4 January 2023
Today marks nine years since mixed security forces fired at striking workers on the capital’s Veng Sreng Boulevard in 2014, killing at least four people and injuring at least 38 others. Then-15-year-old Khem Sophath has since been missing, last seen bleeding on the ground due to an apparent gunshot wound.
No one has been held accountable for the killings of Kim Phaleap, Sam Ravy, Yean Rithy and Pheng Kosal or for Khem Sophath’s disappearance. Twenty-three workers and human rights defenders were in contrast convicted on spurious charges in relation to the demonstrations. When bone fragments and remains of burned tires were later found at a Brigade 70 military base in Kampong Speu in May 2014, the government denied they were the remains of Khem Sophath and failed to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
Today, listen to rapper Kea Sokun’s “Workers’ Blood”, released together with LICADHO and the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL). After nine years of suffering and uncertainty, Khem Sophath’s family must be delivered answers, peace and justice through an immediate and independent investigation into his disappearance. We continue to call for justice for those who were injured and killed, those who were wrongly imprisoned and convicted, and Khem Sophath. #
