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The
release of Rong Chhun, President of the Cambondia Independent
Teachers’ Association, Kem Sokha, President of the Cambodian Centre
for Human Rights, his deputy, Pa Nguon Tean and Yeng Virak, Director
of the Cambodian Legal Education Centre (CLEC) signifies an important
step by the Cambodian Government to ensure respect for the civil
liberties of Cambodian union leaders and human rights activists.
The
ILO particularly welcomes the release of Rong Chhun, who had been held
in detention since October 2005 without trial. It maintains its
concern however over the fact that the charges of defamation against
Rong, Chea Money, President of the Tree Trade Union of Workers of the
Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Man Nath, President of the Cambodian
Independent Civil Servant Association and Ear Channa, Deputy
Secretary-General of the Student Movement for Democracy, have not been
dropped.
The
ILO calls upon the Government to mark the second anniversary of the
murder of Chea Vichea, then President of the FTUWKC, on 22 January by
taking further steps to demonstrate its full commitment to ensuring
respect for freedom of expression and freedom of association by
dropping all remaining charges against these union leaders and
activists and creating a climate where they may freely exercise their
basic rights without threat or fear.
For further information please contact:
Kari Tapiola
Executive Director for Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
ILO Geneva
tel. +41 22 799 6324
Chris Evans-Klock
Director
ILO Sub-Regional Office for
East Asia
tel. +662-2882219
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Public Information
