Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association-ADHOC
“The killing of demonstrators by government authorities is totally unacceptable,” said FIDH President Karim Lahidji. “The government must use dialogue, not guns and batons, to address workers’ demands and to …
JOINT STATEMENT: Denunciation of government deadly crackdown on Phnom Penh demonstration Read More Phnom Penh, 3 January 2013 – The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) denounces the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force that was used today by the military police …
STATEMENT: ADHOC Condemns the Disproportionate Use of Force Against Protesters Read More Phnom Penh, 09 January 2014 – A group of around 50 gendarme and 20-30 Daun Penh security guards affirmed today when they dispersed a small crowd at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park that the right to freely assemble will not be tolerated in Cambodia’s current political climate. A group of nine Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) youth activist were set to meet this morning to sing songs against violence. The planned meeting comes after the authorities have determined not to allow gatherings of more than 10 people. The youth activists also planned to discuss recent attacks against demonstrators which has left at least 6 people dead and scores injured since July 2013’s contested elections.
ADHOC Statement: NO SPACE FOR FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY IN ‘FREEDOM’ PARK Read More
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) has been paying close attention to the case of land and housing rights activist Mrs. Yorm Bopha, who was arrested by the Phnom Penh Municipal Police on 04 September 2012. The Municipal Court sentenced her to 3 years in prison on 26 December 2012 under Article 218 of the Cambodian Criminal Code: “intentional violence with aggravating circumstances” and ordered her to pay 30 000 000 riels (7500$) in compensation. Her husband, Mr. Lous Sakhorn was sentenced under the same provision but released on bail.
The Appeal Court heard the appeal of Yorm Bopha over two days on 05 and 14 June 2013. The court rejected her appeal but suspended one year of her sentence.
ADHOC calls on the Supreme Court to drop all charges against Yorm Bopha and release her immediately.
ADHOC Statement: SUPREME COURT MUST FREE YORM BOPHA Read More Cambodia must free housing rights activist Yorm Bopha, Amnesty International said as it launched a worldwide campaign for her release just days before the country’s Supreme Court hears her final appeal on 22 November.
“Yorm Bopha is a prisoner of conscience who is behind bars purely because of her human rights activism. She must be freed immediately and unconditionally,” said Isabelle Arradon, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia-Pacific Director.
“Thousands of our members and supporters around the world are taking action on Yorm Bopha’s behalf, calling on the Cambodian authorities to finally set her free.”
A 30-year old mother of one, Yorm Bopha has been locked up since her arrest in September 2012 on accusations of planning an assault on two men. She was convicted in December last year for “intentional violence with aggravating circumstances,” despite no evidence against her and inconsistent witness testimonies.
AI Statement: Cambodia: Global call to release Yorm Bopha ahead of Supreme Court appeal Read More Phnom Penh, 12 November 2013 – The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) – a coalition of 21 NGOs working in the field of the promotion Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law in the Kingdom of Cambodia– deplores the excessive use of force by the authorities this morning at a demonstration by workers from the Singaporean owned SL-Garment factory – which makes clothes for clothing giants Gap and H&M. Tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and live rounds were fired to disperse the workers, after demonstrators and police threw rocks at each other in Stung Meanchey District, Phnom Penh. Mrs. Em Sokorm, 49, a local rice vendor was shot dead around 9:30am. Numerous others were injured and early reports to the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) suggest that at least 27 people have been arrested, including monks and youths living at the Stung Meanchey Pagoda.
Statement: CHRAC Demands Investigation into Violent Crackdown Against SL-Garment Factory Workers. Read More
Phnom Penh, 18 October 2013 – The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) condemns the violence and intimidation that was used today against people exercising their legitimate rights to …
ADHOC STATEMENT: Three Protesters injured by the Daun Penh Security Guards at Wat Phnom Read MorePhnom 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 MorePhnom 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 MoreIn 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 MoreThe Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) welcomes the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia.
Mr. Surya Subedi, as the longest-serving of Cambodia’s five Special Rapporteurs for human rights, utilized his mandate to highlight issues such as Economic Land Concessions (ELCs), and judicial and electoral reform.
Despite Concerns, ADHOC Welcomes The Human Rights Council’s Decision to Renew the Mandate of the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia Read MoreOn 27 September 2013, garment factory workers from the SL-factory marched in Phnom Penh and met with the council of ministers regarding an ongoing labor dispute with factory bosses. The demonstrators intended to petition at the Prime Minister’s House, to highlight their poor working conditions.
Their protest was met with a massive display of force by the authorities, with ADHOC monitors estimating over 1000 police and military police present.
Military-Workers Standoff Resolved Peacefully in Phnom Penh. Read More