Bridges joins 240 Groups Worldwide to “Call for Justice” over Murdered Cambodian Trade Unionists
This year's International Labour Day (ILD) passed with barley a murmur of activity, as riot police stood dormant awaiting celebrations that never came. The recent assassination of Free Trade Union of Worker's of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) president Hy Vuthy is the latest in a string of violent attacks targeted against union leaders in Cambodia, sending shockwaves of fear amongst members and advocates alike.
In the early hours of February 24 th 2007, Hy Vuthy was shot twice by two men on a motorbike whilst returning from a night shift at the Suntex garment factory. This latest blow follows the 2004 murders of FTUWKC presidents Chea Vichea and Ros Sovannareth who received a similar fate. The intensifying violence against trade unionists is being met with the impunity that has become characteristic of Cambodia, where little effort is being made to uncover the perpetrators of these crimes.
In a joint statement, 10 labour unions, 75 Cambodian organisations, institutions, companies and coalitions and158 International organisations, coalitions, UN agencies, international unions, federations, confederations and institutions placed pressure on Cambodian authorities to act on this issue:
The silence at the usually lively pro-workers rights celebrations on ILD in Phnom Penh delivers a powerful message to anti-unionist groups that their scare tactics are effective. Bridges Across Borders has added the collective voice of our members to this joint statement that sends a powerful message to the authorities: The world is watching and we demand that justice be served.
Download a PDF copy of the full joint statement issued by over 240 groups |
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