Cambodia rights body decries worsening repression as staffer jailed

Wed, 01 Sep 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - A leading human rights group in Cambodia said Wednesday that activists are operating in an increasingly hostile environment there, characterized by physical violence, illegal arrests and trumped-up criminal charges.

Up to 60 human rights activists were currently in pretrial detention on a range of charges, according to the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights.

The report, Attacks and Threats Against Human Rights Defenders in Cambodia, highlighted a number of trends the league said were being used against those the government perceives as its critics.

"Despite Cambodia being a signatory to numerous international treaties and the passage of national laws guaranteeing the protection of human rights defenders, the situation has worsened for many human rights defenders and civil society," league president Pung Chhiv Kek said.

The twice yearly report was released two days after staff member Leang Sokchoeun was jailed for two years for disinformation. Pung Chhiv Kek condemned the judgement as "an absolutely appalling example" of the lack of independence of Cambodia's courts.

She described the conviction as politically motivated and predetermined with "no basis in fact or law," adding that it "underscores the dire state of Cambodia's judiciary."

Leang Sokchoeun was sentenced with two other men after being accused of distributing anti-government leaflets. The league said the trial was marked by numerous deficiencies, including evidence that police had arrested the wrong man.

"Given the involvement of an NGO [non-governmental organization] staff member, combined with the heavy prison sentence, I am concerned that someone may be trying to send a message," Pung Chhiv Kek said.

The report highlighted measures being taken against anyone speaking out for human rights, such as community representatives protesting land grabs by the powerful.

Naly Pilorge, the league's director, said among the "disturbing trends" was the government's use of the courts as a weapon.

Other trends included charging people with defamation and disinformation to restrict freedom of expression and curbing freedom of association and assembly.

Pilorge said human rights defenders released on bail were typically told to stop their work while charges were pending - a situation that could last years.

The report made several recommendations, including calling on the government to stop arresting human rights officials and to prosecute corrupt state officials who the league said enjoy impunity.