Phnom Penh, 06 July 2007
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition 22 NGO members, severely condemns the shooting to death of Mr. Seng Sarorn, 44, who is a human rights defender in Sre Kor village, Sre Kor commune, Sesan district, Stung Treng province. This killing indicates that the continuing human rights violations in Cambodia are still a serious concern. Such killings threaten other human rights defenders and activists working to protect human rights in the country.
On 4 July 2007 at about 7.30 pm, Mr. Seng Sarorn, was reported to have been shot to death by an unknown person with an AK weapon while he was sitting with his wife in their home. Mr. Seng Sarorn is a human rights defender who actively encouraged people in his community to protest about forestry, fishery, and land grabbing issues. Recently, Mr. Sarorn had also been involved in protests demanding that a company named Sal Sophea Pheanich give the state’s forestry land back to the poor people of the community. In doing this, Mr. Sarorn had collected thumb prints from the people in the community who supported him, just 15 days before he was shot to death.
Although the provincial Military Police arrived at the crime scene immediately after the killing, they conducted an improper investigation, which resulted in the contamination of the crime scene. It has been reported that the company interfered with the police investigation, for instance, by ordering the police to examine the body without the participation of a specialized medical doctor.
CHRAC appeals to the Government of Cambodia, as well as, the national and international community, to urgently take action and search for the culprit to be tried.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Thun Saray Chairman of CHRAC/President of ADHOC Tel: 016 880 509
Mr. Sok Sam Oeun Executive Director of CDP Tel: 012 901 199
Ms. Nay Dina Executive Director of KID Tel: 011 924 286
On 4 July 2007 at about 7.30 pm, Mr. Seng Sarorn, was reported to have been shot to death by an unknown person with an AK weapon while he was sitting with his wife in their home. Mr. Seng Sarorn is a human rights defender who actively encouraged people in his community to protest about forestry, fishery, and land grabbing issues. Recently, Mr. Sarorn had also been involved in protests demanding that a company named Sal Sophea Pheanich give the state’s forestry land back to the poor people of the community. In doing this, Mr. Sarorn had collected thumb prints from the people in the community who supported him, just 15 days before he was shot to death.
Although the provincial Military Police arrived at the crime scene immediately after the killing, they conducted an improper investigation, which resulted in the contamination of the crime scene. It has been reported that the company interfered with the police investigation, for instance, by ordering the police to examine the body without the participation of a specialized medical doctor.
CHRAC appeals to the Government of Cambodia, as well as, the national and international community, to urgently take action and search for the culprit to be tried.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Thun Saray Chairman of CHRAC/President of ADHOC Tel: 016 880 509
Mr. Sok Sam Oeun Executive Director of CDP Tel: 012 901 199
Ms. Nay Dina Executive Director of KID Tel: 011 924 286
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