Cambodia: Arrests against regional development zones

(Bangkok)- Cambodia Authorities have arbitrarily arrested at least 94 people since late July 2024 for publicly criticizing the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle (CLV), Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said today. At least 59 of those arrested, including environmental, human rights, and other activists and several children, remain unlawfully detained and charged for peacefully expressing their views. Authorities should immediately drop all non-internationally recognized charges.

CLV is a development program between the Cambodian government. Laosand Vietnam Established in 2004 to promote cooperation on trade and migration. In July, concerns about the agreement resurfaced on social media, particularly regarding land concessions and whether the CLV puts foreign interests over the Cambodian people. Many of those arrested were charged with conspiracy and sedition simply for expressing views on the CLV or organizing peaceful protests.

“The mass arrests of CLV Development Triangle activists are a planned, organized effort by Cambodian authorities to intimidate critics and prevent them from demonstrating in Phnom Penh or sharing their views on social media,” he said. Liu ShuyiDeputy Director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch. “These false detentions and charges show that Prime Minister Hun Manet has no respect for the rights of the Cambodian people and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

Following the initial arrest of three activists in July, a Telegram group with thousands of members was formed and began organizing public rallies and peaceful marches to protest the agreement. Cambodians also held a rally in early August. South Korea, Japanand Australia About CLV.

As public criticism grows, Cambodian authorities Enhanced security measures and travel restrictionsLocal human rights groups accuse government officials across the country of misappropriating land rights and Civil Society Activists were subjected to surveillance, including orders for several not to leave their communities and threats to their families. Authorities also set up roadblocks on the highway leading to Phnom Penh and arbitrarily searched trucks and taxis entering the capital.

Former Prime Minister and current Senate President Hun Sen Official Telegram Channel Video footage was shown of schoolchildren from across Cambodia chanting in support of the development agreement.

Senior officials have endorsed the crackdown in various public statements.

Hun Sen publicly called for the above Three activists arrested and sentenced In July, he criticised the agreement in a Facebook broadcast. He also threatened critics of Cambodia’s CLV and the families of opposition activists living abroad with possible surveillance tactics that violate the right to privacy and family life, saying: “I urge the (Cambodian) government to search and find all the groups that are creating this problem and living in the country. And compile the cases of all the individuals outside the country, study their family history, study where their family members are (if they are abroad).”

this National Police On August 11, Cambodian Gendarmerie Captain Sokha said: “We are determined to defend the Kingdom’s legitimate government at all costs, take severe measures to prevent and stop perfidious acts, and will not tolerate them.” On August 16, Cambodian Gendarmerie Captain Sokha also said: “We are determined to defend the Kingdom’s legitimate government at all costs, take severe measures to prevent and stop perfidious acts.” release A video of him speaking to his subordinates, ordering them to be ready to confront protesters with guns and to shoot if necessary.

Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said: Tell CamboJA News On August 12, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) supported the CLV and posted on Facebook that The Royal Canadian Air Force said It “…will suppress and destroy all incitements to undermine the state and peace, as well as any form of attempt to undermine and overthrow the legitimate government of the kingdom.” From a government official National and provincial All levels of government, including the military, have issued petitions in support of CLV.

Hun Sen continues to publicly threaten CLV critics August 12 speechIncluding remarks directed at Hay Vanna, an opposition activist living in Japan: “You are all trying to incite others… We heard what Hay Vanna said abroad… You need to think carefully. If you make a mistake, you may be in danger… You need to think about this carefully before participating in the protests.”

On August 16, Cambodian authorities Arrested Vanna’s brother, Hay Vannith, a civil servant at the Ministry of Health, did not provide information about Vanna’s whereabouts until August 20, raising concerns that he had been forcibly disappeared.repentThe statement, which calls for the government to be overthrown, was posted on the Facebook page of a Cambodian government spokesperson on August 21.

On August 19, the government media Fresh News broadcast a report titled “repent” Young activist Lach Tina accused fellow activists protesting against the CLV of organizing a conspiracy against the government.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said the detainees’ so-called “confessions” and allegations of conspiracy against the government have heightened concerns about their safety and that of other detainees.

Of the 94 people arrested, at least 59 have been charged and remain in arrest or pretrial detention. Cambodian authorities have charged at least 21 people with incitement to commit a serious crime, a charge often falsely accused of human rights activists. Expressing concern Regarding the improper use of sedition charges. Sedition carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, while “conspiracy” carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

At least 33 people face charges of conspiracy against the state, including 4 young adult members from the Khmer Student Intellectual Union Association. This accusation was recently levelled against Environmental organization NatureSubsequently, Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, “called on Cambodia to hold broad public consultations to amend the relevant provisions of Cambodia’s criminal code to bring them into line with international human rights law.” At least four children were also charged with conspiracy, which, because they are children, carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, rather than ten.

The four children charged remain in pretrial detention. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Cambodia ratified in 1992, states that the arrest and detention of children should only be a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible period of time. The convention also upholds children’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Kate Schuetze, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Southeast, East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, said: “Arbitrary restrictions on freedom of movement, peaceful assembly and expression are inconsistent with international law. Harassment of activists and their families is absolutely unacceptable. Shockingly, the Cambodian government’s heavy-handed response has resulted in young people, including some children, being unlawfully detained and charged with serious crimes against the state. “Cambodia’s partners should join in a public call for an end to this infringement on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”