The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemns recent attacks by the Cambodian Government against civil society organisations and free media in the country. These repressive measures come at a critical juncture for Cambodia, and severely compromise the legitimacy and fairness of next year’s election. On 19 August 2017, the Cambodia Daily was [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 15 August 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the detention of the Cambodian human rights activist Tep Vanny, who completes one year in jail today. Tep Vanny, who participated in a peaceful protest in 2013, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ in prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal [ Read more ]

Phnom Penh, 26 July 2017 – We, the undersigned, call on the Court of Appeal to overturn the unjust conviction of Ms. Tep Vanny on charges of intentional violence with aggravating circumstances based on her peaceful activism at a 2013 protest, for which she received a draconian sentence of two years and six months’ imprisonment [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 10 July 2017) – On the first anniversary of the murder of prominent Cambodian activist Kem Ley, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) calls on the Cambodian authorities to ensure the investigation into his killing is independent and credible. Only a thorough investigation uncovering whether anyone else is behind Ley’s murder [ Read more ]

Phnom Penh, 30 June 2017 – The Freethe5KH campaign welcomes the long-overdue release of human rights defenders Ny Sokha, Yi Soksan, Nay Vanda, Lim Mony and Ny Chakrya, after 427 days of arbitrary pre-trial detention, and urges the authorities to drop all charges against them. We are delighted to see our colleagues and friends restored [ Read more ]

Phnom Penh, 28 June 2017 – We, the undersigned, condemn the discriminatory and arbitrary denial of medical care to three of the five ‘#Freethe5KH’ detainees at Phnom Penh’s CC1 (Prey Sar) prison facility. Mr. Ny Sokha, Mr. Nay Vanda, and Mr. Yi Soksan have finally been granted access to doctors from the Cambodian League for [ Read more ]

35th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 8: Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action Oral Statement Delivered by Rosanna Ocampo on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Monday, 19 June 2017 Mr President, FORUM-ASIA calls attention to the significance given to democracy as [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 3 June 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses its grave concern over intensified restrictions on fundamental freedoms ahead of the commune elections, including intimidation and threats against human rights organisations. Remarks made by the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, prior to the commune elections on 4 June [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 19 May 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the imposition of a restrictive media code of conduct by the National Election Committee (NEC) ahead of the upcoming commune elections scheduled for 4 June 2017. The code of conduct includes vague language and restrictive rules, which violate the [ Read more ]

May 9, 2017 – We, the undersigned Cambodian and international civil society organizations, condemn the removal by district and commune police authorities of banners calling for the release of six human rights defenders. Banners were removed from the offices of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), the Cambodian League for the Promotion and [ Read more ]