Cambodian Government Target Peaceful Youth Protestors

ACTION REQUIRED: Write a protest letter to the Cambodian Ministry of Justice.

Mother Nature is a non-governmental organization that focuses on protecting Cambodia’s natural heritage. Activists shed light on the dictatorial elite’s role in systemic destruction and call others to take peaceful action alongside them.

On September 6, 2020, three Mother Nature Youth Activists, Thun Rotha, Long Kunthea and Phuong Keorasemy, were arrested for a post they made on social media. In this post, they shared their plan to peacefully march to the Prime Minister’s house and to raise awareness of key environmental issues. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court found them guilty on the charges of “incitement to commit a felony or disturb social order” and sentenced them to 18-20 months in prison on May 5, 2021. Shortly after, on June 16, 2021, Cambodian authorities arrested three more Mother Nature Activists, Sun Ratha, Ly Chandaravuth, and Yim Leanghy, for plotting against and insulting the country’s king/ These charges yield up to 10 years in prison. Just before the Asia-Euorpe Meeting Summit in November 2021, authorities released a wave of activists on bail, including the six Mother Nature activists, but all individuals were forced to sign a legal contract to cease all advocacy efforts entirely. These Mother Nature activities are prime examples of how peaceful protestors are repeatedly targeted for speaking out against officials and legislation.

It’s time for us to stand together and call attention to the Cambodian government’s unjust actions. Per numerous international treaties, all Cambodians must be allowed to exercise their free speech and free association rights without fear of reprisals.