Phnom Penh (FN), August 22 - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia (OHCHR-Cambodia) called the release of human right defenders and Radio Free Asia reporters a step in the right direction.

"These recent developments are a step in the right direction. We hope that others detained for exercising their human rights will also be released, including former opposition leader Kem Sokha whose detention was deemed arbitrary by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in its Opinion No. 9/2018, published on June 5," OHCHR-Cambodia wrote on Facebook Wednesday.

Tep Vanny, a land rights activist and leader of Boeung Kak community was released on 20 August 2018. She was detained for over two years at “M2” prison, Prey Sar, charged with insulting government officials. Other three activists, namely Heng Mom, 41, Bo Chorvy, 42, and Kong Chantha, 43, were also released.

Two former Radio Free Asia reporters Oun Chhin, 49, and Yeang Sothearin, 35 were released on bails on 21 August 2018. Chhin and Sothearin were detained in 2017, charged with espionage and producing pornography.
=FRESH NEWS