Cambodia: Trade unionist's murder shows up judicial flaws
Next week Cambodia's donors will once again meet to decide on the international aid budget to the country. Part of this
funding will be for the judicial sector. The Cambodian authorities have not been able to meet even one of the benchmarks
set by donors in 2002 to encourage improvements in this sector. The judiciary remains weak, corrupt and susceptible to
political interference.
An Amnesty International report issued today gives the background to the murder of Cambodia's foremost independent trade
union leader and the lamentable investigation into his death for which no one has yet been brought to justice. (Read the
report online at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacVM4abcevhbb0hPub/ )
"Chea Vichea's assassination on 22 January 2004 and the subsequent investigation exemplifies much that is wrong with the
Cambodian judicial system" said Natalie Hill, Deputy Asia Director at Amnesty International. "His death has also shone a
spotlight onto his struggle for the rights of workers, mostly women, in the garment industry."
"We believe the most serious human rights problem in Cambodia is impunity - the state allowing people to get away with
human rights abuses including killings," said Ms Hill. "As with many other politically motivated killings, there are
serious doubts about the case against the suspects, including allegations that their confessions were extracted under
torture."
"As a result of the climate of impunity, members of the police and military can impose their will and commit abuses
against civilians, safe in the knowledge that they will never be called to account for their actions," continued Ms
Hill.
The investigation into Chea Vichea's death has been marred by failures at every level of the justice system. Police have
used torture and intimidation towards suspects and witnesses. Eyewitnesses disagreed that the men charged with the
murder resembled the actual killer. Witnesses feared for their safety and some went into hiding. "Particularly worrying
is the treatment of the judge appointed to the case," said Ms Hill. "After dismissing the case because of lack of
evidence, he was publicly criticized by the body which oversees the judiciary and was transferred from his position."
Chea Vichea was president of one of the largest unions in Cambodia which faced great obstacles from both factory owners
and the authorities. He campaigned for better working conditions, such as reduced working hours, particularly for
garment factory workers. The garment industry represents around 36 per cent of the Cambodian economy and employs 200,000
workers.
"Sadly, Chea Vichea's murder was not a one-off," said Ms Hill. "In the last 15 years, while the international community
has poured money into Cambodia to rebuild the war-torn country, hundreds of political killings -- including of
journalists and political activists -- have gone unpunished. Many of these people gave their lives trying to rebuild the
country. When will the government match words with deeds and restore the faith of the Cambodian people in Cambodian
justice?"
To see the report, The killing of trade unionist Chea Vichea, please go to: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacVM4abcevhbb0hPub/