http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/ We, the undersigned are deeply concerned about the false criminal charges that have been bought against Chan Vichet, a representative of the evicted Dey Krahorm community, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Chan Vichet together with two other representatives of the Dey Krahorm community were charged with destruction of 7NG company property (excavator) and physical assault (against company staff) in December 2007, despite there being no credible evidence. The verdict for the case will be heard on Monday 16 February 2009. Chan Vichet and seven other community members were also charged with defamation and forgery in March 2005. One of the community members was found guilty and sentenced to three year prison terms, while the charges against all others were dropped. Despite there being no new evidence the case was reopened in September 2008, three and half years after the alleged incident - at the same time Chan Vichet was representing the community in seeking just and fair compensation for their land from the company 7NG and the Phnom Penh Municipality. Chan Vichet has now been summoned by the investigating judge on Tuesday, 17 February 2009, the day after the verdict for the earlier case. This is the third in a string of spurious criminal charges against Chan Vichet. The Dey Krahorm community was violently evicted on 24 January 2009. We are concerned that false criminal charges are being increasingly used to intimidate and silence community representatives fighting forced eviction and land grabbing. We, thus call upon the Cambodian Government to: 1. Ensure that the criminal justice system is not falsely used to silence or punish housing rights defenders such as Chan Vichet. 2. Cease harassment of community representatives and human rights defenders and eliminate all practices of its various organs, which are aimed at impeding the exercise of their rights and their role in the realization, protection and promotion of the right to adequate housing and halting forced evictions in Cambodia. 3. Honor the pledge to fully decriminalise defamation. Sincerely, The undersigned, Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:0:36 CST en-us 3 http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig5721438 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4985487 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4785478 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Keep up the good work Ruth! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4784649 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4784648 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4735743 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I fully and wholeheartedly support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4680187 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4660323 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4637737 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4627923 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4620416 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4619550 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4619138 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4613358 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4613001 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4612626 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4612414 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4607484 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4602640 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation/#sig4600068 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition.