On 14 March 2013, eight of Prey Lang’s community activists, Chheang Vuthy, Prom Suy, Hein Hai, Sao Korn, Meas Vorn, Meas Koeung, Moa Thea, and Noun Ken appeared in Kompong Thom provincial court for questioning in relation to allegations of “Intentionally causing damage to private property”, under Article 410 of the Cambodian Penal Code 2009. The complaint was made by Ul Rotha in 2011. Due to health problems, a ninth defendant, Mr. Doung Chay, charged with the same offense was unable to court for questioning. The community activists deny knowingly damaging any property belonging to Ul Rotha. After four hours of questioning by the investigating judge, the eight activists were allowed to return home. They will now await a decision from the court as to whether the allegations are to proceed to trial once the investigating judge has completed the initial investigation.
Regards,
CCHR
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Human Rights Defender Alert – Phnom Penh, 13 March 2013
Kampong Thom Provincial Court summons nine Prey Lang community activists from Sandan district for questioning on 14 March 2013
Nine community activists, Chheang Vuthy, Prom Suy, Hein Hai, Sao Korn, Meas Vorn, Meas Koeung, Moa Thea, Noun Ken and Doung Chay, will appear at Kampong Thom Provincial Court of First Instance for questioning on 14 March 2013. The nine are summonsed in relation to a complaint made by Ul Rotha in 2011, after Prey Lang community activists attempted to prevent her from clearing an area of forest at Au SleokKrey village, Sandan district, Kampong Thom province, by reporting her activities to the local authorities. After making the complaint against the activists, Ul Rotha, who is believed to have some powerful people behind her continued to clear a 200 meters squared area of forest for vegetable cultivation.
Following the complaint against them in 2011, all nine activists were charged with “Intentionally causing damage to private property” under Article 410 of the Cambodian Penal Code 2009. All nine community activists deny knowingly damaging any property belonging to Ul Rotha. This is the second time they will appear in Court to answer questions in relation to this matter, the first time being in 2011.
The nine defendants are all active members of the Prey Lang community, which has been campaigning to protect publically owned forest areas in the Kampong Thom province for a number of years. If found guilty, they could face prison sentences of between six months and two years, and finesof between one million and four million Riels (between 250 and 1,000 USD).
A CCHR monitor will be present at the questioning and CCHR willissue further updates as the case progresses.
For more information, please contact CCHR Human Rights Defenders Project Coordinator Suon Bunthoeun via telephone at +855 (0) 12 48 35 46 or e-mail at bunthoeun@cchrcambodia.org.
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is a non-aligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia. For more information, please visit www.cchrcambodia.org.
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