By Bikya Masr Staff
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have urged the Cambodian government to immediately release a human rights worker who was sentenced to two years in prison for giving out anti-government leaflets.
Leang Sokchouen, who works for the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), was convicted on charges of “disinformation” on Monday after a trial marked by numerous procedural flaws.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) have called or Sokchoeun’s release in a joint statement.
“This conviction once again highlights the lack of independence and impartiality of the courts, which are all too often used as a tool against the less powerful, rather than to uphold their rights,” said Donna Guest, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific deputy director.
Cambodian police arrested Sokchouen on 29 May on charges of involvement in the production and distribution of anti-government leaflets in Takeo province in January.
He was held incommunicado for over 33 hours, despite numerous requests by his family and lawyer to visit him. Sokchouen was given a US$500 fine, plus a two-year prison sentence.
“Unfounded charges of disinformation or defamation are well-worn tactics used by the Cambodian government to create a climate of fear,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President, added: “We reiterate our call to the Cambodian authorities to abolish the crimes of defamation and disinformation in Cambodian criminal law and ensure that the Criminal Code is not used to abusively restrict the right to freedom of expression.”
Eric Sottas, Secretary General of OMCT, urged the Cambodian authorities to free the activist.
“Leang Sokchouen should be immediately and unconditionally released as his detention is arbitrary and due process was blatantly violated throughout investigation and trial,” he said.
Leang Sokchouen, who works for the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), was convicted on charges of “disinformation” on Monday after a trial marked by numerous procedural flaws.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) have called or Sokchoeun’s release in a joint statement.
“This conviction once again highlights the lack of independence and impartiality of the courts, which are all too often used as a tool against the less powerful, rather than to uphold their rights,” said Donna Guest, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific deputy director.
Cambodian police arrested Sokchouen on 29 May on charges of involvement in the production and distribution of anti-government leaflets in Takeo province in January.
He was held incommunicado for over 33 hours, despite numerous requests by his family and lawyer to visit him. Sokchouen was given a US$500 fine, plus a two-year prison sentence.
“Unfounded charges of disinformation or defamation are well-worn tactics used by the Cambodian government to create a climate of fear,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President, added: “We reiterate our call to the Cambodian authorities to abolish the crimes of defamation and disinformation in Cambodian criminal law and ensure that the Criminal Code is not used to abusively restrict the right to freedom of expression.”
Eric Sottas, Secretary General of OMCT, urged the Cambodian authorities to free the activist.
“Leang Sokchouen should be immediately and unconditionally released as his detention is arbitrary and due process was blatantly violated throughout investigation and trial,” he said.
7 comments:
Dear KIMEdia Team,
I would like to ask you to help your readers to know what is Wright and what is wrong
Between Hero king and Marshall Lon Nol in 1970 s ’event, the story by world khmer Radio
Broadcasted on 09/05/10 The Statements were released by the eldest son of the Hero king named Borom Reamea Yuvaneath and interviewed by Mr. Som Borin.
In the name of khmer borne, this twisting story are so hurtful ,I know KIMedia will translate the interview
In English to enlighten your readers so they can judge the histories without the manipulations from any one .
Lon Nol ‘s soldier s kid.
Are you sure what you heard was correct? First off, the interview wasn't from eldest son of Hero King, but should I heard correct, it was the eldest brother of Sihanouk himself is it not?
If Sihanouk has a an elder brother still alive, this old prince must be in his 90s.
3:07AM I listened it twice Yuvaneat has stated he is Chakrapong s broter and he is the oldest one from Sihaknuk so please check that out it sound Bizzare
It was Sihanouk's oldest son . Not Sihanouk's brother . By the way, I never heard of Sihanouk's brother , does he have any brother ?
The interview has been broabcasting on radio a few times because it was long , but if 3:07 AM didn't know it was the oldest son of the former King Sihanouk, I'm wondering how much he has been listening to that interview and how much Khmer he understands .
WHY YOUR CAMBODIAN PEOPLE WAITING TO LONG TO KILL HUN SEN AND HIS GANGS. KILL HIM NOW BEFORE HE DESTROYS YOUR LOVELY LAND. NOTHING ELSE FOR COMMENT.
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT' JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT' JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT' JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT' JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT' JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT' JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
kon kmeng naek srae
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