"Phnom Penh Court Upholds Union Leader Morm Rithy’s Conviction", 4 December 2024

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court … upheld the conviction of Morm Rithy, president of Cambodian Tourism and Services Workers Federation (CTSWF), for incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code, as well as “discrediting judicial decision” under Article 523 of the same Act. He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and fined two million riel ($500).

Before the judge and prosecutor entered the courtroom, Rithy waited with two other inmates, his hands in handcuffs, and only removed when the case began.

Judge Thorn Darith read the case file again and decided to uphold the verdict, however, the defendant has the right to file an appeal to the Court of Appeal…

Kong Soda, 39, Rithy’s wife, said she was disappointed with the court’s decision. Rithy’s absence has forced the family to face numerous challenges, including debt issues and raising their four children on her own. Soda urged the court to release her husband so that he could return to the family again…

Yi Soksan, a senior investigator at human rights group Adhoc, said the verdict in Rithy’s case seems to be a follow-up to a previous decision in absentia, which was not in accordance with the procedure. He suggested that the court or police re-examine Rithy’s past social media posts “to see if they were really incitement or defamation”…

Kong Athith, President of Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), said union activities that protect workers’ rights should not be subject to prosecution or punishment. So, he urged the court to pardon Rithy, so that he can return to do union work…