Responding to the charges of incitement against journalist Mech Dara following his arrest by military police, Amnesty International’s Acting Deputy Regional Director for Research Kate Schuetze said:
“The charges against Mech Dara show yet again that the Cambodian government will not hesitate to repress journalists. This is the latest step in the new government’s campaign to erase press freedom.
“The charges against Dara under improperly used ‘incitement’ laws are a common tactic to silence government critics and intimidate them with hefty prison sentences. Having seen the social media posts, I am satisfied that he was legitimately exercising his right to freedom of expression. The gravity of the offence means that he is likely to spend a long time in pre-trial detention. However, pre-trial detention is only permitted in exceptional circumstances and must not be used as a punishment.
“Mech Dara has been detained solely for peacefully expressing his right to freedom of expression, and the Cambodian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release him.”
“Mech Dara has been detained solely for peacefully expressing his right to freedom of expression, and the Cambodian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release him.”
Amnesty International’s Acting Deputy Regional Director for Research Kate Schuetze
Background
Journalist Mech Dara was taken from a car by Cambodian military police at 16:02 on Monday 30 September 2024. He was brought before the courts on the afternoon of 1 October 2024 where he was charged with incitement under articles 494 and 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code. Incitement has become the default charge used against human rights defenders and activists in Cambodia in recent years and carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. In some cases, people are also charged with ‘plotting’, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Mech Dara is known for his journalism with Cambodia Daily, Phnom Penh Post and Voice of Democracy and for internationally recognized stories on corruption and Cambodia’s scam industry.
He has recently won awards for his investigative reporting on Cambodia’s scam compounds, locations where human trafficking and torture are regularly reported.
