US Congress to review the violations of human rights and abuses of the judicial system in Cambodia

SRP MP Mu Sochua and Ho Vann
Forced eviction in Dey Krahorm

27 August 2009
By Moeung Tum
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy for Ki-Media

The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) of the US Congress plans to hold a public hearing to discuss the current violations of human rights and abuses of the judicial system in Cambodia.

The public hearing is scheduled for 10 September 2009, between 1 and 3 PM at the US Congress in Washington DC.

According to the announcement issued by office of the co-chairs of the US Congresss human rights committee, dated 26 August 2009, the committee plans to invite SRP MP Mu Sochua, Dr. Pung Chiv Kek, President of the Licadho human rights group, Moeun Tola, President of the Cambodia Labor Organization, to participate in the hearing, as well as representatives of the US State Department.

The public hearing plans to focus on social problems in Cambodia. The TLHRC organized this public hearing after it received numerous information from trusted sources showing that the Phnom Penh regime is using the legal system to discriminate against the opposition and opposition activists, against journalists who criticize the government and against victims of land dispute cases. The government does not provide justice to people in the resolution of land disputes, but instead, it is supporting the companies [accused of land-grabbing] in full violation of human rights. These issues are major concerns for the US.