"Joint Statement on the Detention of Mr. Ouch Leng, Head of Cambodian Human Rights Task Force, and Three Other Environmental Activists", 14 March 2020

The undersigned environmental activists, associations and non-government organizations … strongly condemn the company Think Biotech Co., Ltd for using private security guards in the detention without reason of four environmental activists, including, Mr. Ouch Leng, head of the non-government organization Cambodian Human Rights Task Force. Mr Ouch was awarded the 2016 Goldman Environmental Prize. The other three activists are Mr. Khem Soky, Mr. Srey Thei, both from the Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN) and Mr. Men Mat, who was physically assaulted by company workers while inside the company compound…

 …, all four were detained by Think Biotech security guards and brought into the company at a site called ‘Dombouk Sor’, in Romoul village, Sambor district, Kratie province. They were questioned and were not allowed to leave or to have any contact with anyone...

 The detention of the four environmental activists through the use of Think Biotech security guards represents an abuse of power, that the detention of the four activists goes contrary to Cambodia’s code of criminal procedure, and that the company must be held responsible for the use of violence against Mr. Man Mat.

…, we call upon Sambor police to ensure the safety of the four activists and to release them without conditions. We also call for an investigation to be conducted on the irregularities behind the detention of the four activists by Think Biotech and to search for the two perpetrators … who reportedly assaulted Mr. Men Mat so that they are brought to justice and so that the rights of the victims are respected.