Call for the release of Mr. Mam Sonando

To The U.S Embassy in Phnom Penh,

Dear SIR:

Mr. Sonando Mam, President of Democrat Association & Sambok Khmum Radio (Bee Radio), since March 12, 2012, on the invitation of Khmer People Power Movement (KPPM), was a keynote speaker in meetings following by Q&A with the Cambodian community in the U.S, and a reporter in the name he is a president of radio station FM 105 MHz.. Mr. Mam had received a resounding support from the US Cambodian community throughout the States. He just did his usual trustful as a balanced journalist radio reporter.

The Cambodian government has once again shown its inhumanity no bound by killing protestors who protected their property rights from the land grabbing policy of Hun Sen Government.

Today July 15th 2012 at 8:56 AM, Hun Sen government arrested Mr. Mam after he returns to Cambodia on July 13, 2012. I fear he will suffer the same opposition mistreatment that might cost his life. It is unconscionable that the Cambodian government would send this radio anchorman Mam to jail. If Cambodia wants to improve relations with the U.S., it cannot continue to mistreat its own people. The government can start by respecting freedom of press -- not mistreating its journalist.

Khmer People Power Movement release this statement to urge you to intervene by all means to protect the freedom of press in Cambodia. We hope you will take our concern to heart to protect integrally Mr. Sonando Mam rights, President of Sambok Khmum Radio from human right abuses by Hun Sen government.

Thank you for your leadership, and your support of Cambodia’s freedom of press.

Sincerely,

Sourn Serey ratha,

President of Khmer People Power Movement