A prominent human rights advocate Seng Theary, who is serving a six-year prison term, halted her 14-day hunger strike on the ninth day due to health concerns, as civil society groups called for her release.
This marks her fourth hunger strike since she was jailed in 2022, with the aim of drawing wider international attention to deteriorating human rights and democracy in Cambodia, according to an international organization. Local NGOs expressed deep concern for Theary’s “well-being” that her prolonged detention has made her increasingly vulnerable to health complications.
General Department of Prisons spokesperson Kheang Sonadin confirmed that Theary planned to carry out her hunger strike from June 1 to 14. However, she ended it earlier, on June 9.
“She [Theary] only carried it out till June 9. She decided to end it early and eat normal food. She made this decision herself.”
“[I] would like to verify that this activity does not affect or violate her right, rather [we] respect the decision-making right of detainee Seng Theary,” Sonadin said.
The prison will continue to provide her meals twice every day, along with regular health monitoring. Her repeated hunger strike is “nothing new” to the prison as she has done this before, he added.
Theary, a dual citizen U.S and Cambodian was sentenced to six years in prison in June 2022 for conspiracy to commit treason. She was among hundreds of members of the now-defunct opposition party CNRP, who were found guilty of campaigning for the return of exile opposition figure Sam Rainsy in 2019.
The United Nations and international human rights have decried the convictions and charges as politically motivated.
NGO rights group Licadho operations director Am Sam Ath believes that Theary ended her hunger strike due to concerns over her health.
“We are concerned about her health, seeing that this is her fourth hunger strike in prison,” he said.
“I think her hunger strike is a call for justice, not only for herself but also for other political detainees,” Sam Ath said.
Government spokesperson Pen Bona did not respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, a US Embassy in Phnom Penh spokesperson said they will monitor the health and well-being of all U.S. citizens imprisoned in Cambodia, including Theary, stressing that the US Department of State has “no higher priority than the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens abroad”.
“We will continue to provide all appropriate consular services,” the spokesperson added.
