Award winning journalist Mech Dara, who was arrested Oct 1st, was released on bail after providing a video “apology” for his “false” investigative reporting according to Reuters. Since his arrest and charge of “incitement” the U.S government expressed its concern, and rights groups have been calling for his release.
Exposing corruption may lead to prison time
Dara has a well-established reputation for shining a light on corruption and human trafficking, particularly cyber-slavery compounds in Cambodia. Since his arrest, he had been held in pre-trial detention. He stands accused of the vague charge of incitement. A charge which is regularly used in Cambodia against government critics.
Before leaving jail Dara spoke briefly to reporters saying:
“I am very thankful to everyone and to all my friends, both local and international, who did everything to support and help me to be released,”
A few days before his release journalists were shown a video of Dara in prison garb apologizing for his reporting. Accompanying the video were images of a handwritten letter said to be written by Dara. If found guilty, he faces up to two years in prison.
Help from high places
It was only last year that Dara received a hero award from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The award was given in recognition of his investigative work. Dara exposed the existence of massive scam compounds in Cambodia staffed by trafficked workers. The U.S. embassy was among those calling for his release. And Washington’s top aid official, Samantha Power who recently visited Cambodia, said she raised his case directly with Cambodia’s Prime Minister.
After his recent release Power said:
“(We) welcome his release on bail and we continue to seek a quick and fair resolution to his ordeal”
Power also announced more than $38 million in new U.S. funding for projects in Cambodia during the visit. Upon his release Dara said he needed to take time to recover from his time in detention. He shared that his health was weak and that his “brain was not working yet”. Dara’s arrest comes as part of an ongoing crackdown on independent media in Cambodia. Many publications, including two that Dara worked for, the Cambodia Daily and Voice of Democracy, have been closed by authorities.
Civil society groups and embassies helped facilitate release
On leaving jail, Dara was clear that it’s thanks to rights groups and governments calling for his release that he was out on bail. Freedom United is proud to be standing amongst those who are working to call attention to Dara’s unfair imprisonment and advocate for the charges to be dropped. Even though he is out on bail, Dara could still face prison time, simply for calling out modern slavery and exposing illegal activities. Stand with us and keep the pressure up on the Cambodian government. Helping expose modern slavery shouldn’t cost someone else their freedom.
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