Hundreds expected at site of fatal Koh Kong shootings [of Chut Wutty]

Military policeman In Ratana lay dead on the dirt road, while Chut Wutty was laying dead inside his car. 

PHNOM PENH, 8th May 2012 (Cambodia Herald) – The Cambodian Center for Human Rights announced Tuesday plans  for a patrol in Koh Kong later this week to gather evidence of illegal logging in memory of slain activist Chut Wutty.

In a statement, the center said an estimated 600 people from eight provinces would take part in the patrol starting in Chi Kor Leu commune on Thursday.

It said the group would stay overnight in Thma Bang district and travel on Friday to Mondol Seima district, where Chut Wutty was shot dead by a military policeman on April 26.

"The remainder of the patrol will be spent investigating and gathering evidence of illegal logging," the statement said, adding that participants would return home on Sunday.

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Press Release – Phnom Penh, 8 May 2012

Communities to patrol Koh Kong forests for illegal logging following death of Chut Wutty

On 10 May 2012, people from communities around the country that have been affected by the deforestation of Cambodia will gather in Koh Kong to take part in a patrol to gather evidence of illegal logging in forests in the area. It is estimated that approximately 600 people from eight provinces across the country will take part in the patrol. The event has been organized in memory of Chut Wutty, the environmental activist and Director of the Natural Resource Protection Group who was shot dead while gathering evidence of illegal logging in Koh Kong on 26 April 2012.

The community members will meet in Chi Kor Leu commune in Koh Kong province on 10 May and will stay overnight in Thma Bang district. On 11 May, the group will travel to the spot where Chut Wutty was shot dead in Mondul Sima district. The remainder of the patrol will be spent investigating and gathering evidence of illegal logging in the region. The community members will return home on 13 May.

The event is supported by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) and other organizations.

For more information contact CCHR President Ou Virak telephone:  +855 12 40 40 51; email: ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org or the following community representatives:

Kuch Veng, Pursat province, telephone +855 12 48 06 76

Chhiev Sarom, Kampong Speu province, telephone: +855 92 87 52 15

Teng Kao, Koh Kong province, telephone +855 88 95 94 998 / +855 92 32 77 93

Mom Sakin, Kratie province, telephone +855 89 94 21 59

Duong Doeum, Siem Reap province, telephone +855 92 88 39 51

Hoeur Sophea, Kompong Thom province, telephone +855 12 35 60 43

Svay Phoeun, Preah Vihear province, telephone +855 97 80 10 422

Vong Phan, Steung Treng province, telephone +855 77 88 53 36

Please find this statement attached in Khmer and English.

Thanks and regards