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The Cambodian government has unleashed a campaign to attack, jail and convict Cambodia’s environmental defenders and social activists who have raised warnings over issues like waste management, sand dredging, and deforestation, as well as labour and political rights.

In the run up to International Human Rights Day, FORUM-ASIA member LICADHO will advocate each week for the release of human rights defenders and highlight the brave and critical work done by these imprisoned activists. Six of these activists are environmental defenders from Mother Nature Cambodia, who are facing the outrageous charge of plotting against the state, two of whom are also facing additional charges of insulting the king. Others are longtime labour leaders, monks, and members of the youth activist group Khmer Thavrak.

These activists spoke out on issues important to Cambodia and have faced harassment, intimidation and prison sentences as a result.

It is time to drop these charges and release these activists and all human rights defenders now.