Cambodia: environmental activists sentenced to 18 to 20 months in prison
On Wednesday May 5, five young activists from the environmental group Mother Nature Cambodia were sentenced to 18 and 20 months in prison by the Phnom Penh municipal court.
AFP - TANG CHHIN SOTHY
Text by: Juliette Buchez
5 mins
In Cambodia, the activities of the courts have been slowed down since the country faced its first real wave of Covid-19 cases.
Phnom Penh's municipal court, recently fitted with plexiglass windows, nevertheless sentenced five environmental activists to terms of 18 and 20 months in prison on Wednesday.
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With our correspondent in Phnom Penh
,
In September, the environmental group
Mother Nature Cambodia
announced that one of its members, Long Kunthea, was to walk alone to Prime Minister Hun Sen's house.
The objective of this action announced on social networks: to raise awareness of the consequences of the backfilling of Lake Boeng Tamok.
Indeed, to serve the perpetual expansion of the capital, many lakes surrounding Phnom Penh have been gradually backfilled, despite the environmental risks described by several experts.
But even before the march takes place, Long Kunthea, Phuon Keoreaksmey and Thun Ratha are arrested and remanded in custody.
On Wednesday May 5, the three young activists held hands when the verdict was announced.
Their march project, as well as their numerous awareness videos, earned them sentences of 18 to 20 months in prison for "
inciting to commit a crime or to stir up public order
".
Chea Kunthin, another activist and Alejandro Gonzales Davidson, one of the co-founders of
Mother Nature Cambodia
, were convicted by default, not being present in court.
An advocacy group already criticized by the authorities
The activities of
Mother Nature Cambodia
, founded in 2013, have often been criticized by the authorities and have already brought members of the group to justice.
Sand dredging, backfilling of mangrove areas, discharge of wastewater into waterways, since its creation, the group has been known for its campaigns and video presentations that highlight the risks and environmental drifts. linked to the development of Cambodia.
But in the country which until the pandemic had one of the highest growth rates in the region, these presentations are rarely well received by the authorities, frequently questioned by the group.
Since the arrest of the three activists,
Mother Nature Cambodia
nevertheless continues to produce videos, but it is now face-down and distorted voices that activists expose themselves anonymously.
A conviction singled out by human rights groups
These organizations have always experienced difficulties, but the pressure that some are facing through legal proceedings has intensified in recent years.
On Wednesday, the conviction of the activists of
Mother Nature Cambodia
was the subject of criticism from several human rights groups.
In a tweet, the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia expressed concern about the court ruling and called for the release of the activists so the public can hear their outreach message.
We are deeply concerned by prison sentences handed to peaceful Mother Nature activists.
Speaking up to protect # Cambodia's environment, threatened by illegal logging & exploitation, is admirable.
We urge their release so all can hear their message on protecting natural resources.
pic.twitter.com/iPVXOWFp8v
- Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy (@USAmbCambodia) May 5, 2021
In 2020, a dozen Cambodian youth activists and dozens of members of the former opposition party were arrested and charged with the same acts of "incitement".
These charges are frequently criticized for their vague legal framework.
The proliferation of trials therefore makes human rights organizations fear that it will end up leading to self-censorship of critical voices, in a country where all of the seats in Parliament are held by the ruling party.
The work that activists undertake should be praised rather than hampered, and their voices should be listened to rather than silenced.
As Cambodia's trees continue to be cut down, its coast eroded, and its lakes filled in, environmental activists have a vital role to play.
https://t.co/zE7uR9Xhvg
- Sopheap Chak (@sopheapfocus) May 5, 2021
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