Cambodia
Cambodian award-winning journalist’s arrest sparks outrage among civil society groups
Cambodian journalist Mech Dara’s arrest on 30 September 2024 has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society, media organisations, and international bodies. Dara, known for exposing corruption and human trafficking, faces incitement charges. Calls for his release continue to grow as global attention intensifies.
The arrest of Cambodian journalist Mech Dara on 30 September 2024 has led to widespread condemnation from civil society groups, media organisations, and international bodies.
Dara, an investigative journalist known for his work on human trafficking and cyber scams in Cambodia, was arrested by Cambodian military police while travelling with family from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh.
He has been charged with incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code for a series of social media posts made in late September. If convicted, Dara faces up to two years in prison.
On 1 October 2024, Dara was formally charged and sent to pretrial detention by the Phnom Penh Capital Court.
Prosecutor Lim Sokuntheara, who led the investigation, cited Dara’s social media posts on 20, 23, 26, 28, and 29 September 2024 as the basis for the charges, alleging they were intended to incite social disorder. Dara is currently being held at Kandal Provincial Prison.
The arrest has been strongly criticised by a coalition of over 40 civil society groups, media organisations, and international bodies.
These groups issued a joint statement calling for Dara’s immediate release and condemning the Cambodian government’s actions as a clear attempt to silence one of the country’s most courageous journalists. They argue that Dara’s investigative work, which has exposed corruption, environmental destruction, and human trafficking in Cambodia, is crucial for public accountability.
The joint statement reads: “We, the undersigned communities, media organisations, and civil society groups, are calling for the immediate release of Cambodian journalist Mech Dara, who was charged with incitement and sent to pretrial detention by the Phnom Penh Capital Court on 1 October 2024. The charges against him are a clear attempt to silence a brave journalist whose work has continually sought justice and accountability for human rights violations.”
In addition to the statement from civil society, the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) also issued a powerful message of support.
The IACC, a global forum focused on anti-corruption efforts, highlighted Dara’s involvement in exposing corruption and other illicit activities, as well as his collaboration with Transparency International.
In June 2024, Dara participated in a panel discussion at the IACC in Vilnius, Lithuania, which addressed scam operations, casinos, and human trafficking in Southeast Asia. During the session, Dara recounted his experiences investigating scam compounds, including the trafficking, torture, and killing that often occur within these criminal enterprises.
The IACC expressed its solidarity with Dara, stating: “As the international anti-corruption community, we stand in solidarity with the brave, often unprotected citizens and journalists who report on corruption. Dara’s arrest is deeply concerning, and we call on the Cambodian government to release him immediately.”
According to witnesses, Dara was detained at the Srae Ambel toll booth on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway. His vehicle was stopped by six cars, including one marked with Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia insignia, and he was taken into custody by Gendarmerie officers. His family and legal representatives were not informed of his whereabouts for nearly 24 hours, raising concerns about his treatment and access to legal support.
Dara’s recent social media posts, including photos of quarrying activities in Ba Phnom, Prey Veng Province, were labelled as fake news by provincial officials.
The Prey Veng provincial administration had accused Dara of seeking to cause “social disorder” and requested legal action against him. This accusation followed his broader investigations into controversial industries, including online scam compounds and environmental degradation, which have frequently placed him in the crosshairs of local authorities.
Dara’s investigative reporting has been featured in prominent outlets such as the Cambodia Daily, Phnom Penh Post, and Voice of Democracy, and his work has been recognised internationally.
In 2023, he was awarded the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report Hero Award for his courageous reporting on human trafficking in Cambodia. His journalism has consistently highlighted exploitation, forced labour, and corruption, earning him both acclaim and enmity from powerful figures in Cambodia.
The statement calling for Dara’s release has been endorsed by numerous local and international organisations, including the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia, Transparency International Cambodia, and Reporters Without Borders. These groups argue that Dara’s arrest represents an alarming escalation in the Cambodian government’s crackdown on press freedom.
In recent years, the Cambodian government has faced increasing criticism for its treatment of journalists, with many facing harassment, legal threats, and arrest.
Mercy Chriesty Barends, Chairperson of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, reiterated her earlier call for Dara’s release.
“The Cambodian government must release Mr. Dara immediately and unconditionally. His arrest is part of a broader campaign to intimidate journalists and silence those who speak truth to power. It is essential that the international community remains vigilant in defending press freedom.”
APHR board member Arlene D. Brosas, also a Member of Parliament from the Philippines, further highlighted Cambodia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
She reminded the Cambodian government that Article 19 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to freedom of expression and press freedom. “The Cambodian authorities must respect their international obligations. The media plays a crucial role in upholding democracy, human rights, and accountability,” Brosas said.
The statement concludes with a demand for the Cambodian government to drop all charges against Mech Dara, release him from pretrial detention, and end its harassment of journalists.
As Cambodia prepares for increased international scrutiny over its human rights record, Dara’s case has become a symbol of the shrinking space for free expression in the country.
Cambodia
Cambodian union leader Chhim Sithar released, vows to continue fight for workers’ rights
Cambodian union leader Chhim Sithar was released after nearly two years in prison for her role in leading a strike at NagaWorld. She vowed to continue advocating for workers’ rights despite the challenges posed by authorities.
Chhim Sithar, a prominent Cambodian union leader, was released from prison on 16 September 2024 after serving nearly two years for leading a high-profile strike at the NagaWorld Hotel and Entertainment Complex in Phnom Penh.
Upon her release, Sithar pledged to continue advocating for better wages and working conditions for workers in Cambodia, particularly at the casino and hotel where the labor dispute began.
Sithar, leader of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees, was sentenced in May 2023 to two years in prison for “inciting social chaos.”
She was initially detained in December 2021 after the strike against NagaWorld began, following the company’s dismissal of over 1,300 employees, many of them union members.
Cambodian authorities have claimed the strike is illegal, alleging foreign involvement in its organization.
“It is a mistake for those who think that putting people in prison can stop workers from protesting,” Sithar told Radio Free Asia.
She reiterated that workers in Cambodia have the legal right to organize and strike, and stated her commitment to continue the fight despite the challenges faced.
The ongoing strike has been met with a violent crackdown by Cambodian authorities. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court also sentenced eight other union members, though their sentences were suspended.
Sithar’s arrest and conviction were condemned by civil society groups, the U.S. State Department, and human rights organizations. Amnesty International noted that the union members were “prosecuted solely for exercising their basic rights.”
Sithar’s release was met with anticipation by supporters, who had planned to gather outside Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh.
However, authorities transferred her home before dawn, reportedly to avoid demonstrations.
According to Ou Tep Phallin, president of the Federation of Food and Service Workers of Cambodia, officials “fear the public’s attention,” indicating a broader governmental concern over public protests.
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) also welcomed Sithar’s release but condemned her imprisonment, calling it a politically motivated effort to suppress union activism.
The organization’s Executive Director, Mary Aileen D. Bacalso, urged the Cambodian government to cease its repression of union leaders, saying, “No one should lose their freedom for exercising their fundamental rights, as Chhim Sithar did.”
FORUM-ASIA regards the case as the continued misuse of “incitement to commit a felony” by Cambodian authorities to suppress peaceful activism is a direct attack on unions and workers fighting for their fundamental rights, and further undermines Cambodia’s already restricted civic space.
NagaWorld, one of the most profitable gambling centres globally, is owned by a Hong Kong-based company with reported ties to Cambodian political elites, including family members of Senate President Hun Sen.
The labour dispute continues, with workers demanding wage increases and the reinstatement of employees dismissed during the pandemic.
Cambodia
Cambodia bans Chinese blockbuster ‘No More Bets’ over negative portrayal concerns
Cambodia’s decision to ban the Chinese blockbuster “No More Bets” is rooted in its concern over the film’s adverse depiction.
However, a previous UN report underscores the involvement of Myanmar and Cambodia in the coercion of over 220,000 individuals into online scam activities.
Notably, In Singapore’s $2.4 billion money laundering case, nine of ten arrested were granted Cambodian citizenship between August 2018 and March 2021.
CAMBODIA: Cambodia has recently imposed a ban on the Chinese blockbuster film titled “No More Bets” due to concerns over its unfavourable depiction of the country.
The film, released in early August, claims to be inspired by true events and narrates the story of a computer programmer who is trafficked to an undisclosed Southeast Asian nation, where they become entangled with a violent fraudulent organization.
Notably, the movie also features Khmer scripts.
As reported by The Cambodia China Times, various Cambodian government departments, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, are actively collaborating to address the film’s adverse portrayal of Cambodia.
The Cambodian Ministry of Interior has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the narrative of “No More Bets,” believing that it significantly tarnishes Cambodia’s image.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has officially decreed the ban on “No More Bets.”
Moreover, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is set to work in conjunction with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to take measures aimed at curbing the spread of film clips through social media platforms.
Song Man, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, revealed that the ministry has dispatched a letter to the relevant Chinese authorities through the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.
He emphasized that the Chinese Embassy is actively addressing the issue, and their cooperation will persist.
Song Man stressed that, in response to Cambodia’s request, Chinese authorities have provided access to the complete version of the film.
After viewing the entire film, it was found to be centred around an anti-fraud theme, with the Chinese intending to convey anti-fraud messages to their own population.
However, it has inadvertently cast a negative light on Cambodia and other Southeast Asian nations, such as Myanmar and Thailand, negatively impacting their tourism industries.
Song Man underscored that “No More Bets” has had an adverse effect on Cambodia’s reputation as a sovereign nation, asserting that the film does not accurately reflect Cambodia’s true image.
United Nations sound alarm on human trafficking and scam activities in the region
Despite the Cambodian government’s assertion that the film portrays transnational crimes, including human trafficking and violent scams operating in the country in an unfavorable light, it is undeniable that these crimes have long been identified by the United Nations and various human rights organizations.
In a recent policy report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the issue of human trafficking, often used to coerce victims into participating in criminal activities, is just one aspect of transnational organized crime.
This criminal activity is closely associated with border casinos, large-scale money laundering operations, cybercrimes, and an array of other illicit offences. The report also documented credible instances of torture and extortion within these criminal operations over the past year.
While certain crackdowns have been executed in Cambodia and the Philippines, these criminal groups are evolving and perfecting their fraudulent activities from fortified compounds located within the protective umbrella of ethnic rebel groups in the conflict-ridden terrain of Myanmar.
Earlier, the UN released an alarming report a concerning report that highlights the ASEAN region has become a hotbed for online scammers, victimizing hundreds of thousands of individuals globally through human trafficking schemes specifically designed for online fraud.
UN Report estimates over 220 thousands victims in Myanmar and Cambodia coerced into becoming online scammers
The UN report estimates that at least 120,000 people in Myanmar and 100,000 in Cambodia have been coerced into becoming online scammers.
The report also alerted that individuals are lured in by social media ads promising easy jobs and luxurious amenities, only to be deceived into travelling to countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand.
“In some instances, people have attempted to escape, including by jumping from compounds or swimming across rivers (such as from Myanmar to Thailand or Cambodia to Vietnam), but these efforts often end unsuccessfully, either in death or severe punishment upon recapture,” the OHCHR stated.
Cambodia confirms investigation into its ‘citizens’ implicated in Singapore money laundering case
In the high-profile S$2.4 billion money laundering case in Singapore, it is worth noting that nine out of the ten individuals arrested were granted Cambodian citizenship between August 2018 and March 2021.
Additionally, these individuals were reported to have connections to various firms in Cambodia.
While possessing different nationalities, all ten individuals hail from Fujian, China.
Among the 10 individuals charged, three currently possess Cambodian passports and citizenship.
These individuals were identified as Chen Qingyuan (33), Su Baolin (41), and Su Wenqiang (31).
The Cambodian embassy in Singapore last month informed the Phnom Penh Post that they were cognizant of the situation and had received notification from Singaporean authorities about Cambodian individuals being charged in court.
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