63 civil society groups, including NGO-CEDAW signed a joint statement against the unjust conviction of woman human rights defender Tep Vanny. She has been detained since August 2016 was convicted on February 23, 2017 of intentional violence with aggravating circumstances and sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment in relation to a protest which took place in 2013.
No live evidence was presented in court, just identical written statements from witnesses, so no cross-examination could be conducted. Her accusers are para-police (security guards who work with the military police) known to deliberately attack peaceful protesters.
Meanwhile, peaceful protesters outside the courtroom were forceably dragged away, and in some cases beaten by members of another para-police unit.
