OHCHR PRESS BRIEFING NOTE - Cambodia, Mexico, Bahrain

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:   Rupert Colville
Location: Geneva
Subjects: (1) Cambodia
(2) Mexico

(3) Bahrain, in response to a question

(1) Cambodia

We are saddened by the news that Mr. Chut Wutty and Mr. In Rattana were shot and killed last Thursday in south-western Cambodia. Mr. Wutty was an outspoken environmental activist and human rights defender who worked fearlessly to expose illegal logging and corruption in Cambodia. Mr. Rattana was a member of the Royal Cambodian Gendarmerie.

The exact circumstances of the shootings, which occurred in a forest in Koh Kong Province where Mr. Wutty -- in the company of journalists -- was gathering evidence of illegal logging, remain unclear. Our office in Phnom Penh is investigating the incident, having dispatched a team to the province two hours after it took place. The team visited the site of the shooting, interviewed local actors and monitored the post-mortem examination of the bodies.

Despite the current lack of clarity about what exactly happened, we are very concerned that the killing of Mr. Wutty marks the latest and most lethal in a series of gun attacks on human rights defenders in Cambodia. Since the start of 2012, the OHCHR office in Cambodia has investigated four other cases (in Snoul, Bavet, Borei Keila and Banteay Chhmar) involving the use of live ammunition against communities and human rights defenders which have resulted in a number of injuries

We welcome the fact that the authorities have commenced investigations into Thursday’s shooting, including a military investigation. We urge the Royal Government to ensure that a full civilian judicial investigation proceeds speedily and with the utmost probity and independence.  It is imperative that the investigating authorities seek to interview all relevant witnesses, including military personnel and those involved in logging activities in the area at the time of the shooting. OHCHR will continue to monitor the process.

We also urge the Government to take concrete and immediate measures to ensure the safety of all witnesses and investigators as well the families of the deceased men.

(2) Mexico

We are alarmed that another journalist was killed in Mexico last weekend. We strongly condemn the murder of Regina Martinez, and are concerned that this disturbing trend of murdering media workers -- more than 70 are reported to have been killed since the year 2000 -- undermines the exercise of freedom of expression in the country. We call for a thorough independent investigation into this and other similar cases, and urge the Government to immediately implement protection measures for journalists.

In that respect, we welcome the passing of two new laws yesterday by the Mexican Congress which are very relevant to this situation and represent a significant step forward in efforts to protect journalists and human rights defenders. These laws are the General Victims Act and the Law for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists.

During her visit to Mexico last year, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay emphasized the importance of this legislative agenda, after meeting with victims and relatives of murdered human rights journalists and activists.

(3) Bahrain (in response to a question about the decision to retry Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja in a civilian court)

We welcome the fact that the Bahraini authorities have recognised the importance of moving away from military justice for civilians.

In the case of Mr Al-Khawaja there is no reason for him to be held incommunicado. He should be given immediate access to his family, the Danish Ambassador, a doctor and a lawyer of his own choosing.

We have urged the Bahraini authorities to take steps to ensure the release of Mr Al-Khawaja and his transfer to a civilian hospital.

ENDS