Mother Nature has temporarily suspended operations in Cambodia in the midst of the outcome of court cases against the environmental protection group. These cases have angered human rights activists who urged a rethink from Western envoys.
Six court cases remain unresolved after Mother Nature, which has adopted an aggressive approach in Cambodia to environmentalism, was targeted by authorities in a crackdown against opposition politicians ahead of 2018 elections.
Sun Ratha, 26 years old, Ly Chandaravuth (22-year-old), and Yim Leanghy (32-year-old) were charged with plotting to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government. Initialy, the three were placed in pretrial detention. If convicted, they will face between five to 10 years imprisonment.
Alejandro Gonzalez Davidson, a Spanish environmentalist and founder of Mother Nature, was born in Spain. Radio Free AsiaIt was confirmed that the NGO exists and has not shut its doors, but it would wait to hear the outcome of court proceedings against its six activists. They were released on bail last week.
Gonzalez-Davidson said that the case files of the victims are now in the possession of the investigating judge, pending their trials. We will continue our activities, but not with our youth activist members working inside Cambodia.”
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In absentia, he was sentenced to 20 months in prison for his actions with three other Mother Nature activists: Long Kunthea (22) Phuon Keurasmey (19), and Thun Ratha (29) They were sentenced to between 12 and 20 months in prison for incitement charges.
All six were released on bail on NovemberFollowing protestsThe following information is from the governments in the United States, Australia, Sweden. U.S. U.S. Ambassador Patrick Murphy stated that he was disturbed to hear about the arrests and added that documenting pollution is a public utility, not terroristic.
Lt. Gen. Chhay Kim KhoeunInitial assertion:Mother Nature was using terror financing provided by foreigners to their bosses. This was being used in an attempt at overthrowing the government, while pretending to help the environment.
Hun Sen has consistently warned of outside forces plotting to overthrow his government and as recently as Wednesday he said the only way to destroy and prevent “color revolutions” was to have full control of the armed forces and civil administration.
We will take immediate action against color revolution. The main strategy is to have complete control over armed forces and civil administrations. Armed forces must destroy anyone who violates the constitution. According to Cambodia’s tough-talking prime Minister, Armed Forces must immediately take action if there is a coup or color revolution.
Gonzalez-Davidson has been denied entry to Cambodia since he was expelled from Cambodia in February 2015 after the government refused his visa renewal.
Mother Nature and he were fiercely opposed to the proposed $400 million Chhay Areng hydropower Dam in Koh Kong Province. Environmentalists claimed that the dam would have driven hundreds of ethnic minorities from their traditional lands and destroyed habitats for endangered species.
It was the first instance in a decade when a foreign NGO worker was denied entry into Cambodia. Construction of theChhay Arengdamwas also suspended the day Gonzalez-Davidson was deported.
He stated that the decision to suspend operations was taken out of concern for staff, but Mother Nature could still depend on millions of partners, mainly young people, to help protect the forest and the environment.
We believe that our new strategy will increase safety and effectiveness for six activists who are waiting for court decisions. He said that this is how we can reduce their risk while they live under a dictatorial regime.
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