Monks perform a blessing at the ceremony marking the 13th anniversary of Chut Wutty's murder in Phnom Penh today.

Today, approximately 30 people from youth groups, NGOs, unions, and associations held a remembrance for Chut Wutty’s murder at Solidarity House in Phnom Penh. Representatives gave speeches in Wutty’s memory about his activism to protect the environment and natural resources, and called for an independent investigation of his murder.

Wutty was shot dead on 26 April 2012 while he and two journalists were patrolling a protected forest area in Koh Kong province. A military police officer, In Rattana, was also fatally shot on the same day and was blamed for Wutty’s killing following a flawed investigation.

The 13th anniversary of Wutty's death comes as environmental activists in Cambodia remain under threat. In July last year, Five Mother Nature activists were violently arrested and sent to prison for between six and eight years over their activism to protect Cambodia's environmental and natural resources. That same year, at least eight activists and journalists were arrested for investigating or speaking out against forestry crimes in provinces across the country.