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 

johncoughlan@cchrcambodia.org

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.

Acid victim in notorious attack dies

Ya Soknim (R) with In Soklyda (L)

Thursday, 23 June 2011
Mom Kunthear
The Phnom Penh Post

Acid attack victim Ya Sokhnim, the aunt of prominent beauty queen In Soklyda, died in Phnom Penh yesterday morning of injuries stemming from a 2008 crime masterminded by her niece’s lesbian lover.

Ya Soknim’s husband Uong Vibol, 46, said yesterday his 39-year-old wife had passed away about 9am after being admitted to the Calmette Hospital a week ago.

“I really pity and mourn my wife. She died because she was injured very seriously by acid,” he said.

On May 8 , 2008, two men on a motorcycle accosted Ya Soknim in the capital and poured acid over her face and upper body. She suffered severe burns as a result, losing her right eye and breast.

Supreme Court Upholds Acid Attack Verdict

Chea Ratha (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 06 October 2010

“I still worry about the safety of myself and my family because the offenders have not yet been arrested.”

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of a former military police commander for the acid attack in retribution against a former lover.

Chea Ratha, the former deputy chief of military police, and five accomplices, were released by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in August 2009, whose not guilty verdict was reversed by the Appeals Court in November that year.

The Appeals Court issued an 18-year prison sentence against the six suspects in absentia and fined $100,000. They all remain at large.

They were accused of attacking Ya Sok Nim, the aunt of beauty queen In Solida, the reported lover of Chea Ratha, in May 2008. In Solida, who was not harmed, has said she was forced into a relationship with Chea Ratha until she finally refused.

Ya Sok Nim, whose face was disfigured in the attack and who has gone into hiding since Chea Ratha's release, told VOA Khmer by phone the courts had “provided me and my family justice.”

“I still worry about the safety of myself and my family because the offenders have not yet been arrested,” she said.

Her lawyer, Huang Sopheak, said the verdict was right but the compensation was not enough. However, lawyer for the defense, Nach Try, said the courts had made their decision with insufficient evidence or witnesses.

Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Licadho, said the conviction sent a positive message that could deter future attacks.

Cambodia acid victim seeks refuge in Malaysia

In Soklyda (L) and her aunt Ya Soknim

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
ABC Radio Australia

A Cambodian victim of an acid attack by a high-ranking military police official will seek asylum in Malaysia.

Ya Soknim and 18 relatives plan to apply for refugee status through the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia.

Six people convicted in the May 2008 attack - including former military police Brigadier General Chea Ratha - remain free.

Chea Ratha and five accomplices were convicted in absentia in November for the acid attack.

Scars

It left Ya Soknim with severe scarring on her face and torso.

Prosecutors accused Chea Ratha of ordering the attack after Ya Soknim's niece, beauty queen In Soklyda, broke off a sexual relationship.

Family members say they have received death threats from people associated with Chea Ratha, who remains on Interpol's wanted list.

But it is not clear if Ya Soknim and her relatives fall within the legal definition of refugees.

Acid Attack Appeal Scheduled

10/26/2009
ShortNews.com

Cambodia - In May 2008, Ya Sokhim had acid poured all over her face and upper body. She claimed that it was because she had helped Soklyda, her niece, escape the wrath of Chea, Soklyda´s lesbian lover and former Chief of Staff of the military police.

Last month, the municipal court acquitted Chea and five other suspects in a ruling that was condemned by rights groups.

The appeal will be heard at the end of October. Chea is out of the country and was not available for comment.

Source: www.phnompenhpost.com

Acid Attack Victim To Appeal Suspects’ Release

In Soklyda (L) and her aunt, Ya Soknim, appeal for help in their court case against a Cambodian military police officer.

By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington
08 September 2009

The family of an acid attack victim has vowed to fight on in court, despite living in fear and hiding since a recent court decision to release the alleged perpetrators.

Ya Soknim, 39, who was assaulted in May 2008, said Monday that her whole family has limited its movement since the Phnom Penh court dropped charges against a former military police officer, Chea Ratha, and six alleged accomplices.

“For fear of our family’s safety, we regularly change our hiding place,” Ya Soknim said, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

The family has decided to appeal the release, despite the appearance of strangers who seem to be watching them following last week’s decision.

Ya Soknim took burn damage to nearly half her body, after her niece, In Soklyda, a former beauty queen, broke off a love affair with Chea Ratha, a former military police deputy chief of staff.

In Soklyda, who also appeared on “Hello VOA,” said that since she left Chea Ratha, most of her family has not been able to work, as they continue to move around to stay safe.

“We will continue to take our case to the Appeal Court, even though we know that we have little hope,” she said. “Our lives are in the hands of the perpetrators. We now live in fear. Our lives are meaningless. We are only waiting for our dying day.”

Chea Ratha was reportedly on a trip overseas for a medical check-up when the attack took place and has herself been in hiding for fear of arrest. However, In Soklyda said the female officer had made threatening phone calls to her relatives.

“She threatened and mocked at my aunt’s suffering,” In Soklyda said. “It was the same threats as before I left her.”

Court Lambasted for Dropping Acid Attack Case

Chea Ratha (Photo: Heng Chivoan, The Phnom Penh Post)

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 September 2009

The victim of a 2008 acid attack victim jointed local human rights groups on Wednesday in decrying a court decision to drop charges against a former military police woman and her subordinates.

Ya Soknim, 39, told reporters at Licadho’s office Wednesday she suffered for injustice, and worried for her safety and revenge after they were freed from charges.

“For people without money, it is not necessary to complain,” she said. The court “sees the poor and vulnerable people and lets them live in misfortune.”

Ya Soknim was assaulted in May 2008, after her niece, In Soklyda, a former beauty queen, had an allegedly forced love affair with Chea Ratha, a former military police deputy chief of staff.

Chea Ratha was not available for comment.

In Soklyda told reporters Wednesday she would have “remorse my whole life,” seeing the scars of her aunt’s acid attack. She claims Chea Ratha “told me she loved me and forced me to live with her for more than two years…after I refused to love her.”

“When I open my eyes, I see my aunt’s scar from the acid attack,” she said.

“How can I live, if the court has no trial, dropped the charge and there’s no justice because of no evidence?” she said. “In fact we have evidence. My family cannot live in this country if the offenders go free.”

Naly Pilorge, director of the rights group Licadho, called the court’s decision “yet another blatant display of Cambodia’s rampant impunity and culture of brutal violence.”

“What is so shocking in the case is the judges’ apparent total disregard of the evidence against Chea Ratha and her alleged accomplices,” she said. “Court rulings like this only ensure that acid attacks will continue, because the perpetrators are not brought to justice.”

Ou Virak, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said the court had shown a lack of independence in prosecuting high-ranking officials.

“As long as the courts operate at the direction of the Cambodian government, rule of law will remain an empty slogan at donor conferences,” he said.

Latest acid attack stemming from a love affair between a high-ranking military police officer and In Solida?

In Solyda (L) and Chea Ratha (R) when they were still in good term, the Koh Santepheap newspaper reported that Chea Ratha, a deputy Military Police Chief, is looking for In Solyda and, in turn, In Solyda's family is accusing Chea Ratha of threatening In Solyda's family (Photo: Koh Santepheap newspaper)

Former Policeman Arrested in Acid Attack Case

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
14 May 2008

A former municipal police officer has been arrested following an acid attack earlier this month, and officials said Wednesday he may have connections to senior government figures.

Ear Puthea, 34, was arrested and transferred to the courts Tuesday, said Lt. Gen. Sok Phal, deputy chief of National Police.

“He is charged, but please I do not want to say for what he is charged,” said Ek Chheng Huot, deputy prosecutor for Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

The arrest is linked to a May 8 acid attack on Ya Soknim, whose family have said she was the victim of violence in a love affair involving a high-ranking military police official.

Rights workers said the case was linked to “personalities” in the government, while noting that suspects in acid attacks are rarely punished.