“Researchers Detained After Visit to Resettlement Community”, 11 September 2014

Land-rights NGO Equitable Cambodia…condemned the overnight detention of two of its researchers, including a dual Japanese-American citizen, following their visit to families that have been evicted by a Thai sugar company. Authorities say the researchers were detained for their own protection. Sok Lida, a Cambodian research officer for Equitable Cambodia, and Meg Fukuzawa, a consultant for the NGO, were taken into custody by immigration police in Oddar Meanchey…and released in Phnom Penh…Neither was charged. Equitable Cambodia has been advocating for years on behalf of hundreds of families in Oddar Meanchey that were forced from their homes and their farms by three plantations owned by Thai sugar giant Mitr Phol, a main supplier of Coca-Cola…Ms. Fukuzawa was only freed after she signed a document agreeing not to file a complaint over her detention…