HRs Situation Report

Phnom Penh, 10 October 2013 – The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is alarmed at the use of force by the authorities during an event to mark World Habitat Day 2013. World Habitat Day is intended to remind the world of its duty to protect the basic right to adequate shelter. This right is protected under Cambodian and international law, but it is routinely violated across the country through forced evictions and land grabs. Protesters were exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association, and the police should have facilitated the exercise of this right, rather than attempted to suppress it. Instead, three community activists and two monks sustained injuries.

ADHOC STATEMENT: Five Protesters Injured by Authorities at an Event to Mark World Habitat Day 2013 Read More

Phnom Penh, 08 October 2013 – The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned at the numerous reports it has received from people who have been intimidated and harassed when attempting to exercise their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Since the national elections on 28 July 2013 – alongside instances of violence, electoral fraud and other well-documented electoral irregularities – ADHOC has received reports of supporters of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) targeted for intimidation, arrest and detention by the authorities.

This is in contrast to the inaction of the authorities with regards to the death of Mr. Mao Sok Chan and the many others injured on Phnom Penh’s Kbal Thnal overpass on 15 September 2013. The Phnom Penh authorities have yet to launch an investigation into the murder of this young man, while provincial authorities seem quick to arrest and detain opposition activists.

Statment: ADHOC Concerned over Politically Motivated Harassment, Arrests and Detention of Opposition Activists Read More

In Cambodia, there is talk of change. Not just from Hun Sen, the prime minister, who has promised reforms after his party suffered a significant blow in recent elections, but from environmental activists and campaigners, who say there has never before been such an opportunity to lobby a government that has long ruled with an iron fist.

Despite alleged illegal logging, land grabs, harassment and threats by police and government thugs, activists claim the ruling party’s win in July of just 68 seats to the opposition’s 55 means that Hun Sen, who has governed Cambodia for the past 28 years, may be softening, out of necessity, to the will of the people, in turn allowing environmental groups to gain strategic ground.

This is due, in part, to the increasing awareness of human rights and social justice issues, activists say, such as the death of one of Cambodia’s most prominent environmental activists, Chut Wutty, in April 2012. He was investigating illegal logging and land seizures with two journalists when he was shot dead by Cambodian military police officers.

Chut Wutty Not Forgotten: ADHOC Land Report in International Media – Cambodia: Chut Wutty’s legacy creates an opportunity for land justice Read More