"NagaWorld Union Lawyers Urge Supreme Court To Decide Fairly on Chhim Sithar, LRSU Members", 27 April 2024

Lawyers defending the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) president Chhim Sithar and eight other union members appealed to the Supreme Court to drop their charges on the basis that the lower court’s ruling was “inconsistent with the law” and “unreasonable”.

Five judges in the trial chamber heard the case, with one prosecutor, and six defense lawyers representing the union members. Chhim Sithar, wearing an orange prison outfit, was seen sitting on a chair flanked by two policemen…

One of the six defense lawyers, Sam Chamroeun, explained that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s verdict, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal, was “incomplete” on three points – vague analysis and clarification, and there was no justification.

Chamroeun said judicial police officers raided the union office and confiscated computers and telephones and found that LRSU had convened a meeting via Zoom, while accusing his client of using provocative language to cause social unrest.

In actuality, the Zoom meeting was conducted with union members to find a solution to their labor dispute, and it was not open to the public, he said…

Another defense lawyer, Sam Sokunthea, said the court should verify the legal system in accordance with the legal procedures, including the Constitution, and Labor Law…

… Chhim Sokhorn, vice president of LRSU and one of the defendants, told … that the decision by the municipal court and Court of Appeal was unfair. She said the intention for the strike was to find a solution from NagaWorld and the ministry…