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ADHOC’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) section is supported by Oxfam Novib and the European Union. Technical assistance is provided by Tilberg University. In the period January 2013 – July 2013, …

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) learned today that Mr. Prom Ngoun, Chief of Thmor Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province filed a complaint for “incitement” against the Deputy Head of its Land and Natural Resources Rights Program, Mr. Chan Soveth, not its Pursat Coordinator Mr. Phuong Sothea, as mentioned yesterday in a statement issued by ADHOC.

It seems that the complaint follows the publication of an article in the Phnom Penh Post on 3rd April 2013 (“Pursat Land Dispute Makes Hay in Capital”), in which Chan Soveth declared: “The people in remote areas […] are easily threatened by authorities and the rich and powerful.” The newspaper article was attached to the complaint filed with the Prosecutor at Pursat.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is concerned over the intimidation of Mr. Phuong Sothea, its Coordinator in Pursat province. Following an advocacy campaign on land rights and an interview Phuong Sothea did with Radio Free Asia, Mr. Prom Ngoy, Chief of Thmor Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province filed a complaint against him for “incitement” and “disinformation.” ADHOC emphasizes that Phuong Sothea has always acted in a manner consistent both with Cambodian law and ADHOC’s mandate, and calls on the judicial authorities not to open any criminal case against him.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) today witnessed the release of Mr. Touch Ream and Mr. Kann Savann, after 10 months in prison in connection with a so-called secessionist movement in Broma village, Kampong Domrey commune, Chhlong district, Kratie province. The site is home to a controversial Economic Land Concession (ELC) granted to a Russian Company, Casotim. ADHOC provided lawyers for the men for their hearing at the Court of Appeal on 5-6 March 2013 and for the verdict on 14 March 2013. Outside the prison today there was little fanfare like that seen with the release of their co-defendant on Friday – the prominent journalist and democracy activist Mam Sonando – but the men can now return home with their families. That the men are free is welcome. However, the ruling of the Appeal Court was no victory for justice. Touch Ream and Kann Sovann remain convicted of crimes which no evidence supports, and have lost 10 months of their lives to Phnom Penh’s Prey Sar Prison.

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 21 NGOs members, deeply regret to learn the death of one of the ECCC’s accused, Mr. Ieng Sary, at age of 87 due to his poor health at Cambodia-Soviet Friendship Hospital in the morning of 14th March 2013.

CHRAC is of the view that the death of the accused Ieng Sary represents a loss of a witness of the Khmer Rouge regime who was personally involved in the crimes and atrocities committed during the Democratic Kampuchea era between 1975 and 1979 as described in the Closing Order of the tribunal’s Co-Investigating Judges. The loss will not only impact on the Khmer Rouge historical record, it will also have a negative impact on the efforts to seek justice and closure for many civil parties, victims and ordinary Cambodians who have been personally participating in the ECCC process in their demand for justice against the accused.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) condemns in the strongest terms the callous beating of peaceful protesters outside the Prime Minister’s house on 13 March 2013. In total more than ten people were injured, five seriously – including two who were knocked unconscious – when they were set upon by security forces. The demonstrators were former residents of Boeung Kak Lake in Phnom Penh- the site of a controversial forced eviction in January 2012. The beating of protesters by security forces is completely unacceptable; freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are enshrined in the Cambodian Constitution, in addition to international human rights standards to which Cambodia is state party. The beating of protesters has no place in a society that respects the rights of its citizens. An investigation should be launched into today’s vicious attack and the perpetrators brought to justice.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) strongly urges the Court of Appeal to drop all charges against Mam Sonando on 14 March 2013. The case against him is paper-thin, a point acknowledged by the prosecutor when he requested that the two most serious charges against Mam Sonando be dropped at the Appeal hearing on 06 March 2013. The prosecutor then introduced a new charge related to land grabbing – a supreme irony given Mam Sonando’s work to educate people about their land rights – that does not fit the facts from the original incident.

On International Women’s Day, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) urges to the Royal Government of Cambodia to ensure the implementation of relevant legislation in place to protect the rights of women and children, in order to tackle impunity, and particularly: to pay more attention to ways in which abuses against women and children can be prevented.

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, welcome the decision by the Cambodian Court of Appeal today to reopen criminal charges against former Bavet City Governor, Chhouk Bandith. However, we are concerned that the investigation will take place under the jurisdiction of Svay Rieng Provincial Court, which has proven once before that it may be susceptible to political pressure exerted by Mr. Bandith and his supporters. Given the evidence, we welcome the prospect of new investigation. This process should be transparent and offer guarantees of independence and rights of the defense if it is to provide justice for the victims and demonstrate that the rich and powerful cannot act with impunity when accused of grave crimes.