Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is forwarding a statement issued by the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 prominent Cambodian local NGOs, regarding the arrest of Mr. Mam Sonando, director of Beehive Radio FM 105 on 11 October 2005. He was accused of defaming the Cambodian government because he interviewed Mr. Sean Pengse, President of the Paris-based Cambodia’s Border Committee, on his radio station FM 105 on September 20. He is known to be currently detained at the Correctional Center 1 (CC1).
This is yet another incident of repression against its political opponents and human rights activists by the Cambodian government. The AHRC has also expressed its concern in its earlier statement regarding the political repression against the opposition in Cambodia. Cambodian opposition Member of Parliament Cheam Channy was sentenced to seven-years’ imprisonment without fair and credible trial to on fictitious charges of forming an illegal armed group and another member of parliament, Khom Piseth, was also sentenced to five years in absentia. (See further: AS-88-2005)
We call for your urgent intervention into this matter. Please send an appeal letter to the Cambodian authorities and urge them to release Mr. Mam Sonando immediately and unconditionally.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the CHRAC.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission
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CAMBODIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION COMMITTEE
ADHOC – CCPCR – CDP – CHHRA – CKIMHRDA – CWCC – GENEROUS – IDA – KKKHRA
KID – KKKHRDA – KSA – KYA – LAC – LICADHO – OUTREACH – TASK FORCE – VIGILANCE
Address: No.12, 282, Boeng Keng Kong, Chamcar Mon, P.P, Tel/Fax: 351 415 E-mail: chrac@forum.org.kh
STATEMENT
ON ARREST OF MR. MAM SONANDO ACCUSING OF DEFAMATION
Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 NGOs, is very disappointed and surprised at the arrest of Mr. Mam Sonando, director of Beehive radio FM 105, on October 11, 2005 at around 7am at his temporary resident in Kean Svay District, Kandal Province.
Mr. Mam Sonando is accused of defaming the Royal Government by Phnom Penh municipal court in his interview with Mr. Sean Pengse on his radio station FM 105 on September 20, 2005. After questioning at Phnom Penh municipal court, Mr. Mam Sonando was sent to correctional center 1 (CC1) by competent authority at around 12 noon on the same day.
CHRAC believes in this case that if the Government was not satisfied with Mr. Mam Sonando’s interview, the Government should request the Beehive radio station FM 105 to make corrections and interview representative of the government and then re-broadcast it.
CHRAC found the arrest of Mr. Mam Sonando, director of Beehive radio station FM 105, to negatively impact and be a threat to press reporters and civil society, and could affect the rights to disseminate and to receive information and expression of opinion that are assured by the article 41 of 1993 Constitution of Kingdom of Cambodia. This act is a sign that respect for human rights and democracy in Cambodia is going backwards.
CHRAC strongly appeals to the Royal Government of Cambodia to withdraw the complaint and to the municipal court to drop charges against Mr. Mam Sonando, giving him the opportunity to interview representatives of the Royal Government Cambodia and make public their perspective, ensuring that national and international audiences are well informed.
Phnom Penh 11 October 2005
Contact Person
– Mr. Sok Sam Oeun Chairman of CHRAC and CDP Tel: 012 901 199
– Mr. Thun Saray President of ADHOC Tel: 016 880 509
– Dr. Kek Galabru President of LICADHO Tel: 012 940 645
– Mrs. Nay Dina Executive Directress of KID Tel: 011 924 286
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SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send an appeal letter to the persons listed below and express your concern about this serious matter.
Sample letter:
Re: CAMBODIA: A media journalist was charged of defamation by the Government
Name of the victim: Mr. Mam Sonando, director of Beehive radio FM 105
Date of arrest: 11 October 2005
Place currently detained at: Correctional Center 1 (CC1)
Case status: Charged with defamation against the Cambodian government by Phnom Penh municipal court
I am shocked to learn about the arrest of Mr. Mam Sonando, director of Beehive Radio FM 105, who is presently being held at the Correctional Center 1 (CC1).
According to the information I have received, Mr. Mam Sonando was arrested on 11 October 2005 and accused of defaming the Cambodian government by the Phnom Penh municipal government, only because he interviewed Mr. Sean Pengse, President of the Paris-based Cambodia’s Border Committee, on his radio station FM 105 on September 20.
Mr. Mam Sonando’s arrest is violating his freedom of expression which is guaranteed under Articles 18 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the Cambodia is a state party.
If Mr. Mam Sonando is convicted under defamation against the State, it will legitimize the use of the judicial system in Cambodia as a means to silence Cambodia’s civil sector.
I therefore strongly urge you to take prompt and strong action to release Mr. Mam Sonando unconditionally. I also urge you to ensure that Mr. Mam Sonando is not subjected to torture or ill treatment during his detention.
Yours truly,
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SEND A LETTER TO:
1. Mr. Samdech Hun Sen
Prime Minister
Office of the Council of Ministers
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Fax: + 855 23 426 054
2. H.R.H. Prince Norodom Ranariddh
President of the National Assembly
11 Moha Vithei Preah Monivong(93) , P.O.Box 1444
Sankat Srah Chak, Khan Daun Penh
Phnom Penh. Cambodia.
Fax. +855 23 218 547
E-mail: s.k.k.cabinet@camnet.com.kh
3. Mr. Ang VongVathna
Minster of Justice
No 240, Sothearos Blvd.
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Fax: + 855 23 364119
Email: moj@cambodia.gov.kh
4. Mr. Douglas Gardner
UN Resident Representative in Cambodia
53, Pasteur Street
Boeung Keng Kang
P.O. Box 877
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Fax: + 855 23 216 257
E-mail: webmaster.kh@undp.org
5. Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
c/o Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 917 9177
Fax: +41 22 917 9003 (general)
jderiviero@ohchr.org or urgent-action@ohchr.org
6. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Att: Ben Majekodunmi or Ms. Chloé Marnay-Baszanger
Room 1-040
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 917 93 88
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
E-mail: bmajekodunmi@ohchr.org (for Ben Majekodunmi) or cmarnay-baszanger@ohchr.org (for Ms. Chloé Marnay-Baszanger)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
