We, the undersigned, call upon the Cambodian authorities to conduct a professional and thorough investigation into the murder of Hy Vuthy, the President of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, (FTUWKC) at the Suntex factory.

Hy Vuthy was shot dead, reportedly by two men on a motorbike, on the morning of February 24, 2007 while on the way home after finishing his night shift at the Suntex factory.

His murder comes after at least nine violent attacks on union leaders in Phnom Penh in 2006, seven of which were against FTUWKC officials at Suntex or the co-owned Bright Sky factory. No one has been brought to justice for these attacks.

In addition, we note with great concern that Hy Vuthy’s murder follows the assassinations of Chea Vichea, the FTUWKC’s President, and of Ros Sovannareth, the union’s President at Trinuggal Kormara factory, in 2004.

This pattern of violence, and the climate of fear it creates for trade union leaders and workers must be stopped.

We urge the Cambodian authorities to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into Hy Vuthy’s murder, prosecute those responsible for the killing, and to take all appropriate measures to prevent and punish all acts of violence against union leaders and their members.

We urge the public to join us in this call for justice, to give a clear signal to the perpetrators that their acts of violence against trade unionists or other human rights defenders will not be tolerated.

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