march in order to place garland of flowers to show respects to spirits of Mr. Chea Vichea, former President of FTUWKC, was gunned down on 22nd January 2004 ,.
Mr. Chea Vichea did too much works for our nation, especially, demanding for rights, freedom and better working conditions for workers.
His patriotism and actions were bore in mind of workers, citizens, teachers, FTUWKC and CITA for ever and a day, on the other hand, we all always organize this event every year in order to recall his favor. We also demand the Phnom Penh authority to look for a real murderer and person behind to sentence during a laying of garland of flowers and would like to make a royal appeal to the king to give a title to Mr. Chea Vichea as a Khmer Worker Hero.
CCU would like to make a call to workers, motor drivers, businessmen, citizens, NGOs, diplomats, and national-international reporters to fully participate in that event in order to show respects to his spirits.
The gathering will be at an office of FTUWKC, #16A, St.376, Sangkat Boeng Kengkang3, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh , at 7:30am and march toward the place closed to the Lungkar pagoda where he was shot to death.
With best regards,
Rong Chhun
President of CCU
Mr. Chea Vichea did too much works for our nation, especially, demanding for rights, freedom and better working conditions for workers.
His patriotism and actions were bore in mind of workers, citizens, teachers, FTUWKC and CITA for ever and a day, on the other hand, we all always organize this event every year in order to recall his favor. We also demand the Phnom Penh authority to look for a real murderer and person behind to sentence during a laying of garland of flowers and would like to make a royal appeal to the king to give a title to Mr. Chea Vichea as a Khmer Worker Hero.
CCU would like to make a call to workers, motor drivers, businessmen, citizens, NGOs, diplomats, and national-international reporters to fully participate in that event in order to show respects to his spirits.
The gathering will be at an office of FTUWKC, #16A, St.376, Sangkat Boeng Kengkang3, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh , at 7:30am and march toward the place closed to the Lungkar pagoda where he was shot to death.
With best regards,
Rong Chhun
President of CCU
Chea Vichea: A Workers’ Hero
Chea Vichea's memorial in 2008 (Photo: AFP)20 Jan 2009
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from Khmer by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
The SRP and HRP signed a joint statement regarding the commemoration of Chea Vichea, the union leader who was slain in Phnom Penh in 2004.
The two opposition parties, which are now allied to each other through the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC), called on King Sihamoni to grant the posthumous honorific title of “Workers’ Hero” to Chea Vichea. Such request have also been made several times in the past by opposition parties and by Chea Mony, Chea Vichea’s brother who took over his leadership position a the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC).
Regarding the current provisional release of the two men who were accused of killing Chea Vichea, the joint communiqué stated that “the release of these two alleged culprits by the Supreme Court on 31 December 2008 shows that the Cambodian government admitted that these two men were only instruments and victims of the current deficient judicial system.”
The communiqué also added: “we, along with millions of other Cambodians, wish to see justice being rendered and we are asking the government to conduct a serious investigation in the case by taking into consideration the depositions given by eyewitnesses of the cruel murder of Chea Vichea.” The two opposition parties also recalled the value of Chea Vichea’s sacrifice and his total dedication to the workers’ cause when he was still alive.
Flower bouquets will be placed at the murder scene on Pasteur Street in Phnom Penh on Thursday 22 January. On Wednesday, the Phnom Penh city hall finally gave its authorization to hold this commemoration ceremony.
The two opposition parties, which are now allied to each other through the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC), called on King Sihamoni to grant the posthumous honorific title of “Workers’ Hero” to Chea Vichea. Such request have also been made several times in the past by opposition parties and by Chea Mony, Chea Vichea’s brother who took over his leadership position a the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC).
Regarding the current provisional release of the two men who were accused of killing Chea Vichea, the joint communiqué stated that “the release of these two alleged culprits by the Supreme Court on 31 December 2008 shows that the Cambodian government admitted that these two men were only instruments and victims of the current deficient judicial system.”
The communiqué also added: “we, along with millions of other Cambodians, wish to see justice being rendered and we are asking the government to conduct a serious investigation in the case by taking into consideration the depositions given by eyewitnesses of the cruel murder of Chea Vichea.” The two opposition parties also recalled the value of Chea Vichea’s sacrifice and his total dedication to the workers’ cause when he was still alive.
Flower bouquets will be placed at the murder scene on Pasteur Street in Phnom Penh on Thursday 22 January. On Wednesday, the Phnom Penh city hall finally gave its authorization to hold this commemoration ceremony.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Parade to mark slain unionist
Tuesday, 20 January 2009 Written by Meas Sokchea The Phnom Penh Post
Organisers still waiting for municipal approval.
THE Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) on Monday issued a press release calling for public participation in a commemorative parade scheduled for January 22, marking the day in 2004 that union leader Chea Vichea was killed in Phnom Penh.
"Chea Vichea did so much work for our nation, particularly by demanding more freedom and better conditions for the Kingdom's workers," Rong Chhun, president of the CCU, said in the press release.
He said Chea Vichea remains a potent symbol for many Cambodians, who honour his memory each year for sacrificing his life for the nation.
"We informed municipal authorities a week ago of our intention to hold this ceremony, but they have not yet responded. But we plan to go ahead with the event," said Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the brother of Chea Vichea.
Chea Mony said he expected about 300 people, including civil society groups and some politicians, to participate in the parade.
The event will start at the headquarters of the trade union in Phnom Penh's Boeung Keng Kang 3 district and end at the site of Chea Vichea's assassination near Langka pagoda, the press release stated.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema could not be reached for comment on Monday, but Deputy Governor Pa Socheatevong said he could not provide details about whether the event would be approved by authorities.
The two men convicted of Chea Vichea's murder have been released pending a retrial.
THE Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) on Monday issued a press release calling for public participation in a commemorative parade scheduled for January 22, marking the day in 2004 that union leader Chea Vichea was killed in Phnom Penh.
"Chea Vichea did so much work for our nation, particularly by demanding more freedom and better conditions for the Kingdom's workers," Rong Chhun, president of the CCU, said in the press release.
He said Chea Vichea remains a potent symbol for many Cambodians, who honour his memory each year for sacrificing his life for the nation.
"We informed municipal authorities a week ago of our intention to hold this ceremony, but they have not yet responded. But we plan to go ahead with the event," said Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the brother of Chea Vichea.
Chea Mony said he expected about 300 people, including civil society groups and some politicians, to participate in the parade.
The event will start at the headquarters of the trade union in Phnom Penh's Boeung Keng Kang 3 district and end at the site of Chea Vichea's assassination near Langka pagoda, the press release stated.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema could not be reached for comment on Monday, but Deputy Governor Pa Socheatevong said he could not provide details about whether the event would be approved by authorities.
The two men convicted of Chea Vichea's murder have been released pending a retrial.
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