"Global Union Federations demand release of Rong Chhun and other trade unionists in Cambodia", 06 August 2020

Global Union Federations with affiliates across Asia Pacific region strongly condemn the arrest of Rong Chhun, President Cambodian Confederation of Unions and calls upon the Royal Government of Cambodia to drop the charges and immediately release him…

…, Rong Chhun spoke to the media about the loss of livelihood and land for farmers ... He was accused of spreading fake news by Cambodia Border Committee and later arrested on the trumped up charge of “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest”…

Earlier, Rong Chhun picketed with hundreds of workers terminated due to the closure of Violet Apparel…, Rong Chhun wrote to the Cabinet urging the government to respond proactively to the allegations made by the European Union … before the Everything But Arms trade preference is due to be withdrawn ...

The harassment of trade unionists and suppression of the right to peaceful assemblies and freedom of expression deepens our serious concerns about the continued violation of trade union and human rights in Cambodia. This punitive crackdown has meant that trade union activists are routinely intimidated, persecuted and arrested. The arrest of Rong Chhun, set against the backdrop of an economic downturn, shows that the government is cracking down on trade union activities and any criticism of the government’s policies…

We support the recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, …

Rong Chhun, as well as other trade unionists detained and sentenced for exercising their right to free expression, must be released immediately and all charges against them must be dropped.