The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 local human rights NGOs, is concerned by the release of 7 suspects on December 8, 2004 after they had been detained by a prosecutor and Ministry of Interior anti-trafficking police.

According to CHRAC’s investigation, police from the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department (DAHTJP) raided the Chai Hour II hotel on December 7, 2004. The police acted under the direction of Phnom Penh deputy chief prosecutor Mr Siem Sok Aun, who had issued a search warrant for the hotel following a complaint and a request made by the DAHTJP. After searching the premises, the deputy prosecutor and the police arrested and detained 7 suspects (5 men and 2 women), who were later released without approval from the deputy chief prosecutor.

CHRAC understands that the initial actions taken by the DAHTJP were correct and under the direction of the prosecutor Mr Siem Sok Aun. Therefore, CHRAC urges the Ministry of Interior to review whether the subsequent release of the 7 suspects complied with correct legal procedure.

CHRAC believes the authorities had evidence in order to arrest the suspects, and therefore CHRAC questions why the suspects were released without the consultation and cooperation of the prosecutor. According to article 13 of the UNTAC Criminal Law and article 47 of the 1993 Law on Criminal Procedure, the judicial police are able to detain suspects for up to 48 hours and are required to send a report to the court. But in this case, the police did not report to the court and the police released the suspects without consultation with the deputy chief prosecutor.

CHRAC appeals to the government and all authorities to take vigorous measures to properly implement Cambodia’s laws. All operations conducted by the authorities and prosecutors must be in accordance with legal procedure.
CHRAC calls upon the relevant authorities to clarify the reasons and circumstances of the release of the 7 suspects, and to vigorously conduct investigations to bring all perpetrators in this case to justice.
CHRAC continues to monitor and investigate this case.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Dr. Kek Galabru, Chairperson of CHRAC at 012 940 645
▪ Mr. Thun Saray, President of ADHOC at 016 880 509
▪ Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Executive Director of CDP at 012 901 199
▪ Mr. Mom Sarin, President of KKKHRA at 011 738 975
▪ Mr. Yong Kim Eng, President of KYA at 016 828 211

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