Phnom Penh, 14 August 2012 — The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) expresses its deepest concern over the citation issued by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 9 August 2012. Mr. Chan Soveth, senior investigator and Deputy Head of ADHOC’s Human Rights Monitoring Section, is summonsed to appear before Investigating Judge Chhe Virak on 24 August. He is accused of “providing assistance to the perpetrator” of a crime, an offense punishable by one to three years in prison pursuant to article 544 of the Cambodian Criminal Code.
This move by the judicial authorities can be seen as nothing other than an attempt to intimidate Human Rights Defenders and prevent them from carrying out their legitimate activities.
Before more details on the specific information Judge Chhe Virak is looking for are disclosed, ADHOC would like to stress that it has always conducted its activities in accordance with the law. Over its twenty years of existence, ADHOC has consistently condemned illegal acts and pursued dialogue with the authorities, while supporting victims of human rights abuses.
ADHOC calls on Embassies, development partners, civil society organizations and the media to gather in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 24 August at 8:30am, in support of Chan Soveth and Cambodian Human Rights Defenders.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. In Kea, Secretary-General of ADHOC: 012 715 885
Mr. Ny Chakrya, Head of Monitoring Section: 011 274 959
