DOCSLIB.ORG

CCHR Concerned by Removal of Pen Bonnar from Ratanakiri Province CAMBODIAN CENTER for HUMAN RIGTHS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
CCHR Concerned by Removal of Pen Bonnar from Ratanakiri Province CAMBODIAN CENTER for HUMAN RIGTHS KI Media Dedicated to publishing sensitive information about Cambodia TRAITORS? (ZEROS) Monday, August 10, 2009 HEROES CCHR Concerned By Removal Of Pen Bonnar From Ratanakiri Province CAMBODIAN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGTHS PRESS RELEASE Phnom Penh ­ 9 August 2009 CCHR CONCERNED BY REMOVAL OF PEN open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com BONNAR FROM RATANAKIRI PROVINCE The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is deeply concerned by the role played by a Provincial Municipal Judge in the recent removal of Cambodian Human Rights and Development Organisation (ADHOC) activist Pen Bonnar from his position as Ratanakiri provincial coordinator. The CCHR calls on Judge Thor Saran to clarify his recent comments in relation to charges against Mr. Pen and to explain his role in the removal of the provincial coordinator from Ratanakiri. The CCHR is concerned that the case of Pen Bonnar represents evidence of a practice in Cambodia whereby the threat of legal charges is used to silence the voices of human rights activists and to curtail freedom of expression. The removal of Mr. Pen from Ratanakiri follows an extrajudicial and ultra vires request by Judge Thor to the administration of ADHOC that they remove Mr. Pen from the Province. In so doing, Judge Thor advised, ADHOC would remove Mr. Pen from the jurisdiction of the Provincial Municipal Court of Ratanakiri thereby ensuring that charges of incitement against him would be dropped; “it is easy to end the case and the court can compromise, drop his case and avoid [his] detention”. Although ADHOC deny that the decision to remove open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com Mr. Pen from the province was made at the suggestion of Judge Thor, the timing of the decision tends to suggest otherwise. Since the removal of Mr. Pen and his reassignment to Svay Rieng Province, Judge Thor has stated that charges of inciting terrorism have been initiated against Mr. Pen. The Ratanakiri Provincial Police and Prosecutors have denied any knowledge of the existence of such a charge against Mr. Pen. The campaign against Mr. Pen Bonnar arises from his role in a 4 year land dispute in Lumphat district between the developer DM Group and ethnic minority villagers in Ratanakiri Province. In November 2007, violence broke out when members of the ethnic community, who had congregated at the courthouse in Banlung to protest the land dispute at the suggestion of ADHOC, clashed with armed police. Judge Saran has since alleged that Mr. Pen Bonnar had orchestrated the violence in order to facilitate the escape of two men from police custody. Mr. Pen has denied these allegations stating that although he had told the villagers to protest at the court he had told them not to resort to violence. The CCHR opines that the extent of Mr. Pen’s role in the November 2007 incident was to encourage From Dictatorship to Democracy the ethnic villagers to exercise their fundamental and democratic freedoms of expression and By Gene Sharp open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com By Gene Sharp assembly. By alleging that these actions are tantamount to terrorism Judge Thor has displayed Preface a distinct misunderstanding of democracy and the 1­ Facing law. Furthermore, by threatening legal action Dictatorships against Mr. Pen so as to ensure his removal from Realistically Ratanakiri and his replacement by an individual 2­ The Dangers of who can develop “a good relationship with and Negotiations work with all levels of the provincial authorities”, 3­ Whence Comes the Judge Thor has usurped his constitutional function Power? to fulfill his duty with respect for the laws, 4­ Dictatorships Have wholeheartedly and conscientiously and to uphold Weaknesses impartiality and to protect the rights and freedoms 5­ Exercising Power of Cambodian citizens. 6­ The need for SUBSCRIBE TO KI-Media The case of Ben Ponnar represents a serious threat Strategic Planning to the work of civil society in Cambodia. The CCHR 7­ Planning Strategy calls on Judge Thor to clarify his statements and 8­ Applying Political his role in the removal of Pen Bonnar from Subscribe in a Defiance Ratanakiri Province. The CCHR calls for an end to reader 9­ Disintegrating The the practice of using the threat of criminal charges Dictatorship to suppress freedom of expression and to curtail Subscribe to KI­ 10­ Groundwork For the legal activities of civil society. The CCHR calls Media by email: Durable Democracy on the government to ensure the necessary App­ The Methods Of environment for a viable civil society In Cambodia Nonviolent Action in the interests of democracy and human rights. Enter your email address: 2010 Paris Peace For more information, please contact: Agreements Events Mr. Ou Virak, President, CCHR Click on the links Tel: +855 12 404051 Email: [email protected] open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com Email: [email protected] below to read the Subscribe announcements Delivered by 1­ New York (NY, Posted by Heng Soy | Permalink | FeedBurner USA) Labels: Abuse of the law | Adhoc activist | CCHR | Land­ 2­ Minnesota by KMS grabbing from ethnic minority | Pen Bonnar | Removal of Pen Bonnar from Ratanakiri | Thor Saran | Threat of legal (USA) Breaking News charges againg human rights activists 3­ Phnom Penh (Cambodia) 4­ San Francisco (CA, USA) 6 comments: Free Press Magazine 5­ Ottawa (ON, Anonymous said... Canada) 6­ Falls Church (VA, Now it is another term of accusation beyond USA) reasonable doubt is terrorism, in place of enemy 7­ Paris (France) used in KR regime. 8­ Calgary (AB, Canada) What a revolution! cambodia, under powerful The 22/11 Justice leadership of Samdach Hun Sen. Fund Déjà Views (Trial) Neang SA Khmer Democrat 2:58 PM Sacrava toons Prey Nokor News Op­Ed by MP Anonymous said... The next guy just leurn to keep the mouth shot aor Khmerization NOTE kiss ass just the the UN's guy after Justgay did! KI-Media loves to 9:1 1 PM open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com hear from you, and Anonymous said... we're giving you a Sithi.org ­ Human bullhorn. We just ask Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Rights Portal that you keep things Regime had committed: civil. Please leave out personal attacks, do Tortures not use profanity, Executions ethnic or racial slurs, Massacres Center for Justice and or take shots at Atrocities Reconciliation anyone's sexual Crimes Against Humanity orientation or Starvations religion. We thank Overwork to Death Voice of Kampuchea you for your Slavery Krom Radio cooperation! Rapes Human Abuses Small Khmer Businesses Assault and Battery Drawing by Artist World Khmer Radio Chea Vuthea Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Guide for Siem Regime had committed: Reap/Angkor Cambodian Assassinations Independent Assassinated Journalists Teachers' Association RECENT POSTS Assassinated Political Opponents Reject New Assassinated Leader of the Free Trade Union Cambodia­Vietnam Attempted Assassinations on Chea Vichea and Sam Rainsy Khmer Heroes Map Attempted Murders on Chea Vichea and Sam Thousands defy open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com Thousands defy Rainsy Egypt protest ban Executed members of FUNCINPEC Party Murders members and activists of Sam Rainsy Cambodian My Rights, My Party Reconciliation Responsibility Killings Committee, Inc. (ICCPR) Series Extrajudicial Execution My Rights, My Grenade Attack Terrorism Responsibility Drive by Shooting CKN­Media (Constitution) Tortures Series Intimidations My Rights, My Death Threats Threatening Responsibility Human Abductions (Constitution) Human Rights Abuses Series Human Trafficking Drugs Trafficking Under Age Child Sex FLASH POINTS Cambosastra Corruptions Global Witness report Bribery Link List Dey Kraham video Illegal Mass Evictions Illegal Land Grabbing Rong Khmer Blog Statement of Heng Illegal Firearms Mount Dongraek Peov Illegal Logging Illegal Deforestation Bopha Pursat Heng Pov in Illegally use of remote detonation on Sokha L'Express Khmer Tear Blog Helicopter, while Hok Lundy and others military Dey Kraham official on board. Rath Muni's open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com Illegally Sold State Properties Sam Rainsy's speech Resources Illegally Remove Parliamentary Immunity of Parliament Members Pich Dara "Lady NEWS IN ENGLISH Plunder National Resources Khmer" Acid Attacks The Mirror Cambodia Korea Turn Cambodia into a Lawless Country Alumni Association John Vink photos & Oppression news Injustice Near You Forever Steal Votes News Khmer Intelligence Bring Foreigners from Veitnam to vote in Dara Khmer News Khmerization Cambodia for Cambodian People's Party. Abuse the Court as a tools for CPP to send political CCHR on Facebook Voice of America opponents and journalists to jail. Khmer Abuse of Power Leave Freedom The Phnom Penh Abuse the Laws People School Abuse the National Election Committee Post Abuse the National Assembly World Bank Google News Violate the Laws (Cambodia) Violate the Constitution Yahoo News Thanin's Society & Violate the Paris Accords Economy Impunity NEWS IN KHMER Keo Chan Somphors Under Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Free Press Magazine Khmer Love Khmer Rouge Regime, no criminals that has been (Khmer) Khmer Nation committed all of these crimes above within Hun Sen Khmer Rouge government have ever been Cambodia Politics Khmer Love Khmer brought to justice. (English) Radio Free Asia 1 :41 AM Khmer IT open in browser customize free license contest pdfcrowd.com 1 :41 AM Khmer Service Khmer IT Ka­Set in Khmer Anonymous said... Khmer Welcome Everyday THE GRENADE ATTACK ON MARCH 30, 1997 IN Defaced History of CAMBODIA Cambodia Koh Santepheap Terrorism in Cambodia. Khmer Vipheak Killing at least sixteen innocent men, women and LES INFOS EN children. Khmer Machas Srok FRANÇAIS Hun Sen's personal Bodyguards Unit (Brigade 70) Newspaper was the suspects and was order by Hun Sen. Ka­set http://www.cambodiapolitic.org/doc_30_march_1 Khmer Community Cambodge Soir 997/30_march_97.htm Blog By Khmer FBI INVESTIGATION Cambodia Forum KHMER KROM NEWS An FBI investigation concluded that Cambodian Docs Prey Nokor Info government officials were responsible for the Cambodia Politics attack.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Upper Secondary Education Sector Development Program: Construction of 73 Subprojects Initial Environmental Examination
    Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Project Number: 47136-003 Loan 3427-CAM (COL) July 2019 Kingdom of Cambodia: Upper Secondary Education Sector Development Program (Construction of 73 sub-projects: 14 new Secondary Resource Centers (SRCs) in 14 provinces, 5 Lower Secondary School (LSSs) upgrading to Upper Secondary School (USSs) in four provinces and 10 overcrowded USSs in six provinces) and 44 Teacher Housing Units or Teacher Quarters (TQs) in 21 provinces) This initial environmental assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank AP -- Affected people CCCA -- Cambodia Climate Change Alliance CMAC -- Cambodian Mine Action Centre CMDG -- Cambodia Millennuum Development Goals CLO – Community Liaison Officer EA – Executing Agency EARF -- Environmental Assessment and Review Framework EHS -- Environmental and Health and Safety EHSO – Environmental and Health and Safety Officer EIA -- Environmental Impact Assessment EMIS – Education Management Information System EMP – Environmental Management Plan EO – Environment and Social Safeguard Officer ERC – Education Research
    [Show full text]
  • Impacts of Economic Land Concessions on Project Target
    Impacts of Economic Land Concessions on Project Target Communities Living Near Concession Areas in Virachey National Park and Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Ratanakiri Province Impacts of Economic Land Concessions on Project Target Communities Living Near Concession Areas in Virachey National Park and Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Ratanakiri Province Submitted by: Ngin Chanrith, Neth Baromey, and Heng Naret To: Save Cambodia’s Wildlife November 2016 Contact: Save Cambodia's Wildlife (SCW), E-Mail: [email protected] , Phone: +855 (0)23 882 035 #6Eo, St. 570, Sangkat Boeung Kak 2, Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia www.facebook.com/SaveCambodiasWildlife, www.cambodiaswildlife.org Impacts of Economic Land Concessions on Project Target Communities Living Near Concession Areas in Virachey National Park and Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Ratanakiri Province CONTENTS ACRONYMS i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii CHAPTER: Page 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Backgrounds and Rationale …………………………………………………..………...1 1.2. Aim and Objectives …………………………………………………………..………...2 2. METHODOLOGY 2.1. Data Collection Methods…………………………………………………..…………..3 2.2. Sampling Techniques and Sampling Frames……………………………………..…….. 4 2.3. Data Analysis Methods………………………………………………………..………..5 2.4. Limitations of the Study…………………………………………………………..….....5 3. STATUS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS IN RATANAKIRI 3.1. Profile and Characteristics of Ratanakiri Province……………………………..……....6 3.2. Livelihood Vulnerability of Indigenous Communities…………………………..……....8 3.3. Capital Assets of Indigenous Community Livelihoods………………………..………17 4. ELCs AND IMPACTS ON INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS 4.1. Status of Economic Land Concessions in Ratanakiri Province………………..……....27 4.2. Impacts of ELCs on Indigenous Communities and Their Areas…………………..…. 29 4.3. ELC-Community Conflicts and Existing Conflict Resolution Actors …………..…… 36 5. LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTION PROGRAMS OF CONCERNED STAKEHOLDERS 5.1. Community Perceptions of Current Livelihood Interventions Mechanisms….…….
    [Show full text]
  • GCC States' Land Investments Abroad
    GCC States’ Land Investments Abroad The Case of Cambodia Summary Report About the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar The Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, opened in August 2005, is a branch campus of Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in America, founded in 1789. The program builds on Georgetown University’s long tradition of educating future leaders for careers in the international arena through a liberal arts undergraduate program focused on international affairs. For more information about the School of Foreign Service in Qatar, please visit http://qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu. About the Center for International and Regional Studies Established in 2005, the Center for International and Regional Studies at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar is a premier research institute devoted to the academic study of regional and international issues through dialogue and exchange of ideas, research and scholarship, and engagement with national and international scholars, opinion makers, practitioners, and activists. Guided by the principles of academic excellence, forward vision, and community engagement, the CIRS mission revolves around five principal goals: • To provide a forum for scholarship and research on international and regional affairs • To encourage in-depth examination and exchange of ideas • To foster thoughtful dialogue among students, scholars, and practitioners of international affairs • To facilitate the free flow of ideas and knowledge through publishing the products of its research, sponsoring conferences and seminars, and holding workshops designed to explore the complexities of the twenty-first century • To engage in outreach activities with a wide range of local, regional, and international partners About the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development Founded in 1995, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit, chartered organization committed to the principle that a nation’s greatest resource is its people.
    [Show full text]
  • United Nations A/HRC/21/35
    United Nations A/HRC/21/35 General Assembly Distr.: General 20 September 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-first session Agenda items 2 and 10 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Technical assistance and capacity-building The role and achievements of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in assisting the Government and people of Cambodia in the promotion and protection of human rights Report of the Secretary-General* * Late submission. GE.12-16852 A/HRC/21/35 Contents Paragraphs Page I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1–6 3 II. Prison reform .......................................................................................................... 7–17 4 III. Fundamental freedoms and civil society ................................................................. 18–28 6 IV. Land and housing rights .......................................................................................... 29–41 9 V. Rule of law .............................................................................................................. 42–58 12 VI. Public information and human rights education ...................................................... 59–62 15 VII. Reporting and follow-up ......................................................................................... 63–64 16 VIII. Staffing ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Great Disaster-Nation-Khmer, Composed by Victim: Tieng-Narith, in Year of 2011
    The Great Disaster-Nation-Khmer, Composed by Victim: Tieng-Narith, In year of 2011 [email protected] Page 1 The Great Disaster-Nation-Khmer, Composed by Victim: Tieng-Narith, In year of 2011 The Great Danger of Khmer Nation Content Page Preface 3 1.Secret Criminal Organization of Backy 7 2.Special Organization of Youths (S.O.Y) 24 3.The Secret Criminal Organization of Black Uniform or Black Shirt: Death Squads 82 4.The Legal Criminal Organization of Vietnamese Puppet Government are the Armed Forces of Cambodian Royal Government: 114 5.Murdered/Killed Structures of the Cambodian People Party (CPP) 122 6.Why does Hun-Sen rule the murders‟ groups in his fist strictly 147 7.Tricks to cut down the trees, burnt the trunk, take the roots out for achieving Hanoi‟s mission to extinguish Khmer Nations and Races: 163 8.Where is the monopolized dictatorial power of CPP from? 174 9.The death kill the death strategy for passing the great danger of Khmer Nation and Races 176 10.Supposition 193 11.Notes 195 [email protected] Page 2 The Great Disaster-Nation-Khmer, Composed by Victim: Tieng-Narith, In year of 2011 Preface The Depth of The Great Danger of Khmer Nation just only a small corner pieces of Hanoi government mission to dismantle Khmer nation and races through the Cambodian People Party (CPP) after Yuan communists invaded Khmer and swallow Khmer territory permanently and they have a lot of remained problems_many Khmer Nations and races are living in their motherland territory, can be revolved and rebelled in some day if Khmer nation and races will grow up more and more.
    [Show full text]
  • Cambodia's Dirty Dozen
    HUMAN RIGHTS CAMBODIA’S DIRTY DOZEN A Long History of Rights Abuses by Hun Sen’s Generals WATCH Cambodia’s Dirty Dozen A Long History of Rights Abuses by Hun Sen’s Generals Copyright © 2018 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-6231-36222 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org JUNE 2018 ISBN: 978-1-6231-36222 Cambodia’s Dirty Dozen A Long History of Rights Abuses by Hun Sen’s Generals Map of Cambodia ............................................................................................................... 7 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 1 Khmer Rouge-era Abuses .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Dangers of Dissent: Attacks on Human Rights Defenders
    CAMBODIAN LEAGUE FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS THE DANGERS OF DISSENT: ATTACKS ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS A briefing paper issued in July 2017 THE DANGERS OF DISSENT: Attacks on Human Rights Defenders A briefing paper in July 2017 LICADHO CAMBODIAN LEAGUE FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS CAMBODIAN LEAGUE FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (LICADHO) LICADHO is a national Cambodian human rights organization. Since its establishment in 1992, LICADHO has been at the forefront of efforts to protect civil, political, economic and social rights in Cambodia and to promote the respect of these rights by the Cambodian government and other state and non-state institutions. LICADHO continues to monitor and investigate human rights abuses and to advocate for the rights of the Cambodian people from its Phnom Penh headquarters and 13 provincial offices. MONITORING & PROTECTION PROMOTION & ADVOCACY Monitoring of State Violations & Women’s and Children’s Rights: Monitors investigate human rights violations perpetrated by the state and violations made against women and children. Supporting Unions & Grassroots Groups Victims are provided assistance through interventions with local and Networks: authorities and court officials. Unions, grassroots groups and affected communities are provided with protection and legal services, as well as technical support which Medical Assistance & Social Work: enhances their capacity to campaign and advocate for their own A medical team provides assistance to prisoners and prison officials, vic- human rights. tims of human rights violations, human rights defenders and families in resettlement sites. Social workers conduct needs assessments of victims and their families and provide short-term material and food assistance.
    [Show full text]
  • The Fight for Freedom: Attacks on Human Rights Defenders 2018-2020
    Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM: ATTACKS ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS 2018-2020 A briefing paper issued in December 2020 THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM: Attacks on Human Rights Defenders 2018-2020 A briefing paper issued in December 2020 LICADHO CAMBODIAN LEAGUE FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS CAMBODIAN LEAGUE FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (LICADHO) LICADHO is a national Cambodian human rights organization. Since its establishment in 1992, LICADHO has been at the forefront of efforts to protect civil, political, economic and social rights in Cambodia and to promote respect for them by the Cambodian government and institutions. Building on its past achievements, LICADHO continues to be an advocate for the Cambodian people and a monitor of the government through wide ranging human rights programs from its main office in Phnom Penh and 13 provincial offices. MONITORING & PROTECTION PROMOTION & ADVOCACY Monitoring of State Violations & Women’s and Children’s Rights: Monitors investigate human rights violations perpetrated by the State and violations made against women and Supporting Unions & Grassroots Groups children. Victims are provided assistance through interventions with and Networks: local authorities and court officials. Assistance to unions, grassroots groups and affected communities to Medical Assistance & Social Work: provide protection and legal services, and to enhance their capacity to A medical team provides assistance to prisoners and prison officials in campaign and advocate for human rights. urban and rural prisons, victims of human rights violations and families in resettlement sites. Social workers conduct needs assessments of victims and their families and provide short-term material and food.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf IWGIA Book Land Alienation 2006 EN
    Land Alienation in Indigenous Minority Communities - Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia Readers of this report are also directed toward the enclosed video documentary made on this topic in October 2005: “CRISIS – Indigenous Land Crisis in Ratanakiri”. Also relevant is the Report “Workshop to Seek Strategies to Prevent Indigenous Land Alienation” published by NGO Forum in collaboration with CARE Cambodia, 28-20 March 2005. - Final Draft- August 2006 Land Alienation in Indigenous Minority Communities - Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia Table of Contents Contents............................................................................................................................. 3 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 4 Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 5 Executive Summary – November 2004................................................................................. 6 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 8 Methodology...................................................................................................................... 10 The Legal Situation.............................................................................................................. 11 The Situation in January 2006 ............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Is Deeply Concerned by the Role Played by a Provincial Municipal
    PRESS RELEASE Phnom Penh - 9 August 2009 CCHR CONCERNED BY REMOVAL OF PEN BONNAR FROM RATANAKIRI PROVINCE The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is deeply concerned by the role played by a Provincial Municipal Judge in the recent removal of Cambodian Human Rights and Development Organisation (ADHOC) activist Pen Bonnar from his position as Ratanakiri provincial coordinator. The CCHR calls on Judge Thor Saran to clarify his recent comments in relation to charges against Mr. Pen and to explain his role in the removal of the provincial coordinator from Ratanakiri. The CCHR is concerned that the case of Pen Bonnar represents evidence of a practice in Cambodia whereby the threat of legal charges is used to silence the voices of human rights activists and to curtail freedom of expression. The removal of Mr. Pen from Ratanakiri follows an extrajudicial and ultra vires request by Judge Thor to the administration of ADHOC that they remove Mr. Pen from the Province. In so doing, Judge Thor advised, ADHOC would remove Mr. Pen from the jurisdiction of the Provincial Municipal Court of Ratanakiri thereby ensuring that charges of incitement against him would be dropped; “it is easy to end the case and the court can compromise, drop his case and avoid [his] detention”. Although ADHOC deny that the decision to remove Mr. Pen from the province was made at the suggestion of Judge Thor, the timing of the decision tends to suggest otherwise. Since the removal of Mr. Pen and his reassignment to Svay Rieng Province, Judge Thor has stated that charges of inciting terrorism have been initiated against Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Cambodia Page 1 of 20
    Cambodia Page 1 of 20 Cambodia Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with an elected government and a population of approximately 13.8 million. Following elections in 2003, in 2004 the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, and the National United Front for a Neutral, Peaceful, Cooperative, and Independent Cambodia (FUNCINPEC), led by Prince Norodom Ranariddh, formed a coalition government. However, the CPP dominated the three branches of government and other national institutions, with most power concentrated in the hands of the prime minister. Although the civilian authorities nominally controlled the security forces, in practice security forces answered to the CPP leadership. The government's human rights record remained poor. Government agents committed extrajudicial killings, and security forces acted with impunity. There was little political will to address the failure by government authorities to adhere to the rule of law. Detainees were abused, often to extract confessions, and prison conditions were harsh. Human rights monitors reported arbitrary arrests and prolonged pretrial detention, underscoring a weak judiciary and denial of the right to a fair trial. Land disputes and forced evictions, often accompanied by violence, were a growing problem. The government restricted freedom of speech and press through the use of defamation and disinformation suits, controlled or influenced the content of television and radio broadcasts, and sometimes interfered with freedom of assembly. Corruption was endemic and extended throughout all segments of society, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
    [Show full text]
  • Cambodia Municipality and Province Investment Information
    Cambodia Municipality and Province Investment Information 2013 Council for the Development of Cambodia MAP OF CAMBODIA Note: While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate, Japan International Cooperation Agency does not accept any legal responsibility for the fortuitous loss or damages or consequences caused by any error in description of this publication, or accompanying with the distribution, contents or use of this publication. All rights are reserved to Japan International Cooperation Agency. The material in this publication is copyrighted. CONTENTS MAP OF CAMBODIA CONTENTS 1. Banteay Meanchey Province ......................................................................................................... 1 2. Battambang Province .................................................................................................................... 7 3. Kampong Cham Province ........................................................................................................... 13 4. Kampong Chhnang Province ..................................................................................................... 19 5. Kampong Speu Province ............................................................................................................. 25 6. Kampong Thom Province ........................................................................................................... 31 7. Kampot Province ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]