RFA's Keo Nimol: I did not seek political asylum

Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

RFA reporter Um Sarin, also known as Keo Nimol, who was labeled by Hun Sen as an ‘insolent reporter,’ has returned back to Cambodia of 10 June following his 5-day attendance at a conference in Moscow, Russia. At his arrival in Cambodia, Um Sarin told the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that his departure abroad was not because Hun Sen was scolding him, it was only a coincidence that he had to attend an International Conference for Journalists in Moscow. Um Sarin said that he did not flee the country, and neither does he seek political asylum. He said that he loves his country, therefore, he cannot leave his birthplace. He said that being a 20-year reporter, the scolding from the government leader is not a major issue for a reporter.

Keo Nimol denies he is seeking asylum

Friday, June 1, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Keo Nimol, the RFA reporter whom Hun Sen claimed on Wednesday that he was looking for an asylum from Bangkok, denied Hun Sen’s claim. Keo Nimol, whose real name is Um Sarin, who was labeled as an ‘insolent’ reporter by Hun Sen, wrote an email on Wednesday saying that he did not seek for asylum. Keo Nimol said that the reason he left the country was because he was afraid that someone could hurt him to please Hun Sen after the latter scolded him in public. Keo Nimol said that he is currently visiting relatives in Thailand, he will travel to Moscow next to attend a meeting organized by the International Journalist Forum. Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said that Keo Nimol has nothing to be concerned about Hun Sen’s scolding. Khieu Sopheak told The Cambodia Daily that: “he should not be afraid.”

Hun Sen: He fled because he wants to live abroad

Thursday, May 31, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

RFA reporter Keo Nimol – whose real name is Um Sarin – whom Hun Sen labeled as an ‘insolent reporter,’ is reported to have fled out of the country to Bangkok, Thailand, where he is asking the UNHCR for help. During a ceremony for the distribution of student diploma on Wednesday, Hun Sen raised the issue of Keo Nimol by saying: “There are some people who want to benefit, he really want to go (live) abroad, so the other day he was still asking me questions in front of the National Assembly, but he now fled to Bangkok already because he is afraid for his personal safety, and he went to ask for help from the UNHCR. If there are many of this type of person, it’s also good, this one guy fled all the way to Bangkok because he is afraid for his personal safety just because Mr. Hun Sen scolded him. I talk frankly to him, like real brothers, that he should know how to ask question, but he was sacred for his safety because he wants to go live abroad. If he wants to go live abroad, there is only one way (for him to use as excuse): political threat, and in this manner he can ask for political refugee status. If he is allowed to, let him go, it is better this way, it would be less heavier for Cambodia soil.”

Khieu Sopheak on Hun Sen's "Love you to death" message: Hun Sen likes Keo Nimol, that's why he insulted Keo Nimol

Thursday, May 24, 2007
Radio reporter left the country

Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said that a RFA reporter, who was called “rude” by Prime Minister Hun Sen last week, has left Cambodia to Thailand out of concern for his personal safety. Keo Nimol whose real name is Um Sarin, who is also the President of the Cambodian Association for the Defense of Journalists, left Cambodia to Thailand on Monday, the same day Hun Sen left Cambodia to visit Burma. A source at RFA indicated that Keo Nimol left to Thailand for a short rest because he was concerned about his personal safety. Khieu Sopheak, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, told The Cambodia Daily that Keo Nimol has nothing to fear about the words pronounced by Hun Sen. He added that Hun Sen’s talk is a sign of endearment. Khieu Sopheal also said that Hun Sen likes Keo Nimol, that is why he insulted him. It’s just like a father reprimanding his son.

Once a thug, always a thug: The tribulations of RFA reporters with H.E. Samdach Hun Sen

CPJ troubled by Cambodian prime minister’s remarks to RFA reporter

New York, May 23, 2007 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is troubled by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s threatening comments to a Radio Free Asia reporter on Thursday.

Um Sarin, a radio reporter with Radio Free Asia (RFA), told CPJ that Hun Sen referred to him as “insolent” and “rude” after being queried outside the National Assembly compound about a recent government reshuffle. The premier singled out RFA for what he deemed as consistently “insolent” reporting.

“I was very afraid because his bodyguards started to circle around me,” Um Sarin told CPJ in a telephone interview. “He pointed his finger in my face and said that in the future I should be afraid to ask those sorts of questions,” he added. The premier’s comments against Um Sarin were later broadcast on several state-affiliated television and radio stations, drawing attention to the confrontation. In news reports, Hun Sen has not commented on the matter.

“In Cambodia’s current climate, the prime minister’s comments are menacing,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “We urge the prime minister to clarify his comments and make clear that he did not intend to threaten reporter Um Sarin.”

On May 20, Um Sarin said, he fled to neighboring Thailand due to concerns for his personal safety. Um Sarin’s case marks the latest incident in a troubling trend of government harassment of RFA reporters.

According to a senior RFA editor, reporter Sok Ratha was prevented by Hun Sen’s bodyguards from reporting on a new road project in the remote Ratanakiri province in April. The same reporter had earlier been called to a meeting with the provincial governor, where he was chastised for reporting on alleged illegal logging in the area, according to the RFA editor. Hun Sen’s government has consistently denied that it condones illegal logging despite several independent investigative reports that indicate otherwise.

In December 2006, the editor said, RFA reporter Lem Pich Pisey was prevented by Hun Sen’s bodyguards from covering the opening of a new building in Battambang province last December. The area is a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge, of which Hun Sen’s government has reached a controversial political accommodation.

And in October 2005, RFA reporter Ath Bunny fled Cambodia for Thailand due to concerns he might be arrested for reports about a controversial border demarcation treaty that Hun Sen had made with Vietnam. Hun Sen’s government had earlier jailed Radio Beehive FM 105 journalist Mam Sonando over critical radio reports he had made about the treaty.

International Journalist Group Censures Hun Sen for Remark

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
23/05/2007

The Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists Tuesday expressed "shock and outrage" at public comments from Prime Minister Hun Sen last week that allegedly sent a Radio Free Asia reporter into hiding.

Hun Sen last week called Keo Nimol "insolent" and, according to the Federation, later asked another journalist the real name, background and political leanings of the reporter.

The Federation called on the prime minister to "publicly clarify" his comments, claiming his words had caused the reporter to flee "in fear after being targeted for abuse."

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

"Your radio station is insolent, and the one who asks questions is insolent too," Hun Sen told Keo Nimol after he asked a question last week, sparking concern that subordinates intent on gaining favor with the prime minister might harm the reporter.

A colleague of Keo Nimol told VOA Khmer Wednesday Keo Nimol was taking care of ill family members in Bangkok.

Keo Nimol "is now in hiding and fears for his personal safety," the Federation said.

"The prime minister is only undermining the principles of democracy by attempting to discredit and silence those who question the power structures," Federation President Christopher Warren said in a statement. "In the name of press freedom and journalists' safety in Cambodia, the prime minister must act to end the intimidation, or face the disapproval of the international community."

Cambodia: Garment workers threaten strikes

May 22nd, 2007
By Jef Costello
libcom.org

Garment workers are trying to prevent large pay cuts. At the same time building workers have gone on strike in support of sacked colleagues.

The garment workers are threatening strikes in reaction to governement proposals to change the law that compels employers to pay double wages for night work. By cutting this premium by 70% the Prime Minister, Hun Sen, claims he will be able to create tens of thousands of new jobs. The industry is currently responsible for US$2.3bn worth of exports yearly, almost 80% of the total.

The government plans will affect other industries if they can be succesfully applied here. The 70000-strong Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) has threatened strike action. Currently only 10000 out of some 300000 workers work at night, with the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia claiming that night-workers are too expensive. The legislation is clearly an attempt by the government to normalise night work enabling factories to run 24 hours a day. With the minimum monthly wage set at $50 and union members estimating monthly living costs at $57, it is easy to see that workers will be rapidly forced into night work.

Last year there was a large increase in labour disputes and an increase in the number of disputes that led to strikes. For almost 80% of strikes the reason given was the refusal of management to respect employment laws.

In the Naga resort, near the capital Phnom Penh, workers building a new casino have gone on strike, calling for the reinstatement of 36 carpenters who were fired on Sunday. Management is denying that the workers were fired, claiming that the work they had been contracted to do was finished.

The workers, employed by China Central Asia Group, are also angered by salary cuts, one worker said there had been a pay cut from 14000 riels to 8000 per day (£1.76 to £1). Workers also demand that conditions be improved at the site.

One of the workers claimed that management was deliberately pressuring unionised workers to force them to quit. Mœun Tola, the President of the National Building Workers union claimed that the sacked workers were not on the site due to fear of reprisals. Workers and organisers have been reported rising intimidation i recent years and three union leaders have been murdered, with pro-government forces being blamed.

A Cambodian journalist, Keo Nimol, has gone into hiding after Prime Minister Hun Sen called him "insolent" and "rude" during a radio broadcast. It is claimed that after the broadcast Mr Sen asked for personal information on Mr Nimol. During the interview Mr Nimol had tried to ask Mr Sen if rumours of a rift between the two parties in the government coalition were true.

RFA's Keo Nimol in hiding following verbal attack by Hun Sen

Journalist in hiding following verbal attack by prime minister

Country/Topic: Cambodia
Date: 22 May 2007
Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Person(s): Keo Nimol
Target(s): journalist(s)
Type(s) of violation(s): harassed
Urgency: Threat

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 May 2007 IFJ media release:

Journalist flees in fear after being targeted for abuse by Cambodian PM

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has voiced its shock and outrage after Cambodia's prime minister reportedly publicly dismissed a journalist as "insolent" and "rude" for asking questions.

Prime Minister Hun Sen attacked RFA radio reporter Keo Nimol on Thursday, May 17, after Keo questioned the future of the coalition between the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Funcinpec party.

"I am saying this so that all radio and TV stations in Cambodia broadcast that not only RFA as a radio station is insolent, but the reporter who asks question is more insolent," Prime Minister Hun Sen announced to media assembled at the Cambodia National Assembly.

IFJ President Christopher Warren expressed surprise that the prime minister would challenge a journalist so personally and forcefully, simply for asking a straightforward question.

"It is unacceptable that the prime minister has so publicly shown such contempt and disrespect for a journalist and the role of media in a democratic society," Warren said.

"I urge Prime Minister Hun Sen to publicly clarify his comments in a way that will leave no one in any doubt as to the Cambodian government's commitment to the democratic process and the media's role in this - that is, promoting discussion and transparency for open democratic process," he said.

Keo is now in hiding and fears for his personal safety. After he attacked both Keo and RFA as "insolent", Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly asked another journalist about Keo's real name, background and political leanings.

Warren said it appeared Prime Minister Hun Sen was trying to make an example of Keo as the country heads toward an election.

"The prime minister is only undermining the principles of democracy by attempting to discredit and silence those who question the power structures", Warren said.

"In the name of press freedom and journalists' safety in Cambodia, the prime minister must act to end the intimidation, or face the disapproval of the international community," he said.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries.