Prum Chantha
Prum Chantha (born c. 1978)[1] is the leader of an activist mutual support group in Cambodia called the Friday Women, sometimes translated as the Friday Wives, who hold weekly public protests for the release of family jailed for political activities. Prum Chantha's husband Kak Komphear, a former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) official, has been in jail since June 2020[2] on conspiracy and incitement charges.
Starting in 2020 with a few protestors, the group has held over 150 peaceful public protests[3] and grown to up to 20 protestors each time who protest and deliver petitions. The protestors have been threatened with arrests and violently harassed with intimidation extending to family members and employers.[4]
Arrest of autistic son[edit]
On June 24, 2021, Prum Chantha's home was raided by police and her 16-year-old autistic son Kak Sovannchhay was arrested on charges of insulting government leaders on social media following posts on the messaging app Telegram in a group chat. He was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment[5] on 1 November 2021 at the same prison Prey Sar where his father is also serving time. Kak Sovannchhay was released five months later on November 10, 2021.[6] His arrest as a disabled minor received international news coverage.[7]
Kak Sovannchhay had previously been arrested and beaten in October 2020[8] for gathering discarded material that included political items, and in April 2021 suffered a skull fracture after being attacked while on a motorbike by an unknown assailant.[9]
Personal life[edit]
Chantha is married to Kak Komphear, a former CNRP official in prison for political activities, and they have one son. She works as a trader in a family business.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ Bopha, Phorn. "Cambodia's democratic dream in shreds 30 years after Paris accord". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ "Ex-CNRP activist arrested over 2019 incitement case". www.phnompenhpost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ "In Cambodia, many are afraid to speak up for fear of arrest. Not these women". ABC News. 2023-07-17. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ a b Kelliher, Fiona (2022-05-02). "The Friday wives: how a quiet picket grew to push for change in Cambodia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ "Cambodia sentences autistic minor to eight months in prison". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ "Prum Chantha blesses her son Kak Sovann Chhay , a teenage boy with..." Getty Images. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ Dara, Mech; Wright, George (2021-09-20). "Cambodia: The autistic teenager jailed over a Telegram post". BBC. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ "Autistic Son of Jailed Opposition Member Says He Was Beaten in Custody by Police". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ^ "Article: Spotlight on Human Rights Defenders: Prum Chantha". LICADHO. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2023-11-21.