Wednesday, 10 November 2010 Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer Washington, DC
Photo: AP The late Hok Lundy led the national police since 1994 until 2008, he died in a plane crash on November 9, 2008.
Cambodia’s security environment is still dealing with the legacy of Hok Lundy, the national chief of police widely accused of gross human rights abuses who died in an accident two years ago, rights workers said this week.
Activists say a lack of safety for citizens and a general atmosphere of impunity still prevail, while police continue to seek bribes or commit abuses.
When Hok Lundy perished in a helicopter crash over his native Svay Rieng province, analysts and observers waited to see how the police force might adjust. Hok Lundy continually faced charges of rights abuses and misconduct and a corrupt security force.
Police have been unable to shake some of that past, rights workers say.
“We still see see some [police] officials take opportunities to compromise criminal cases out of court,” said Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Adhoc. “Which is against the principle of law: that those who commit crimes must be sent to the court for legal proceedings.”
Chan Saveth, head of rights monitoring for Licadho, said police and court officials continue to work together for personal benefit, taking bribes in some cases, or digging up old cases for more extortion, undermining the judiciary.
Licadho recorded at least 21 compromised court cases in 2010, including two where suspected killers were released without trial or charges after a money exchange was brokered. In one case, family members told Licadho a man had been arrested and found dead in police custody in Battambang province. In another case, in Kampong Cham province, a soldier allegedly shot one villager dead and was never brought to trial.
A source with close ties to both the police and the courts told VOA Khmer that police have become dispirited in their work, following investigations and arrests that don’t see trial or are dismissed by superiors.
Meanwhile, public perception is that crime has increased. The Khmer-language daily Koh Santepheap reported earlier this month at least 20 crimes, including deadly armed robberies. The paper said this type of insecurity had not happened in the previous five years.
National police spokesman Keat Chantharith said the authorities have actually stepped up investigations into major crimes across the country. “We are busy investigating,” he said.
But criminal activity has continued despite an August crackdown order by Interior Minister Sar Kheng. Under the order, police are to step up efforts to stop crimes such as robbery, use of illegal weapons, gang activity, and the trafficking of women and drugs.
Still, rights activists say they are happy with some policies of Neth Savoeun, who took over as police chief after Hok Lundy’s death.
Am Sam Ath said Neth Savoeun has not exhibited the kind of “opportunity of power” shown by Hok Lundy in the past, but has proven an accomplished administrator who has cooperated with rights work.
Chan Saveth applauded a police hotline and complaint box meant to make it easier for people to anonymously report crime or corruption to the police. However, people still need more confidence in the police, he said.
A court official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Hok Lundy was prone to stepping into big cases, such as disputes over land or money. “Court officials dared not to oppose Hok Lundy, whether it was right or wrong,” for fear of personal safety, the official said. Such open intervention in court cases has lessened, the official said.
Even if the atmosphere has improved, high-profile murders that took place under Hok Lundy’s watch—of union leader Chea Vichea, journalist Khim Sambor, film star Piseth Pilika, and others—have gone unsolved.
Keat Chantharith said the investigations are not closed. He declined to compare the leadership of Hok Lundy and his successor.
Activists say a lack of safety for citizens and a general atmosphere of impunity still prevail, while police continue to seek bribes or commit abuses.
When Hok Lundy perished in a helicopter crash over his native Svay Rieng province, analysts and observers waited to see how the police force might adjust. Hok Lundy continually faced charges of rights abuses and misconduct and a corrupt security force.
Police have been unable to shake some of that past, rights workers say.
“We still see see some [police] officials take opportunities to compromise criminal cases out of court,” said Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Adhoc. “Which is against the principle of law: that those who commit crimes must be sent to the court for legal proceedings.”
Chan Saveth, head of rights monitoring for Licadho, said police and court officials continue to work together for personal benefit, taking bribes in some cases, or digging up old cases for more extortion, undermining the judiciary.
Licadho recorded at least 21 compromised court cases in 2010, including two where suspected killers were released without trial or charges after a money exchange was brokered. In one case, family members told Licadho a man had been arrested and found dead in police custody in Battambang province. In another case, in Kampong Cham province, a soldier allegedly shot one villager dead and was never brought to trial.
A source with close ties to both the police and the courts told VOA Khmer that police have become dispirited in their work, following investigations and arrests that don’t see trial or are dismissed by superiors.
Meanwhile, public perception is that crime has increased. The Khmer-language daily Koh Santepheap reported earlier this month at least 20 crimes, including deadly armed robberies. The paper said this type of insecurity had not happened in the previous five years.
National police spokesman Keat Chantharith said the authorities have actually stepped up investigations into major crimes across the country. “We are busy investigating,” he said.
But criminal activity has continued despite an August crackdown order by Interior Minister Sar Kheng. Under the order, police are to step up efforts to stop crimes such as robbery, use of illegal weapons, gang activity, and the trafficking of women and drugs.
Still, rights activists say they are happy with some policies of Neth Savoeun, who took over as police chief after Hok Lundy’s death.
Am Sam Ath said Neth Savoeun has not exhibited the kind of “opportunity of power” shown by Hok Lundy in the past, but has proven an accomplished administrator who has cooperated with rights work.
Chan Saveth applauded a police hotline and complaint box meant to make it easier for people to anonymously report crime or corruption to the police. However, people still need more confidence in the police, he said.
A court official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Hok Lundy was prone to stepping into big cases, such as disputes over land or money. “Court officials dared not to oppose Hok Lundy, whether it was right or wrong,” for fear of personal safety, the official said. Such open intervention in court cases has lessened, the official said.
Even if the atmosphere has improved, high-profile murders that took place under Hok Lundy’s watch—of union leader Chea Vichea, journalist Khim Sambor, film star Piseth Pilika, and others—have gone unsolved.
Keat Chantharith said the investigations are not closed. He declined to compare the leadership of Hok Lundy and his successor.
4 comments:
It was unfortunate circumstances for the family of Mr. Hok Lundy, I'm sure they went through a lot of grieving from his death, just like any family that loss their love one.
As Hinduism, Buddhism, we believe in Karma, in simple term of "Karma" it means if you do good deed to people, you will get good deed and luck to you and your family either in this life or in next life.
But if you committed heinous crimes to people, torturing and killing innocent people and using authorities and powers to commit injustice acts to
to people time and time again. Yes, there is Karma on the other side awaiting to absorb your soul to hell.
Mr. Hok Lundy had a very powerful position as the National Police Chief in our beloved country of Cambodia. Personally, I think that Mr. Hok Lundy is nothing but a thug, illiterate, and an ignorant person. In Cambodia, a person that has that kind of personally of Mr. Hok Lundy would be a perfect candidate for a supreme leader.
And believe it or not, there are still many more of Mr. Hok Lundy roaming all over our country with power destroying our country, hurting and torturing our innocent people, destroying our economy, destroying our education and religion, and our freedom.
And these thugs having full support and protection by the foreigner, and they are adore to have these character of people to run our unfortunate country of Cambodia time and time again.
hok long dy deserved to die the way young men at Battambang prison die. the video can be seen on youtube"battambang prison riot". it was too many life he took. his family should not live in luxury, they should be suffering the way those people are suffering.
Hok Lundy is without a doubt Cambodia's most ruthless and corrupt police chief. His death has brought some euphoria to some victims of crimes committed by himself and his police force, but the crimes still contitue because there is no political will from politicians like Hun Sen to reform the police force and punish those who committed abuses and crimes while serving in the force. For police force to change, we must change the political leadership as well.
I dont want to hear 1000s=1, ok! I want to hear 1=1.
Post a Comment