Monday, 14.7.2008: A Journalist and His Son Murdered

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 5689

By sharing the Declaration of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, we show our shock and our solidarity.

Club of Cambodian Journalists

Members of the Club of Cambodian journalists express their deep concern about press freedom and the security of journalists in Cambodia, after unknown people shot dead Mr. Khim Sambo – 45, a journalist with Moneaksekar Khmer – and his son, at 6:30 p.m. on 11 July 2008 in the center of Phnom Penh.

The Club of Cambodian Journalists is aware that this shooting occurred at a time of heightened security during the election campaign for the fourth term parliamentary election, which will be held on 27 July 2008.

The Club of Cambodian Journalists is shocked hearing about this lamentable murder. The Club of Cambodian Journalists would like to share our sorrow and condolences about the deaths of Mr. Khim Sambo and of his son with the family of the deceased. At the same time, the Club of Cambodian Journalists, which is an independent organization with nearly 200 members countrywide, condemns this murder and calls on the authorities to investigate this event and to arrest the murderers and those who are involved with them, so that they will be sent to court to be prosecuted, based on the law. There is no reason which can justify this murder.

Phnom Penh, 12 July 2008

Club of Cambodian Journalist

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Germany Pledged Euro 1.5 Million to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal

“The German Government has pledged to provide Euro 1.5 million, equal to approx. US$2.4 million, for the process of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

“According to an announcement on 11 July 2008, these funds will be provided to the section of the tribunal supporting the victims’ participation in the tribunal, which was created to find justice for people victimized during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.

“Since 2005, Germany has already provided US$5.5 million to support the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. As for the funds pledged now, they are a part of funds to extend the process of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, after it has been decided that this tribunal will continue until 2010, and therefore more funds to cover the expenses are now needed than projected before.

“Before the proceedings started, US$56.3 million were approved for the tribunal; then, after plans were changed, up to US$143 million were calculated, but only US$86.7 million were approved.

“So far, five [former] Khmer Rouge Leaders have been arrested: the former head of state, Khiev Samphan, the former president of the assembly, Nuon Chea, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ieng Sary, and his wife Ieng Thirith, and Duch, a former chief of the Tuol Sleng Prison of the Khmer Rouge regime.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4640, 13-14.7.2008

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 14 July 2008

Chouy Khmer, Vol.2, #133, 14.7.2008

• Ngor Srun, Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers and Son-in-Law of Chea Sim [President of the Senate and of the Cambodian People’s Party] Was Attacked with Acid [and injured seriously – 13 July 2008]

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1692, 13-14.7.2008

• Different Circles Condemn the Shooting of Moneaksekar Khmer Journalist [Mr. Khim Sambou and his son. Both died]
• A Cambodian Was Elected to Be Chairperson of the International Drug Enforcement Conference from the East Asia Region [comprising 15 countries – Mayor-General Moek Dara, head of the anti-drug office for the Ministry of Interior and secretary of sate of the National Anti-Drug Committee]

Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #198, 14-15.7.2008

• [Former Khmer Rouge Leader] Khiev Samphan Chose New Lawyer, but He Has Not Yet Received a Response [from the lawyers contacted – according to a source closed to the ECCC, he is considering two lawyers, Mr. Heng Ty – former president of the Appeals Court during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum regime, and Mr. Sar Sovann, a lawyer with a doctorate from France]
• The Preah Vihear Temple Is an Achievement of the Khmer Great Heroic King [Norodom Sihanouk]; the Cambodian People’s Party Should Not Take the Opportunity to Cheat the People

Khmer Sthapana, Vol.1, #48, 13-14.7.2008

• The Great Heroic King [Norodom Sihanouk] Is Satisfied with a Plan to Construct a Hospital in the Preah Vihear Region
• Civil Society Organizations Are Concerned about Political Security [for voters]
• Expert Officials Call All Citizens to Be Careful with Dengue Fever
• Next Year, Cambodia Will Export 50,000 Tonnes of Raw Rubber [according to Mr. Ly Phala, director of the Department of Rubber Plantations]

Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6396, 14.7.2008

[Former] King Norodom Sihanouk Released a Statement that the Preah Vihear Temple and Its Mountain Belongs to Khmer 100% [8 July 2008]

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4640, 13-14.7.2008

• Germany Pledged Euro 1.5 Million to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal
• Rate of Victims by Mines and Unexploded Ordnance in the Country Is Declining [Cambodian Red Cross: from January to June 2008, there were only 170 victims, compared to the same period in 2007, when there were 210]
• [Mr. Pongphon Adireksan] The Chairperson of the National Committee on Thailand’s Convention for World Heritage Protection Advised the President of the Opposition Party and the Demonstrators that Thailand Has Not Lost Land; Army Commander [Anupong Paochinda]: People Should Not Be Too Nationalistic
• Sokun Nisa [famous Khmer singer] Drove a Lexus and Hit a Truck, Breaking the Front Part of Her Car; She Apologized to the Truck Driver [Battambang]
• Oil Rises to US$147 per Barrel because of the Iran Issue

Have a look at the last editorial – The struggle towards openness and access to information happens in many places – and it may help to mutually learn from other experiences.

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