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.

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.

Acquittal expected for Chea Ratha: attorney

In Soklyda (L) and Chea Ratha (R) when they were on better terms (Photo: Koh Santepheap)

Friday, 28 August 2009
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

A LAWYER representing former deputy chief of staff of the National Military Police Chea Ratha, who is suspected of involvement in an acid attack, said Thursday he expects his client will be exonerated by a Phnom Penh court in a verdict scheduled to be delivered on Monday.

Keo Ya said Phnom Penh Municipal Court should acquit Chea Ratha of charges stemming from the attack last year.

"I hope my client will be released on [Monday] because the court does not have enough proof against her," Keo Ya said.

"The prosecution has filed a complaint against her that only suspects her of involvement [in the incident]," he said, adding that Chea Ratha would likely return to Cambodia if the court ruled in her favour.

Keo Ya would not provide any information about Chea Ratha's current whereabouts.

Presiding Judge Din Sivuthy could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Chea Ratha is being tried in connection with an incident from May 2008 in which a Phnom Penh woman, Ya Soknim, was severely disfigured in an acid attack. Ya Soknim is the aunt of prominent beauty pageant contestant In Soklyda, who had a love affair with Chea Ratha.

Chea Ratha has admitted the love affair but denies any involvement in the acid attack.

Interpol in 186 countries is looking for General Chea Ratha

Friday, June 6, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A report indicated that Interpol police in 186 countries is currently looking to arrest General Chea Ratha, the deputy military police chief in Cambodia, based on a request made the Cambodian Interpol. General Keo Vanthorn, director of the police department, told RFA that his department sent the information to Interpol in 186 countries to arrest General Chea Ratha and 3 other suspects. Keo Vanthorn added that he believes that Chea Ratha who is currently hiding in Bangkok, Thailand, will not be able to escape from Interpol. The court issued an arrest warrant for Mrs. Chea Ratha, accusing her of premeditated murder attempt, and violation of an individual right. The arrest warrant also accused the general of being behind the acid attack on the aunt of In Soklyda, the former Cambodian tourist beauty queen pageant, who is currently hiding due to fear. Chea Ratha denied these charges against her in an interview with RFA this week, and she said that she is prepared to fight this case in court.

General Chea Ratha denied she’s involved in the acid attack

In Soklyda (L) and Chea Ratha (R) (Photo: Koh Santepheap)

Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Mrs. Chea Ratha who was recently removed from her position as the deputy chief of the Cambodian military police, who is suspected of being involved in the acid attack on the aunt of former tourist beauty queen In Soklyda, and to whom the court issued an arrest warrant, denied from (her hideout in) Thailand that she has no part in this acid attack. Chea Ratha told The Cambodia Daily on Sunday by phone, from a location in Thailand, that she had a love affair with In Soklyda for several years, and that she wants to live with In Soklyda forever, but she denied that she has no part in the acid attack plan on In Soklyda’s aunt. She said that she took the plane to China on 08 May, two days after the acid attack, for a liver medical treatment. She then decided to take the plane to travel to Thailand next, after she learnt that the Phnom Penh municipal court issued an arrest warrant against her.

Warrant issued for the perpetrators of the acid attack on In Soklyda’s aunt

In Soklyda (L) and Chea Ratha (R) when they were on better terms (Photo: Koh Santepheap)

Thursday, May 22, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

On Tuesday, the police and court officials said that a warrant was issued for the arrest of Mrs. Chea Ratha, the deputy chief of the Cambodian military police (PM) force, and that the authority is currently looking for her for her involvement in the 06 May acid attack on the aunt of In Soklyda, and the attack seriously deformed In Soklyda’s aunt’s face. Another police official indicated also that a warrant was also issued for the arrest of three other police officers because of their involvements in the attack. Ek Chheng Huot, the deputy prosecutor of the Phnom Penh municipal court, said that he signed the warrant last Saturday for the arrest of Chea Ratha and three other suspects. He said: “Mrs. Chea Ratha was the chief instigator of this acid attack, and I already sent the arrest warrant to Mr. Suon Samnang, the investigation judge.” A source from the department of Interior Security of the Ministry of Interior, indicated that the three other suspects are criminal department police officer for the city of Phnom Penh and they worked as body guards for Chea Ratha. The official indicated that the three suspects are: Siek Chandy, Chan Ra aka Mab, and Meas Mao.

In Soklyda’s aunt victim of acid attack

In Soklyda's aunt being helped after the acid attack, In Soklyda is shown on the inset (Photo: Koh Santepheap newspaper)

Friday, May 9, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The aunt of former tourism beauty pageant In Soklyda was the victim of an acid attack which burnt half of her body at 10:00 AM on 08 May 2008, in front of the RAC organization medical clinic, located along Street No. 432, Tuol Tompoung commune, Chamcar Mon district, Phnom Penh city. Local news media reported that the acid attack took place after the 24-year-old In Soklyda disappeared. In Soklyda was the 5th runner up for the tourism beauty pageant, among 32 candidates from countries participating in this past competition. 35-year-old Ya Soknim, the victim who was seriously injured by the attack, was doused in acid by two persons while she was locking the door of the car in front of the medical clinic. The right side of her body was seriously affected. Regarding this savage act, the family of the victim already sent a complaint to the Tuol Tompoung No. 1 police station, so that the police conduct its investigation to find the culprits and bring them to face justice. The disappearance of In Soklyda took place on 03 May 2008, the cause of her disappearance is not known yet.