We, the undersigned civil society groups, associations, confederations and unions, deeply regret that on 19 July 2024 the Svay Rieng Provincial Court decided to charge and send to pre-trial detention Chea Chantha, a leader of Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA) in Svay Rieng province. Chantha’s work on 16 July 2024 was in line with the Cambodian government’s policy on the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Despite this, he was arrested and charged with fraud under Article 377 and 378 and for conducting “activities causing misapprehension with the discharge of public functions” under Article 610 of Criminal Code. If convicted, he will face up to 3 years in prison.

IDEA has conducted public forums in several provinces to explain social protection schemes. These forums have also seen the participation of NSSF officials to help disseminate information to workers, street vendors and domestic workers so that they can understand and voluntarily register as NSSF members. Chantha and other activists have jointly done this work to follow the government’s vision and to be part of the association’s mission to help workers in the informal sector and for them to receive social protections.

Like other IDEA members, Chantha also participated in these forums and received knowledge on the benefits of receiving medical care under the government’s Sub-decree No. 280 dated on 28 August 2023 about the voluntary medical care scheme. Chantha has used this knowledge to further disseminate the benefits of NSSF membership to other informal workers.

We, the undersigned civil society groups, call on judicial institutions to drop the charges against him. His activity to disseminate the benefits of the NSSF shouldn’t be defined as an illegal act to destroy the national benefit. Instead, if the charges are dropped, he will continue his career, improve his family’s living conditions, and participate in national economic growth.

In addition, his activity was contributing to speed up the achievement of the government’s goal that Cambodia becomes a upper-middle- income country by 2030, parallel with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals.

This joint statement is endorsed by:
1. 185k Thida Chambork Forestry Community (Kampong Chhnang)
2. 197 Land Community (Koh Kong)
3. AmLeang Community (Kampong Speu)
4. Boeung Pram Community (Battambang)
5. Bos Snor Community (Tbong Khmum)
6. Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU)
7. Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM)
8. Cambodian Food and Service Workers’ Federation (CFSWF)
9. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)
10. Cambodia Informal Economy Reinforce Association (CIERA)
11. Cambodian Informal Economic Workers Association (CIWA)
12. Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO)
13. Cambodian NGO Committee on CEDAW (NGO-CEDAW)
14. Cambodian Tourism Workers' Union Federation (CTWUF)
15. Cambodian Youth Network (CYN)
16. Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL)
17. Chi Kha Kraom Land Community (Koh Kong)
18. Community to Protect Nature (Pursat)
19. Dak Por Community (Kampong Speu)
20. Federation of Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC)
21. Free Independent Trade Union Federation (FUFI)
22. Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)
23. Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)
24. Independent Trade Union Federation (INTUFE)
25. Klaing Toek 78 Community (Siem Reap)
26. Kouy Indigenous Community (Preah Vihear)
27. Kouy Indigenous Community in Ngan commune (Kampong Thom)
28. Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU)
29. Land Community (Pailin)
30. Ou Bat Moan Community (Oddar Meanchey)
31. Partnership of Environment and Development (PED)
32. People Center for Development and Peace- Center (PDP)
33. Phnom Kroam Community (Siem Reap)
34. Phum Seila Khmer Land Community (Banteay Meanchey)
35. Pongrok Chey Leak community (Kampot)
36. Prey Chher Pech Changvar Laor Chhert Community (Kampong Chhnang)
37. Rattanak Rokha Forestry Community (Oddar Meanchey)
38. Reaksmei Sameakki Community (Kampong Speu)
39. Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT)
40. Samaki Sangkae Pir Mean Rith (Preah Vihear)
41. Srae Prang Land Community (Tboung Khmum)
42. Steung Khsach Sor Forestry Resource (Kampong Chhnang)
43. Thnaot Chhum Land Community (Pursat)
44. Transparency International Cambodia (TIC)
45. Youth Resource Development Program (YRDP)

For more information, please contact:
▪ Vorn Pao, 012 534 796
▪ Ou Tephalin, 011 984 883

PDF: Download full statement in English - Download full statement in Khmer
MP3: Listen to audio version in Khmer