"Cambodia: Arbitrary detention and judicial harassment of Cambodian Confederation of Unions’s President Mr. Rong Chhun", 06 August 2020

The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the arbitrary detention and judicial harassment against Mr. Rong Chhun, a prominent workers’ rights defender, President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU),…

According to the information received, …, Mr. Rong Chhun was arbitrarily arrested at his home in Phnom Penh by police officers…, Mr. Chhun was charged with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest”…

The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Mr. Chhun and to immediately and unconditionally release him …, as recommended by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet…

Actions requested:

Please write to the authorities of Cambodia to urge them to:

i. To guarantee in all circumstances the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Mr. Rong Chhun and all other human rights defenders in Cambodia;

ii. Immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Rong Chhun, since his detention is arbitrary as it seems to be merely aimed at punishing him for his human rights activities;

iii. Put an end to all acts of harassment - including at the judicial level - against Mr. Rong Chhun and all other workers’ rights defenders and human rights defenders, in Cambodia,…

iv. Conform in any circumstances with the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations General Assembly, in particular its Articles 1, 6 and 12.2;

v. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights instruments ratified by Cambodia.