kong mas
Activist and opposition party member Kong Mas is a vocal proponent of human rights in Cambodia. On January 16, 2019, he posted a message on Facebook advocating for a new sanction on rice exports aimed at forcing the Cambodian government to improve its human rights record. Later that day, he was arrested and charged with “incitement and insulting,” which carry a sentence of six months to two years in prison.
On January 14, 2019, Prime Minister Hun Sen had threatened to crack down on political opposition if the EU pulled out of a preferential trade deal. The Everything But Arms (EBA) deal allows Cambodia to export goods to the EU with reduced tariffs, but is contingent on human rights guarantees within the country. Recently, the EU has considered pulling out of the deal, prompting Prime Minister Hun Sen’s remarks.
Kong Mas advocated for sanctions against Cambodia in the hope that this would spark demonstrations that would force the government to improve the political situation in the country. Kong Mas is currently awaiting sentencing in Prey Sar prison. Attempts by his defense lawyer to have him released on bail have been unsuccessful.
Crimes: Incitement (article 495 of the Criminal Code) and insulting (article 307)
Imprisonment: Awaiting sentencing in Prey Sar prison