Cambodia: Charges against peaceful demonstrators highlight judiciary’s total lack of independence

Recent months have seen a crackdown on the exercise of the human rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly in Cambodia, with several human rights defenders and political opposition members being arrested and/or threatened with legal action. The charges against two housing rights activists arrested on 15 August are unfounded and point to an attempt by authorities to discourage and punish participation in “Black Monday” peaceful demonstrations, as part of a wider suppression of peaceful dissent. The charges must be dropped and two activists released immediately and unconditionally.