PHNOM PENH (AFP)— Retail giants Puma, Gap and H&M have urged Cambodia to fully probe the recent shooting and wounding of protesting garment workers as the sole suspect, a local governor, remained at large Monday.The international buyers voiced "deep concern" over the February 20 incident in which a gunman opened fire at a rally by thousands of workers demanding better working conditions at factories in eastern Svay Rieng province.
Bavet City governor Chhuk Bundith, since named by government officials as the suspected perpetrator, was last week removed from his post.
But he has yet to be arrested and his current whereabouts are unclear, to the dismay of rights campaigners who have long criticised the country's culture of impunity.
"During the unrest, three female workers of Puma supplier Kaoway Sports Ltd. were shot and injured," the brands said in a letter sent to the Cambodian commerce ministry on March 9 and seen by AFP on Monday.
"We respectfully urge the Royal Government of Cambodia to conduct a full and transparent investigation... and hold those responsible for injuring workers accountable," said the signatories, which also included American Eagle Outfitters, The Jones Group and Columbia Sportswear Company.
After initially remaining tight-lipped on the issue, the government said last week that Chhuk Bundith would be questioned over the shooting.
"I have summoned him to testify on March 16," Svay Rieng court prosecutor Hing Bunchea told AFP.
The textile industry is a key source of foreign income for Cambodia and employs more than 300,000 people, mostly women.
Tension between staff and bosses erupted in 2010 when tens of thousands of workers went on strike until the government stepped in and arranged talks with manufacturers.
7 comments:
Most of high ranking official who commited crime and corruption never brought in to prosecute....Former forestry minister 'Ty Sakun' as an example? What about Boeung Tonles Sap minister who commited corruption.. with provincial governor?? No one been arrest or prosecute...Keep quiet with full bag of millions $$$$$$!!!!
With pressures from all sides like this, Hun Sen has no choice but to prosecute Chhouk Bandith. Sack him and put him in jail.
I just can't wait to see him got put in jail. I call for celibration, if it happened.
I disagree, there is no pressure for CPP. They are brushing it off and its still not affecting their outcomes in anyway.
Chouk Bandit will just be reposition and move to another department and once again be protected by Hun Sen.
PUMA needs to give the Hun Sen government deadlines to meet, because their inaction is also in favours of the companies, leaving little room and protection for the staffs and its workers.
I dont think i will ever buy any PUMA brand
I strongly condemned the criminal who has committed this felony against the civilians. Many of innocent Cambodians now are suffering under a brutal dictatorship.
Mr. Chhouk Bundith or other suspects will be jailed soon if he is a member or activist of SRP.
Where is social justice? The justice is mopping out from the social by the stingy feet of dictators and we know the justice will never exist on earth and will never happen to the people under his regime.
The inhuman actions against people by dumb leader, a social injustice and a culture of impunity because of nepotism will continue forward for long times, unless the top leader is toppling from the nest of power by people who thirst freedom, peace and justice.
If a little CPP official could do this much brutality, how much the big one can do?
If Hun Sen put this crook in jail, you guy can have free drink and a free Naked lap dancing...from me!
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