Cambodians Call for Justice 12 Years After Murder of Chut Wutty
Published on 26 April 2024
Youths from the Mother Nature Movement and other activists today led a commemorative walk in honour of murdered environmental activist Chut Wutty. Wutty was shot dead on 26 April 2012 whilst patrolling a protected forest area with two journalists in Koh Kong province. A military police officer, In Rattana, was also fatally shot on the same day and blamed for Wutty’s killing following a flawed investigation.
Around 20 youth activists from Mother Nature and six monks gathered in front of Phnom Penh’s Night Market this morning to begin the march. Participants painted messages on their faces and wore white headbands, conducted chants, held a short performance, and carried banners calling for justice for the murder. The march concluded at Hotel Cambodiana, where participants submitted a petition calling for an independent investigation into the killing to authorities from the Ministry of Justice.
The march was followed by a remembrance event at Solidarity House, attended by around 50 people from NGOs, unions, associations, and youth groups. Monks performed a blessing, and speeches in Wutty’s memory called for an independent investigation into his murder and reiterated the importance of continuing his activism to protect Cambodia’s forests and natural environment.
