KHM 003 / 0712 / OBS 073
July 30, 2012
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights
Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for
Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture
(OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following
situation in Cambodia.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory has been informed by reliable
sources of the disruption by armed security forces of a training
workshop organised jointly by the Cambodian Human Rights and
Development Association (ADHOC) and the Cambodian Center for
Human Rights (CCHR) on the issue of land rights.
According to the information received, on July 27, 2012, three commune police
officers from Patang, as well as one Rattanakiri provincial
police officer, the Patang Village Chief, the Patang Commune
Chief and the Deputy Commune Chief – one of them carrying an
M-16 assault rifle – disrupted a training session on land rights
organised jointly by ADHOC and CCHR in Patang village, Patang
commune, Rattanakiri province. The officials argued that they
were acting upon orders from the provincial authorities, because
they had allegedly failed to satisfy notification requirements.
It is to be noted however that under Article 3 of the Cambodian
2009 Law on Demonstrations, organisers are exempted from
notification requirements for all educational/training
activities related to social interests. Notwithstanding this
exemption, the CCHR had sent a letter to Patang Village Chief in
order to notify him of the upcoming training session.
In order to ensure the physical safety of the
attendees, ADHOC and CCHR decided to stop the training session.
As the security forces and provincial authorities departed, the
Patang Commune Chief accused ADHOC of engaging in “incitement
activities”, and the police officers told CCHR staff members
that their security would not be guaranteed if they did not
leave the area.
The Observatory expresses its
deepest concern about the disruption of this training session on
the issue of land rights, as well as about the threats directed
against ADHOC and CCHR representatives, since they seem to
merely aim at hindering their human rights activities.
Violations of land and housing rights are widespread and serious
in Cambodia. Government harassment and intimidation of
villagers, activists and organisations defending these rights
are also increasing. The Observatory therefore calls upon the
Cambodian authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment
against these organisations and their members.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Cambodian
authorities and ask them to:
i. Guarantee
in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of
the members of ADHOC and CCHR, as well as all human rights defenders and their organisations
in Cambodia;
ii. Put
an end to all acts of harassment against ADHOC and CCHR members
as well as against all human rights defenders and their
organisations in Cambodia;
iii. Conform
with the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights
Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations
General Assembly, and in particular :
- Article 1, which states that “everyone has the
right, individually or in association with others, to promote
the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental
freedoms at the national and international levels”,
- and Article 12.2 which provides that
“the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the
protection by the competent authorities of everyone,
individually and in association with others, against any
violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse
discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a
consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights
referred to in the present Declaration”.
iv.
Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human
rights standards and international instruments ratified by
Cambodia.
Addresses:
· Mr. Hun Sen, Prime Minister, Office of the Prime
Minister, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, Fax: +855 23 36 06 66
/ 855 23 88 06 24 (c/o Council of Ministers), Email: leewood_phu@nida.gov.kh
· Mr. H.E. Ang Vong Vathna, Minister of Justice, No
240, Sothearos Blvd, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, Fax: 023
364119. Email: moj@cambodia.gov.kh
· Mr. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Interior, Ministry of Interior, 275 Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh,
Kingdom of Cambodia, Fax: + 855 23 212708. Email: moi@interior.gov.kh
· Mr. Hor Nam Hong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 161
Preah Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, Fax: + 855
23 21 61 44 / + 855 23 21 69 39. Email: mfaicasean@bigpond.com.
· Ambassador Mr. Sun Suon, Permanent Mission of
Cambodia to the United Nations in Geneva, Chemin de Taverney 3,
Case postale 213, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland, Fax: + 41 22
788 77 74. Email: camemb.gva@mfa.gov.kh;
Please also write to the diplomatic
representations of Cambodia in your respective countries.
***
Paris-Geneva, July 30, 2012
Kindly inform us of any action
undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is
dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims
to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency
line:
· Tel and
fax FIDH: +33 (0) 1 43 55 25 18 / 01 43 55 18 80
· Tel and
fax OMCT: + 41 22 809 49 39 / 41 22 809 49 29
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