Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association

“We’ve Cried for Justice for 21 Years”: Labor Leader’s Murder Still Unsolved

A woman pays her respects at a ceremony in Phnom Penh on Jan. 22, 2025, marking the 21st anniversary of the death of Chea Vichea, former president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of Cambodia. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)
A woman pays her respects at a ceremony in Phnom Penh on Jan. 22, 2025, marking the 21st anniversary of the death of Chea Vichea, former president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of Cambodia. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)

Twenty-one years after labor leader Chea Vichea was gunned down, his murder remains unsolved. On Wednesday, as in years past, union leaders, civil society groups, opposition parties, and relatives held a justice vigil for the slain activist, pressing the government to finally find his killer.

Vichea, who was then the president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), was shot dead on January 22, 2004, near Wat Langka in Phnom Penh, while reading a newspaper. 

As president of FTUWKC, Vichea worked to organize garment factory workers when the industry was still nascent in Cambodia.

Just four months after his murder, two gunmen on a motorbike killed his successor Ros Sovannarith. In 2007, Hy Vuthy, who defected from a pro-government union to lead the FTUWKC, met the same fate.

Initially, two men were arrested for Vichea’s murder, but witness accounts cleared them. After the first judge dismissed the case, he was replaced, and the new judge convicted both men, sentencing them to 20 years.

They were acquitted after serving five years, following pressure from Vichea’s family and human rights groups.

Despite the establishment of a special commission in 2015 to find the real killers and accomplices, no progress has been made.

“As of now, it is 21 years since the murder of Chea Vichea and the interior ministry’s national police has not yet produced results that identify the brutal killer,” unionist Suo Chhlounh said at the commemoration in Phnom Penh, where about 100 unionists, workers, civil society groups, and relatives gathered to lay wreaths at a statue of Vichea. 

Chea Mony, Vichea’s brother, told reporters he hopes the new government under Prime Minister Hun Manet will finally deliver justice for his family by uncovering the truth.

“21 years on, it is time to find the killer,” he said.

Chea Vichea’s brother Chea Mony attends the ceremony in Phnom Penh on Jan. 22, 2025, marking the 21st anniversary of his death. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)

Current FTUWKC President Touch Seur urged a renewed push into the decades-neglected investigation.

The memorial for justice also echoed calls to end impunity for all other rights abuses in the country and current challenges workers are facing.

Unionist and opposition National Power Party advisor Rong Chhun urged the government to “end impunity,” citing Vichea’s killing and other crimes against civil society leaders that often go unpunished.

“We’ve cried for justice for 21 years, but there’s still no result – impunity continues in Cambodia,” he said.

Hay Sovel, a FTUWKC representative, highlighted ongoing challenges workers face in Cambodia – similar to issues Vichea fought for – including last year’s insufficient minimum wage hike amid rising rental costs.

Ath Thorn, deputy president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU), said independent unions have dwindled since Vichea’s death, while pro-government unions and factories have grown.

“Independent unions struggle to operate, especially in resolving disputes. This weakens their independence,” he said. “If this continues, independent unions won’t survive, and workers will be oppressed.”

Spokespersons for the National Police and Ministry of Interior could not be reached for comment on Chea Vichea’s case.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona declined to comment.

Unionists, garment workers, opposition party members, and civil society groups attend a ceremony in Phnom Penh on Jan. 22, 2025, marking the 21st anniversary of the death of Chea Vichea, former president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of Cambodia. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)
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