Publication : Press Release

In the early afternoon of 17 May 2023, the Kratie provincial police, acting without a warrant, stopped and took 17 members of the Coalition of Cambodia Farmer Community Association (CCFC) to a police station for interrogation. Officers also brought 32 relatives of the members to the station, including children. The group was coming back to Phnom Penh from Ratanakiri Province, where they took part in a capacity building workshop and a staff reflection meeting from 13 to 14 May 2023. Three CCFC employees – President Mr. Theng Savoeun, Senior Organizing Officer Mr. Nhel Pheap, and Community Facilitation Officer Mr. Than Hach – were detained overnight before being sent to the Ratanakiri provincial police station for further questioning on 18 May. The other 14 CCFC members and the 32 relatives were freed and allowed to go home on 17 May. Authorities also seized computers and mobile phones used by CCFC staff members, as well as some of the organization's documents.

Information Source : CCHR Human Rights Defenders Alert – Phnom Penh, 23 May 2023  Three Coalition of Cambodia Farmer Community Association’s members arrested in Kratie Province