Human Rights

Workers from various sectors celebrate the 76th International Human Rights Day on December 8, 2024. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)

Human Rights -

Unions Submit 18-Point Petition; Demand Morm Rithy’s Release, Decent Working Conditions, NSSF Benefits

9 Dec 2024 6:55 PM|
Sovann Sreypich|

Textile, garment, industry, services, transport, agriculture, construction and informal economy unions and workers submitted an 18-point petition to the government in conjunction with the 76th International Human Rights Day. They urged the government to release Cambodian Tourism and Services Workers Federation (CTSWF) president Morm Rithy, ensure decent working conditions, legal protection and provide National Social Security Fund (NSSF) benefits to workers.

NagaWorld strikers wore symbolic orange prison jumpsuits in front of NagaWorld’s casino as they called for the release of detained union leader Chhim Sithar on December 5, 2022. (CamboJA/ Sovann Sreypich)

Human Rights ·

NagaWorld Strikers Protest Court’s Refusal to Release Union Leader on Bail

6 Dec 2022 1:22 PM|

Dozens of protestors donned orange prison jumpsuits outside the NagaWorld casino Monday after the Phnom Penh municipal court denied bail to union leader Chhim Sithar.

Khmer Thavrak activists (from left), Sokun Tola, Svay Samnang, who was not detained, Chhoeun Daravy, Chhem Sreykea and Hun Vannak, outside the Bati district police station in Takeo province on August 16, 2022, the day the four activists were detained. Licadho/Sok Raksmey

Human Rights ·

For Arrested Activists, Thumbprints on Police Contracts Are Often the Cost of Freedom

30 Nov 2022 9:51 AM|

Human rights activists and lawyers say police station contracts have no legal basis, and are used by authorities to encourage admission of guilt and intimidate activists into ceasing their campaigns.

A motorist drives by the Kandal Provincial Court on October 6, 2022. CamboJA/Pring Samrang

Human Rights ·

Kandal Court Finds Nine Airport Protesters Not Guilty

22 Nov 2022 3:06 PM|

The Kandal Provincial Court on Tuesday found nine people not guilty after they were arrested last year over protests against a new international airport project that will force them and their families to relocate.

Chhim Sithar, president of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld, was violently arrested on November 4, 2022, as she attempted to join a peaceful strike. CamboJA/Pring Samrang

Human Rights ·

Covid Used as Cover for Union Busting in Cambodia: Human Rights Watch

21 Nov 2022 5:13 PM|

The government has used legal and administrative means, and the pandemic as justification, to restrict labor rights and union organizing in the garment and tourism sectors, Human Rights Watch said in a new report.

Yi Soksan, a senior investigator at human rights group Adhoc (right), stands outside the Supreme Court in Phnom Penh on November 18, 2022. CamboJA/Pring Samrang

Human Rights ·

Supreme Court Upholds 2018 “Adhoc 5” Bribery Convictions

18 Nov 2022 9:49 AM|

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the 2018 bribery convictions of five current and former staffers of human rights group Adhoc, concluding the appeal process in a criminal case that critics have said failed to substantiate the charges.

Sitanun Satsaksit, sister of missing Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, speaks to the media in December 2020 in front of the Mekong Gardens building, near where her brother was allegedly abducted in June 2020. CamboJA/Panha Chhorpoan

Human Rights ·

Sister of Missing Thai Activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit Pens Letter to Biden

13 Nov 2022 5:07 PM|

The sister of missing Thai government critic Wanchalearm Satsaksit has written to U.S. President Joe Biden, calling on him to raise Wanchalearm’s disappearance from Phnom Penh with Cambodian officials while the president is in the capital for the Asean summit.

Authorities were stationed outside the house of Friday Women activist Prum Chantha in Phnom Penh’s Boeng Tompun II commune on November 12, 2022. Supplied.

Human Rights ·

As Biden Arrives for Asean Summit, Authorities Surveil Protester’s House

12 Nov 2022 7:27 PM|

Activists this week sought the attention of world leaders attending the Asean summit in Phnom Penh, while authorities on Saturday surrounded the home of a protester who has long campaigned for the release of her husband and other jailed opposition members.

Adhoc staffers Ny Sokha (left) and Yi Soksan (center) arrive at the Supreme Court in Phnom Penh on November 4, 2022. CamboJA/Pring Samrang

Human Rights ·

Overturn 2018 Convictions of Adhoc 5, Lawyers Say at Supreme Court

4 Nov 2022 5:35 PM|

Lawyers for five current and former staffers of human rights group Adhoc on Friday argued before the Supreme Court that their clients’ 2018 convictions should be overturned because the woman who they were accused of bribing never testified in court.