The grounds for his most recent arrest are extremely dubious. He is alleged to have played a leading role in what the government has labeled a “secessionist” movement in Kratie province, an allegation referring to community organizing in opposition to land-grabbing. Sonando’s arrest also followed his reporting over Beehive Radio of a complaint lodged at the International Criminal Court arguing that land-grabbing in Cambodia amounts to a crime against humanity. A public call for his arrest was then issued by Prime Minister Hun Sen in a nationwide televised speech. Despite this threat, Sonando voluntarily returned to Phnom Penh on July 12 and was indeed arrested and detained. No credible evidence has been presented to substantiate the allegations against him. Despite assurances from the Prime Minister to the contrary, we are concerned that proceedings against Sonando may lead to the silencing of Beehive Radio, a crucial source for independent news and commentary in Cambodia as the country prepares for national elections in 2013.

Sonando, 70, has also repeatedly been denied bail and his health is reported to be deteriorating in detention. The verdict on Sonando’s case is reportedly due on October 1 (after the GDCC meeting). If found guilty, he could face up to 30 years in prison. The other cases concern two women human rights defenders, prominent land housing rights activists Yorm Bopha and Tim Sakmony, who were arrested on September 4 and 5, respectively, similarly on the basis of questionable allegations. Yorm Bopha, a pivotal figure in the protests against forced evictions in the Boeung Kak area of Phnom Penh, was detained for allegedly assaulting a person suspected of theft. We believe the evidence for this is at best distorted and may be fabricated. Tim Sakmony, a leader in protests against forced evictions from the Borei Keila area of the capital, was arrested after the owner of land developer Phanimex lodged a complaint alleging that she had made a “false declaration” in a suit accusing Phanimex of inadequate compensation for persons evicted from land the company is developing. Phaminex was originally granted land in Borei Keila conditional upon the construction of ten apartment buildings to rehouse residents, but only built eight. Sakmony is currently being held in pre-trial detention at Prey Sar prison, pending judicial investigation under Article 633 of the Cambodian Penal Code, which prohibits making a “false declaration to a public body for the purpose of obtaining an allowance, a payment or any unlawful advantage.” We are concerned that the legal actions being carried out against Bopha and Sakmony are in fact motivated by their involvement in land-related advocacy campaigns on behalf of the Boeung Kak and Borei Keila communities. Their pre-trial detention is contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia is a party, which provides in article 9(3) that detaining persons prior to trial should not be the general rule. The UN Human Rights Committee has noted that pre-trial detention should be exceptional and only under specific circumstances not applicable here. It is indicative of a broader government practice of using the law and judiciary to silence and punish human rights defenders, social activists and community organizers in Cambodia.