The Cambodian judiciary failed to “uphold and protect” rights of citizens in a recent torture trial in Kompong Cham province, UN special representative for human rights in Cambodia Peter Leuprecht said Monday.
“Despite compelling evidence provided by the court, including testimony from victims and other prisoners who witnessed the events, all five defendants were acquitted,” Leuprecht said in a UN statement. “Sadly, the trial has resulted in another failure by the Cambodian judiciary.”
The trial, which took place in the Kompong Cham provincial court on Aug 30, was the first prosecution of guards accused of torturing inmates since 1993.
The case stems from a December 1999 incident in which five prisoners attempted to escape the Kompong Cham provincial jail. The inmates were immediately caught and allegedly tortured by five prison guards.
The courts found all five prison guards not guilty of torture but recommended that they would face administrative action.
Leuprecht also expressed concern for the safety of the prisoners who testified in the trial because they could face retribution for speaking out against the prison guards. All five alleged victims of torture are currently serving out the remainder of their sentences in Phnom Penh or Kompong Cham prisons.
“The Special Representative also urges the Cambodian Government to guarantee the safety of those individuals from reprisals, and grant the [UN human rights office] and other human rights groups unrestricted and confidential access to them in prison to…monitor their situations,” the statement said.
