Activists tried, threatened, possibly burnt. 3 different stories

[geovalin]

Mom Kunthear

Eight members of Cambodia’s largest independent union were released on bail yesterday after being tried at Takeo Provincial Court over their alleged involvement in a factory protest late last week, officials said.

Defence lawyer Kim Socheat said the members of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers’ Democratic Union (C.CAWDU), who were arrested on Friday evening as they left a strike at the JSD Textile factory, had been released but were “under the control of the court”.

They each face four charges, which include incitement, though it is not clear when they will return to court for a further hearing.

Investigating judge Kao Sakorn put conditions on the unionists, including a ban on joining any strike or gathering in Takeo. The accused were also ordered to report to the court on the first day of every month and to cease their involvement with JSD.

“[if] the accused intend to escape, the investigating judge will arrest and detain them,” a court order says.

Speaking before the unionists’ release, deputy prosecutor Tin Sochetra said he had enough evidence for them to be convicted.

“We investigated before we arrested them. We have enough evidence such as the photos and video of them damaging factory property … [and] throwing a bottle of gasoline and stones into the factory,” he said. “They did not only destroy the factory property but they also threatened the workers and threw stones at the workers who carried on working.”

C.CAWDU leader Ath Thorn said that his union would continue to act on behalf of the workers.

“The strike is over, but we will continue to talk to buyers,” he said.

The arrests are the latest involving union members in recent months.

About 1,300 workers at JSD had protested since the end of last month, demanding better working conditions and to be allowed to create their own union.

According to JSD employee Khout Visith, the protest began after fellow worker Chaev Chanthol was fired for attempting to form a union.

“The workers have a right to create a union to protect them in their factory, so why was he fired?” he said.

“The workers volunteered to hold a strike by themselves and we suggested those [unionists] help us. They did not incite or force the workers to strike.”

Representatives from JSD could not be reached.

Ken Loo, secretary-general of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia, could not be reached for comment yesterday, but a post on the group’s Facebook page spoke out in support of the unionists’ arrest.

“We are thankful that the authorities did step in to detain the people responsible pending further investigations to uncover the mastermind behind these actions,” it says.

The verdict came on the eve of talks scheduled for today between global unions and multinational clothing brands over violations of workers’ rights.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ALICE CUDDY

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/stay-away-factory-court-tells-unionists

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Activist ‘threatened with knife’

Mon, 26 May 2014

May Titthara

A forest activist in Kampong Thom province yesterday claimed to have been threatened with a knife by a soldier after reporting that the officer was behind a number of forest crimes in the area.

Pen Bunkear, a soldier with the Kampong Thom military research unit, yesterday denied attempting to stab Chheang Vuthy, an activist with the Prey Lang Community Network who last year filed a complaint against 15 officials – including Bunkear – for alleged involvement in illegal logging.

“I don’t know anything, and now I am busy joining a funeral,” Bunkear said yesterday.

But Vuthy says Bunkear flew into a rage when he saw him eating at a restaurant in Sandan district’s Mean Rith commune on May 13, attempting to stab him with a knife before being restrained by onlookers.

“I don’t know the reason he is angry with me, when he pulled out his knife to stab me. But in my opinion, he may be angry with me since I filed a complaint to the Ministry of Interior last year against officers behind forest crimes, and he is one of the 15 people [named],” he said.

Vuthy added that he believed he would have died if others had not intervened to stop Bunkear.

“Protesting against forest crimes is extremely difficult, and we are threatened by the authorities and business people almost every time, but the perpetrators live in peace.”

Chhem Savuth, executive officer at the Natural Resources Preservation Organization, said the communities opposing illegal logging in Prey Lang were in constant danger.

“Currently, the community working against forest crimes is always risking life and limb, because the perpetrators are police forces and soldiers equipped with arms … so some communities have given up forest protection,” he said.

Vuthy said he was unfazed by the alleged encounter, adding that he was willing to die for his cause.

“I will not be afraid until I am killed like Chut Wutty, and then my activity will no longer exist,” he said, referring to the prominent environmentalist who was killed in a confrontation with authorities in 2012.

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Activist says remains are of missing teen

Mon, 26 May 2014

Meas Sokchea

Human remains that an opposition activist claims are those of missing teen Khim Saphath, who disappeared after a crackdown on Veng Sreng Boulevard on January 3, will be brought to the Cambodia National Rescue Party’s headquarters in the capital today.

Although no tests have been carried out, Dim Keang, a CNRP activist, believes remains found in Kampong Speu province’s Samraong Torng district on Saturday are those of the 16-year-old.

“If the body was disposed of by a member of the family or a soldier they would not burn it like this,” he said.

The remains – mostly consisting of bones, including a skull – were being kept in the home of Teang Sien, a CNRP provincial councillor, who, while suspicious, would not speculate on whose remains they were.

Saphath was last seen with blood pouring from his chest during the deadly crackdown.

Nuth Romduol, a CNRP lawmaker-elect in Kampong Speu, said locals called him on January 4, saying that the night before they had seen a truck travelling to where the remains were discovered at Mreas Prov Mountain, followed by the glow of burning in the distance, adding that the remains were found close to military barracks.

Police questioned how the activist could claim to have discovered Saphath’s remains without examining them.

Kheng Tito, military police spokesman, said a forensic examination must take place to identify the remains.

“Only police can do the testing,” he said.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/activist-says-remains-are-missing-teen