A well-known labor organizer was handed a two-year prison term by a Cambodian tribunal, a judgment broadly perceived as retribution for her involvement in coordinating work stoppages at the NagaWorld gaming establishment. The casino, a significant employer in the Cambodian capital, had dismissed numerous employees during the COVID-19 outbreak. Chhim Sithar, the union head, was a strong proponent for their reemployment.
Apprehended in the first month of 2022 close to the casino and originally accused of instigation, Sithar was subsequently detained again in the eleventh month, upon arrival from an Australian gathering, for purportedly breaching her release terms.
Her sentencing on the fifth day of the week ignited immediate demonstrations outside the court building, with ex-casino personnel condemning the ruling as unfair as Sithar was transported away in a correctional facility vehicle.
Heightening the worries of human rights organizations, a number of other union representatives also encountered legal consequences. A trio received postponed sentences of twelve months, while a quintet were placed under judicial observation for a year and a half.
This legal proceeding has garnered global scrutiny, with detractors accusing Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has governed Cambodia for over three dozen years and is preparing for a July election, of exploiting the justice system to stifle opposition.
The NagaWorld casino, under the ownership of Hong Kong-listed NagaCorp, possesses a protracted gaming monopoly in the Southeast Asian nation.
The Kingdom of Cambodia exhibits a degree of hypocrisy regarding games of chance. Although gambling venues are present within its territory, nationals are explicitly forbidden from partaking in such activities. This legislation, however, has not deterred the emergence of unlawful wagering enterprises. In October 2022, the Cambodian authorities were compelled to initiate a large-scale, eight-day operation to dismantle these clandestine establishments. The endeavor proved remarkably effective, resulting in the closure of over 90% of illicit gambling dens. This crackdown involved a significant deployment of law enforcement personnel nationwide, extending beyond mere closures to encompass public awareness campaigns highlighting the perils of gambling.
