Cambodia: freedom of expression deteriorating

The United States says it is "deeply concerned" at the conviction of a
prominent Cambodian land rights campaigner who was sentenced to 20
years in prison on insurrection charges.

In a statement Monday, the State Department characterized the sentence
against Mam Sonando as "harsh" and called on the Cambodian government
to immediately release the 71-year-old.

A Cambodian court on Monday convicted Sonando of inciting villagers to
try to form their own state following a land dispute in eastern
Cambodia earlier this year. Sonando denied the charges.

His radio station, known as Beehive Radio, sometimes broadcasts
material critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia
since 1985.

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights slammed the conviction as being
politically motivated. It said there is no evidence Sonando was
involved in the unrest, which the government viewed as a rebellion.

Amnesty International called the conviction "shocking and baseless,"
saying it reflects the deteriorating situation of freedom of
expression in Cambodia.

Cambodia has carried out an intensifying wave of sometimes violent
forced evictions affecting tens of thousands of people. Activists say
officials are increasingly cracking down on those who challenge the
land grabs.

Source:
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/10/02/us-slams-harsh-sentence-against-cambodia-govt-critic/