The US Embassy in Cambodia and nearly 50 other human rights groups and media outlets are demanding that the court drop the charges and release them. Independent journalist Mech Dara unconditionally.
The demand comes after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court remanded Mech Dara in custody at Kandal Provincial Prison, accusing him. About " inciting serious chaos to social security . "
The US Embassy in Phnom Penh on the night of October 1 called for the release of Mech Dara, claiming that he was Advocacy for freedom of expression, a right guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution.
In a statement on Facebook, the US Embassy stated that it was "deeply concerned" about the arrest of Mech Dara, a well-known journalist. Respected by the international community for leading efforts to stop human trafficking and online fraud in Cambodia, as well as receiving awards TIP Hero from the US Department of State 2023 for his press release. At the same time, the United States urges the authorities to listen to the voices and ideas of the people, as well as to promote a free and independent press.
The call came after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court remanded Mech Dara in custody at Kandal Provincial Prison on the evening of the first day of the month. October. Court charges him with " inciting serious social unrest " in Phnom Penh and on social media during the month September 2024 under Articles 494 and 495 of the Penal Code. Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman claims that Mech Dara posted many provocative messages that were made with malicious intent to incite anger Citizens are confused about the leadership of the government. There was also a photo taken by the court alleging that the Ba Phnom resort was demolished.
In this regard, a group of associations in the field of human rights and the press of nearly 50 institutions on the night of October 1 together demanded the authorities release Mech Dara immediately dropped the charges. They called on the government to stop persecuting all journalists and media outlets. The associations also claimed that Dara's arrest was an attempt to intimidate him and other journalists. Statement
LICADHO's Director of General Affairs, Am Sam Ath, told RFA that democracies need independent journalists to work freely. Like Mech Dara, to be a bridge for all the needs of the people to tell the government and ensure true freedom of expression. He said that Mech Dara is a journalist who has been recognized as a journalist for the benefit of humanity.
Am Sam Ath: “ What he does is active in an independent profession and in the past he has worked with independent media as Too much of this point is that his work is notable. Second, we see freedom of expression, freedom of the press if independent professional journalists are prosecuted. "Because of his expression, it affects the freedom of the press . "
Military police arrested Mech Dara on September 30 in Koh Kong province's Sre Ambel district.
Phil Robertson , director of Human Rights and Labor in Asia (AHRLA) , told the BBC : "The military is a sign of the Cambodian government's crackdown on the media . "
At the same time, international organizations protecting journalists also demanded the release of Mech Dara.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is based in France, the US-based Journalist Protection Network (CPJ) and the Network of Journalists Against Crime Corruption (JAC) considers Mech Dara's arrest as media harassment by Hun Manet government authorities These have been going on since the generation of Prime Minister Hun Sen's father. They demanded that the government release Mech Dara unconditionally.
Shawn Crispin, Senior Representative for the Media Protection Network (CPJ) in Southeast Asia , appealed to Prime Minister Hun Manet: " Prime Minister Hun Manet should be open. A new page out of what happened under the nearly 40-year dictatorship of his father, Hun Sen. "To allow the press to report freely without persecution . "
In this case, the president of the Cambodian Association of Journalists (CAMBOJA), Nop Vimean, told RFA that Mech Dara is a journalist who deserves to be Respect and praise, do not accuse him of imprisoning like this.
Nop Vy: " The use of freedom of expression should not be punished, and if the work of journalists continues There should be no more guilt. The media and journalists should not be accused of crime because he only plays a role in showing what Which is a negative point in society. On the other hand, we can say that he is also a whistleblower, which shows what may be related to corruption. Corruption, impunity in society and so on .
In connection with the arrest of Mech Dara, an independent investigative journalist, Jacob Sims , an expert on transnational crime and modern-day slavery He told the BBC that he believed Mech Dara's arrest was politically motivated and retaliated against. Ruling party figures involved in scam industry over Mech Dara report play key role in expanding global understanding of industry Big scam in Cambodia.
Mech Dara has been honored by the US State Department as the " Hero of the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero" : Before the US government punishes Tycoon Ly Yong Phat in 2024 for alleged human rights abuses in connection with the fraud industry Internet.
Both human rights groups and journalists' rights groups have confirmed the arrest of the brave Cambodian journalist. Will adversely affect access to information for all Cambodians.
In terms of press freedom, Reporters Without Borders ranks Cambodia 151 out of 180 in the International Press Freedom Index. In its latest report.