"Silencing environmental defenders and characterising their peaceful advocacy as a threat to the state is a mockery of justice."
This statement was originally published on cchrcambodia.org on 4 July 2024.
The Phnom Penh Capital Court’s conviction and sentencing of 10 Mother Nature activists to 6-8 years in prison, and the arrest of five of them on 2 July 2024, is a shame for our nation. Silencing environmental defenders and characterising their peaceful advocacy as a threat to the state is a mockery of justice.
It is well past time for authorities to listen to and work with youth and environmental activists. Stop spending resources harassing, threatening and prosecuting the brave and passionate young people who are working to protect Cambodia’s most precious natural resources.
Joint statement: Conviction of Mother Nature Activists is a National Shame
The following groups endorsed this statement:
1. 185K Thida Chambork Forestry Community (Kampong Chhnang)
2. 197 Land Community (Koh Kong)
3. AmLeang Community (Kampong Speu)
4. Boeung Pram Community (Battambang)
5. Boeung Pi community(Battambang)
6. Bos Snor Community (Tbong Khmum)
7. Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU)
8. Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)
9. Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO)
10. Cambodian Youth Network (CYN)
11. Cambodian Human Rights Action Coalition (CHRAC)
12. Cambodian Tourism Workers Union Federation (CTWUF)
13. Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL)
14. Chi Kha Kraom Land Community (Koh Kong)
15. Chher Pech Changvar Laor Chhert Community (Kampong Chhnang)
16. Community to Protect Nature (Pursat)
17. Dak Por Community (Kampong Speu)
18. Equitable Cambodia (EC)
19. Federation of Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC)
20. Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)
21. Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)
22. Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA)
23. Kbal Kla Forestry Community (Kampong Thom)
24. Klahaan Organization
25. Klaing Toek 78 Community (Siem Reap)
26. Kouy Indigenous Community in Ngan commune (Kampong Thom)
27. Kouy Indigenous Community in Prame Commune (Preah Vihear)
28. Land Community (Pailin)
29. Labour Right Supported Union Khmer Employee of Nagaworld (LRSU)
30. Lor Peang Community (Kampong Chhnang)
31. Mean Chey Land Community (Svay Rieng)
32. Mother Nature Movement (MNM)
33. Ou Bat Moan Community (Oddar Meanchey)
34. Partnership for Environment and Development (PED Cambodia)
35. Phnom Krom Community (Siem Reap)
36. Phum Seila Khmer Land Community (Banteay Meanchey)
37. Pongrok Chey Leak community (Kampot)
38. Prey Lang Community Network
39. Rattanak Rokha Forestry Community (Oddar Meanchey)
40. Reaksmei Sameakki Community (Kampong Speu)
41. Samaki Chek Meas Community (Svay Rieng)
42. Samaki Sangkae Pir Mean Rith (Preah Vihear)
43. Sahmakum Teang Tnaut Organisation (STT)
44. Sre Ampel Water Fall Tourism Forestry Community (Kampong Chhnang)
45. Srae Prang Land Community (Tboung Khmum)
46. Stueng Khsach Sa Forestry Resource (Kampong Chhnang)
47. Ta Ni Land Community (Siem Reap)
48. Thnaot Chum Land Community (Pursat)
49. Tonlung Community (Tboung Khmum)
50. The Cambodian NGO Committee on CEDAW (NGO-CEDAW)
51. Trapeang Chan Forestry Community (Kampong Chhnang)
52. Trapeang Chour Community (Kampong Speu)
53. Youth Resources Development Program (YRDP)
