Joint Statement: Drop Charges And Immediately Release Cambodian Journalist Mech Dara

Phnom Penh, October 1, 2024—We, the undersigned communities, media organisations and civil society groups, are calling for the immediate release of Cambodian journalist Mech Dara who was charged with incitement and sent to pretrial detention by the Phnom Penh Capital Court on October 1, 2024.

A court prosecutor questioned Dara on Tuesday morning and the journalist was charged by Investigating Judge Lim Sokuntheara later in the day with incitement under Article 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code for social media posts he made on September 20, 23, 26, 28 and 29. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 2 years and are a clear attempt to silence a brave journalist whose investigative journalism has routinely called for accountability in cases of human rights violations. Dara is being held at the Kandal Provincial Prison.

According to witnesses, Dara was arrested on September 30 at the Srae Ambel toll booth on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, while he was in a car with his relative returning to the Capital. The family’s car was stopped by six cars, one with Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia insignia and five unmarked vehicles, and the arrest was carried out by Gendarmerie officers, who showed Dara a document before detaining him. Almost a day after his arrest, government and law enforcement officials refused to divulge Dara’s location, making it a challenge for his family and lawyers to assist him.

Prior to Dara’s arrest, Prey Veng officials issued a statement on Facebook accusing Dara of wanting to “cause social disorder or confusion” after he posted a photo of quarrying activity at Ba Phnom in Prey Veng province. The provincial administration also called on the Ministry of Information to take legal action against Dara.

Dara is a frontline investigative journalist whose stories over the last decade have uncovered corruption, environmental destruction, and human trafficking at scam compounds across the country, and has consistently pushed for accountability and justice.

His work has been featured in the Cambodia Daily, Phnom Penh Post, Voice of Democracy, and various international media. Last year, he was presented the Trafficking in Persons Report Hero award by the U.S. State Department for his extensive and revealing reporting on scam compounds and the transnational trafficking of people.

We urge the Cambodian government to immediately drop the charges against Mech Dara, release him from prison and stop all forms of harassment against media organisations and journalists. The arrest of Dara is a clear attempt to intimidate and silence him and other journalists in a country where press freedoms are routinely curtailed.

This statement was endorsed by: