Recommendations: 30. The government should: i. Publicly acknowledge the importance of an independent media sector and commit to creating a media environment conducive to independent and effective journalism ii. Restore broadcasting rights to radio stations whose licenses were revoked in 2017, and ensure that all licensing laws and regulations are applied consistently, without bias, and in a manner that complies with international human rights law and standards, including those relating to the right to freedom of expression iii. Review all decisions leading to the closure of independent media outlets, including those relating to tax liability and licensing requirements, and take steps to restore the rights of such outlets, including RFA and the Cambodia Daily iv. Refrain from any efforts aimed at manipulating ownership of media outlets or colluding with individuals or companies seeking ownership of such outlets v. End all ongoing criminal proceedings against media actors based on their journalistic work, and quash all convictions on such grounds vi. Ensure that any media codes of conduct comply with international human rights law and standards, including those relating to the rights to freedom of expression and to participate in public affairs Threats to Human Rights Defenders, including Environmental Activists 31. During its previous UPR, Cambodia accepted six recommendations concerning the rights and protection of human 51 rights defenders (HRDs) and impunity for acts of violence. However, during the reporting period, the already serious risks faced by HRDs, including environmental activists, intensified. Government authorities and private actors have used physical attacks, threats and judicial harassment to silence those speaking out against human rights abuses, land grabs and environmental degradation, among other topics. 32. Environmental and land rights activists face particularly grave threats and security risks. Many environmental defenders work in remote and isolated areas, heightening their vulnerability. Some have fled the country because of safety concerns. Physical Attacks, Killings and Impunity 33. On 10 July 2016, the political commentator and HRD Kem Ley was shot and killed inside a gasoline station in Phnom Penh. His death came only days after speaking on a RFA broadcast about a Global Witness report, which concerned the vast economic holdings of members of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s family. A suspect, Oeut Ang, was arrested and stated at trial that he had killed Kem Ley over an unpaid debt, but no proof of that debt was presented to the court. Other evidentiary shortcomings raised concerns that the case had not been thoroughly 52 investigated and that connections to government authorities had not been credibly probed. 34. Similar concerns regarding the independence of investigations and quality of accountability surround other acts of 53 violence against activists and HRDs, including environmental defender Chut Wutty, killed in 2012. The Cambodian Government took no significant action to resolve these concerns during the reporting period. 35. Other HRDs, environmental activists and communities challenging threats to their homes and livelihoods have suffered physical violence and threats to their personal security during the reporting period, including: • In March 2016, environmental activist Phon Sopheak of the Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN) 54 was attacked by unknown assailants while conducting a forest patrol to combat illegal logging. • On 12 May 2018, environmental activist Ven Aet was shot by unknown assailants at his home in Koh Kong province, but escaped uninjured. He had recently been threatened by state authorities while 55 supporting indigenous groups to claim their rights. 36. Cambodian authorities have also used violence against environmental activists, HRDs and others seeking to exercise their right to peaceful assembly. Activists Am Sam Ath and Chan Puthisak were attacked by para-police 51 118.13 (Germany), 118.14 (Montenegro), 118.20 (Czech Republic), 118.24 (Portugal), 118.104 (Switzerland) and 118.05 (Austria). Cambodia also “noted” four recommendations. 119.22 (Denmark), 119.23 (Tunisia), 119.24 (Portugal) and 119.25 (Czech Republic). 52 “Joint Letter on Investigation Into Killing of Kem Ley”, 7 July 2017, available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/07/07/joint-letter-investigation-killing-kem-ley#_ftnref8; Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Independent Commission of Jurists, “Cambodia: Significant questions remain after guilty verdict in Kem Ley trial”, 23 March 2017, available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa23/5944/2017/en/. 53 ARTICLE 19 and CCHR, “Defending the Defenders: “, pp. 25-26, available at: https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/37113/Cambodia-Defending-theDefenders-2013-ENG.pdf. 54 Phak Seangly and Igor Kossov, “Lauded activist attacked while patrolling Prey Lang forest”, Phnom Penh Post, 29 March 2016, available at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/lauded-activist-attacked-while-patrolling-prey-lang-forest. 55 CCHR, “Environmental activist Ven Aet was shot at in Areng Valley, but sustained no injury”, 17 May 2018, available at: https://cchrcambodia.org/index_old.php?url=media/media.php&p=alert_detail.php&alid=71&id=5&lang=eng. 7