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NO SPACE FOR FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY IN ‘FREEDOM’ PARK
Phnom Penh, 09 January 2014 – A group of around 50 gendarme and 20-30 Daun Penh security guards affirmed today when they dispersed a small crowd at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park that the right to freely assemble will not be tolerated in Cambodia’s current political climate. A group of nine Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) youth activist were set to meet this morning to sing songs against violence. The planned meeting comes after the authorities have determined not to allow gatherings of more than 10 people. The youth activists also planned to discuss recent attacks against demonstrators which has left at least 6 people dead and scores injured since July 2013’s contested elections.
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CAMBODIA: OMCT condemns killings of demonstrators in Phnom Penh and calls for immediate investigation and restraint
Geneva, January 8th, 2014. The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the principal global civil society coalition against torture, expresses concern about the violent repression of protests early January 2014 over garment factory wages and the political situation in the country, which led to the death of at least five persons and the arrest of 23 persons, including three human rights defenders. OMCT calls on the competent authorities to immediately launch an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into these events.
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Cambodia / Human rights: UN Special Rapporteur launches new fact-finding mission
GENEVA / PHNOM PENH (7 January 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Surya P. Subedi, will carry out an official visit to the country from 12 to 17 January 2014. This will be his first post-election fact-finding visit to Cambodia.
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Cambodia: Virulent campaign and threats against Mr. Ou Virak and CCHR staff
The Observatory has been informed about the virulent smear campaign and death threats against Mr. Ou Virak, President of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), a nonaligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia, as well as CCHR staff. Mr. Ou Virak and CCHR staff were targeted after CCHR criticised a speech delivered by Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) leader Sam Rainsy, which contained derogatory remarks towards the Vietnamese community in Cambodia and against women.
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Continuing Failure to Provide Suspect in Case 004 Access to Case File Threatens Fair Trial Rights and Proper Administration of Justice
The Office of Co-Investigating Judges (OCIJ) at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) continues to deny the Defence team of a Named Suspect in case 004 access to the case file. The case file contains details of the investigations carried out by the OCIJ. Access to this information is vital to protect the Suspect’s fair trial rights and ensure the proper administration of justice.
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Open Letter to Government, Manufactures and Trade Unions Calling for Peaceful Resolution of Nationwide Strike Linked to the Cambodian Garment Industry Annual Minimum Wage Increase
We, the undersigned brands, write to express our deep felt concern over the tragic events which took place on 3 January, 2014 linked to the ongoing nationwide strike for increased minimum wages. We strongly oppose all forms of violence. It is with great concern that we have observed both the widespread civil unrest and the government’s use of deadly force.
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Cambodia: Open letter by 47 Asian NGOs to Prime Minister Hun Sen: Stop violent crackdown of protests, release all detained protestors
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), together with its 47 member organisations from 16 countries across Asia, writes to you to register our strongest protest against the Cambodian government’s recent series of violent suppression of public assemblies, including one which resulted in the fatal shooting of at least four individuals and scores severely wounded on 3 January 2014, as well as the ongoing judicial harassment against opposition leaders and human rights defenders, and the continued detention of at least 23 individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown.
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CCHR Human Rights Defender and Freedom of Expression Alert – Phnom Penh, 6 January 2014 Temporary Arrest of Land Activists and Ban on Demonstrations
Today, 6 January 2014, five land rights activists from Boeng Kak Lake were temporarily arrested in Phnom Penh. At 8.00 am, Tep Vanny, Yorn Bopha, Bo Chhorvy, Phan Chhunreth and Song Sreiy Leap started a march to the French Embassy asking for the release of Vorn Pov and nine other peaceful demonstrators previously arrested on Thursday 2 January. The five of them were arrested by the police at around 8.40 am and immediately taken to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Station. They were released at 4.45 pm only after they agreed to sign a letter stating that they will temporarily not engage in further protests.
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Cambodian Authorities must Reveal Whereabouts of Detainees Immediately
January 6, 2014 - Family members, lawyers and independent medical professionals have been denied information about the location of detention of 23 people arrested during recent brutal crackdowns in Phnom Penh. Those arrested include at least three human rights defenders, Vorn Pao, Theng Soveoun and Chan Putisak.
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Peaceful Protesters Expelled from Freedom Park as Military Mobilization Escalates
January 4, 2014 - This morning state forces put a violent end to CNRP supporters’ long-standing occupation of Freedom Park, also known as Democracy Plaza, an area in central Phnom Penh specifically designated for protest.
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CCHR Condemns the RGC’s Violent Clampdown on Human Rights and the Resulting Deterioration of the State of Democracy in Cambodia
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) condemns the Royal Government of Cambodia’s (the “RGC”) violent clampdown on human rights – especially on the rights to freedom of expression and assembly – over the past three days, which has resulted in further deterioration of the state of democracy in the Kingdom of Cambodia (“Cambodia”).
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Arrest and Charges against Human Rights Defender Vorn Pov, President of IDEA
Yesterday, 2 January 2014, human rights defender Vorn Pov, President of the Independent and Democracy of Information Economic Association (“IDEA”) and Theng Savuen from the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (“CCFC”) along with eight workers and five monks were arrested by Military Special Command Unit 911 while protesting outside of the Yak Jin Factory, off of National Road 4 in Phnom Penh, to demand a higher increase in the minimum wage for garment factory workers.
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