Briefs: NagaWorld Meeting Labeled a ‘Threat,’ Mother Nature Appeals Rejected

2 min read
Mother Nature activist Phuon Keoreaksmey speaks outside the Supreme Court in Phnom Penh on July 29, 2022. (Hean Rangsey/VOD)
[responsivevoice_button voice="US English Female"]

The Supreme Court upheld prison sentences against environmental activists, a prominent unionist and opposition-aligned protesters on Friday.

The high court delivered verdicts in an incitement case against three Mother Nature activists — Phuon Keoreaksmey, Long Kunthea and Thun Ratha — who were arrested two years ago for planning a rally protesting the filling of Boeng Tamok lake. They were given prison sentences between 18 and 20 months, and were released late last year. Their sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday.

“We still say the same: We are clean people and we think that we have hope with the court and we have tried all procedures, hoping we would receive justice. But now we still face injustice from the Supreme Court,” said Keoreaksmey after the hearing.

The Supreme Court also did not change the convictions against Rong Chhun, a prominent union leader, and two CNRP activists, Ton Nimol and Sar Kanika. Chhun was arrested for incitement in 2020 for making charged comments about Cambodia ceding land to Vietnam, while the two activists were detained for protesting Chhun’s arrest.

In a third decision, the Supreme Court again upheld convictions against Nimol as well as Lim San, Yoy Srey Mom, Sat Pha, Pai Ren, San Srey Neat and Hong An, who were convicted for protesting outside the Chinese Embassy in 2020 on Paris Peace Agreement Day. Their prison sentences were upheld.

— Ouch Sony

Labor Ministry Reminds NagaWorld Casino Reps of Bail Conditions

The Labor Ministry reminded NagaWorld union leaders at a Friday meeting of the conditions of their bail application in March — where they had agreed they would try to convince their colleagues to cease their near-daily protests — a reminder that one worker called a threat.

Casino workers have been protesting since December against NagaWorld’s decision to fire more than 1,300 workers last year, of which only 200 are still holding out for reinstatement. After repeated failed negotiations with the company and the Labor Ministry, four worker representatives were invited to the ministry for a meeting on Friday.

Chhim Sokhorn was one of eight unionists arrested then released on bail in March. She was at Friday’s meeting and said the ministry had reminded them of the letters they wrote agreeing to ask their colleagues to suspend the strike to enable negotiations. The letters were used to grant them bail.

“My feeling for today is that they called us to threaten us indirectly. Not to do anything else,” she said.

Sokhorn added that the ministry wanted the holdouts to accept compensation packages and find other jobs.

Union president Chhim Sithar said, “They’re either considering putting them back in jail, or just prolonging the case and the workers give up.”

Labor Ministry spokesperson Heng Sour refused to comment on the meeting and said the ministry would release a statement on its social media account, which had not been posted as of publishing this story.

— Keat Soriththeavy

VOD. No part of this article may be reproduced in print, electronically, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written permission. VOD is not responsible for any infringement in all forms. The perpetrator may be subject to legal action under Cambodian laws and related laws.