The present is an open letter by regional and international non-governmental organizations to the Prime Minister of Cambodia regarding the arbitrary arrest and mistreatment of 13 women human rights defenders at the Boeung Kak Lake (BKL) development site in Phnom Penh on May 22, 2012. Noting violations of Cambodia’s Code of Criminal Procedure and international fair trial standards, it calls for the Cambodian government to vacate the convictions, drop charges against 15 Human Rights Defenders and unconditionally release them immediately. Further, it calls for the Cambodian government to take the necessary steps to protect the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Cambodia, as defined by articles 19 and 21 of the ICCPR. The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers are relevant, specifically access to lawyers and legal services and freedom of expression.
The present is an open letter by regional and international non-governmental organizations to the Prime Minister of Cambodia regarding the arbitrary arrest and mistreatment of 13 women human rights defenders at the Boeung Kak Lake (BKL) development site in Phnom Penh on May 22, 2012. Noting violations of Cambodia’s Code of Criminal Procedure and international fair trial standards, it calls for the Cambodian government to vacate the convictions, drop charges against 15 Human Rights Defenders and unconditionally release them immediately. Further, it calls for the Cambodian government to take the necessary steps to protect the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Cambodia, as defined by articles 19 and 21 of the ICCPR. The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers are relevant, specifically access to lawyers and legal services and freedom of expression.
