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Statement by Lorne Craner,
President of the International Republican Institute,
on the Release of Cambodian Democracy Activists
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2006
"We are relieved to learn the news from Cambodia this morning that Kem Sokha, Pa Nguon Teang, Mom Sonando and Rong Chhun have been released from prison following Yeng Virak's release on January 11. Their freedom from the confines of a jail cell does not change however the fact that they were arrested for peacefully expressing their views. The abuse of power by Hun Sen and his regime to charge them – and free them – in such a capricious fashion in the first place reminds us that democracy and human rights in Cambodia still has a long road to follow. In a democracy, human beings are not freed as 'a gift' to visiting foreign officials.
"Now comes the hard work of encouraging the international community to remain engaged, not only the diplomatic representatives, especially those that will be examining Cambodia's progress and merit for development funding at the Consultative Group meetings in March, but corporate sector representatives as well, who need to consider carefully the climate in which their investments are trying to find roots.
"For Cambodia to be a true democracy, its citizens must be able to express themselves without fear of imprisonment, and further actions must be made by Hun Sen's government to guarantee respect for basic human rights. Hun Sen should start by dropping the remaining charges against all the democracy activists he has targeted over the last year."
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Related Links:
IRI Statement on Recent Arrests in Cambodia
January 2, 2006
CCHR Report on the Arrests of Kem Sokha and Yeng Virak
January
2, 2006
Learn more about Kem Sokha and his arrest
Statements from other organizations:
Statement of Senator Mitch McConnell on Cambodia
January 26, 2006
Senate Resolution 353, Expressing Concern about Democratic Freedom and Justice in Cambodia
January 25, 2006
King of Cambodia showed solidarity with persecuted civil rights activists, Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia
January 23, 2006
Statement of Yeng Virak
January 13, 2006
World Bank Statement on Cambodia
January 9, 2006
Cambodia:
U.S. Deeply Concerned by Arrests of Activists and Opposition Leaders, U.S.
State Department Statement
January 6, 2006
Cambodia: Hun Sen Systematically Silences Critics, Human Rights Watch Statement
January 4, 2006
The High Commissioner for Human Rights expresses deep regret over the arrests of human rights activists Kem Sokha and Yeng Virak, United Nations Statement
January 4, 2006
Stop the persecution of Cambodian democrats, Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia Statement
January 3, 2006
Related news articles:
While in U.S., Cambodians Get a Lesson on Rights From Home, By Nora Boustany
The Washington Post, February 1, 2006
Cambodian PM says courts will not dismiss defamation cases against critics
Agence France Presse, January 30, 2006
Don't Forget Cambodia
The Wall Street Journal, January 27, 2006
Yes, I am Afraid,
Newsweek International, January 21, 2006
Release of Cambodian critics not enough: rights groups
Agence France Presse, January 18, 2006
Cambodia frees 4 government critics from prison,
USA Today, January 17, 2005
Cambodia progress slips
The Washington Times, January 13, 2006
Cambodian Leader Cracks Down in Bid to Solidify Power,
The New York Times,
January 9, 2006
Future of democracy under pressure in Cambodia
Financial Times, January 9, 2006
Don't Forget Cambodia
The Wall Street Journal, January 5, 2006
Third Cambodian rights activist charged with defaming PM Hun Sen
Agence France Presse, January 5, 2006
Another rights activist arrested in Cambodia, two more briefly detained
Agence France Presse, January 4, 2006
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