>Amnesty International demands the release of scapegoats for Chea Vichea’s muder

>AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE

AI Index: ASA 23/009/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 199
31 July 2006

Cambodia: Release scapegoats for Chea Vichea’s murder

The Cambodian government must immediately open a fresh, independent investigation into the murder of trade unionist Chea Vichea, said Amnesty International one year after two men who had been falsely accused were convicted of the crime and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment.

“Chea Vichea’s killers are still on the loose and his family continue to be denied justice,” said Brittis Edman, South East Asia researcher at Amnesty International.

“This case reeks of injustice and shows how a cycle of impunity in Cambodia is perpetuated by the justice system.”

Trade union leader and human rights activist Chea Vichea was murdered in January 2004. Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were found guilty for the crime on 1 August 2005 after an investigation marred by failures at every level of the justice system and a grossly unfair trial.

The Phnom Penh Court convicted the two men on the basis of an initial confession Born Samnand later recanted, saying the police had extracted it under torture.

Apart from this forced confession, no evidence was presented at the trial linking the two men to the murder. Born Samnang had an alibi placing him 60 km away from the crime scene. Witnesses were intimidated by police and a judge who dismissed the case for lack of evidence was removed from his post.

“Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun should be released without delay and a new investigation launched which is impartial,independent and effective,” said Brittis Edman.

Both men appealed the verdict and their appeals have yet to be heard. Amnesty International is calling for an investigation into the irregularities in Born and Sok’s cases.

Chea Vichea’s case is one of hundreds of political killings in Cambodia in the last decade that remain unsolved because the justice system fails to hold the perpetrators accountable. Amnesty International is gravely concerned that Cambodian courts remain weak, lack independence and are subject to political pressures.

For further information see: Cambodia:The murder of trade unionist Chea Vichea: Still No Justice, AI Index ASA 23/008/2006,
http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engasa230082006

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