A Cambodian court yesterday convicted almost two dozen factory workers and rights activists for instigating violence during protests that rocked the government earlier this year, but in a surprise move gave them suspended sentences and granted them freedom.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled that the 23 defendants, who had been detained since their arrests in January, had served enough time behind bars and were free to return home.
Four of the men convicted yesterday were ordered to pay fines of 8 million riel (US$2,000) for inciting the others to stage the protest.
Photo: AFP
Human rights groups welcomed their release, but criticized the convictions, which carried suspended sentences ranging from one to four-and-a-half years.
They said the ruling was politically motivated to quieten criticism from both the government’s opposition and from Western clothing brands that are made in Cambodia.
Cambodian authorities cracked down on the January protests that demanded a higher minimum wage for garment factory workers, leaving at least four people dead.
The crackdown drew criticism from human rights groups and drew attention to the conditions of the factory workers, who manufactured clothing for several global brands, including the Gap, H&M and Adidas.
“We regret that these people were detained several months in jail for crimes they never committed,” said Am Sam Sath of the rights group Licadho. “The verdict today is clearly connected to the political situation and pressure from the big brands.”
Human rights activists have long questioned the fairness of Cambodia’s judicial system, which they say is tainted by politics and allows impunity for the rich and well-connected.
The protests in January nettled the government, already facing pressure from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, which refused to take its seats in the legislature and accused the Cambodian People’s Party of rigging last year’s general election in July.
The opposition has called for early elections and reform of the electoral process.
Both sides said last month that they might be near a deal that would end the political deadlock. Many had anticipated the jailed garment workers could be freed as part of the deal.
The minimum wage was increased, but not as much as workers had demanded, and a widespread, but short-lived, strike accompanied the protests.
Labor unions have close links to the opposition, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has told them to keep out of politics.
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