Senior Adhoc rights worker Ny Chakrya has slammed a court summons ordering him to appear at Phnom Penh Municipal as “judicial harassment” designed to silence the organisation.

Chakrya, head of the group’s human rights and legal aid section, has been called to appear before Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Seang Sok on July 13 to answer questions about a defamation complaint levelled by Siem Reap Provincial Court investigating judge Ky Rithy and deputy prosecutor Sok Keo Bandith.

Their complaint stems from an Adhoc press conference on May 12 accusing the pair, along with the deputy district governor of Svay Leu district, of wrongfully ordering the arrest of two land dispute victims from Chup Romdeng village, who, the group claim, were tortured and forced to confess.

In a statement, Adhoc called for the charges to be dropped and the government to guarantee human rights organisations could work without fear of reprisal.

Speaking yesterday, Chakrya, indicating he would appear, said the judicial system was biased and had ignored his complaint to Supreme Council of Magistracy’s disciplinary council about the court officials’ actions.

“I am very, very angry ... this is a threat and harassment of human rights defenders,” he said.