Posted on: October 26, 2023, 06:57h.
Last updated on: October 26, 2023, 06:57h.
Despite pleas by human rights groups and others for fair and objective treatment, Cambodia isn’t listening. It has maintained the convictions and prison sentences for eight individuals associated with the Labor Rights Supported Union (LRSU) of Khmer Employees of the NagaWorld casino.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court initially handed down the sentences, which the defendants later appealed. Among them is Chhim Sithar, the union leader and president of the LRSU, who remains incarcerated.
The NagaWorld strikes, which have been mostly peaceful from the start, continue. Despite the casino reporting strong financial growth, it isn’t willing to negotiate with the workers.
Taking the Fight to the Top
Sithar received the maximum penalty of two years in prison, allegedly for disrupting the peace and then violating the terms of probation related to it. However, most people feel that Cambodia is using her as an example in order to prevent constitutionally-protected protests.
Other members, namely Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich and Touch Sereymeas, received one year and six months in prison. However, they are free and remain on probation pending the outcome of their trials. Ry Sovandy and Sok Narith each received a one-year suspended sentence.
Sithar has been held in arbitrary detention in a Phnom Penh prison since November 26 of last year. The decision to uphold the convictions has prompted her and at least six of her co-defendants to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of Cambodia.
The case revolves around the activities of LRSU and its leaders, who have been– and still are – advocating for labor rights within the NagaWorld casino for the past several years. The legal proceedings have raised concerns about the freedom of association and expression for workers in Cambodia.
The decision to maintain the convictions has sparked discussions about the state of labor rights and the judiciary system in the country. Human rights activists and organizations are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the importance of a fair and transparent legal process.
As the case heads to the Supreme Court, the outcome of the appeal will have implications for the individuals, as well as the broader landscape of labor rights and advocacy in Cambodia. If they’re successful in their fight, they may be able to hold Cambodia accountable for unlawful detainment and other violations of the country’s constitution.
NagaCorp Still Not Budging
In April 2021, NagaCorp, the owner of the NagaWorld casino, terminated the employment of 1,329 casino workers, including numerous union members. It did so under the excuse of financial difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In December of that same year, LRSU members have been organizing regular strikes in Phnom Penh. They’re advocating for the reinstatement of the dismissed employees and the protection of their labor rights. The strikes has been marked by police violence, arrests and assaults on the strikers, with reports of female workers facing sexual harassment.
On January 4 of last year, Sithar was forcefully arrested by police officers as she joined another strike orchestrated by LRSU. She faced charges of “incitement” and was locked up until her release on bail over two months later.
The situation escalated further on November 26, when Sithar was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport as she was returning from a trip to Australia. She had visited the country to attend the International Trade Union Confederation World Conference.
As she returned to court, Cambodia accused her of violating the terms of her probation, alleging travel restrictions were in place. However, neither Sithar nor her legal representatives had previously been told of any such restrictions. A request they made to review the judicial order was denied.
Sithar, who had traveled abroad twice without incident post-bail release, was promptly placed in a jail cell once again. That then turned into permanent detention, with the authorities branding her a “danger” to peace and order.
