6 May 2021, 10:00 UTC
Responding to reports that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday convicted and sentenced five environmental activists, Emerlynne Gil, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Research said:
“This outrageous conviction is a blatant attempt to silence these young human rights defenders in retaliation for their peaceful work to protect Cambodia’s natural resources. This clearly violates the activists’ right to freedom of expression and constitutes an attack on all human rights defenders in Cambodia. Mother Nature Cambodia has long stood out as one of the most effective, popular, and creative activist groups in Cambodia. Emerlynne Gil, Amnesty International s Deputy Regional Director for Research
Cambodia jails environmental activists for incitement
Human rights watchdog CIVICUS demands the immediate release of the Mother Nature Cambodia campaigners
Updated: May 06, 2021 06:59 AM GMT
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Environmental activist Phuon Keoreaksmey during a cycling campaign in 2020. (Photo: Mother Nature Cambodia)
Three environmental activists have been jailed for 18-20 months and fined for incitement amid demands for their release and warnings their convictions highlighted a “rapid deterioration” of human rights in Cambodia.
Global civil society alliance CIVICUS said the international community “must not remain silent at this injustice” following the convictions of Phuon Keoreaksmey, Long Kunthea and Thun Ratha from Mother Nature Cambodia on May 5.
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.
Mother Nature activist Long Kunthea, who was imprisoned yesterday for her environmental activism.
Credit: Facebook/Mother Nature
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A Cambodian court has imprisoned three environmental activists belonging to the advocacy group Mother Nature, after finding them guilty of “incitement” for organizing a one-woman protest against the filling of lakes in the country’s capital Phnom Penh.
On Wednesday, a judge at Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced activists Long Kunthea and Phuon Keoraksmey to 18 months in prison for “incitement to commit a felony or disturb social order” and fined them 4 million riel (about $1,000) each. A third activist, Thun Ratha, 29, was sentenced to 20 months on the same charge, and he was also fined 4 million riel.
Cambodia police general among 3 jailed for violating COVID-19 curbs Reuters 7 hrs ago
PHNOM PENH, April 30 (Reuters) - A Cambodian court has jailed three people, including a top police general, for more than a year for violating COVID-19 restrictions by attending a party, a court official said on Friday.
Major General Ung Chanthuok, deputy chief of staff of the national police, was sentenced on Thursday to 12 months in prison over a party he organised earlier this month, while two other attendees received 18-month terms. Ung Chanthuok was sacked after his arrest.
Kuch Kimlong, deputy prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, said all three were also fined $1,250 each.