Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Foreign Ministry denies maid’s claims of abuse

Foreign Ministry denies maid’s claims of abuse

Foreign Ministry denies maid’s claims of abuse

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted allegations by a repatriated maid that Cambodians are being tortured to death at a detention centre in Malaysia.

In mid-June, NGO Central paid for the repatriation of two maids detained for working without papers or passports in Malaysia, according to executive director Moeun Tola.

One maid gave harrowing testimony – reported in the Cambodia Daily on Monday – of her time at the notorious Juru detention centre, where she claimed to have seen five Cambodians die of torture and that another four or five remained in custody.

In a statement issued last night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two repatriated maids did not raise torture allegations with embassy staff during their repatriation.

According to the statement, only one Cambodian, Sang Plath, died in custody this year at Juru and only one, Sok Kha of Kampong Cham, remains at the prison, adding that he is soon to be repatriated.

“Juru prison authorities deny allegations of attacks on prisoners and accusations that a number of Cambodians died from that torture,” it added.

In a text message last night, Tola said that the maids’ reluctance to share their accounts with embassy staff might be attributable to concerns for their security.

He added that rights violations and torture at Juru have been well-documented by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission as well as Malaysian NGOs.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm