Phnom Penh, September 20, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
The death of journalist Hang Serei Odom proves an access to information law is needed
The Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) is deeply concerned about the safety of journalists reporting on the illegal logging issue in Cambodia after Mr. Hang Serei Odom, a journalist from Virakchun Khmer newspaper, was killed on Sunday night September 9, 2012 in the north-eastern province of Ratanakiri. On September 11th, 2012, the provincial authorities arrested a military police officer and his wife over the death of the investigative journalist. They have since been charged with premeditated murder.
The day before Mr. Odom went missing, he published a report in the Virakchun Khmer newspaper alleging that the chief of the provincial military police was involved in illegal logging activities. According to Mr. Rin Ratanak, the newspaper’s Editor-In-Chief, Mr. Odom fearlessly reported on several cases of illegal logging and identified powerful officials involved, confirming that senior members of government are linked to the destruction of the Cambodian forest
”A deeper investigation should be conducted, declared the director of CCIM, Mr. Pa NgounTeang.“ The perpetrators are not only involved in Odom’s killing but also in illegal logging. Cambodia is still a risky place for journalists and media workers reporting on the issue of illegal logging. We urge the Cambodian government to work towards an access to information law in order to protect the safety of journalists who report on these sensitive issues“. The death of journalist Odom is the second time this year that a journalist covering the issue of illegal logging has been killed. On April 22nd, 2012, environmentalist ChutWuthy was shot dead in broad day light in Cambodia’s western province of Konh Kong as he was assisting two journalists from The Cambodia Daily to report on this crime.
The Cambodian government began to take actions to fight illegal logging in November 2010, when Prime Minister Hun Sen removed Mr. Ty Sokun, Director of the Forest Administration. The Prime Minister declared that Mr. Ty Sokun had failed to successfully crack down on this phenomenon. A dozen government officials were also arrested for their crimes related to the issue. “These officials should be trialed and sentenced. This is the only way to fight illegal logging in the country”, concluded Mr. Pa Nguon Teang.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. PA, NguonTeang, CCIM’s Executive Director
Phone: 060 409999
