DMC calls for Justice for a Workers' Hero

Chea Vichea

DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE

STATEMENT

JUSTICE FOR A WORKERS' HERO
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 5 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KILLING OF CHEA VICHEA

JANUARY 22, 2009

On January 22, 2004, Chea Vichea, former President of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was assassinated in cold blood after years of intimidation and threats by officials of the government. January 22, 2004 is a dark mark in the history of the movement of workers' in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Five years have gone by but justice is yet to be delivered to Chea Vichea, his family and hundreds and thousands of workers who demand that the government reveal the truth behind this well-planned killing.

The release on bail of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, two innocent men who served five years in prison, by the Supreme Court on December 31, 2008, further demonstrates that the government of Cambodia is certain of their innocence but refuses to stop its travesty of justice.

We, Members of Parliament from the Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party join together with millions of Cambodians throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia who want justice and strongly appeal to the government to re-investigate this case, taking into account the testimonies provided by key witnesses.

On this occasion, we respectfully re-submit our petition to the highest consideration of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni that Chea Vichea be considered as a WORKERS' HERO for his lifelong dedication to the basic dignity of workers and the recognition of their contributions to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our nation.

Chea Vichea was a dedicated and fearless union leader with strong principles of justice. He gave birth to the workers' movement in Cambodia. The intent of his murder was to instill fear into the heart of the workers and inhibit them in their fight for justice. But instead his spirit lives on. We must continue the work Chea Vichea so nobly began for us, till just prevails.

Chea Vichea fought for justice for workers and our society as a whole. May we finally honor him as our hero.

The Democratic Movement for Change

For further information contact 012-831-040 or 016 435-106

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.

Chea Vichea, the hero of the working class?

Friday, January 18, 2008
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Tuesday 22 January will be the anniversary of the death of Chea Vichea, the unionist who was assassinated in 2004. An opposition MP is asking that a statue be built for him, meanwhile, the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) asked for the authorization to organize a gathering to commemorate this date.

Opposition MP Son Chhay, a member of the Sam Rainsy Party, wrote, on 18 January, a letter to King Sihamoni in which he asked to honor the memory of Chea Vichea by granting him the title of “Hero of Cambodia’s Workers.”

Chea Vichea, the former president of the FTUWKC, was assassinated in the morning of 22 January 2004, in front of a newspapers kiosk close to the Wat Langka pagoda. “He deserves this title, as well as a location in the city to erect his statue,” Son Chhay wrote.

Chea Mony, who succeeded his brother at the union, said that he wrote to the king twice to suggest similar proposal. “The MP’s letter add more weight to our request If other MPs join him (Son Chhay) and support us, then my brother will obtain this title,” Chea Mony declared while adding that a request was also sent to the Phnom Penh city hall to obtain an authorization for a public gathering, organized by the FTUWKC, on 22 January, at the spot of the murder.

Two men were found guilty in the murder of Chea Vichea. However, several objections arose, including that of Chea Vichea’s family, to denounce the arrest of these two men, saying that the 2 charged, were not the real culprits.