• Statement by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Professor Surya P. Subedi

    Statement by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Professor Surya P. Subedi

    I am about to complete my tenth human rights fact-finding mission to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the first since the National Assembly elections​ took place in July 2013. What I propose to outline are my initial findings and thoughts about the human rights situation in the country since my last mission. My final conclusions and recommendations will be contained in my report that I will present to the United Nations Human Rights Council in September this year.

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  • Cambodia: Detainees in Crackdown Denied Rights

    Cambodia: Detainees in Crackdown Denied Rights

    (New York) – The Cambodian authorities should protect the rights of 23 people arrested after a violent crackdown by security forces on striking garment workers in Phnom Penh on January 2- 3, 2014, Human Rights Watch said today. Authorities detained the group incommunicado and without medical care at the remote CC3 prison at Trapeang Phlong in Kampong Cham province near the border with Vietnam.

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  • Cambodia: Trade union leader and human rights defender Mr Rong Chhun issued with court

    Cambodia: Trade union leader and human rights defender Mr Rong Chhun issued with court

    Human rights defender Mr Rong Chhun is due to appear before court on 14 January 2014. He was summonsed on grounds of allegedly inciting garment factory workers to demonstrate for a wage increase. Rong Chhun is president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions and of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA), in addition to being a labour rights advocate. CITA strives for improvements in teachers’ working conditions and lobbies the Cambodian government to recognize teachers’ rights.

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  • NO SPACE FOR FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY IN ‘FREEDOM’ PARK

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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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