StopSuppression of Speech in Cambodia: Online Petition for President Obama
To: President Obama
We, the undersigned, urge you to condemn therecent Cambodian Supreme Court
decision against former Nobel Peace Prizenominee, long-time women’s rights
activist, and Cambodian parliamentary member,Her Excellency Mu Sochua, in the
alleged defamation case of Prime Minister HunSen.
The Cambodian Supreme Court’s ruling on June 2, 2010
exemplifiespolitically-motivated targeting of opposition leaders by Prime
Minister Hun Sen,lack of judicial accountability and fairness in the
proceedings, and a denial ofCambodian citizens’ rights to freedom of expression
and holding of their publicofficials accountable in the event of perceived
breach of thelaw.
Earlier this year, the Cambodian government also initiated
apolitically-motivated lawsuit against Cambodian opposition leader,
HisExcellency Sam Rainsy, on the charges of falsifying public documents
anddistributing false information. H.E. Sam Rainsy could face up to 18 years
inprison if found guilty.
As a result of H.E. Mu Sochua's and Sam Rainsy'scases, local human rights
groups have decried freedom of expression in Cambodiato be in a "perilous
state."
We are deeply concerned by the silencing oflong-time, well-respected, and
democratically-elected leaders who could beprevented from running in the next
parliamentary elections. This would be a deepblow to democracy in Cambodia.
With more than US $60 million inassistance given to Cambodia in 2009, including
in the areas of democraticreform and governance, the United States Government
has the responsibility todenounce the Court’s decision as a threat to freedoms
of speech and expressionand the rights to fair judicial process, transparency,
and legalrepresentation.
By failing to speak out against these rulings, the UnitedStates would undermine
its long-cherished values of freedoms of speech andexpression and the rights to
an independent and impartial judicial process,equality before the law, and
legal representation.
We urge you, Mr.President, to make a strong statement against the recent
Cambodian Court’sruling in defense of our democratic values that serve to
empower so many aroundthe world.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Click here to signthe petition online
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