Mech Dara, an award-winning Cambodian journalist who spearheaded the investigation and reporting of cyber slavery and corruption in Cambodia was recently arrested and charged with incitement. The BBC reports that activists fear his arrest is emblematic of the Cambodian government’s ongoing efforts to silence critical voices on issues like modern slavery.
“We got him”
Mech Dara is one of Cambodia’s most prominent journalists. Last year he was honored by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for his fearless and groundbreaking work exposing online scam operations based in the jungles of Cambodia.
Dara was traveling with a relative when six cars pulled up alongside them. One of the officers said, “We got him,” and they arrested him.
Dara’s relative, who is also a journalist and wishes to remain anonymous told the BBC,
“The authorities didn’t show us any official arrest warrant or court papers. I’ve lost hope, I’m so concerned about practicing journalism in Cambodia now,”
He was allowed to send one text. Then his phone was taken away. For the next 24 hours, no one knew anything about what had happened to him or where he had been taken. He finally appeared in court in the capital Phnom Penh where he was charged with incitement to commit a felony. Dara was last reported as being at a pre-trial detention facility.
A human trafficking hero
The US Embassy in Phnom Penh has called Dara a “leading voice against human trafficking and online scams.” Rights groups around the world are speaking out over his arrest. The US Embassy in Cambodia said it was “deeply troubled” by the news.
Dara reported that workers, lured by adverts of promising work, end up as prisoners forced to work in online centers. If they refuse, workers face threats to their safety and many have been subjected to torture and inhumane treatment.
Evidence points to this activity having links to Cambodia’s ruling party. A month ago, the US sanctioned a powerful Cambodian senator from the ruling party over his alleged connections to the cyber scam industry Dara was reporting on. His subsequent arrest seems too timely to be coincidental.
Punished for fighting modern slavery
According to Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch,
“Mech Dara is a respected journalist who has reported on important topics in the public interest such as online scam centers. Yet Cambodian authorities appear to have wrongfully arrested him. They should immediately release him.”
One activist said the arrest “is emblematic of the Cambodian government’s repressive, over the top reaction to any sort of criticism from the media.” Two publications Dara previously worked for have been closed by authorities.
Free Mech Dara!
Freedom United stands in solidarity with Dara and his work to expose modern slavery. That’s why we’ve launched a new campaign calling for his release.
Stand with us and send a message to Cambodian authorities. Because exposing criminal behavior and modern slavery shouldn’t cost someone their freedom.
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