Paris, Phnom Penh, 22 July 2015 – The lengthy prison terms handed down to 11 members and supporters of Cambodia’s main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), are a troubling reminder of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s determination to use the country’s institutions to eliminate any dissent, FIDH and its member organizations, Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) and Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), said today.
“The absurd conviction of the 11 CNRP members and supporters shows that Cambodia remains in the grip of an authoritarian government. More international pressure is needed to stop Hun Sen from eliminating political opposition and eradicating civil society,” said FIDH President Karim Lahidji.
On 21 July, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced CNRP members Ouern Narith, Khin Chamreun, and Meach Sovannara to 20 years in prison on charges of leading an insurrectionary movement (Article 459 of the Criminal Code). CNRP members and supporters San Kimheng, Neang Sokhun, San Seihak, An Batham, Ouk Pich Samnang, Ke Khim, Sum Puthy, and Tep Narin were sentenced to seven years in prison each on charges of participating in an insurrectionary movement (Articles 456 and 457 of the Criminal Code). Authorities took all 11 CNRP members and supporters to Prey Sar’s Correctional Center 1 (CC1) prison in Phnom Penh immediately after the sentencing.
“Once again, Cambodia’s judiciary has demonstrated that it serves as one of Hun Sen’s preferred tools of repression,” said LICADHO Director Naly Pilorge. “It is a sad state of affairs when the judiciary lacks independence from the executive branch and when the legislative process is just a rubber stamp for Hun Sen’s repressive policies.”
The conviction of the 11 CNRP members and supporters comes eight days after the 123-seat National Assembly passed the draconian Law on Associations and NGOs (LANGO). The law was adopted by the unanimous vote of all 68 MPs from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), while the CNRP MPs boycotted the vote to protest the law. The conviction also directly follows a visit by CNRP officials and supporters to inspect the Cambodia-Vietnam border demarcation in Svay Rieng Province on 19 July.
“Yesterday’s verdict was the disgraceful culmination of a 12-month saga that saw opposition members and supporters being used as pawns of Hun Sen’s political machinations,” said ADHOC President Thun Saray.
The conviction of the 11 CNRP members and supporters stemmed from their involvement in a protest organized by the CNRP near Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park on 15 July 2014. Several CNRP MPs and more than 300 party supporters attended the rally that sought to reopen Freedom Park after the government sealed it off in April 2014 as part of its ban on public demonstrations.
Between 15 and 17 July 2014, authorities detained seven CNRP MPs and party member Ouern Narith in connection with the protest. They were all released on 22 July 2014, shortly after the CPP and the CNRP reached an agreement to end the political deadlock. However, between 2 August and 13 November 2014, 10 more CNRP members and supporters were either arrested or charged in relation to the demonstration. Only the seven CNRP MPs have not been brought to trial. However, charges against them have not been dropped.
Press contacts
FIDH: Mr. Arthur Manet (French, English, Spanish) - Tel: +33672284294 (Paris)
FIDH: Mr. Andrea Giorgetta (English) - Tel: +6688611772 (Bangkok)