Statement of Solidarity to Mother Nature Cambodia.
Statement of Solidarity of the Milk Tea Alliance - Friends of Myanmar
On 02 July 2024, 10 current and former members of Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC) became subjects of warrants of arrest for 6 years in prison on the basis of the alleged violation of Articles 437 (insulting the King) and 453 (plotting). Out of the 10, 5 have been arrested namely Ly Chandaravuth, Thun Rutha, Long Kunthea, Phuon Keoraksmey, Begn Piseth, Pork Kheory, Rey Raksa (these last three have not attended trial). As environmental activists in Cambodia, they have taken multiple initiatives in defending the environment such as exposing to the wider public the illegal exportation of marine sands in 2016.
Since the MTA-FOM came into existence in 2021, we have seen how securitized laws are used to silence dissent. Using such laws against environmental activists is another example of how securitized laws are weaponized. We at MTA-FOM understand that state-sanctioned environmental destruction is no different from other forms of repression that have been unleashed on civil society and peoples from across East and Southeast Asia. We acknowledge the intersectionalities of these issues. We express our solidarity with the MNC activists, as well as all others who risk their safety and well-being to defend the environment. Their struggle is our struggle as well.
With this, we call on our allies to support and/or endorse the following statements and/or petitions:
Solidarity statement demanding that charges against brave Mother Nature Cambodia activists are dropped and released by Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC).
Cambodia: Ten years in prison for protecting nature? Release them NOW! by Rainforest Rescue
We call on all our comrades and allies to express solidarity with Mother Nature Cambodia and all other environmental defenders. We will continue to stand in solidarity with all the oppressed activists in the different parts of the world.