Foreign
CAMBODIAN authorities have arrested many civil society activists in recent weeks as the government has stepped up its suppression of free speech and demonstration rights, the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva said on Friday.
“We call on the government to immediately and unconditionally release those detained for their exercise of these rights, and to bring an end to the intimidation of civil society actors,” UN rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a news conference.
Since the arrest of prominent trade unionist Rong Chhun on July 31, two dozen additional human rights and environmental activists have been arrested, including one woman who was apprehended on Monday after she left the UN human rights office in Cambodia.
Numerous people had also received threatening calls in which they were told to stop their human rights activism, Shamdasani said.
UN rights officers have witnessed security officials using excessive force against protestors in at least five demonstrations in recent weeks.
The government crackdown has been targeting protesters calling for measures to alleviate the economic impact of COVID-19.
Others are demanding the release of rights activists, environmental activists are meanwhile concerned about the development of Boeng Ta Mauk lake. (dpa/NAN)
– Sept. 11, 2020 @ 13:59 GMT |
Tags: UN rights office asks Cambodia to stop mounting political repression
