AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

February 6, 2006

(Washington, DC) -- Amnesty International today heralded the release of Cambodian prisoner of conscience and opposition parliamentarian Cheam Channy from Phnom Penh's military prison following a pardon issued yesterday by King Norodom Sihamoni. Amnesty International had been campaigning for his unconditional and immediate release.

"We welcome the recent releases of political prisoners in Cambodia," said T. Kumar, Amnesty International USA Advocacy Director for Asia and the Pacific. "But our fear is that these brave individuals may be re-arrested once international attention fades away."

Channy was jailed on February 3, 2005, and convicted in August 2005 of fraud and creating an illegal armed force. His trial fell far short of international fair trial standards and took place in a military court, which has no jurisdiction over civilians. Channy was sentenced to seven years in prison. Amnesty International believes his charges had no basis.

"Channy was imprisoned solely for peacefully expressing his political opinions," said Brittis Edman, South East Asia Researcher at Amnesty International. "We hope this marks an end to the practice of using politically motivated trials to silence political dissent."

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy was also fully pardoned by the royal decree. He had been convicted in absentia to 18 months' imprisonment in December 2005 for defamation against government leaders. He is scheduled to return from exile very soon, possibly this week.

Government lawyers also have said publicly that they would drop criminal complaints against a number of activists who had criticized Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over a controversial border agreement with Viet Nam.

Background

The human rights situation in Cambodia has eroded since the formation of the current coalition government in 2004, as opposition politicians and human rights activists have been targeted in a crackdown on political dissent. The right to freedom of expression came under serious threat when several high-profile civil society leaders were detained and charged with criminal defamation and other offences for directly or indirectly criticizing government policies. Amnesty International was also gravely concerned that the courts were used as a tool to silence peaceful dissent, further undermining the integrity and independence of the weak Cambodian judiciary.

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Contact: AIUSA Press Office 202.544.0200 x302

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