Cambodia should release detained autistic teenager, UN experts say

An autistic teenage boy detained for two months in Cambodia over messages he sent on Telegram allegedly insulting officials should be released immediately, UN experts said Thursday.

Kak Sovann Chhay, 16, the son of two opposition figures, was arrested in late June and faces up to two years in jail if convicted.

Special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia Vitit Muntarbhorn and three other UN experts said the teenager had been interrogated without a lawyer or guardian.

"We strongly appeal to the Cambodian government to release this child and to ensure that his human rights are protected," Muntarbhorn said.

"Children with disabilities accused of breaking the law should be treated in line with the best interests of the child, and every effort should be made to keep them out of jail."

The boy's father, a former member of the dissolved Cambodian National Rescue Party, has been in jail since June last year.

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