Thirteen human rights defenders in Cambodia were released following an appeal court decision on 27 June, in Phnom Penh.The court decided to suspend the remaining prison sentences of the 13 women and announced they would be released from Prey Sar prison, reports “Human Rights Defenders” organization. The judges decided to uphold the verdict from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, claiming the women were still found guilty of “occupying state land and obstructing public officials in aggravating circumstances “. The women have already served one month and three days in prison during which local human rights activists together with friends and families of the women have staged campaigns and organized demonstrations pressuring authorities to release the thirteen.
Civil Rights Defenders has earlier urged the Cambodian authorities to release the human rights defenders and drop all charges against them. The arrest and charges, for which the women were found guilty of, are a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression and assembly.
According to Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), and several other human rights organizations, the police used violence against protesters trying to reach the appeal court.