Global unions have condemned the 31 July arrest of Rong Chhun, the president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) and prominent unionist in Cambodia.
Rong Chhun was arrested for incitement to commit felony by making comments on farmland losses and border irregularities between Cambodia and Vietnam. Recently Mr Chhun was leading pickets in garment factory closures and urging the government to make human rights improvements. In addition, the arrest follows Rong Chhun’s call for the release of teachers criminalised for their criticism of government during Covid-19 and calls for improvements in human rights in Cambodia.
On 7 August 2020, at least seven protesters and CCU members were arrested for demanding Chhun’s release. Those arrested include Sor Saknika, president of the Cambodian Informal Labourers’ Association (CILA), who was arrested with two other CCU members. Ms Saknika is held under pre-trial detention. On 10 August, Ouk Chayavy, former president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), was attacked by thugs after visiting Rong Chhun in prison. She is leading the Free Rong Chhun campaign and is in the process of submitting petitions to the UN and country representations.
The Cambodian government is clamping down on the freedom of expression of trade unionists and dissidents. The recent administrative ban on public protests without prior approval in Phnom Penh, and the draft Public Order Law, will further curb the right to peaceful assembly and fundamental freedoms on a broad scale.
In February, the ITUC and the ETUC supported the EU’s decision to remove the Everything But Arms trade preferences for Cambodia due to lack of improvements on human and trade union rights. On 12 August, the partial withdrawal of Cambodia’s duty-free access to the European market became effective.
