EU expresses 'serious concern' over Cambodian broadcaster's sentence

News Desk
Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Publication Date : 02-10-2012

European Union vice president Catherine Ashton expressed "serious concern" after a court sentenced yesterday Beehive Radio station owner Mam Sonando to 20 years for secession. "This conviction raises severe doubts about the impartiality and independence of the Court," she said in a statement released in Brussels. Ashton, who is also the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, urged Cambodia "to protect the fundamental right of all persons to hold and freely express their opinions in a peaceful manner". That right, she said, is "in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia is a party.  "Governments have the obligation to protect the freedom of expression and the independence of media. This is especially important in view of the Cambodian elections in 2013." The Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Mam Sonando to prison for leading an attempted secession in Kratie in May. The verdict was handed down after two hours as hundreds of protestors gathered at Neang Kong Hing intersection to demand the release of the 72-year-old broadcaster. As the court prepared to announce the verdict yesterday, police blocked the road to the court from north of the Olympic Stadium. The protestors, who held pictures of Buddha, Mam Sonando and thumbprints, asserted that the broadcaster was not guilty. Mam Somando, who is also director of the Democrats Association, appeared in court for three and a half days last month and faced a maximum penalty of 30 years.