Cambodia: Human rights leaders freed
Posted: October 3, 2006
Human rights leaders Kem Sokha (wearing scarf) and Pa Nguon Teang (in blue T-shirt) after their release from prison in Cambodia. TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP/ Getty Images
In January 2006, the Cambodian authorities released and dropped all charges against human rights leaders Kem Sokha and Pa Nguon Teang.
The authorities had jailed the two men after they had criticised the government's controversial border agreement with Viet Nam.
Amnesty International considered the men to be prisoners of conscience, and mobilised members of the Urgent Action Network to write to the Cambodian government calling for their release. Their release brings hope that the human rights situation in Cambodia is improving.