21 December 1998, Mr Seng Sok Kim and Mr Meas Minear, both staff of the Cambodian League for Promotion of Human Rights [LICADHO] were arrested by police. Mr. Seng Sok Kim is the Sihanoukville Coordinator of LICADHO. They were charged by the Sihanoukville Court for robbery and inciting people to riot. The Asian Human Rights Commission believes that the two were arrested for protesting against the dumping of toxic waste.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Protest against toxic waste dumping
19 December 1998 a group of people voice their concern and seek assistance from the Sihanoukvile LICADHO office regarding toxic waste dumping.
An investigator from the Ministry of Environment had discovered 200 tonne of the toxic waste consignment dumped 10 km north of the port of Sihanoukvile. Formosa Plastics, the Taiwanese Company, has admitted the waste contains traces of mercury which is poisonous. Environmental inspectors also allege that the waste includes compressed ash contains lead and zinc from an industrial incinerator. Press reports revealed that a US$3 million bribe was paid by the Taiwanese Company to allow the waste into Cambodia. A port worker died after cleaning the Taiwanese ship which carried the 3000 tonne consignment of toxic waste.The residents of Sihanourkville protested in the streets on hearing of his death. The residents expressed their anger by throwing stone at the Goods Inspection Company and later ransacked a hotel claimed to be owned by the same Company.
Both the LICADHO staff did not participate in the stoning of the Goods Inspection Company. In fact, the LICADHO staff meet the Sihanoukvile governor and brief him on the situation.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
You may write your protest letters to Prime Minister Hun Sen and U.N. Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia Thomas Hammarberg, calling for the immediate release of Mr Seng Sok Kim and Mr Meas Minear, both staff of the Cambodian League for Human Rights [LICADHO] in Sihanoukville.
SEND APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Hun Sen Prime Minister Office of the Council of Ministers Phnom Penh, Cambodia Fax: (855) 23-426-054
President of TAIWAN, ROC Lee Teng-hui President, Office of the President Chiehshou Hall 122 Chungking S. Rd., Sec. 1 10036 T`aipei Taiwan fax 886-2-311-1604
Send Copies To:
Mr. Thomas Hammberburg UN Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia D-519 Palais des Nations Geneva 10, Switzerland Fax: 22 – 917 0022 Email: aparra.hchr@unog.ch
And to the diplomatic representative of Cambodia accredited to your country.
SAMPLE LETTER 1
His Excellency Hun Sen Prime Minister Office of the Council of Ministers Phnom Penh, Cambodia Fax: (855) 23-426-054
Your Excellency,
We bring you the seasons greeting. We have received from the media, the news of two human rights workers, managing the well respected human rights organizations LICADHO – being arrested, for protesting against the dumping of toxic waste. we urge your excellency to take appropriate action to immediately release these two persons. Further, we urge you to make an enquiry into the toxic waste dumping in Shihanoukville and those responsible to be reprimanded.
SAMPLE LETTERS 2
His Excellency President Lee Teng-hui President, Office of the President Chiehshou Hall 122 Chungking S. Rd., Sec. 1 10036 T`aipei Taiwan fax 886-2-311-1604
Your Excellency,
We bring to your notice a report on toxic waste dumping by Formosa Plastics, a Taiwanese Company in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. We hope your excellency will take appropriate action immediately against the concern Company. We thank you in advance for your consideration.
CC. Mr. Thomas Hammberburg. UN Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia
