Statement
ADHOC welcomes representatives of EU Member State embassies and the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia
Phnom Penh, 04 August 2015 – On Tuesday, 4 August 2015, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) welcomed representatives of EU Member State embassies and the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia at its central office in Phnom Penh. It allowed the representatives to review ADHOC’s activities and human rights work.
On this occasion, they met with ADHOC staff members, and in particular Mr Ny Chakrya, Head of Human Rights and Legal Aid Section, who is currently facing criminal prosecution, on grounds of defamation, malicious denunciation and conduct “to apply constraint upon the judiciary” – together punishable by up to a year-and-a-half in prison, plus fines. After having examined the evidence and having summoned Mr Ny Chakrya to appear before him, the Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court referred his case file to the investigating judge for judicial investigation. The case of Mr Ny Chakrya arose in the context of a high profile Siem Reap land dispute, in which ADHOC is intervening.
ADHOC, which belongs to one of the leading local human rights organisations in Cambodia and which has offices in 23 out of 24 of Cambodia’s provinces, is the focal point and trusted institution for victims of human rights violations, including victims of land disputes. ADHOC reiterates that in its pursuit of the promotion and protection of human rights in Cambodia, its activities are always carried out in accordance with the law.
As donors and partners of ADHOC, the representatives of the EU Member State embassies and the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia reiterated their support to the human rights work carried out by ADHOC throughout the country.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Thun Saray, President of ADHOC, Tel: 016 44 00 44, E-mail: saraythun@gmail.com
