Phnom Penh, 24 April 2014
We, members of NGO-CEDAW and CAMBOW, coalitions of NGOs working for the advancement of the rights of women, urge the Phnom Penh court to drop the charge against the 23 people who were arrested on 2 and 3 January 2014. All the innocent detainees are sons, husbands, fathers and brothers with families waiting for them to come home to bring warmth and support.
We also urge the court to release the remaining 21 detainees who were arbitrarily arrested for their efforts to raise awareness of and call for inadequate wages in the garment industry to be increased to at least meet the minimum living wage set forth in a government assessment.
Although 2 were released on bail, the remaining detainees have been kept in the Correctional Center 3 for weeks. Recently they have been moved to the Correctional Center 1, pending a court hearing on 25 April 2014.
In particular, we have great concern for the health of Mr. SAMBATH Piseth and Mr. VORN Pao which are rapidly deteriorating and in need of urgent medical attention. Upon their arrests on January 2, 2014, they were beaten severely by the security force.
Mr. SAMBATH Piseth sustained severe injuries and several fractures to the hand needing surgery. Mr. VORN Pao, a member of NGO-CEDAW and CAMBOW, shortly before his arrest, Mr. VORN underwent major surgery to treat a cancer to the kidney. Now he is being of frail health and in great danger of recurrence.
Indifference of the court and negligence of the prison authorities resulting in failure to treat the two detainees with serious injuries is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights and goes against the Cambodian Constitution and international laws ratified by Cambodia.
Once again, we urge the authorities to search for and arrest the real perpetrators who shot and killed at least four people when the police violently suppressed demonstrators on 3 January 2014.
For more information, contact:
Ms. OU Tep Phallin, 011 984 883/098 984 883
Email: [email protected]
Mr. HENG Sam Orn, 015 770 120
Email: [email protected]
Attached file in English: Statement on 25 April 2014
Attached file in Khmer: Statement 25 April 2014
Ms. CHIM Channeang, 012 668 853
Email: [email protected]
