Teacher union leader under arrest

Rong Chhun inside the judge's office before questioning.

by Rob Durbridge

More than 70 unions and non government organisations have demanded the release of arrested Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) President Rong Chhun, calling for complaints to be withdrawn and lawsuits for defamation to be dropped.

They were meeting at a conference on freedom of expression in Pnomh Penh last month.

Prior to the conference, a bail request for Rong Chhun was filed with the Pnomh Penh Municipal Court by his lawyer, the only person who has been allowed to meet with him since his arrest on October 15.

CITA General Secretary Kuon Nguon said it was urgent that international pressure be brought upon the Cambodian Government to release his President.

"I am concerned for my President's health and welfare. We are not allowed to visit him and we fear for his safety in the prison. The government is mistaken if it believes our members will be intimidated," Mr Nguon said.

"We are moving around keeping in touch with the members and informing them of developments," he added.

Meeting at CITA's offices in Pnomh Penh, the union's steering committee said it was determined to press for the right of free expression, essential to unionism and democracy in Cambodia. A broad cross-section of unions also reflected the views of CITA in meetings held to discuss labour rights. They believe that Ron Chhun should be free to express personal views on important public issues.

A government spokesperson told the Cambodia Daily that the issue was not about freedom of expression but about incitement over the border issue with Vietnam which could lead to the staging of a coup. Prime Minister Hun Sen said on television that sometimes "an offensive was the best form of self-defence", as shown by the atomic bombing in Japan, and that if his critic "was not KO'd, he wouldn't stop".

US Deputy Chief of Mission in Cambodia told reporters that the arrest has contributed to a "climate of fear" and weakened human rights in Cambodia.

Cambodia and Vietnam have recently signed a border agreement which has yet to be brought to the National Assembly. The border issue has been a running sore in Cambodian politics for many years, creating conflict between Vietnam and the Khmer Rouge government of Pol Pot as well as between political forces within the country since the 1970s.

Rob Durbridge is the AEU Federal Secretary.

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Last Modified: 17 Nov 2005