Killing the messenger
July 19, 2008
VIA The Mirror: UNHCR speaks on the killing of veteran Moneaksekar Khmer reporter Khem Sambo, putting his name on a growing list of unsolved attacks against journalists.
“The murder of Mr. Khim Sambo is similar to eight other murders and attempts of murder of journalists in Cambodia since 1994 – in all cases the criminals still continue to live happily with impunity. Those cases are:
“Mr. Nuon Chan, editor-in-chief of Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, was shot dead by two people riding on a motorcycle in Phnom Penh on 7 September 1994.
“Mr. Sao Chandara, a journalist of Koh Santepheap, was shot dead on 8 December 1994 in Kompong Cham. A military official was sued, but not sentenced, and he was free from any punishment. The Appeals Court decided to file an appeal against this decision to absolve him from punishment, but the appeal was not filed at the Supreme Court.
“Mr. Ek Mongkol, a reporter of Radio FM 90 MHz, was shot with many bullets while he was driving along a road in the center of Phnom Penh on 21 October 1995. He survived the shooting.
“Mr. Thun Bunly, editor-in-chief of Udom Katte Khmer was shot dead by two people ridding on a motorcycle in Phnom Penh on 18 May 1996. Half an hour before he was murdered, he told a friend that he was worried about his safety. In 1995, he had been accused and sentenced twice on accusations of publishing many articles criticizing the Royal Government.
“Mr. Leng Sam Ang, editor-in-chief of Kumnit Koun Khmer, was hit and shot by police on 2 January 1997. He survived the attack.
“Mr. Michael Senior, a freelance photographer who was originally Khmer, was shot dead by soldiers when he attempted to take pictures of many soldiers who were stealing goods in a market in Phnom Penh on 8 July 1997.
[...]
“Mr. Thong Uy Pang, editor-in-chief of Koh Santepheap was shot in Phnom Penh on 8 June 1998, but he survived the injury. Last year two grenades were thrown into this newspaper’s office.
“Mr. Chuo Chetharith, reporter of Radio Ta Prum was shot dead when he arrived at his workplace, by two people riding on a motorcycle, on 18 October 2003.
“Meanwhile, three other journalists died from violence, cases that have not been solved – Mr. Tou Chhom Mongkol, editor-in-chief of Antarakum died on 11 June 1994; Mr. Pich Em, technician of National Television of Cambodia in Sihanoukville, died on 5 May 1997; and Mr. Ou Sareoun, a journalist of Samleng Reas Khmer was also killed.
Oh for 12. That’s a pretty abysmal record.
July 19, 2008 at 9:36 pm
All Khmers who loves democracy probably focus on one very powerful man in Cambodia if not the high ranking government officials that mastermind the killings of Khim Sambo and his son. Just like the high profile killings from the past the government never arrest and convict the perpetrators if they do it will be a fake one like Bon Somnang and Sok Som Earn who they said killed Cambodian union leader Mr. Chea Vichea in 2004. WHAT A JOKE. My prediction is that soon the Cambodian government will come up with a sketch and stage the arrest and later convict the FAKE alleged triggerman who they might say killed Mr. Khim Sambo and his son, and the case is closed. Remember, there is no justice in Cambodia as long as corruption continues. To convict someone, the court has to recieve the green light from the Hun Sen’s government, if they fail to do so the court officials has to be resigned or removed from the post to the rural countryside where they earn very little money, THAT’S THE RULE. Mr. Khim sambo worked for Moneakseka Khmer newspaper that manage by Mr. Dam Sith. Recently, Mr. Dam sith was charged for printing allegations that Cambodia’s foreign minister had ties to the genocidal Khmer Rough regime and jailed for almost a week. The news of Mr. Dam Sith arrest made front page headline throughout Cambodia leading to widespread demand of his release from the local communities. Unbelievably, Hun Sen stepped in and pleaded for his release. Soon after that Mr. Dam Sith was freed from jail, and all charges was later dropped. On Fri. July 11 2008 Mr. Khim Sambo and his son was gunned down by a lone gunman on the street of Phnom Penh.
July 27, 2008 at 4:08 pm
[...] are Sketchy provides a list of unsolved attacks against journalists in Cambodia. Posted by Mong Palatino Share [...]