WASHINGTON – Radio Free Asia President Libby Liu today issued the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the arrest of Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin, two former RFA journalists in Cambodia, who still face charges, including "espionage," in connection with their work for RFA. On Nov. 11, The Bangkok Post published Liu's related op-ed. Liu's statement is as follows:
“For two years, journalists Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin have been forced to endure a never-ending nightmare at the hands of Cambodian authorities. Their unjust prosecution is emblematic of the struggle for press freedom and free expression in Cambodia.
“On the anniversary of their arrest – when Sothearin and Chhin’s ordeal began – there is an opportunity to do the right thing by dropping the unsubstantiated charges against them. Authorities can end a pointless persecution of two proud journalists and rekindle some hope for a free press in Cambodia.”