Thank you for taking action! Your actions have been delivered!
DO SOMETHING: On 27 June, the 13 women human rights defenders from the Boeung kak Lake community in Phnom Penh, Cambodia were freed from prison. The Cambodian court dropped their prison sentences but upheld their convictions. This means that they were still found guilty!
YOU(th) have taken action for them once – let’s take action for them again!
From now until 9 August 2012, send a letter to the Cambodian authorities to overturn the convictions for the 13 women who were arrested during a peaceful protest.
Barbed wire and cells at a Phnom Penh prison. Source: Wikimedia Commons
What happened?
On June 27 at court, no evidence was presented against the women, and three out of four defence witnesses were not allowed in court. By YOU(th) and many others taking action to free them from prison a month ago, they were released! And after serving one month and three days in prison, the 13 women were freed from prison and charges were dropped. However, the convictions were still upheld.
Who are the 13 women?
The 13 women were a group of protestors who gathered on May 22 for demonstrations in which they sang peacefully and made speeches. Later that morning, the police violently broke up the protest, chasing and arresting the 13 women.
Their names are: Chan Navy, Cheng Leap, Heng Mom, Kong Chantha, Nget Khun, Ngoun Kimlang, Pao Saopea, Phan Chan Reth, Soung Samai, Srong Srey Leap, Tep Vanny, Tho Davy, and Toul Srey Pov.
On May 24, the women were taken to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and were charged under the illegal occupancy of public property and obstruction of public officials with aggravating circumstances. Their lawyers’ request for case files and evidence, to call witnesses were denied. The trial went ahead and the thirteen women were charged for two and a half year sentences. While waiting for the verdict, their families were abused violently by the police.
And after a month of pressure from the public and people like YOU(th), they were released from prison! Take action for them again by demanding authorities to drop their convictions!
Got 3 minutes?
Send a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Governor of Phnom Penh Municipality, by adding your name below! We will deliver all the letters to authorities by post with your details appearing as below.
And don’t forget to send this link – http://bit.ly/QlsjRP – to your friends! Ask them to take action too!
What are you waiting for? Add your name NOW!Your Excellency, While I welcome the release of the 13 women who were peacefully protesting forced evictions: Chan Navy, Cheng Leap, Heng Mom, Kong Chantha, Nget Khun, Ngoun Kimlang, Pao Saopea, Phan Chan Reth, Soung Samai, Srong Srey Leap, Tep Vanny, Tho Davy, and Toul Srey Pov, I am still appalled that their convictions were upheld.Therefore, I urge you to:
Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, [your full name] |
