Rights Groups Condemn Charges Against Anti-Eviction Activists

International human rights groups added their voices to the chorus of criticism over the detention of two female anti-eviction activists from the Boeng Kak and Borei Keila communities, accusing the court of failing to honor fair trial standards. In a statement issued late Thursday, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House and four other international rights groups condamned what they referred to as “dubious charges” laid separately against the two women: Yorm Bopha and Toem Sakmony. … Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said he had seen the joint statement, but insisted that the courts must be left to carry out their work. …