Cambodia: Ongoing arbitrary detention of Khmer Thavrak and KSILA members
20/05/2021
Arbitrary detention /
May 20, 2021
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture and FIDH, has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Cambodia. New information:
Hun Vannak, Ms.
Muong Sopheak and Mr. Mean Prommony, member and Vice President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA) [2], respectively.
On May 18, 2021, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court rejected the bail application of the above-mentioned seven human rights defenders to ensure that they would attend their trial, which has not yet been scheduled. At the time of publication of this urgent appeal, Koet Saray, Hun Vannak, Tha Lavy, Mean Prommony, and Muong Sopheak remain detained in Phnom Penh’s Correctional Center 1 (CC1), while Chhoeun Daravy and So Metta are detained in Phnom Penh’s C
Alejandro González-Davidson, and Khmer Thavrak member
Chea Kunthin, for planning a peaceful demonstration to denounce the exploitation of Phnom Penh’s Bueng Ta-mouk lake[2].
On May 5, 2021, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Long Kunthea and Phoun Keo Reaksmey to 18 months in prison and a fine of 4 million riel (approximately 825 Euros) on charges of “incitement to cause societal chaos” (Articles 494 and 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code). Thun Ratha was sentenced to 20 months in prison and a fine of 4 million riel on the same charges. At the time of publication of this urgent appeal, Thun Ratha remains detained in Phnom Penh’s Correctional Centre 1, while Long Kunthea and Phoun Keo Reaksmey remain detained in Phnom Penh’s Correctional Centre 2.
Torng Cheang.
On February 5, 2021, officials working for the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia arrested Ouch Leng, Heng Sros, Men Mat, Heng Run, and Torng Cheang, in the protected Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie Province, where they were collecting evidence of illegal logging in the area. They were subsequently taken to the Provincial Forestry Office of Kratie on accusations of “entering the protected area without permission”. Authorities seized their cameras, GPS devices, banners, and memory cards, which contained evidence of illegal logging.
On February 8, 2021, Ouch Leng, Heng Sros, Men Mat, Heng Run and Torng Cheang were released without charge after being forced to sign a document requiring them to cease their activities inside the protected areas of Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. The document further required them to stop sharing footage, photos or information about the forest with other organisations without the authorities’ permission.