Bruised but not broken…
Some 40 members of the Boeung Kak Lake community (here and here), wearing signs saying ‘Cambodian Hunger for Justice’, marched to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference after yesterday’s condemnation (see here) of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, accused of assault and sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Yesterday was a tough day for Justice as at the same time as the condemnation of Yorm Bopha, which is widely seen as a move to instill fear among land activists, both Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, believed to have been marked as scapegoats for the 2004 assassination of union leader Chea Vichea were sent back jail to serve a 20 year term. At the Appeals Court they saw the 2008 decision by the Supreme Court, which ordered additional investigation in the case, reduced to nil and both men were arrested on the spot and sent to Prey Sar prison. Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were free for 4 years, had rebuilt their lives, grew children…
A few links about yesterday’s events:
Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International.
LICADHO on Yorm Bopha.
LICADHO on Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun.
This is a follow-up post on the ‘Quest for Land‘ story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, the Boeung Kak Lake community prepares to walk to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, the Boeung Kak Lake community walks to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference while tourists in ‘cyclos’ watch the scene.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, Tep Vanny, a community representative, and the Boeung Kak Lake community walked and prayed at Wat Phnom before giving a press conference.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, Tep Vanny, a community representative, and the Boeung Kak Lake community walked and prayed at Wat Phnom before giving a press conference.