CWC condemns the action of the Svay Rieng tribunal

25 January 2010
Free Press Magazine Online
Translated from Khmer by Socheata, KI-Media
Click here to read the article in Khmer

On 25 January 2009, the Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) condemned the action of the Svay Rieng authority and tribunal to please the foreigners and that they do not have the will to defend our territorial integrity.

The CWC statement signed by Rong Chhun, a CWC representative, indicated that the accusations leveled by the Svay Rieng provincial court against H.E. Sam Rainsy for his uprooting of stakes at border post no. 185 in Koh Kban Kandal village, Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province, and the arrest and incarceration of two villagers, are political in nature and they are deemed unfair.

Rong Chhun, (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

The CWC believes that the action taken by H.E. Sam Rainsy was to defend the country’s territorial integrity in his name as a MP. Furthermore, the uprooting of stakes at border post no. 185 was not an illegal matter.

CWC believes that the arrest and incarceration of two villagers by the Svay Rieng authority during a court summon issued by the Svay Rieng provincial court are seen as an injustice towards blameless farmers whose action was only to protect their lands.

CWC believes that the Svay Rieng authority and court’s action was taken to please the foreigners, but that they have no will to protect Cambodia’s territorial integrity.

The statement concluded by calling on the Svay Rieng provincial court to drop the charges against Sam Rainsy and to provide justice for him, as well as by calling for the release of the two villagers who are currently being jailed.

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Stop Killings and Bring Perpetrators to Court: Family of 1997 Grenade Attack

By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
26 January 2010

It has been nearly 13 years since Ly Neary’s son died without a final word and the person responsible for tearing her family apart remains unknown, but she remains hopeful that one day the person responsible for the grenade attack on the demonstration her son took part in will be prosecuted.

The grenade attack on a peaceful demonstration led by the opposition leader Sam Rainsy on March 30, 1997 in front of the then National Assembly and near the Royal Palace injured more than 100 and killed 16 people, including Ly Neary’s son, Chet Duong Daravuth, a former reporter for Neak Prayuth (the Fighter) newspaper.

No one had foreseen that a peaceful demonstration to demand an independent judicial system would turn out to be such a devastating and bloody event long after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. This tragedy remains deeply resonant for victims and situation monitors.

“It was just like a sea of blood; there was so much blood on the ground because those injured suffered intense bleeding,” recalled Samrith Duonghak, a former reporter who was at the scene and suffered injuries from shrapnel to both his legs.

“Besides this, [I] also witnessed the scene at the hospital—there were [wounding] reporters like /Moan Khmau (Black Chicken), but now he’s dead; he suffered injuries on his arm and was screaming and there were crowds of people running in and out of the emergency room. It took me at least 30 to 40 minutes to get my wound disinfected. It was such a real [vivid] and terrifying event, [making me] greatly tremble,” he said.

Brad Adams, Asia’s director for Human Rights Watch and who arrived at the scene five minutes after the attack, recalled the scene for VOA:

“What I saw was dead bodies on the ground. I saw a woman blown in half, her legs cut off. I saw a journalist who I knew lying dead and I saw the police and the army standing by and doing nothing, actually refusing to help the victims. It was the most sickening things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

No perpetrators behind the attacks have been brought to light by the authorities despite involvement from the US investigating team from the FBI.

Every year, the victims and their families gather at a golden stupa—built just meters from the actual site of the grenade explosion and scene of scattered bodies—to commemorate the struggle and good deeds of those who had lost their lives.

“It’s close to the 30th, close to the 13th anniversary of my son’s death, which I always think about, and whichever makes my heart beat faster,” said Ly Neary. “I keep imagining: oh, my son, were my son still alive, he would comfort and take care of me now that I am old. [His] Father and mother are old now, but because of [his young] death, I feel so sorrowful. I can never forget this.”

For Sam Sun Doeun, a former parliamentarian from the Sam Rainsy Party, who lost two children under his care in the grenade attack, also never forgets to attend the commemoration ceremony even though he has now left the party.

“I am still terrified. I always attend the ceremony on March 30th, when it is held in front of the National Assembly,” he said. “I always attend to commemorate their souls; they were just doing something for the nation—and there’s nothing wrong with that—but instead they suffered terribly and something that would be easy to find is strangely not found. This is what further reinforces impunity in our Cambodian society. So to establish the rule of law in our country, we need to find [those responsible].”

The FBI has recently released some parts of their investigation report, which only hinted to suspicion that forces loyal to the Cambodian People’s Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen may have been involved in the attacks. It notes that the evidence gathered is inadequate and do not meet US standard for persecution by the time the investigating agent left Cambodia for security reasons.

Because of the release of the FBI report, Ly Neary has called for the non-repetition of a similar 1997-style attack.

“I would like to appeal to the Royal Government to stop such killings, grenade attacks, and assassinations because we all love our lives. Whether a rich person or a beggar, we all have just one live and all love our live because our live cannot be traded on the market. So please stop all this [problems],” she said.

Cambodian authorities have maintained that the case remains open.

Cambodia’s largest labour union demands ‘real killers’ be arrested in leader’s 2004 murder

Friday, January 22, 2010
ASSOCIATED PRESS

“Cambodians who speak out to defend their homes, their jobs, and their rights face threats, jail, and physical attacks” – Brad Adams, Human Rights Watch Asia Division Director

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia’s largest labour union warned Friday that it would launch a nationwide strike unless authorities arrest those responsible for the killing of their prominent leader six-years ago.

Chea Vichea, 36, founder and president of Free Trade Union of Workers, was fatally shot in front of a newsstand in the capital Phnom Penh on Jan. 22, 2004. He was known for his outspoken efforts to organize garment workers and improve working conditions in Cambodia.

Two men were convicted in the deaths and sentenced to 20-year prison terms, but many people believed they were framed for the crime and the country’s Supreme Court has ordered a retrial.

Chea Vichea was killed on Jan 22, 2004

Chea Mony, the slain leader’s brother and current leader of the union, marked the sixth anniversary of the killing by leading a march of nearly 100 workers and a dozen opposition legislators to the spot where the shooting took place. The march was held under heavy security but was peaceful and no one was arrested.

“Today, I wish to send a message to the government that it is time to arrest the real murderers,” Chea Mony said. “If the government continues to ignore our appeals, then we will hold a one-week, nationwide strike,” he said, adding it would come some time this year.

In December 2008, Cambodia’s highest court provisionally released the two men convicted in the Chea Vichea killing – Born Samnang, 24, and Sok Sam Oeun, 36 – and ordered further investigation in preparation for their retrial.

Chea Vichea’s photo

The court did not give a reason, but the decision came after widespread protests over the convictions.

The Cambodian government, meanwhile, denounced a critical report by Human Rights Watch released this week.

The New York-based rights group said in its annual World Report that “the government misused the judiciary to silence government critics, attacked human rights defenders, tightened restrictions on press freedom, and abandoned its international obligations to protect refugees.”

“Cambodians who speak out to defend their homes, their jobs, and their rights face threats, jail, and physical attacks,” said Brad Adams, director of its Asia division.

Responding to the report, Cabinet spokesman Phay Siphan said Friday that Cambodia’s human rights situation is improving every year thanks to government efforts. “That report sings the same old song and is not a truly scientific report,” he said.

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Jan 07, 2010: The 31st anniversary of the Vietnam invasion on Cambodia

Dear Compatriots,

Tomorrow is the 31st anniversary of the Vietnam invasion on Cambodia which consequently ruled over our country for 10 years and still continues its influence until today through its installed puppet leaders-Hun Sen, Heng Samrin, and Chea Sim whose role is to implement new Vietnamization politics over Cambodia. They are subjected to implementing all the illegal treaties, 1979, 1982, 1983, and 1985 and the Border Supplemental Treaty 2005 and the recognition of the invasion day 7 January 1979 as the Liberation Day.

With this, The Cambodia Watchdog Council International (CWCI) strongtly condemns such an act of the Cambodian leaders, esp. CPP leaders who they themselves are the puppets of Vietnam. Please view full statement here in Khmer.

Best regards,
CWCI Secretariat
Kristiansand City, Norway
Tel: +4790818257/+4799489347
E-mail: cwci_secretariat@yahoo.com/ cwci@start.no
http://cwcinternational.wordpress.com/

CWCI calls for the release of 2 villagers in the border

29 Dec 2009
By Rithipol
Free Press Magazine
Translated from Khmer by Socheata, KI-Media

The Norway-based Cambodia Watchdog Council International (CWCI) demanded that the Cambodian government release the two Khmer villagers whom the Svay Rieng tribunal decided to imprison.

Men Nath, the Chairman of the CWCI, indicated in a statement released on 27 December 2009 from Kristiansand, Norway, that “the court should stop being used to arrest the victimized villagers and the latter, Mr. Prum Chea and Mrs. Meas Srey, should be unconditionally released.”

Mr. Prum Chea and Mrs. Meas Srey were among 5 villagers who were summoned by the Svay Rieng court for questioning, and they were placed under arrest on Wednesday 23 December. The other 3 villagers fled in fear.

CWCI criticized this situation. It indicated in its statement that “the Cambodian government is serving Vietnam’s policy by inflicting sentences on its own people to please the Hanoi’s regime.” CWCI also condemned the Cambodian government in the planting of border posts that led to the loss of 4,000 to 6,000 square-kilometers of rice fields belonging to Cambodian villagers living along the border.

CWCI also expressed its extreme disappointment in the answers provided by Var Kim Hong, the chairman of the government border committee, to the National Assembly based on the questions raised by SRP MP Son Chhay. During the clarification session, all that Var Kim Hong did was to dodge the questions asked.

With all that can be seen above, CWCI considered that not only the Cambodian government does not have the will to defend Cambodia’s national integrity, but it also allows neighboring countries to encroach on Cambodian territories, and the government made all attempts to defend these countries in their swallowing of Cambodian territories. Please view here both Khmer & English.

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On December 27, 2009 The Cambodia Watchdog Council International (CWC-International) released its statement to condemn Cambodian Govt arresting two farmers in jail in Svay Rieng province after they participated in the border posts’ removing between Cambodia and Vietnam. Then Govt representative Var Kim Hong did not answer the questions of MP Son Chhay on Dec 24. Please click here to read statement

Best regards,

CWCI Secretariat,
Havrevien 94,
4635 Kristiansand, Norway
Tel: (+47) 90818257/99489347
cwci_secretariat@yahoo.com

CWCI´s Statement on Hun Sen´s Repeated Interference in ECCC.

As a reacion to Hun Sen´s reeated warning about civil war if more Khmer Rouge leaders who are now holding in the high positions of Cambodian government today are to be investigated related their roles and crimes committed in the killing field regime, CWCI released its statement to condemn Hun Sen for his interference and a threat to national unity and peace.

• CWCI Statement on H.S’s Interference in ECCC

Below is the publication of CWCI´s Statement in DAP News:

• DAP News – CWCI Condemns Govt for Interfering in ECCC´s Internal Affairs

Hun Sen, Prime Minister

SRP Oversea´s Reaction on the Lift of MP Sam Rainsy´s Immunity

MP Sam Rainsy

After the approval for the lift immunity of MP Sam Rainsy  on 16 November 2009 as response to his action of uprooting the illegal border posts installed by Vietnam in Chan Trea District by the Cambodian National Assembly (CNA), Sam Rainsy Party branches in oversea have released their statement as a condemn on Cambodian government as lack of respect for freedom of  speech and the  national consciousness.

Pleaase click the articles belows to read statement in KHMER.

1. SRP Norway´s Statement on the Lifts of MP Sam Rainsy’s Immunity
2. SRP Denmark´s Statement on the Lifts of MP Sam Rainsy’s Immunity

The statement rejected all border treaties and border demarcation works with Vietnam

Cambodia Watchdog Council International has released a statement rejecting all border treaties and border

demarcation works with Vietnam signed in the 1980s.

The statement said that those treaties are in favour of Vietnam and had ceded large chunks of Khmer territories to Vietnam.

Click here to read the Statement in Khmer..

Prime Minister Hun Sen and

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

Expert: 2000 Border Agreement a Disadvantage

By Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
02 September 2009

A 2000 border agreement signed between Cambodia and Thailand is not likely to yield results in longstanding disputes, a former minister told VOA Khmer.

The agreement put Cambodia at a disadvantage, and border negotiations will face endless crises, said Sean Pengse, former Minister of Industry and a border expert.

After Cambodia regained peace and the reintegration of Khmer Rouge fighters into society, border trade flourished, and the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in June 2000.

However, it would have been better for Cambodia to negotiate on the border from a position of a 1962 international court decision, which “set a clear border with no white zones,” Sean Pengse said. “Why are there now white zones? Why should Cambodia negotiate? I believe Cambodia’s voice in the negotiation is useless, because we beg aid form them. Our country is small, and we should use international law, from which we previously had an advantage.”

The 2000 agreement led to the white zones, or disputed areas, he said, giving Thailand the chance to argue against rebuilding a market near Preah Vihear temple.

The temple is at the center of a military border standoff that has claimed seven lives so far. The market was destroyed in fighting earlier this year.

“The Phnom Penh government claims that I speak groundlessly about the MOU,” he said. “Now Thailand isn’t allowing us to rebuild the market that they burned down. They have warned us against rebuilding it, citing contradiction to the MOU. The Cambodian government didn’t realize the MOU contradicted our interests. If Cambodia wishes to develop anything at Preah Vihear temple, [the Thais] warn us it is a white zone.”

Sean Pengse, CFC President, based in Paris, France

However, Var Kimhong, chairman of Cambodia’s border committee, denied the 2000 agreement included areas of Preah Vihear temple as white zones. The agreement was over cooperation on border demarcation for 805 kilometers from the Dangrek mountains to the sea, he said, adding that Sean Pengse’s claims are contradictory to the facts.

“He shouldn’t make comments if he doesn’t know the truth,” Var Kimhong said. Thailand “warned us against rebuilding the market, claiming we were violating Article 5 of the 2000 MOU,” he said. “We responded to Thailand, explaining that we are rebuilding the market on the orders of Prime Minister Hun Sen, in honor of Article 5 of the MOU to keep the status quo before the MOU. The MOU was signed June 14, 2000. The market had been there since 1998.”

Many Thais objected to Cambodia’s bid to enlist the temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site. When it was listed in July 2008, the current military standoff began.

Sean Pengse said that Thailand has in the past and is now currently using negotiation time for its own interests. “Thailand doesn’t want us to file a complaint with the international court,” he said. “The 2000 MOU states that the border dispute should be discussed. This deprives us of our right to file a complaint.”

However, Var Kimhong said the agreement has not lost groud for Cambodia and honors the 1962 agreement. “If you read the 2000 MOU, you would see that it refers to all previous treaties, conventions and maps since 1907,” he said.

The government was seeking joint cooperation on border demarcation as its primary choice, in the name of being a good neighbor, he said. It has not deprived itself the right to complain on border demarcation contrary to a map signed between the French and Thailand.

Sean Pengse worries that negotiations will drag on and more serious incidents will ensue. After regaining independence from France in 1954, Cambodia reclaimed Preah Vihear from Thailand, after regaining several lost provinces, such as Battambang and Siem Reap. Disputes over the temple escalated, including a severing of diplomatic ties between the two in 1958. Cambodia lodged a complaint with the international court, which decided in 1962 Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia.

MP Mu Sochua and MP Ho Vann’s immunity suspended

Monday 22 June 2009
DAP-news
Translated from Khmer by Socheata, the KI MEDIA

In the morning of 22 June 2009, the National Assembly controlled by the majority ruling CPP (Cambodia People’s Party) approved the suspension of the parliamentary immunity of Mrs. Mu Sochua, MP for Kampot province, and  Mr. Ho Vann, MP for Phnom Penh, who belong both to the SRP (Sam Rainsy party). The immunity suspension was done based on the request made by the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh municipal court through the ministry of Justice, in order to open the way for the court to take care of the lawsuits brought up by Hun Sen and RCAF (Royal Cambodian Armed Forces) [Hanoi PhD] generals.

MP Mr. Ho Vann

In the case of Mrs. Mu Sochua, 90 out of 111 MPs voted to approve the suspension of her immunity, and in the case of Mr. Ho Vann, 91 out of 96 votes approved his immunity suspension.

Immediately after the two MPs saw their immunity suspended, SRP and HRP (Human Right Party) MPs walked out of the chamber and they came out to the front of National Assembly, they all wore masks to give a press conference. However, reporters were not allowed to report inside the National Assembly as usual.

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