Cambodia: Drop Charges Against Environmentalists

(Bangkok) Cambodia Authorities are bringing politically motivated charges against 10 environmental activists in an effort to silence criticism of government policies, Human Rights Watch said today.

The trial of members of the award-winning Cambodian youth-led environmental group Mother Nature in Phnom Penh is expected to end in nearly three weeks, on June 17, 2024. On June 5, authorities refused to allow supporters of the group and some members of the media to attend a public hearing, resulting in the five accused activists being refused entry to the courtroom for their trial. If convicted of conspiracy, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison.

“Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, like his father Hun Sen, seems intent on putting environmental activists in jail rather than appreciating their contributions to Cambodian society,” Liu ShuyiDeputy Director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch. “Prosecuting these activists would hurt them, hurt the environment, and hurt all Cambodians who have the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.”

Over the past decade, nature Election Oppose infrastructure projects that damage the environment, exposed In recognition of their “fearless and inspiring activism,” Mother Nature is awarding the 2023 received Prestigious Right Lifestyle Award.

Authorities charged Yim Leanghy, Sun Ratha and Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson lèse majesté (insulting the monarchy) and conspiracy to commit an attack, in violation of Articles 437bis and 453 of the Penal Code. Thun Ratha, Long Kunthea, Phuon Keoraksmey, Ly Chandaravuth, Binh Piseth, Rai Raksa and Pork Khoeuy were also charged with criminal conspiracy. Gonzalez-Davidson was charged Deported from Cambodia He remains banned from entering the country after being charged with corruption in 2015. Four other defendants – Sun Ratha, Binh Piseth, Rai Raksa and Pok Khoeuy – did not appear in court.

Several activists from the group have previously been jailed for peaceful environmental activism. Arrested Sun Ratha, Ly Chandaravuth and Seth Chhivlimeng in Phnom Penh and Yim Leanghy in Kandal province Record Raw sewage flows into the Tonle Sap River near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. Four days later, the court charged Ratha and Laingji with lese majeste. and charged him with conspiracy, while Chandaravuth charged him with conspiracy. Chhivlimeng was acquitted.

On May 5, 2021, the Phnom Penh Court convicted Long Kunthea, Phuon Keoraksmey and Thun Ratha of “inciting to commit a felony or disturbing public order” under Articles 494 and 495 of the Penal Code for their peaceful protest against the government’s filling of Phnom Penh’s Boeung Tamok Lake. The three were sentenced to more than 14 months in prison, and the charges they are currently facing were brought while they were serving their sentences.

Cambodian authorities have previously frequently charged human rights activists with sedition, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Expressing concern “Human rights defenders are currently in detention and facing charges of incitement to commit a serious crime… Civilized Society The more serious conspiracy charge against the activists would have seen them face a longer prison sentence of 10 years.

Ly Chandaravuth, one of the activists facing charges, told Human Rights Watch that the group’s actions do not pose a threat. “Our environmental actions are not a betrayal of the country,” he said. “If the court has evidence that we planned (the crime), please broadcast the trial on national and international television so that people can know whether the charges are truly justified.”

On October 2, 2023, a Cambodian court banned environmental activists Thun Ratha, Phuong Keoreaksmey and Long Kunthea from travelling to Sweden to receive a prestigious Right Lifestyle Awardalso known as “Alternative Nobel“”.

“Cambodian authorities should stop using repressive laws and politicized courts to silence environmentalists and other activists,” Lao said. “Development partners and others invested in protecting Cambodia’s environment should immediately call on the government to drop the charges against these activists.”