"Immediate Release and Drop Charges Against Human Rights and Environment Defender, Mr. Koet Saray", 8 April 2024

We, the youth, local communities, unions, associations, and local civil society organisations mentioned below are deeply disappointed by the arrest of Mr. Koet Saray, the President of the Khmer Student Intelligence League Association (KSILA).

Note that Mr. Koet Saray was arrested … and sent to the Phnom Penh Capital Court …, while he was working at the office. Mr. Koet Saray, the President of the Khmer Student Intelligence League Association (KSILA), was arrested and sent to Phnom Penh Capital Court without clarification of the exact charge or notice to his family. The arrest was made on the order of … Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Capital Court, … under the charge of incitement to commit a felony or to disturb social security…

Mr. Koet Saray's detention … is a continuation of the silencing of the right to freedom of expression and the oppression of human rights and environmental defenders, which are severe violations of the fundamental rights stated in the Constitution…

We, the youth, local communities, unions, associations, and local civil society organisations call on the Phnom Penh Capital Court to drop all charges and free human rights and environmental defender Mr. Koet Saray immediately and without any conditions, and to open the space for freedom of expression to all Cambodians who work for social justice.

We call on the authorities to respect and open the space for freedom of association, respect for human rights and the rights of human rights defenders, and to promote freedom of expression, in order for all Cambodians to participate in the development of our nation.