Born Samnang And Sok Sam Oeun

In early 2006, members of the Cambodia sub-group started to look for new areas in which we could work. We decided it would be good to concentrate our efforts on a region that was not in the human rights violations spotlight like Iran and Guantanamo, but somewhere where not so many groups were active. After doing some research we found out that the human rights situation in Cambodia was in danger of deteriorating and our Cambodian sub-group was born.

We contacted the German Section Cambodian Coordination Group and the Cambodian Coordinators at the International Secretariat in London and soon we were presented with the case of the murdered trade unions leader Chea Vichea and the accused prisoners Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun.

After an irregular criminal investigation and a grossly unfair trial, the Phnom Penh Court sentenced Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun to 20 years' imprisonment on 1 August 2005 for the murder of prominent trade unionist Chea Vichea.

Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were convicted of killing Chea Vichea although the prosecution presented no direct evidence linking the two men to the murder apart from a confession, which was allegedly extracted from one of the defendants under duress. Furthermore both Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun had strong alibis for the time of the murder and witnesses were prepared to testify before the court supporting the alibis.

In light of the deeply flawed criminal investigation and trial, Amnesty International believes that the true perpetrators responsible for the murder of Chea Vichea have not been held to account. Amnesty International repeats its calls to the Cambodian authorities to urgently initiate an impartial and independent investigation into the killing of Chea Vichea so that those responsible for his murder are brought to justice.

Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun should be released without delay and their names cleared, unless there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against them. If so, the two men should be given a prompt retrial which meets international fair trial standards.

More information on our activities to seek justice for Chea Vichea.