Right Livelihood and the undersigned Laureates are deeply concerned about the situation in Cambodia where five activists of 2023 Right Livelihood Laureate Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC) remain unjustly imprisoned for six to eight years for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of speech, association, and public assembly on behalf of environmental protection in Cambodia.
Mother Nature Cambodia is a prominent youth movement using innovative, peaceful techniques to raise awareness at unprecedented levels about the threats posed to Cambodia’s natural ecosystems by infrastructure development, sand extraction scams, overdevelopment of public beaches, sewage pollution, unsafe mining practices and other environmental crimes. While the State authorities should applaud their efforts, MNC is instead subjected to repression and judicial harassment.
Ly Chandaravuth, Long Kunthea, Phuon Keoraksmey, Thun Ratha, and Yim Leanghy have now spent over two years in prison since their conviction on July 2, 2024, on charges of “plotting” against the government, and, in Yim Leanghy’s case, an additional charge of “insulting the King.” They have appealed. Their appeal hearing was abruptly postponed with no new date set, and the Supreme Court has denied their release four times, most recently in March 2026. No judicial explanation has been given for the delay.
This November 15-16, Cambodia is hosting the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, an organisation whose member states have committed to upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It is imperative that the Royal Cambodian Government immediately and unconditionally release these five activists ahead of the Summit.
We stand in full solidarity with all MNC activists and the rights they defend. The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of many others, including the right to life. Protecting the environment is fundamental for current and future generations. We therefore urge the Cambodian authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release the five MNC activists and drop all charges against them;
- Set a date for their long-delayed appeal hearing without further postponement;
- Cease all reprisals and judicial harassment against environmental and human rights defenders in Cambodia;
- Guarantee a safe and enabling environment for defenders to carry out their work;
- Investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the destruction of Cambodia’s natural resources.
Signatories
- Maude Barlow, 2005 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Sima Samar, 2012 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Cecosecola, 2022 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Vladimir Slivyak, 2021 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Juan Pablo Orrego, 1998 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Oleksandra Matviichuk, 2022 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Michael Succow, 1997 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Joan Carling, 2024 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Raul Montenegro, 2004 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Ravindran P K for KSSP, 1996 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Campaign Against Arms Trade, 2012 Right Livelihood Laureate
- International Baby Food Action Network, 1998 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Anabela Lemos, Justiça Ambiental!, 2024 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Marthe Wandou, 2021 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Dipal Barua, founder of Grameen Shakti, 2007 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Issa Amro, 2024 Right Livelihood Laureate
- János Vargha, 1985 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Martin Green, 2002 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Colin Gonsalves, 2017 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Yetnebersh Nigussie, 2027 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Justice for Myanmar, 2025 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Alyn Ware, 2009 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Angie Zelter for Trident Ploughshares, 2001 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Anwar Fazal, 1984 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Kasha Nabagesera Jacqueline, 2015 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Helen Mack Chang, 1992 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Seikatsu Club, 1989 Right Livelihood Laureate
- GRAIN, 2011 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Pat Mooney, 1985 Right Livelihood Laureate
- Helena Norberg-Hodge, 1986
