“IMMEDIATELY RELEASE AND DROP CHARGES AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENT DEFENDER, MR. KOET SARAY”

Monday 8 April 2024

JOINT STATEMENT

“IMMEDIATELY RELEASE AND DROP CHARGES AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENT DEFENDER, MR. KOET SARAY”

Phnom Penh, April 8th, 2024

We, the youth, local communities, unions, associations, and local civil society organisations mentioned below are deeply disappointed by the arrest of Mr. Koet Saray, the President of the Khmer Student Intelligence League Association (KSILA).

Note that Mr. Koet Saray was arrested by plainclothes police officers in Phnom Penh and sent to the Phnom Penh Capital Court at 2:45pm on April 5, 2024, while he was working at the office. Mr. Koet Saray, the President of the Khmer Student Intelligence League Association (KSILA), was arrested and sent to Phnom Penh Capital Court without clarification of the exact charge or notice to his family. The arrest was made on the order of Mr. Seang Heang, Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Capital Court, on April 5, 2024 under the charge of incitement to commit a felony or to disturb social security. According to a press release issued by the Phnom Penh Capital Court Prosecutor's Office, he faces an additional charge of committing a misdemeanor after sentencing for a misdemeanor, and was sent to pre-trial detention at Prey Sar Prison during the afternoon of April 7, 2024.

Mr. Koet Saray's detention by the Phnom Penh Municipal Authority is a continuation of the silencing of the right to freedom of expression and the oppression of human rights and environmental defenders, which are severe violations of the fundamental rights stated in the Constitution. Saray’s interview to the media—particularly his opinions on land rights abuses taking place in Preah Vihear province—is an expression of his concerns for people’s livelihoods and a call to urge the authorities to solve the problems taking place there. Sharing his opinion should be seen as helping the authorities solve issues, rather than incitement. In addition, the arrest before Traditional Khmer New Year further deprived him of his right to freedom of association with his family members, which all Cambodians consider to be an important family occasion.

Please be reminded that on September 6, 2020, Mr. Koet Saray, a former monk, was also arrested and defrocked by the authorities for advocating for the release of union leader Rong Chhun. He and 13 other youth and former social defenders were charged and convicted by the Phnom Penh Capital Court of incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code. Mr. Koet Saray was sentenced to 20 months in prison, with six months of his sentence suspended. He was released on November 5, 2021. The conviction and sentence of Mr. Koet Saray and eight other human rights defenders were upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2023.

We, the youth, local communities, unions, associations, and local civil society organisations call on the Phnom Penh Capital Court to drop all charges and free human rights and environmental defender Mr. Koet Saray immediately and without any conditions, and to open the space for freedom of expression to all Cambodians who work for social justice.

We call on the authorities to respect and open the space for freedom of association, respect for human rights and the rights of human rights defenders, and to promote freedom of expression, in order for all Cambodians to participate in the development of our nation.

Endorsement From:

  1. Khmer Student Intelligence League Association KSILA

  2. Independent Democratic Association of the Informal Economy IDEA

  3. Partnership of Environment and Development PED

  4. Cambodian Youth Network CYN

  5. Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights LICADHO

  6. The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association ADHOC

  7. Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights CENTRAL

  8. Cambodian Food and Service Workers Federation CFSWF

  1. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia COMFREL

  2. Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld LRSU

  3. Federation of Trade Unions for Tourism Employees of Cambodia

  4. People for Development and Peace- Center PDP

  5. Youth Resource Development ProgramYRDP

  6. The Coalition for Integrity and Social Accountability

  7. Cambodian Institute for Democracy CID

  8. Cambodian Center for Human Rights CCHR

  9. Cambodia Alliance for Trade Union CATU

  10. Federation Union of Free and IndependentFUFI

  11. Youth Education for Development and PeaceYEDP

  12. Cambodian Informal economic workers association

  13. The Cambodian NGO Committee on CEDAW

  14. Federation of Independent Trade Unions

  15. Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia

  16. Gender and Development for Cambodia

  17. Cambodian Human Rights Action Coalition

  18. Sahmakum Teang Tnaut

  19. Mother Nature Movement Cambodia

  20. Prey Lang Community

  21. Stueng Khsach Sa Forestry Resource

  22. Trapeang Chan Forestry Community

  23. Prey Lang Community

  24. Trapeang Chour Community

  25. Reaksmei Sameakki Community

  26. AmLeang Community

  27. 197 Land Community

  28. Chi Kha Kraom Land Community

  29. Prey Chher Pech Changvar Laor Chhert Community

  30. Srae Prang Land Community

  31. Community to Protect Nature

  32. Phnom Krom Community

  33. Ta Ni Land Community

  34. Land Community

  35. Boeung Pram Community

  36. Andong Trabek Land Community

  37. Samaki Chek Meas Community

  38. Prey Lang Community

  39. Prey Lang Community

  40. Thnaot Chhum Land Community

  41. Kouy Indigenous Community

  42. Phum Sela Khmer Land Community

  43. Rattanak Rokha Forestry Community

  44. Samaki Romeas Haek Community

  45. Samaki Sangkae Pir Mean Rith

  46. Samrong Tbong Community

  47. Tonlung Community

  48. Mean Chey Land Community