We, members of The Cambodian NGO Committee on CEDAW (NGO-CEDAW), a coalition of NGOs working for the advancement of the rights of women, are shocked by the violent crackdown and the use of excessive violence on workers and demonstrators by security forces from January 2 to 4, 2014 in front of the Yak Jin factory, at Veng Sreng road and at Freedom Park.
These brutal attacks by the authorities on demonstrators, including women and children, resulted in at least 4 deaths by gunshot and 40 persons injured, mostly by gunshots.
Following the violent repression by mixed armed forces (including military police, soldiers and police) on workers holding a protest defending their rights, twenty-three demonstrators and human rights defenders were arrested.
Among those arrested are Mr. Vorn Pao, head of the Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA) and Mr. Theng Savoeun, coordinator of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC). Both are members of NGO-CEDAW.
23 demonstrators were detained and sent to Phnom Penh court on January 3 and 4 2014. They have been charged with “intentional violence” and “intentional damage” both with aggravating circumstances. Each of these offenses is punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 5 years and a fine of $1,000 to $2,500. They are currently temporarily detained by the court pending an investigation and a hearing. Concerningly however, the location of their detention has been kept secret for 7 days.
We urge the government to resolve the problem in a peaceful manner, to refrain using violence and to immediately release all demonstrators presently under arrest.
We also call for a public investigation to reveal and prosecute those responsible for serious crimes such as ordering to open fire on innocent people with live ammunition causing many deaths and injuries.
Phnom Penh, 9 January 2014
For more information, contact:
Ms. OU Tep Phallin Tel: 011 984 883/ 098 984 883
Email: [email protected]
Mr. HENG Sam Orn Tel: 015 770 120
Email: [email protected]
Attachment in:
Khmer – NGO-CEDAW’s Statement on the Violent Crackdown
English: NGO-CEDAW’s statement on the Violent Crackdown
