ADHOC´s position about Mr. Pen Bonnar´s Case
Phnom Penh, August 11, 2009 – The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) would like to express its sorrows and concerns for the restriction to the work and activities of Mr. Pen Bonnar, ADHOC provincial coordinator in Ratanakiri.
So far, Mr. Pen Bonnar has conducted valuable activities to actively promote and strengthen Human Rights in Cambodian Northeastern provinces. In particular, he has implemented activities to protect natural resources, such as the prevention of illegal logging and deforestation and the protection of the land of the indigenous communities. His work has revealed him as a very active Human Rights defender. He has shown exceptional courage in defending human rights and protecting national interests in Ratanakiri province as well as in the whole country.
Besides, Mr. Pen Bonnar has been a model and an outstanding staff within ADHOC for his work as a courageous human right activist. His devotion and sacrifice are strong and we all know that his activities or intentions have never been illegal.
ADHOC is a non-partisan organization that always uses non violent and peaceful conflict resolution means and carries out the principle of a good cooperation with the Royal Government of Cambodia, and with development partners in the fields of law and human rights.
ADHOC has decided to transfer Mr. Pen Bonnar from his position as a coordinator in Ratanakiri province to be promoted as a senior monitoring position in Phnom Penh Central Office. Thereby, he can support and provide his least experience and the lessons he has learnt from his successful achievements to the other ADHOC staff throughout the country. Moreover, ADHOC insists that Mr Pen Bonnar should take this precious occasion to continue to mobilize his priceless skills in the whole country.
Thus, ADHOC is willing to maintain good relationships with Ratanakiri provincial authorities for a better promotion and protection of human rights.
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