Posted October 2nd, 2012
Voice of America
The United States says it is “deeply concerned” at the conviction of a
prominent Cambodian land rights campaigner who was sentenced to 20
years in prison on insurrection charges.
In a statement Monday, the State Department characterized the sentence against Mam Sonando as “harsh” and called on the Cambodian government to immediately release the 71-year-old.
A Cambodian court on Monday convicted Sonando of inciting villagers to try to form their own state following a land dispute in eastern Cambodia earlier this year. Sonando denied the charges.
His radio station, known as Beehive Radio, sometimes broadcasts material critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985.
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights slammed the conviction as being politically motivated. It said there is no evidence Sonando was involved in the unrest, which the government viewed as a rebellion.
Amnesty International called the conviction “shocking and baseless,” saying it reflects the deteriorating situation of freedom of expression in Cambodia.
Cambodia has carried out an intensifying wave of sometimes violent forced evictions affecting tens of thousands of people. Activists say officials are increasingly cracking down on those who challenge the land grabs.
Press Statement
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 1, 2012
Source: US Department of State
-----
In a statement Monday, the State Department characterized the sentence against Mam Sonando as “harsh” and called on the Cambodian government to immediately release the 71-year-old.
A Cambodian court on Monday convicted Sonando of inciting villagers to try to form their own state following a land dispute in eastern Cambodia earlier this year. Sonando denied the charges.
His radio station, known as Beehive Radio, sometimes broadcasts material critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985.
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights slammed the conviction as being politically motivated. It said there is no evidence Sonando was involved in the unrest, which the government viewed as a rebellion.
Amnesty International called the conviction “shocking and baseless,” saying it reflects the deteriorating situation of freedom of expression in Cambodia.
Cambodia has carried out an intensifying wave of sometimes violent forced evictions affecting tens of thousands of people. Activists say officials are increasingly cracking down on those who challenge the land grabs.
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 1, 2012
Source: US Department of State
-----
We are deeply concerned by the conviction and harsh sentence of Mam
Sonando, a Cambodian independent broadcaster. Today the Phnom Penh
Municipal Court sentenced him to 20 years in prison for alleged
insurrection. A
number of observers in Cambodia have noted that the charges against him
appear to have been politically-motivated, based on his frequent
criticism of the government.
We strongly support freedom of expression, including the rights of
members of the press to peacefully express political views without fear
of persecution, retribution, or intimidation, consistent with the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. We call on the Cambodian government to
release Mam Sonando immediately, to ensure that its court system is free
from political influence, and to reaffirm its commitment to
guaranteeing its citizens’ basic human rights.
13 comments:
Having seen your precious message, we all Khmers were so happy in our heart very in deed. And we all would like to say thank you to the Department of state of the United States of America that has taken such an import action to help Cambodian nation as in the second time after the year of 1975s.
In the real world they knew that the current government of Cambodian today wasn't led an independent of state yet, in fact, was a sub served to its mastermind Yiek Cong who’s come from the eastern part of Cambodia.
Typically, this regime today is fully conducting as the tyranny under one man, Hun Sen, ruling the country ever. Since he has committed everything to his boss, especially, all the ugly treaties that he had been signing in 1982,-83-85, and 2005 to lose all the Khmer land and maritime, which all of those things he didn't care his country at all because he cares is only the power just for himself, family and his clans.
And all this matter, as we Khmer was not too happy to see the way he has destroyed our country. So, all we want is to have new government reform which its take a fully a Paris Peace Agreement that the International and U.N. has helped Cambodia to adopt it since October 23, 1991.
Perhaps, you already knew as the government they have been using a court as their power tool to destroying and cracking down Khmer citizens, Activist, Journalist whoever is dared to standing up to fight for their freedom of expression. But all the sudden they said those people had stood up against to his government, instead, the have to solve all the problem to citizen in proper manner and peacefully.
Right now this is the last resort that we all would please U.S. to help Khmer badly by protecting and salvaging Khmer from the expansionist from the Khmer's neighbor and keep pushing the Khmer opposition party of the so-called CNRP( Cambodian National Rescues Party.) Because of this new party we can assure that it would bring a true colors of the democracy back to Khmer national.
MK
Well done Mr MK,I am very happy to hear your input to this Cambodia crisis and you ask USA for help intervene.I hope USA hear our crying help and intervene.
Yobal Khmer
it was fair verdict by court and
he was the trouble maker behind the door
3 October 2012 12:32 AM, you are the criminal and you will prosecuted or sentenced by the people court. How much have you robbed from the Khmer people who are the owners of the land, Vietnamese Dumbo of CPP thieves.
Mr. Yobal Khmer, your feedback to me was very significant as to all of us being of as other Khmer patriot.
For your concerning to my short posted comment here, I appreciated so much.
Mk
The posted comment which was on 12:32 a.m.
This guy is more likely sounded as a new baby's Yiek cong born in Srok khmer in 1970-79, Or maybe Yiek Minh's new baby born or one of the Khmer that he doesn't a good conscience for his own fate on his own country.
You are very right MK. I agree with you and ask the US Government to continue to put pressure on the Cambodian Government to release Mam Sonando, to provide roofs as promised to those Cambodians who are affected by the land grabbing, and also to make sure the 2013 election will be fair and just.
it was fair verdict by court and
he was the trouble maker behind the door
3 October 2012 12:32 AM
Fair or not is just your mind. But other did not believe of the court decision was fair.
The judge of course love to do their job, but with all the pressure from someone behind the door, the Cambodian judges and the Cambodian court can’t make any free decision.
What about Hun Sen lied at the Cambodian Parliament of the problem of Koh Tral and the lost part of the Cambodian territorial to the neighbors ?
On the mind of millions innocent Khmer, Hun Sen and not Mr. Mam Sonando is a real traitor of the Khmer Nation?
in regards to koh trol,
khmer has small populations & poorest defense, that's why viet can easily grabed its..
To 5:58 AM,
It was NOT that Cambodia has less population or poor military defense, it is the case that Hun Sen agreed to give Koh Tral to Hanoi as a pay-back for putting him in power.
If Hun Sen is against this, and against other losses to Harnoi, Hun Sen, as the Prime Minister of Cambodia can EASILY take Vietnam to the International Courts of Justice at the Hague.
And Cambodia will WIN and get all our lands back.
The question is: Will he ? Can he ?
He won't! He can't! His Hanoi boss save his ass during 1978 defection from Khmer Rouge,Yuon didn't killed him then;Yuon using him now,Hun sen owed his life ti Yuon,that why he won't goes against Yuon or take Yuon to ICJ.
no 1 wants to lose property as father., to anybodies,
then,why not? we all khmer abroad needs to present documents to ICJ for koh trol, can we ?
Anonymous said...
in regards to koh trol,
khmer has small populations & poorest defense, that's why viet can easily grabed its..
3 October 2012 5:58 AM
The fact, under the international law Kos Tral belongs to Cambodia.
It has nothing to do with small population & poorest defense. The Viet still not able to say, that the island belong to Vietnam, because of the illegal Viet immigrants were set up there or no Khmer people live on the island.
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