• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: Activist Immediately Jailed After Forcible Return (Cambodia: UA 15.18)

February 13, 2018

Sam Sokha, a UNHCR recognised refugee, was arrested and detained by Cambodian authorities when forcibly returned from Thailand on 8 February. She had been convicted in absentia of “incitement” for her peaceful political activism and sentenced to over two years imprisonment plus a fine. Amnesty International considers her a prisoner of conscience.

Sam Sokha, a UNHCR recognized refugee, was arrested and detained by Cambodian authorities when forcibly returned from Thailand on 8 February. She had been convicted in absentia of “incitement” for her peaceful political activism and sentenced to over two years imprisonment plus a fine. Amnesty International considers her a prisoner of conscience. 1) TAKE ACTION Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:
  • Immediately and unconditionally release Sam Sokha, and overturn her conviction and prison sentence, as they are based solely on her peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression;
  • Pending her release ensure that she has regular, unrestricted access to her family, lawyers of her choice, and independent medical treatment, also due to the time spent in poor prison conditions at Suan Phlu IDC;
  • Ensure that activists, human rights defenders, journalists, academics and members of the political opposition are able to peacefully exercise their human rights without fear of punishment, reprisal or intimidation.

Contact these two officials by 27 March, 2018:

Minister of the Interior and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng 75 Norodom Blvd Khan Chamkarmon Phnom Penh, Cambodia Fax: +855 23 426 585 Salutation: Your Excellency

H.E. Ambassador Chum Bunrong, Royal Embassy of Cambodia 4530 16th St NW, Washington DC 20011 Phone: 1 202 726 7742 I Fax: 1 202 726 8381 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Ambassador

2) LET US KNOW YOU TOOK ACTION Click here to let us know if you took action on this case! This is Urgent Action 15.18 Here’s why it is so important to report your actions: we record the actions taken on each case—letters, emails, calls and tweets—and use that information in our advocacy. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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