EU calls for independent probe into fatal Koh Kong shootings

The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (Licadho) reports that Chut Wutty refused to hand over the memory cards from the journalists’ cameras to the police

PHNOM PENH, 2 May 2012 (Cambodia Herald) - The European Union has called for an independent probe into shootings in a remote area of Koh Kong last week in which an environmental activist and a military policeman died.

In a statement approved by EU heads of mission in Cambodia, the EU Delegation said it was "deeply concerned" about the incident which occurred on Thursday last week.

"The EU Delegation calls for a speedy, robust and independent investigation of this case which casts a shadow over the Government's and civil society's efforts to curtail illegal logging in the country," said the statement issued Tuesday.

It added that the EU "remains concerned about the violence surrounding the protection of natural resources in Cambodia."

While welcoming recent government declarations to combat illegal activities to extract resources from protected forests and areas, "the EU urges the government to strengthen its efforts in this regard," the statement said.

The statement bemoaned Cambodia's  increased use of force including firearms. It urged the government to take "all necessary measures to protect persons in Cambodia who seek to advocate peacefully for all legitimate causes, including the protection of the invaluable natural resources."
A military investigation initially said the two appeared to have "shot each other" but later said the military policeman fired first and then committed suicide.

Two Cambodia Daily reporters with activist Chut Wutty and military policeman In Rattana when they died said the two had been arguing but that they did not see who fired the shots.

Military police have since formed an inter-ministerial committee led by Penal Department Police Chief Mak Chito to investigate the shootings.

The committee also includes the General Commissariat of National Police, the Royal Military Police and the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers.

Two Cambodia Daily journalists traveling with activist Chut Wutty when he was , a well-known environmentalist and human rights defender, and of Mr In Rattana, a military policeman.