Hy Vuthy, Cambodian Union Activist Murdered - Take Action!

International unions, NGOs denounce latest killing; help sought for family

Sources: FTUWKC, ITUC, Amnesty International, LICADHO

On February 24, Hy Vuthy, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) at the Suntex garment factory, was shot dead while riding his motorbike home after finishing his night shift at the factory, located in Phnom Penh's Dangkao districut. The murder, less than two kilometers from the factory, was reportedly carried out by two men on a motorbike. According to preliminary investigations by local organizations, the 36-year-old union leader had received telephone death threats approximately three months ago.

The Clean Clothes Campaign strongly condemns this killing and calls upon the Cambodian government to bring to justice those behind this and previous killings of unionists and to bring to an end the climate of inpunity that surrounds the violation of human rights in the workplace in Cambodia. The FTUWKC, local human rights organizations, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) , Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and others have all called upon the Cambodian government to launch a thorough and independent investigation into the murder of Hy Vuthy.

Hy Vuthy is survived by his wife, Var Sopheak, a four-year-old son, and a five-month-old daughter. Serious concerns remain about the safety of his family, who are still subject to harassment. They were forced to flee their home after it was pelted with rocks and later was surrounded by a group of motorbikes. Your contributions to a support fund for Var Sopheak and her children are urgently needed.

Take Action Now! at: http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/07-03-14.htm#action