Press Release:
The legal team for the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) last week filed a letter with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court asking the judiciary to proceed with the organization’s case on behalf of a VOD journalist who was brutally assaulted by district security forces in May.
Though the organization originally filed suit on May 28, 2014, the court has yet to take significant action in the case. CCIM was summoned to provide explanation and evidence on June 16, but the court has yet to summon the accused parties. In its complaint, CCIM alleged that the City Governor and the Khan Daun Penh District Governor and Deputy District Governor systematically ordered and organized an attack on protestors in which district security guards seriously injured VOD reporter Lay Samean.
The lack of action in the case stands in stark contrast to the swift action observed in July, when Daun Penh district security guards were injured during a demonstration, said CCIM Executive Director Pa Nguon Teang.
“Last month when Daun Penh district guards were beaten, elected Parliament members and activists from CNRP were arrested shortly afterward while senior CNRP officials were summoned. But in Samean’s case, which happened on May 2, none of the suspects have ever been summoned beside the plaintiff,” Teang said.
“Delaying is a common tactic used by Cambodian courts when it comes to high-profile government officials who are involved in criminal cases. Very few of them have been brought to justice. The court is now engaging these delaying tactics to deprive Samean of justice,” Teang said, adding that the delays bring into question the court’s independence.
The letter filed with the court by CCIM last week asks the judiciary to take immediate action to summon the accused parties in order to collect further evidence in the case. Failure to do so, Teang said, will serve as evidence of the court’s political leanings and may result in further legal action by CCIM.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. KAING Tongngy, Communications & Advocacy Officer
Tel: +855 (0)60 411 777
Email: tongngy@ccimcambodia.org
