The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Cambodia.
Brief description of the situation:
According to the information received, on April 1, 2014, Preah Vihear Provincial Governor Oum Mara sent a letter to the Ministry of Interior, demanding the closure of the local office of the NGO Ponlok Khmer. The letter accused the NGO of inciting villagers to commit illegal activities.
Ponlok Khmer has been working with the Kuoy villagers of Prame commune, Tbaeng Mean Chey district, Preah Vihear province, who have been involved in a land dispute with the Chinese company Roy Feng International Co. Ltd. On April 1, 2014, the villagers decided to destroy the company’s sugarcane plantation as a sign of protest against the alleged encroachment on their community farmland. Mr. Lut Sang, a staff member of Ponlok Khmer, was present to monitor the protest.
Following the protest, the Provincial Governor wrote a letter to the Minister of Interior, detailing his intentions to close the Ponlok Khmer offices, to create a working group to meet with villagers and ask them to stop destroying sugarcane, and to allow the Roy Feng Company to file a lawsuit against the community leaders.
In addition, Mr. Lut Sang and two community leaders, Ms. Noun Mon and Ms. Roeung Khann, were summoned by the Preah Vihear provincial police chief to appear on April 2, 2014 at the local police station. On April 4, 2014, the police issued a new summons that also included Ms. Seung Sang, another community leader. On that day, the police adjourned the hearing without any further notice.
On April 5, 2014, Ponlok Khmer wrote a letter to Preah Vihear provincial authority asking a copy of the official letter that Preah Vihear Provincial Governor sent to the Ministry of Interior. However, the authorities have not answered yet.
At the time of writing, Ponlok Khmer was still operating. However, the Governor’s letter represents a serious threat and is a clear attempt to silence Ponlok Khmer, illustrating the culture of restrictions against human rights defenders and in particular of land rights activists in the country.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Cambodian authorities and leaders of the CNRP urging them to:
i. Put an end to acts of harassment against Ponlok Khmer, Mr. Lut Sang, Ms. Noun Mon, Ms. Roeung Khann and Ms. Seung Sang and all human rights defenders in Cambodia;
ii. Ensure in all circumstances that they are able to carry out their work without unjustified hindrance and fear of reprisal;
iii. Comply with all the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations General Assembly, in particular:
– Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”,
– and Article 12.2 which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”
iv. Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments ratified by Cambodia.
Addresses:
· Mr. Hun Sen, Prime Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, 41 Russian Federation Blvd, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Fax: +855 23 360666 / 855 23 880624 (c/o Council of Ministers), Email: leewood_phu@nida.gov.kh / cppparty@gmail.com
· Mr. Sar Kheng, Minister of Interior, Ministry of Interior, 275 Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Fax: + 855 23 212708. Email: moi@interior.gov.kh
· Mr. Ang Vong Vathna, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, 240 Sothearos Blvd, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Fax: +855 23 364119.
· Mr. Hor Nam Hong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 161 Preah Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Fax: + 855 23 216144 / + 855 23 216939. Email: mfaic@mfa.gov.kh
· Ms. Maria Fariello, Human Rights Defenders Focal Point, Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia, No. 100 A, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Khan Daun Penh, 12207 Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Fax: +855 23 216 997 Email: HumanrightsKH@eeas.europa.eu / Delegation-Cambodia@eeas.europa.eu
· Mr. Ke Sovann, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United Nations in Geneva, Chemin de Taverney 3, Case postale 213, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland, Fax: + 41 22 788 77 74. Email: camemb.gva@mfa.gov.kh / cambodge@bluewin.ch
Please also write to diplomatic representations of Cambodia in your respective countries.
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Geneva-Paris, April 11, 2014
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, an OMCT and FIDH venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.