The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is seeking your support to free Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), and Sor Saknika, president of the Cambodian Informal Labourers’ Association (CILA). Rong Chhun was arrested on 31 July for incitement to commit felony by making comments on farmland losses and border irregularities between Cambodia and Vietnam. Recently he was leading pickets in garment factory closures and urging the government to make human rights improvements. Sor Saknika joined protests demanding his release, and she was arrested for incitement on 7 August. Ouk Chayavy, former president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association, was assaulted by unknown thugs on the way home after visiting Rong Chhun in prison on 10 August.

The Cambodian government is clamping down on freedom of association and expression in order to silence trade unionists and labour protests in response to workers’ resistance to the economic downturn and repression.