Please be informed that the charges against Rong Chhun President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), and Kem Sokha, President of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), Pa Nguon Teang, Deputy President of the CCHR, who were released on 17 January 2006, have been dropped. The charges against Yeng Virak, Director of the Cambodian Legal Education Centre (CLEC) have also been dropped after they all wrote letters to the Prime Minister Hun Sen, thanking him for their release and withdrawing their earlier comments.
According to government officials, the charges against Chea Mony, the President of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Man Nath, President of the Cambodian Independent Civil Servant Association and Ear Channa, Deputy Secretary General of the Student Movement for Democracy would also be dropped if they wrote similar letters. Relying on these promises Chea Mony is now returning to Cambodia. On behalf of our colleagues in Cambodia, EI would like to extend its gratitude to colleagues from around the world who supported the urgent action appeal.