Showing posts with label Chea Vichea's muder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chea Vichea's muder. Show all posts
Friday, August 03, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Bradley Cox's Peabody Award acceptance speech for "Who Killed Chea Vichea?"
Acceptance by Bradley Cox:
We are thrilled, honored and a little bit stunned to be here. I'd like to thank my producers, Rich Garella and Jeffrery Saunders and also of course, the people at ITVS. Vichea was special because he dared to speak up and be heard. He was killed for it and just a few weeks ago, they did it again, murdering a well-respected enviromental activist. In a country run on impunity and fear, no one is safe and nothing is changed. I dedicate this award to Chea Vichea and his family, to garment workers around the world who often can't even earn a living wage, and to the good people of Cambodia who deserve much, much better.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Who Killed Chea Vichea? - Wellington (New Zealand) screenings
Who Killed Chea Vichea?
Wellington screenings
Who Killed Chea Vichea? will screen four more times in New Zealand's top documentary film festival, the Documentary Edge Festival 2012. Please forward this e-mail and help spread the word!
If you're on Facebook please share Wellington screenings.
Directed by Bradley Cox
Produced by Rich Garella and Jeffrey Saunders
In 2004, Cambodian union president Chea Vichea was assassinated in broad daylight at a newsstand in Phnom Penh. Two young men were arrested, convicted, and sentenced to twenty years in prison.Both of them had alibis. Filmmaker Bradley Cox's five-year investigation reveals an elaborate cover-up that reaches the highest echelons of Cambodian society.
Monday, 21 May - 5:30pm
Thursday, 24 May - 5:30pm
Sunday, 27 May - 11:45am
Saturday 2 June - 5:45pm
Angelika Cinema at Reading CinemasCourtenay
100 Courtenay Place
A gripping account of a corrupt government's campaign to hold onto power
at any cost - deeply moving. -Huffington Post
-------
A devastating expose of life and death that reveals the inner workings of a dictatorship
an extraordinary film. - Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch
-------
A powerful film - ABC Australia
Watch Khmer version online: http://www.vicheamovie.com
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Screening of "Who Killed Chea Vichea?" in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Who Killed Chea Vichea? is the featured film on the opening night of the Chiang Mai Documentary Arts Festival, which runs February 24-26, 2012.
The program opens with the short Burma: Sexual Violence as a Weapon and a discussion with its director, Preethi Nallu, and continues with Who Killed Chea Vichea? at 7:30.
WHO KILLED CHEA VICHEA?
Friday, February 24th at 7:00 pm
Documentary Arts Asia Center Gallery
12/7 Wualai Road Soi 3, Haiya District
Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
In 2004, Cambodian union president Chea Vichea was assassinated in broad daylight at a newsstand in Phnom Penh. As international pressure mounted, two men were swiftly arrested and convicted of the crime, each sentenced to twenty years in prison.Filmmaker Bradley Cox's five-year investigation reveals an elaborate cover-up that reaches the highest echelons of Cambodian government.Officially banned in Cambodia, WHO KILLED CHEA VICHEA? uncovers the face of dictatorship behind the mask of democracy.
Top Ten Movies That Matter - Amnesty International
Grand Prize, Directorial Discovery - Rhode Island International Film Festival
Best Film/Political - Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
Best Cinematography - United Nations Association International Film Festival
Best Chronicle - Maverick Movie Awards
Special Jury Prize: Reportage & Investigation- FIFDH de Paris
Watch online (Khmer language only): http://www.vicheamovie.com
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sacrava's Political cartoon: The Killer
 |
| Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com) |
Chea Vichea’s wife demands justice for her husband
 |
| Chea Vichea slained |
 |
| Chea Kimny, Chea Vichea's wife, and their 2 daughters |
21 January 2012
By Taing Sarada
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soch
Click here to read the original article in Khmer
During the 8th anniversary of the murder of Chea Vichea, the former President of the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) who was assassinated [in Phnom Penh], his family still demands that the Cambodian government shows the real killers and bring them to face justice in order to provide justice to the victim.
During the past 8 years, pain and sorrow still haunt Chea Vichea’s family and scene of his murder still follow them when justice is not provided to them.
Chea Kimny, Chea Vichea’s wife, now lives in Finland with two young daughters, the oldest one is 10 and the youngest one is now 7.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Appeal letter from Chea Kimny, Chea Vichea's widow
 |
| Chea Kimny and her 2 daughters |
Unofficial translation from Khmer by Soch
Appeal Letter
I am very happy that the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) succeeded in its demand to the royal government to provide a location for the building of a statue for Chea Vichea, my husband.
However, I and my two children, as well as the public – in particular all the workers – believe that Chea’s Vichea’s soul has not found peace yet, and he cannot leave this world yet because justice was not provided to him since the government could not find the killers.
Therefore, I and my two children are asking the government to find justice for our beloved husband and father.
Done in Finland, 09 January 2012
Chea Kimny
Chea Vichea’s wife
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Who censored Chea Vichea?
Friday, 07 May 2010Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
Government’s various reasons for blocking screenings have observers puzzled
AN attempt to show a controversial documentary exploring the death of union leader Chea Vichea was quickly quashed last week, but some observers are questioning the multitude of reasons authorities have offered for banning public screenings of the film.
Various government departments weighed in when organisers announced plans to show Who Killed Chea Vichea? near the site where the influential union leader was gunned down in 2004.
Information Minister Khieu Kanharith initially said the government would have no “political objections” to the screening.
But Phnom Penh officials then demanded that organisers obtain approval from “relevant ministries” that was never granted.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said the foreign-produced film had been “illegally imported”. And the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts stated that it must approve all films screened in Cambodia.
Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the Culture Ministry does have the power to act as a national film-review board, but that using this as a pretense for blocking screenings of the Chea Vichea film was “pretty bogus”.
“The only legitimate question to me is the public showing of the film. And that to me is a freedom of expression issue,” he said.
“The government knows full well that the screening of the film is mainly a protest against the government’s handling of the Chea Vichea case.
There are no legality issues here.”
Other organisations regularly screen films in public without asking the Ministry of Culture for permission, he said.
Nevertheless, an official with the ministry said Thursday that authorities plan to reject all requests to stage public screenings of the film.
“The movie does not have the proper legalities,” said Kong Kantara, an undersecretary of state. “If it is for public screening. It must have permission from the ministry.”
He added that any foreign film (Who Killed Chea Vichea? is American-produced) must be imported by a Cambodian company holding the rights to bring in films from abroad.
“This film does not have enough conditions that it could be allowed,” Kong Kantara said.
Chea Vichea’s family as well as rights groups have long believed that the two men convicted in the 2004 murder are innocent.
The slain unionist’s brother, Chea Mony, has said that the government was involved in the death.
Bradley Cox, who directed Who Killed Chea Vichea?, said he was sceptical of the government’s motives for stopping the film from being shown.
“It is interesting that the reasons given to block the screening keep shifting,” he wrote in an email. “It seems to me the Ministry of Culture is just a government device to censure any material that is critical of the ruling elite.”
In the meantime, opposition parliamentarians are pledging to show the film on an unspecified date, despite the government’s warnings.
“If the government prevents our screening, it means that the government does not dare face reality,” said Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann. “What is the government’s relation to this murder?”
Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, said the film’s backers are being disingenuous in their reasons for showing it publicly.
“The screening is just for political profit,” he said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY IRWIN LOY
AN attempt to show a controversial documentary exploring the death of union leader Chea Vichea was quickly quashed last week, but some observers are questioning the multitude of reasons authorities have offered for banning public screenings of the film.
Various government departments weighed in when organisers announced plans to show Who Killed Chea Vichea? near the site where the influential union leader was gunned down in 2004.
Information Minister Khieu Kanharith initially said the government would have no “political objections” to the screening.
But Phnom Penh officials then demanded that organisers obtain approval from “relevant ministries” that was never granted.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said the foreign-produced film had been “illegally imported”. And the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts stated that it must approve all films screened in Cambodia.
Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the Culture Ministry does have the power to act as a national film-review board, but that using this as a pretense for blocking screenings of the Chea Vichea film was “pretty bogus”.
“The only legitimate question to me is the public showing of the film. And that to me is a freedom of expression issue,” he said.
“The government knows full well that the screening of the film is mainly a protest against the government’s handling of the Chea Vichea case.
There are no legality issues here.”
Other organisations regularly screen films in public without asking the Ministry of Culture for permission, he said.
Nevertheless, an official with the ministry said Thursday that authorities plan to reject all requests to stage public screenings of the film.
“The movie does not have the proper legalities,” said Kong Kantara, an undersecretary of state. “If it is for public screening. It must have permission from the ministry.”
He added that any foreign film (Who Killed Chea Vichea? is American-produced) must be imported by a Cambodian company holding the rights to bring in films from abroad.
“This film does not have enough conditions that it could be allowed,” Kong Kantara said.
Chea Vichea’s family as well as rights groups have long believed that the two men convicted in the 2004 murder are innocent.
The slain unionist’s brother, Chea Mony, has said that the government was involved in the death.
Bradley Cox, who directed Who Killed Chea Vichea?, said he was sceptical of the government’s motives for stopping the film from being shown.
“It is interesting that the reasons given to block the screening keep shifting,” he wrote in an email. “It seems to me the Ministry of Culture is just a government device to censure any material that is critical of the ruling elite.”
In the meantime, opposition parliamentarians are pledging to show the film on an unspecified date, despite the government’s warnings.
“If the government prevents our screening, it means that the government does not dare face reality,” said Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann. “What is the government’s relation to this murder?”
Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, said the film’s backers are being disingenuous in their reasons for showing it publicly.
“The screening is just for political profit,” he said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY IRWIN LOY
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Opposition pledges to show barred film of murdered union leader
Chea Vichea's daughter living in exile with a picture of her late fatherWed, 05 May 2010
DPA
Phnom Penh - Cambodia's main opposition party has promised to screen a documentary that suggests official involvement in the 2004 killing of a prominent trade union leader, a party spokesman said Wednesday.
Yim Sovann, the spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), said the daylight shooting of union leader Chea Vichea had not been investigated properly by the authorities.
On Saturday, police prevented a handful of union activists from showing the documentary in Phnom Penh after May Day rallies. Police said permission had not been give to screen the film.
Yim Sovann told the German Press Agency dpa that the SRP had a duty to show the documentary despite objections from the ruling party, and would fix a date for the screening in due course.
"Chea Vichea was a Cambodian citizen who was assassinated, and so far there has been no result from the Ministry of Interior's investigation," he said. "We want to know the true story."
A ministry spokesman was not available for comment.
The documentary, titled Who Killed Chea Vichea?, was made by US filmmaker Bradley Cox and is currently being shown at international film festivals.
Yim Sovann said the SRP suspected "powerful officials" were involved in Chea Vichea's killing.
"The government should not be afraid of disclosures about the killing," he said. "Even if the case is related to any government official they must be prosecuted. We cannot accept impunity."
Chea Vichea, the charismatic head of a leading garment workers' union which was affiliated to the opposition SRP, was shot dead at a newspaper stand in central Phnom Penh in broad daylight.
Two men arrested and convicted of the killing were eventually freed on appeal, amid widespread belief from human rights workers and Chea Vichea's family that they had been framed.
Yim Sovann, the spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), said the daylight shooting of union leader Chea Vichea had not been investigated properly by the authorities.
On Saturday, police prevented a handful of union activists from showing the documentary in Phnom Penh after May Day rallies. Police said permission had not been give to screen the film.
Yim Sovann told the German Press Agency dpa that the SRP had a duty to show the documentary despite objections from the ruling party, and would fix a date for the screening in due course.
"Chea Vichea was a Cambodian citizen who was assassinated, and so far there has been no result from the Ministry of Interior's investigation," he said. "We want to know the true story."
A ministry spokesman was not available for comment.
The documentary, titled Who Killed Chea Vichea?, was made by US filmmaker Bradley Cox and is currently being shown at international film festivals.
Yim Sovann said the SRP suspected "powerful officials" were involved in Chea Vichea's killing.
"The government should not be afraid of disclosures about the killing," he said. "Even if the case is related to any government official they must be prosecuted. We cannot accept impunity."
Chea Vichea, the charismatic head of a leading garment workers' union which was affiliated to the opposition SRP, was shot dead at a newspaper stand in central Phnom Penh in broad daylight.
Two men arrested and convicted of the killing were eventually freed on appeal, amid widespread belief from human rights workers and Chea Vichea's family that they had been framed.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Who Killed Chea Vichea?
Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Defamation Case [against Chea Mony] Dropped
Cambodian union leader Chea Mony is detained during a rally in Phnom Penh, May 1, 2006. (AFP file photo)2009-09-01
Radio Free Asia
But allegations persist of a government role in the 2004 killing of Cambodian labor leader Chea Vichea.
PHNOM PENH—Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered a halt in legal proceedings against Chea Mony, brother of slain union leader Chea Vichea, after Chea Mony blamed the government for his brother's killing.
Chea Vichea, former head of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, was gunned down in broad daylight at a newsstand here on Jan. 22, 2004. He was an outspoken critic of government corruption and human rights and labor abuses.
Two men, Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, were convicted of murdering him, but the Supreme Court ordered their release and a retrial in 2008, citing contradictory evidence.
The Appeal Court here said Aug. 17 that a new investigation in the case would go ahead, setting both men free until a verdict is handed down.
Chea Mony said afterward that he remained certain that the government had been involved in his brother's killing, and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith then said Chea Mony would face prosecution for defamation and disinformation.
But Khieu Kanharith said in an interview Aug. 29 that Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered his government to drop the charges, on grounds that Chea Mony was overwhelmed by grief when he spoke out.
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), welcomed the decision.
"Concerning Samdech's [Prime Minister Hun Sen's] order for officials to stop legal action against me, and his request for pursuing Chea Vichea's murderers, the workers, my family, and I are very pleased," he said.
The FTUWKC is one of the country's most active unions, with about 30,000 members. It has said the killing was politically motivated.
Human rights groups have sharply criticized the government's handling of the case, saying Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were framed. They also point to numerous police and judicial irregularities.
More cases
Sophie Richardson, Washington-based Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch, welcomed reports that charges against Chea Mony had been dropped.
"If it is in fact true that Hun Sen has dropped the defamation charges against Chea Mony, that's not a bad thing. But the fact remains that those charges never should have been imposed in the first place," Richardson said.
"And if the prime minister has somehow come to a more enlightened understanding about freedom of expression, there are a host of other defamation cases that should also be dropped, since they are wildly incompatible with both Cambodian and international law," she said.
Original reporting by Sok Serey for RFA's Khmer service. Translated by Uon Chhin. Khmer service director: Sos Kem. Executive producer: Susan Lavery. Additional reporting by Richard Finney. Written in English by Sarah Jackson-Han.
PHNOM PENH—Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered a halt in legal proceedings against Chea Mony, brother of slain union leader Chea Vichea, after Chea Mony blamed the government for his brother's killing.
Chea Vichea, former head of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, was gunned down in broad daylight at a newsstand here on Jan. 22, 2004. He was an outspoken critic of government corruption and human rights and labor abuses.
Two men, Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, were convicted of murdering him, but the Supreme Court ordered their release and a retrial in 2008, citing contradictory evidence.
The Appeal Court here said Aug. 17 that a new investigation in the case would go ahead, setting both men free until a verdict is handed down.
Chea Mony said afterward that he remained certain that the government had been involved in his brother's killing, and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith then said Chea Mony would face prosecution for defamation and disinformation.
But Khieu Kanharith said in an interview Aug. 29 that Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered his government to drop the charges, on grounds that Chea Mony was overwhelmed by grief when he spoke out.
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), welcomed the decision.
"Concerning Samdech's [Prime Minister Hun Sen's] order for officials to stop legal action against me, and his request for pursuing Chea Vichea's murderers, the workers, my family, and I are very pleased," he said.
The FTUWKC is one of the country's most active unions, with about 30,000 members. It has said the killing was politically motivated.
Human rights groups have sharply criticized the government's handling of the case, saying Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were framed. They also point to numerous police and judicial irregularities.
More cases
Sophie Richardson, Washington-based Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch, welcomed reports that charges against Chea Mony had been dropped.
"If it is in fact true that Hun Sen has dropped the defamation charges against Chea Mony, that's not a bad thing. But the fact remains that those charges never should have been imposed in the first place," Richardson said.
"And if the prime minister has somehow come to a more enlightened understanding about freedom of expression, there are a host of other defamation cases that should also be dropped, since they are wildly incompatible with both Cambodian and international law," she said.
Original reporting by Sok Serey for RFA's Khmer service. Translated by Uon Chhin. Khmer service director: Sos Kem. Executive producer: Susan Lavery. Additional reporting by Richard Finney. Written in English by Sarah Jackson-Han.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
CCHR welcomes the Government’s decision to drop its planned lawsuit against Chea Mony
Cambodian Center for Human Rights
Media Statement
Phnom Penh, August 31, 2009
For Immediate Release
Phnom Penh, August 31, 2009
For Immediate Release
CCHR welcomes the Government’s decision to drop its planned lawsuit against Chea Mony
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) welcomes the decision by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to refrain from taking legal action against Chea Mony, the President of the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC).
The Cambodia Daily article headlined ‘Gov’t Won’t Seek Lawsuit Against Union Leader’ (August 31, 2009) quoted RGC spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith as stating that the RGC has dropped its plans to file a complaint against Chea Mony. This reversal follows a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen to call off the lawsuit. The RGC had previously signaled its intention to sue Chea Mony after the union leader had said that RGC officials could have been involved in the assassination of his older brother and former FTUWC President Chea Vichea.
This reversal is a positive sign for freedom of expression in Cambodia and represents tolerance and maturity on behalf of the RGC. The CCHR commends the RGC and Prime Minister Hun Sen and is hopeful that this decision reflects a new approach to freedom of expression and democratization in Cambodia.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ou Virak, President, CCHR
Tel: +855 12 40 40 51
Email: ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org
Mr. Chheat Sreang, Project Coordinator, CCHR
Tel: +855 12 60 97 60
Email: sreang@cchrcambodia.org
The Cambodia Daily article headlined ‘Gov’t Won’t Seek Lawsuit Against Union Leader’ (August 31, 2009) quoted RGC spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith as stating that the RGC has dropped its plans to file a complaint against Chea Mony. This reversal follows a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen to call off the lawsuit. The RGC had previously signaled its intention to sue Chea Mony after the union leader had said that RGC officials could have been involved in the assassination of his older brother and former FTUWC President Chea Vichea.
This reversal is a positive sign for freedom of expression in Cambodia and represents tolerance and maturity on behalf of the RGC. The CCHR commends the RGC and Prime Minister Hun Sen and is hopeful that this decision reflects a new approach to freedom of expression and democratization in Cambodia.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ou Virak, President, CCHR
Tel: +855 12 40 40 51
Email: ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org
Mr. Chheat Sreang, Project Coordinator, CCHR
Tel: +855 12 60 97 60
Email: sreang@cchrcambodia.org
Friday, August 21, 2009
Chea Mony maintains his accusation against the government
21 August 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
In spite of the lawsuit threat leveled by government official against Chea Mony, President of the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), for his comment accusing the government of involvement in the 2004 murder of Chea Vichea, Chea Mony’s older brother, Chea Mony still maintains his stance. Speaking to The Phnom Penh Post on Thursday, Chea Mony said that what he raised was not exaggeration, it was the truth. He said: “The Cambodian government has the duty to find the killers. If the government does not look for the killers, it means that the government is truly behind this murder.” Chea Mony repeated that he does not fear the lawsuit threat against him. He said that he is already prepared to accept the responsibility and he is willing to face jail over the presumption on the murder of his brother, i.e. that the government was behind Chea Vichea’s murder.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
