Two NGO Activists in Kampong Speu Received Death Threat

Two NGO officers working on watching and protecting illegal forest logging in Cambodia were threatened around midnight of August 1, 2009 by some 20 soldiers pointing guns at him and prohibited to take any pictures of a truck carrying 10 cubic meter from National Park at Oa Ral mountain in Kampong Speu province, where the government has kept as conservation and protection area signed by King Norodom Sihanouk since 1993. However, local people living in the area reported that there is a lot of illegal logging by the rich and powerful men; and the people did not dare to do anything because they were armed forces to transport the timbers.

Mr. Chea Hean, 46, the president of Natural Resource Watch and Protection in Cambodia and his co-worker Mr. Chhun Narith, 37 were driving to chase the truck for some photos from the National Park to the town area. When coming close to the car, he recognized that the truck belonged to Mr. Uk Pao, Military officer in Region 3, and the timber belonged to Mr. Keo Kimuan, commander in chief of the Region 3. After that some 20 soldiers came out and pointed the guns at them and warned not to take any photos.

Mr. Chea Hean said he could not see the face clearly because it was midnight. He did not want to file a complaint over the matter because he lost hope of the court. He added in 2008 he was accused of criminal act regarding illegal logging, extortion and violated the authority of the Environment Ministry for the same issue. The complaint was filed by Mr. Chhun Chhea Heng, vice president of the Oa Ral National Park.

At that moment, his colleague Mr. Chhun Narith escaped to Thailand for safety and security.

In relation to that Mr. Uk Pao, the truck’s owner denied pointing the gun these men, but said the truck belonged to him, used to transport the timber to his boss for office construction. Mr. Keo Kimuan could be reached for comment.