Sunday, November 21, 2010

A Forest Conservative Activist Shot Wounded by a Policeman

A forest conservative activist for a local NGO was shot seriously wounded at about 11:30 PM on January 23, 2010 at a Village Ceremony in Kampong Speu province by a police officer there.

Yong Chantrea, 27, an activist for Natural Resource Watch and Protection in Cambodia, lived in Talat village, Phneay commune, Sarong Torng district, Kampong Speu province. He was shot from behind by Se Chanthorn, 47, a Phneay commune police officer. The bullet hit him on his back and came out of his abdomen.

Related to the above event, Mr. Chea Hean, 47, the president of the organization, who also intervenced the case, reported that that day his staff, Yong Chantrea, went to visit a dancing party in the above area. At about 11:30 PM, when the party nearly finished, there was a fight among a group of youngsters. However, they broke off and went back home respectively. Later on the victim was also walking back home. Suddenly Se Chanthorn shot him from behind. Then villagers helped send him to hospital for treatment.

Mr. Chea Hean said that he was not so sure for what reason his staff was shot, but he revealed that on January 20, 2010 the victim investigated the case of forest logging in Trapeang Chau commune, Oaral district, Kampong Speu; and Mr. Se Chanthorn was also involved with that. He also grabbed a camara from the activist as he was taking photos of their activity.

Relevant to this case, Phneay Commune Administrative Police chief Mr. Suan Chanthor said he also knew that his man had committed the violence. He had negotiated with the victim’s family and agreed to pay 2,000 dollars for compensation. However, Mr. Chea Hean asserted that he still lodged complaints with the provincial court and some NGOs in order to bring the perpetrator to justice.

At present, the case is under the investigation of the court in seeking for further evidence to put charges against the officer.

It has been seen that the above act fatally abused the Cambodian and international laws. It also violated human rights; especially right to life. Therefore the compensation to the victim’s family is not enough. It is only the civil solution, but it cannot be avoided from criminal responsibility at all.

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