CHRAC condemns assassination of Chea Vichea
Published on 22 January 2004; Cambodia Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC)
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) deplores the killing of union leader Chea Vichea this morning, and demands swift action by the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Chea Vichea, President of the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was shot dead at approximately 9:30 AM while reading a newspaper at a newstand on Street 51 near Wat Lanka in Phnom Penh. An unidentified gunman walked up to him and shot him three times, before escaping with an accomplice who had been waiting on a motorcycle.
According to eyewitnesses, the two perpetrators were in their 20’s and wore civilian clothing. While one perpetrator shot Chea Vichea, another accomplice was sitting on a dark green motorbike C.100 waiting for him to return. The two assassins did not take anything from the victim after the killing.
Prior to the killing, Chea Vichea had filed complaints to several human rights NGOs, claiming that he had been threatened through letters and phone calls before and after the national election that was held on July 2003.
Mr. Chea Vichea was a well known person who was critical of the government and had actively lobbied for workers' rights. It is unlikely that the motive of the murder was robbery.
After the murder, the government authorities removed the body from the scene of the crime very quickly and did not perform an autopsy.
CHRAC, a coalition of 17 local NGOs, is gravely concerned by the murder of Chea Vichea, which will only serve to increase tensions and fear in the current poor political environment. The killers must be brought to justice. Union leaders, political figures and Cambodians on all sides of the political spectrum must have the freedom to conduct their peaceful and lawful activities without fear of violence and intimidation.
For more information, please contact:
▪ Dr. Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO at 012 940 645
▪ Mr. Thun Saray, President of ADHOC at 016 880 509
▪ Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Executive Director of CDP at 012 901 19
