CCHR PRESS RELEASE - CCHR Highlights IFEX International End to Impunity Campaign, 1 – 23 November 2012

CCHR PRESS RELEASE – Phnom Penh, 31 October 2012

CCHR Highlights IFEX International End to Impunity Campaign, 1 – 23 November 2012

International partner of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) on freedom of expression issues – International Freedom of Expression Exchange (“IFEX”) – tomorrow launches its 2012 campaign to end impunity. To mark this year’s International Day to End Impunity, which will fall on 23 November 2012, 23 cases of journalists, artists, writers, lawyers and human rights defenders who have been harassed and threatened for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, will be profiled from 1 to 23 November, to raise awareness and call for action.

A culture of impunity, whereby corruption, intimidation, threat and even murder go unpunished, is rife in Cambodia. Feeding into this culture is media censorship and the stifling of free speech by those who do not wish to be held accountable for their actions. In 2012 alone, Cambodia has seen the murder of a prominent human rights activist, Chut Wutty, a 14 year old girl, Heng Chatha, who was shot by state armed forces during a forced eviction and a journalist, Hang Serei Odom, who wrote prolifically on illegal logging in the province of Ratanakkiri, and was not fearful of blowing the whistle on well-connected individuals. Impunity has reigned in the cases of Chut Wutty and Heng Chantha, and the case of Hang Serei Odom is currently under investigation - two people have been charged but more are believed to have been linked to the murder.

In 2012, IFEX is highlighting the culture of impunity by profiling individuals who have been the target of threats, violent attacks, torture and blackmail, where international attention could provide a measure of protection. There will be 23 Actions in 23 Days, with a different call to action related to each case – from signing a petition to sending a letter to relevant authorities.

Cambodia’s Sok Visal, outspoken journalist for Radio Free Asia, will be profiled on Day 4 of the campaign. Sok Visal has for years championed free expression in Cambodia through unflinchingly reporting on land rights abuses in Ratanakkiri. He has worked to spread information on the plight of indigenous communities facing land grabbing and forced eviction, and as a result has himself been faced with threats and judicial harassment.

Please check this link: http://daytoendimpunity.org/calendar everyday starting from Nov 1 to see the case profile and take action.

CCHR Freedom of Expression Project Coordinator comments:

“This international campaign to end impunity is timely in Cambodia, where we have seen a harsh crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly in 2012. On numerous occasions armed forces have opened fire on unarmed demonstrators with no legal repercussions, a prominent human rights defender and journalist, Mam Sonando was recently convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison with no concrete evidence, and three people have been murdered as a result of free expression since the beginning of the year. The campaign will highlight the situation in Cambodia whereby rights violators go unpunished, while those defending rights and speaking out, are threatened, intimidated, imprisoned and even killed.”

For more information, please contact Sorn Ramana via telephone at +855 (0) 1765 5591 or e-mail at ramanasorn@cchrcambodia.org or Orla Kelly, Consultant, via telephone at +855 (0) 6772 7025 or email at orla.kelly@cchrcambodia.org.

Kind Regards,

CCHR