National and international community continues to condemn the government's arrest of independent journalist Mech Dara on charges of "inciting serious disruption to security Society. They see this as a crackdown on independent journalists and intimidation of other journalists.
However, the Ministry of Information said that Mech Dara's arrest did not affect the freedom of the press, but Apply the law.
In addition to condemning the Cambodian government, both the national and international community continues to demand that the authorities release independent journalist Mech Dara.
The Australian Embassy in Cambodia said on October 2 that Australia was "deeply concerned" about the arrest of journalist Mech Dara. Independent media is essential to good governance and accountability, which is the foundation for economic growth and sustainable development.
Amnasty International says the criminal charges against Dara clearly show that Hun Manet's government is Suppress press freedom.
Amnesty International Deputy Director of Regional Research Kate Schuetze said in a statement on October 2 that The arrest and detention of Mech Dara is the latest move by the Hun Manet government to eliminate press freedom in Cambodia. She said allegations of false incitement were a common tactic used by the government to silence and harass. Persecute government critics by imprisoning them severely. She said that what Dara posted on social media that the authorities accused of being a crime was just an expression, not a No offense. She said authorities should not use detention as a means of torturing and punishing journalists.
At the same time, the ASEAN Parliamentary Group for Human Rights (APHR) sees the Cambodian government continuing to deviate from the path of democracy when the independent press has a role to play. As a pillar of democracy, journalists have a role to play in spreading the truth and shortcomings of the government, as Mech Dara has been accused and imprisoned. He was charged with incitement.
APHR Board Member and Philippine MP Arlene Brosas said in a statement issued on the night of October 1. The APHR reminds the Cambodian government to abide by international law standards that the government has ratified and guaranteed freedom of expression and the press.
The APHR states that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are clearly enshrined in Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The demands come after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on October 1 charged Mech Dara with "inciting Serious chaos to social security ”under Articles 494 and 495 of the Penal Code for posting pictures on his social media.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court alleges that Mech Dara posted provocative messages and took pictures of the demolished Ba Phnom resort Distorted the facts, fabricated other false information on social media during September. The court considered these posts to be maliciously intended to provoke public anger and confuse the Cambodian government.
Adhoc President Ny Sokha says accusations of "inciting" Mech Dara could lead to his imprisonment. For two years, it has been clear that the government is trying to silence the prominent journalist, who is an active journalist in research and Always call on the authorities to take responsibility for many human rights violations.
Ny Sokha: "This should not lead to his arrest and this arrest is not profitable No, and if we take it well, he should have an explanation or he has an explanation, he can reinterpret why. "As a sharing, so this is a good thing."
At the same time, 46 local and foreign civil society organizations, including the Adhoc Human Rights Defenders Association, and the Club of Foreign Journalists Cambodia (OPCC) and International Human Rights Alliance (FIDH) issued a joint statement on the evening of October 1. Demands that the government release reporter Mech Dara.
The statement states that Mech Dara is one of the leading journalists who has written many news articles over the last decade. The latter, which no other journalist can do, deals with corruption, environmental degradation and human trafficking across the country. And also always urge the authorities