AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

£STATE OF CAMBODIA

@UPDATE ON POLITICAL PRISONERS

March 1991 SUMMARYAI INDEX: ASA 23/01/91

DISTR: SC/CO/GR

In December 1990, Amnesty International published a document, Cambodia: Recent Human Rights Developments (AI Index ASA 23/07/90). Among other things, the document named 33 political prisoners arrested between 1979 and 1986 in what is now the State of Cambodia (formerly the People's Republic of Kampuchea) about whom the organization was concerned because it believed they might still be held without charge or trial. It also named three other political prisoners in the State of Cambodia about whom Amnesty International was concerned because it believed they might still be imprisoned as the result of unfair trials held in 1980. The current document updates this information.

Amnesty International has learnt that one of the 33 political prisoners previously listed as held without charge or trial, has now been released, but it has no news of other releases. At the same time, it has identified some 192 more political prisoners, arrested between 1979 and 1990, who may still be detained without charge or trial. It has also obtained the names of some seven additional political prisoners who it believes may still be imprisoned as the result of unfair trials. An expanded list giving the names of all these prisoners is contained in Appendix I to the current document.

A second appendix contains profiles of 14 prisoners from the list, who were arrested between July 1982 and October 1990. All are believed to be currently held without charge or trial. The profiles include allegations that most of the 14 were ill-treated during interrogations conducted while they were held in dark isolation cells during the initial phase of their detention. Most of these allegations refer to ill-treatment which is said to have taken place between 1982 and 1987. Since 1987 authorities in the State of Cambodia have taken steps to prevent torture and other abuses of political prisoners, but the currently available evidence remains insufficient to draw conclusions about the extent to which ill-treatment has been inflicted upon political prisoners arrested more recently.

This summarises a 17 page document, State of Cambodia: Update on Political Prisoners (AI Index: ASA 23/01/91, issued by Amnesty International in March 1991. Anyone wanting further details or to take action on this issue should consult the full document.

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT, 1 EASTON STREET, LONDON WC1X 8DJ, UNITED KINGDOM

EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: 23/01/91 Distr: SC/CO/GR No of Words: 5490

-------------------------

Amnesty International

International Secretariat

1 Easton Street

London WC1X 8DJ

United Kingdom

March 1991

STATE OF CAMBODIA:

UPDATE ON POLITICAL PRISONERS

In December 1990, Amnesty International published a document, Cambodia: Recent Human Rights Developments (AI Index ASA 23/07/90). The document named 33 political prisoners arrested between 1979 and 1986 in what is now the State of Cambodia (formerly the People's Republic of Kampuchea) about whom the organization was concerned because it believed they might still be held without charge or trial, and three other political prisoners in the State of Cambodia about whom it was concerned because it believed they might still be imprisoned as the result of unfair trials held in 1980. Since the document was published, Amnesty International has learned that one of the political prisoners named in it, Mak Pengkhi, has been released. He had reportedly been held without charge or trial for ten years, since 1980. However, the organisation is not aware of news of any other releases of political prisoners. At the same time, it has identified some 192 more political prisoners, arrested between 1979 and 1990, who it believes may still be detained without charge or trial. The organisation has also obtained the names of some seven additional political prisoners who it believes may still be imprisoned as the result of unfair trials held in 1980 and 1981.

All or almost all of these prisoners are understood to have been suspected or accused by the authorities of involvement with the armed and other opposition activities of the National Government of Cambodia (formerly the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea), which includes the Partie of Democratic Kampuchea (known as the "Khmer Rouge"), the National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (known as FUNCINPEC), and the Khmer People's National Liberation Front. Twelve Cambodians officially described as "representative individuals with authority among the Cambodian people" from the State of Cambodia, which administers most of the country's population and territory, and the National Government of Cambodia, which has expanded guerilla operations inside the country since 1989, have formed a Supreme National Council as part of an internationally-sponsored effort to bring an end to more than two decades of international and domestic conflict affecting Cambodia. The Supreme National Council members have agreed to a United Nations approved framework for an agreement to end the conflict. The framework includes provision for the release of all prisoners of war and other prisoners who "have been arrested or detained" because of their involvement in "the armed or political struggle". However, negotiations continue about other aspects of a final peace settlement, and a general release of political prisoners awaits further agreement among the Cambodians and foreign governments involved in the peace process and the actual implementation of a peace treaty. Some observers now believe this may not take place for some time.

Amnesty International wrote to the authorities of the State of Cambodia in October and November 1990 providing lists of the names of political prisoners of concern to the organisation. In this correspondence and in an open letter addressed on 14 November to Cambodian authorities and foreign governments involved in the peace negotiations, the organization called for an immediate review of the cases of all Cambodian political prisoners who are held without charge or trial to ascertain whether there is credible evidence that they were involved in a recognisably criminal offence. Basing itself on international human rights standards, Amnesty International has urged that any prisoners against whom there is no such evidence should be released; and that those against whom such evidence exists should be formally charged and brought to trial fairly and promptly. Amnesty International has also urged a review of the cases of all Cambodian political prisoners imprisoned as a result of trials which did not satisfy international standards for fairness, and recommended that such prisoners should either be afforded new trials which conform fully to international fairness standards or released.

In Appendix I to this document, Amnesty International lists the names of the 235 political prisoners now known to it whom it believes may be currently held in the State of Cambodia either without charge or trial or after unfair trials.

Appendix II provides profiles of 14 of those prisoners. In these cases, the detainees were arrested between July 1982 and October 1990 and are believed currently held without charge or trial, either in the TK1 prison in Batdambang province or T3 prison in Phnom Penh, the capital. Most of the prisoners whose cases are described were allegedly beaten, whipped or otherwise ill-treated during interrogations reportedly conducted while they were held in dark isolation cells during the initial phase of their detention, either in district jails or the prisons where they are currently held, or both. These allegations are consistent with evidence of routine ill-treatment of political prisoners compiled by Amnesty International in relation to the earlier years of the current administration (see Kampuchea: Political Imprisonment and Torture, published June 1987). However, the allegations mostly refer to ill-treatment which is said to have taken place between 1982 and 1987. Since 1987 authorities in the State of Cambodia have taken steps to prevent torture and other abuses of political prisoners. (Those measures are described in Cambodia: Recent Human Rights Developments.)

The currently available evidence remains an insufficient basis upon which to draw any firm conclusions about the extent to which political prisoners continue to be subjected to torture or ill-treatment in the State of Cambodia today. Nevertheless, in light of the fact that allegations of at least some instances of ill-treatment in recent times have emerged, Amnesty International continues to urge that the Government act to ensure that all proclaimed measures to prevent torture are strictly enforced, and that all allegations of ill-treatment are properly investigated and any necessary remedial action taken. Such actions would include bringing to justice any local authorities who continue to ill-treat prisoners.

APPENDIX I:

LIST OF PRISONERS OF CONCERN TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

(MARCH 1991)

A. POLITICAL PRISONERS REPORTEDLY HELD WITHOUT CHARGE OR TRIAL

NAME DETAINED AT DATE OF ARREST SEX

Kaev At	TK1	unknown	M
Chea Bauvari	T3	unknown	M
Ham Bunhao	TK1	1982	M
Bunna	T3	unknown	M
Nop Baureach	Kampung Cham prison	unknown	M
Kaev Bunnara alias Bunran	T3	1982	M
Chan Buntheuan	TK1	1988	M
Mav Bunsari	T3	unknown	M
Kung Bunthan	T3	1984	M
Heuak Chamni	TK1	1982	M
Sok Chamraoen	TK1	unknown	M
Khum Chamraoen	T5	unknown	M
Chamraoen	T3	1986	M
Pech Chanda	TK1	1984	M
Keum Chandara	T3	1990	M
Kung Chanta	T3	1985	M
Kung Channou	T5	1980	M
Chea	TK1	unknown	M
Man Chek	TK1	unknown	M
Khun Chet	TK1	1983	M
Bun Cheuat	TK1	unknown	M
Kung Cheuat	T3	unknown	M
Leu Chuay	T3	unknown	M
Luch Chham	TK1	1984	M
Chhun Chheuan alias Chhon Chheuan	T3	1980	M
Mam Chheuan	TK1	1983	M
Nuon Chhum	T3	unknown	M
Tauch Chheang	T3	unknown	M
Chan Dara	TK1	1985	M
Heng Daravut	T3	unknown	M
Muon Diep	TK1	1983	M
Chet Dien	TK1	1984	M
Nheum Dunh	TK1	1983	M
Koch Eng	T5	unknown	M
Hael	Bantheay Meanchey provincial prison	1989	M
Kim Hok	T3	1980	M
Teut Hat	T5	1980	M
Teua Hav	TK1	1983	M
Uch Heng	T3	1984	M
Chea Heng	TK1	1984	M
Yeum Heng	T3	unknown	M
Chum Hean	T3	1986	M
Chay Hin	T3	1982	M
Chan Hieng	T3	1982	F
Keum Huo	T3	1980	M
Huo	T3	1980	M
Lonh Iech	T3	1981	M
Keum Kannara	T3	1980	M
Keak	T3	unknown	M
Hong Keumhan	TK1	1985	M
Hou Keumlun	TK1	1984	M
Chou Keumsan	T3	1984	M
Bun Keumseng	TK1	unknown	M
Leuk Kiem	TK1	unknown	M
Chheng Klem	TK1	1988	M
Sok Kok	T3	1980	M
Eum Kri	T3	unknown	M
Kun Kuoy	TK1	unknown	M
Khtok Kheuat	TK1	unknown	M
Tauch Khin	T3	unknown	M
Laok Khleuat	TK1	unknown	M
Prak Khun	T3	unknown	M
Koch Lak	T5	unknown	M
Lan	TK1	unknown	M
Im Lang	T5	unknown	M
Maut Lapli	TK1	1982	M
Pauch Leua	TK1	unknown	M
Kai Leuang	T3	unknown	M
Sok Leum	TK1	1984	M
Man Lan	T3	1982	M
Sam Loem alias Sam Lem	TK1	1985	M
Kung Loung	T3	unknown	M
Srei Makarapov	T3	unknown	F
Tep Mala	TK1	1984	M
Mav Man	TK1	1983	M
You Man	T3	1980	M
Mean May	T3	unknown	M
Mina	T3	1985	F
Mom Mon	T3	1984	M
Pich Muni	TK1	unknown	M
Leum Muoyhuon	TK1	1984	M
Na	TK1	1987	M
Thet Nak	TK1	unknown	M
Chhieng Nat	TK1	unknown	M
Khiev Nhanh	TK1	1984	M
Ngiem	Banteay Meanchey provincial prison	1989	M
Sasi Nheuan	TK1	unknown	M
Pich Nhil	TK1	unknown	M
Chum Nhoeng	TK1	1983	M
Sot Nhoung	TK1	unknown	M
Noch Nin	T3	1982	M
Phan Nou	T3	unknown	M
Die Phal	TK1	1984	M
Khut Phaleuk	T3	1985	M
Tap Phang	TK1	1983	M
Sa Phanha	TK1	1987	M
Di Phanna	T3	unknown	M
Hang Phat	TK1	1985	M
Sok Phau alias Sok Pou	TK1	1986	M
Chan Pheng	T5	1981	M
Chhel Pheng	T3	unknown	M
Pich	TK1	unknown	M
Haem Pon	T3	unknown	M
Smav Prek (1)	TK1	1987	M
Smav Prek (2)	TK1	1982	M
Ream	TK1	1986	M
Chan Ream alias Chan Riem	TK1	1986	M
Nov Rit	T3	1981	M
Tep Rit	T3	unknown	M
Kang Rit	T3	unknown	M
Chin Rithi	TK1	unknown	M
Pe Sa alias Be Sa	TK1	1983	M
Bun Sae	T3	19981	M
Sabeuan	T3	unknown	M
Sam Samay	T3	1983	M
Put Sam-an	T3	unknown	M
Kung Sam-at	T3	unknown	M
Mi Sam-at	TK1	unknown	M
Sek Samay	TK1	1987	M
Hang Sambat	T3	unknown	M
Heng Sambat	T3	1985	M
Nhaem Sambat	T3	unknown	M
Kung Sameuan	TK1	1984	M
Mi Sameuan	TK1	1984	M
Pal Sameuan	T3	unknown	M
Baoe Sam-iet	TK1	1984	M
Sat Samit	T3	unknown	M
Chea Samnang	TK1	unknown	M
Prom Samnang alias Prum Samnang	TK1	1985	M
Yin Samnang	T3	1985	M
Chheuh Samneuan	TK1	unknown	M
Me Samut	TK1	1984	M
Ruoh San	T3	unknown	M
Sareuan	T3	1985	F
Sareuan	T3	unknown	M
Chou Sareuan	TK1	1986	M
Phan Sareuan	TK1	1988	M
Chak Sari	T3	unknown	M
Khem Sarin	TK1	unknown	M
Khim Sarin	T3	unknown	M
Kheum Saron	TK1	unknown	M
Sam Sat	T3	unknown	M
Lay Savan	TK1	1985	F
Haem Savet	T3	1979	M
Chan Saveuan	TK1	1983	M
Nhaem Saveuan	T3	unknown	M
Peuk Saveuan	TK1	1984	M
Net Savi	T3	unknown	M
Sau Savuon	old 7704	1987	M
Heng Seiha	T3	1984	M
Kan Sen	TK1	1986	M
Sok Seuan	T3	unknown	M
Uch Seuang	T3	1989	M
Sau Setya	T3	1980	F
Chea Sing	T3	unknown	M
Tep Sobin	T3	1982	M
Seung Sokchea	T3	1989	M
Lang Sokha	T3	unknown	M
Meuang Sokha	T3	1982	M
Mut Sokha	TK1	1984	M
Suy Sokha	T3	1986	M
Ea Sokhom	T3	unknown	F
Saom	TK1	1984	M
Heng Sauphat alias Heng Sophat	T3	1984	M
Ruoh Sophal	T3	unknown	M
Sau Sophi	T3	1983	M
Cheng Sauriya	T3	unknown	M
Nuo Sot	TK1	1984	M
Sa Sothea	T3	unknown	M
Yan Sothea	T3	1984	M
Teah Sovan	T3	unknown	M
Haem Sovi	T3	unknown	M
Mien Soum	TK1	unknown	M
Snao alias Suo	old 7704	1987	M
Pha Sruoch	TK1	1984	M
Peung Say	T3	1979	M
Tea Sinat	TK1	1984	F
Chea Sivon	T3	unknown	M
Chheum Sok-ret	T5	1980	M
Chea Sokun	T3	unknown	M
Son	old 7704	1987	M
Sin Song	T3	1980	M
Eun Sothea alias Norodom Seihamuni	T3	1980	M
Tom Suo	T3	unknown	M
Prak Savut alias Prach Savut	old 7704	1987	M
Tep Tal	T3	unknown	M
Kdan Tanglay	TK1	1987	M
Srei Tauch alias Srei Tauch Phalla	T3	1979	F
Aet Taem	TK1	1987	M
Tha	TK1	1987	M
Chea Tha	T3	unknown	M
Ngiep Thach	TK1	1984	M
Khun Thaeng	T3	unknown	M
Sam Thal	T3	unknown	M
Lveap Than	T3	unknown	M
Van Than	T3	1981	M
Keum Thaong	TK1	1984	M
Thi	T5	unknown	M
Thi	T6	unknown	M
Thi	TK1	1987	M
Tau Thol	T3	1984	M
Sek Tit alias Sek Teut	T3	1986	M
Pich Tongchun	T3	1979	M
Tri	TK1	1986	M
Mav Touch	T3	unknown	M
Keum Treuang	T3	1980	M
Uch	TK1	unknown	M
Di Ukthul alias Sisovoat Sauriyavung alias Norodom Sauriyavung	T3	1980	M
Ta Uon	T3	1988	M
Chea Vanlon	T3	1980	M
Van	TK1	1986	M
Van	T6	unknown	M
Van	TK1	1985	M
Sep Van	TK1	1984	M
Vat	TK1	unknown	M
Loem Vat alias Koe	T3	1990	M
Put Veasana	T3	1981	M
Chan Vibol	T3	1980	M
Sok Vibol	T3	1980	M
Daeng Vichea	TK1	unknown	M
Prum Vireak	T3	1989	M
Chaet Voal	TK1	unknown	M
Sre Von	TK1	unknown	M
Touch Yim	T3	1985	F
You	TK1	unknown	M

B. POLITICAL PRISONERS REPORTEDLY IMPRISONED AFTER UNFAIR TRIALS

NAME DETAINED AT DATE OF ARREST SEX

Mak Chham	T3	1980	M
Paen Chhit	T3	1981	M
Haem Kreuhsana	T3	1979	M
Nov Long	T5	1979	M
Tieng Prakat	T5	1979	M
Sam Phon	T3	1983	M
Kae Pheng	T3	1981	M
Ou Savat	T5	1980	M
Sok Saom	T3	1981	M
Hun Saem	T3	1981	M

APPENDIX II:

PROFILES OF POLITICAL PRISONERS BELIEVED HELD WITHOUT CHARGE OR TRIAL

1. Maut Lapli

Maut Lapli was born around 1930 in Sangke district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Peam Sima village. He is married and has three daughters and a son. He is a member of the Cham ethnic minority and a Muslim. In his youth he studied at a secondary school in the provincial capital, but for most of his adult life he has made his living as a fisherman.

He was reportedly arrested on 3 July 1982 in Peam Sima by a "mixed unit" comprising Cambodian district police and elements of the Vietnamese security forces then stationed in the area. They reportedly carried out the arrest on the orders of a higher-level intelligence unit designated as K101, which suspected Maut Lapli of giving information to the opposition Partie of Democratic Kampuchea, known as the "Khmer Rouge".

He was taken directly to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat. He was reportedly held in one of its dark isolation cells for a year, and for the first 50 days of this period he was shackled by both feet and subjected to repeated interrogation sessions during which he was allegedly beaten and given electric shocks. Since 1983 he has been held in a "leniency" cell, but is said still not to be allowed to receive visits from his family because he is considered not to have "reformed himself well". Other contacts with the outside world are also prohibited.

2. Sam Loem alias Sam Lem

Sam Loem alias Sam Lem was born around 1945 in Sangke district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Ampil Chuor village. He is married and has two daughters and two sons. He attended a local primary school, and has been a rice farmer all his adult life.

He was reportedly arrested on 7 April 1985 in the Sangke district seat by a "mixed unit" comprising Cambodian district police and elements of the Vietnamese security forces then stationed in the area. They reportedly accused him of providing food and information to the opposition Khmer People's National Liberation Front and FUNCINPEC.

For the first 15 days after his arrest, he was reportedly detained in shackles in a dark isolation cell at a jail in the Sangke district office, during which time he was allegedly beaten during interrogation by a district police officer. He was then transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat. He was held there in a dark isolation cell for four months, during which time he was allegedly again beaten during interrogation, this time by a provincial police officer. Since then he has been held in TK1's "leniency" Cell #2 in common with other prisoners. He is now allowed family visits once every two months, but no other contact with the outside world.

3. Die Phal

Die Phal was born in 1952 in Banteay Meanchey district of the province of the same name, and is a native of Au Ambel village. He is apparently unmarried. He studied in a local primary school, and has been a rice farmer all his adult life.

He was reportedly arrested in Sisophon town, now the capital of Banteay Meanchey province, on 12 January 1984 by police who it is believed were acting on the orders of a higher-level intelligence unit designated K101. The latter reportedly suspected him of providing food and information to the opposition Khmer People's National Liberation Front.

He was held in the Sisophon prison for five months, during which time he was reportedly kept shackled in a dark isolation cell and allegedly beaten during a series of interrogations that took place in the first month of his confinement. He was held shackled in another dark isolation cell for eight months after being transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat. Interrogation sessions reportedly took place during the first 20 days after he was moved to TK1, and police interrogators allegedly beat him and whipped him with a chain while they asked him questions. After eight months, he was taken out of isolation, but except for one visit every two months from his family, he is not allowed any contact with the outside world.

He reportedly suffers from breathing difficulties and sometimes coughs up blood.

4. Sok Phau alias Sok Pou

Sok Phau alias Sok Pou was born around 1930 in Sangke district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Kampung Preah village. He is married and has four daughters and two sons. He studied in a local primary school, and has been a rice farmer all his adult life.

He was reportedly arrested on 10 June 1986 in the Sangke district seat by the district police. Arrested at the same time was Chan Ream alias Chan Riem (see below). Both men were accused of involvement in the activities of the opposition FUNCINPEC.

Sok Phau alias Sok Pou was reportedly held for two days in a dark isolation cell in a jail at the Sangke district office, during which time both his hands and one of his feet were shackled. A district police officer allegedly beat him several times while he was suspended upside down for interrogation. He was then transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat. He was kept in a dark isolation cell for the first three months of his detention there, and during the first 20 days in this cell he was allegedly shackled by both feet and repeatedly beaten during interrogation by a provincial police officer. After three months, he was moved to the "leniency" Cell #3, where he is now held in common with other prisoners. He is now allowed family visits once every two months, but no other contact with the outside world.

He reportedly suffers from breathing difficulties and sometimes coughs up blood.

5. Smav Prek (1)

Smav Prek (1) was born in 1931 in Sangke district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Svay Nimit village. He is married and has two sons and two daughters. Although he had received only a primary-level education in a local school, and had previously made his living as a rice farmer, at the time of his arrest he was working as a schoolteacher.

He was reportedly arrested in October 1987 in Svay Nimit by a "mixed unit" comprising Cambodian police and elements of the Vietnamese security forces then stationed in the area acting. It is believed he was arrested on orders from a Vietnamese unit designated 7704, which accused him of building up a network of sympathizers for the opposition FUNCINPEC among villagers and civil servants of the State of Cambodia (then the People's Republic of Kampuchea) administration.

For the first six months after his arrest he was reportedly held in isolation at the detention centre of a unit designated K101, and during the first month there he was allegedly given electric shocks during interrogation by Vietnamese and Cambodian security personnel. From K101 he was transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat, where he was put in "leniency" Cell #3. He is now held there in common with other prisoners and allowed family visits once every two months, but no other contact with outside world. He was reportedly not further interrogated or mistreated at TK1, but suffers from breathing difficulties and sometimes coughs up blood.

6. Smav Prek (2)

Smav Prek (2), a different prisoner with same name as the one profiled above, was born in around 1935 in Sangke district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Peam Sima village. He is married and has six children. He studied at a local primary school, and has made his living as a rice farmer and fisherman.

He was reportedly arrested on 8 August 1982 in Peam Sima village by security forces comprising Sangke district and Batdambang province police. They accused him of providing food and information to the opposition Partie of Democratic Kampuchea, known as the "Khmer Rouge".

He was reportedly taken directly to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat, where he was kept shackled in a dark isolation cell for six months. During his first month in TK1, he was allegedly beaten and whipped with chains and electrical cables during interrogation by provincial police officers. After six months in isolation, he was moved to "leniency" Cell #3, where he is held in common with other prisoners. He reportedly suffers breathing problems and sometimes coughs up blood.

7. Chan Ream alias Chan Riem

Chan Ream alias Chan Riem was reportedly born in 1946 in Sangke district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Ampil Chuor village. He is married and has three sons and two daughters. He studied at a local primary school, and has been a rice farmer all of his adult life.

He was reportedly arrested on 10 June 1986 in the Sangke district seat by the district police. Arrested at the same time was Sok Phau alias Sok Pou (see above). Both men were accused of involvement in the activities of the opposition FUNCINPEC.

Chan Ream alias Chan Riem was reportedly held in the Sangke district office jail until 22 October 1986, and for his first 12 days there he was kept shackled in a dark isolation cell, during which time he was allegedly beaten during interrogation. He was then transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat, where he was allegedly again held in a dark isolation cell and beaten during interrogation. He has since been moved into the "leniency" Cell #3 and allowed family visits once every two months, but no other contact with the outside world.

8. Pe Sa alias Be Sa

Pe Sa was born in 1951 in Mong Reuhsei district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Thmei village. He is married and has two sons and a daughter. He studied at a secondary school in the district seat, and has made his living first as a rice farmer and then later as a fisherman.

He was reportedly arrested in the Mong Reuhsei district seat on 10 November 1983 by a "mixed unit" comprising Cambodian provincial troops and elements of the Vietnamese security forces then stationed in the area. It is believed they were acting on orders from the Vietnamese military unit designated 7704, which accused him of being a clandestine organiser of guerillas fighting for the opposition FUNCINPEC.

He was reportedly first held at the Vietnamese unit 7704 detention centre, where he was kept in its dark underground isolation Cell 7 until June 1984, when he was transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat. During interrogations at 7704 he was allegedly pistol-whipped and whipped with electrical cables. After transfer to TK1 he allegedly underwent a further month of interrogation during which he was beaten and given electric shocks by a provincial police officer. He remained shackled in a TK1 dark isolation cell for six months before being moved to Cell #3, where he is held in common with other prisoners and not shackled.

9. Sam Samay

Sam Samay was born in 1946 in Thma Kol district of Batdambang province, but more recently he has lived in Au Ambel village in Banteay Meanchey district of the province of the same name. He is apparently unmarried. He studied at a local primary school, and for all of his adult life he has made his living as a rice farmer.

He was reportedly arrested on 11 October 1985 in Sisophon, now the capital of Banteay Meanchey province, by provincial police officers who accused him of organising underground networks of support for the opposition Khmer People's National Liberation Front.

He was reportedly held for 15 days in a jail in Sisophon before being transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat. In TK1 he was kept shackled in a dark isolation cell for eight months, and during the first 20 days there he was allegedly interrogated and frequently beaten by provincial police officers. From isolation he was moved to the "leniency" Cell #3, where he is held in common with other prisoners and allowed family visits once every two months, but no other contact with the outside world.

10. Sek Samay

Sek Samay was born around 1940 in Mong Reuhsei district of Batdambang province, and before his arrest was a resident of Svay Tang village in the province's Sangke district. He is married and has three sons. He was educated in a local primary school, and has been a rice farmer all his adult life.

He was reportedly arrested in March 1987 in Svay Tang village by a "mixed unit" comprising Cambodian district police and elements of the Vietnamese security forces then stationed in the area. They accused him of providing food and information to the opposition Partie of Democratic Kampuchea, known as the "Khmer Rouge".

For the first four months after his arrest, he was reportedly kept in shackles in a dark isolation cell in a jail in the Sangke district, and during his first ten days there he was allegedly beaten and whipped during interrogation by a district police officer. From Sangke he was transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat, where he was kept for six more months in shackles in a dark isolation cell. During his first 20 days at TK1 he was allegedly again beaten during interrogation, this time by a provincial police officer. After six months, he was moved into "leniency" Cell #1, where he is detained in common with other prisoners and allowed family visits once every two months. He is, however, denied other contacts with the outside world, and reportedly suffers from breathing difficulties and sometimes coughs up blood.

11. Prom Samnang alias Prum Samnang

Prom Samnang alias Prum Samnang was born in Sangke district of Batdambang province in 1954, and is a native of Ta Pon village. He is married and has three sons and two daughters. He was educated in a local primary school, and has been a rice farmer all his adult life.

He was reportedly arrested in Ta Pon village in November 1986 by a group of subdistrict and district police who accused him of giving food and information to the opposition FUNCINPEC.

He was reportedly kept shackled in a dark isolation cell in a jail in the Sangke district office for three months, and during his first 20 days there he was allegedly beaten during interrogation by a district police officer. From Sangke he was transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat, where he was kept shackled in a dark isolation cell for another six months, during which time he was allegedly again beaten during interrogation, this time by a provincial police officer. He was then moved to "leniency" Cell #2, where he is now held in common with other prisoners and allowed family visits once every two months, but no other contact with the outside world.

12. Phan Sareuan

Phan Sareuan was born in 1966 in Sangke district of Batdambang province, and is a native of Dam Spei village. He is unmarried, and until the mid 1980s was studying part time at a secondary school in the provincial seat.

He was reportedly arrested in December 1988 in Soeng Chah village of Sangke district by district and provincial troops during a clash with guerillas of the opposition FUNCINPEC. He was shot in the leg while attempting to avoid arrest by the troops, who after seizing him accused him of being a FUNCINPEC guerilla.

He was initially detained at the Batdambang provincial office, during which time his injured leg was reportedly amputated. After the operation, he was transferred to TK1 prison in the Batdambang provincial seat, where he was held in a dark cell for three days. After that he was moved to a bright cell. Meanwhile, he underwent interrogation for a week during which he was allegedly beaten by a provincial police officer. He is now allowed family visits once every two months, but no other contact with the outside world.

He reportedly suffers from chronic pain in his amputated leg, which has not healed properly.

13. Heng Sauphat

Heng Sauphat was born in 1964 in Svay Rieng province. He is unmarried, and his parents and other close relatives died during the Democratic Kampuchea period (1975-78), when the "Khmer Rouge" held power in Cambodia. He never attended school, has no permanent home village and has spent part of his adult life living in refugee camps along the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

He was reportedly arrested in 1984 in Prey Kamput village of Bakan district in Posat province by Cambodian army troops and elements of the Vietnamese security forces then stationed in the area. They accused him of being a guerilla of the Khmer People's National Liberation Front.

He was reportedly sent directly to T3 prison in the capital, Phnom Penh. He was held shackled in the T3 dark isolation Cell A5 for a year, and then transferred to the "leniency" Cell A13. He was reportedly not ill-treated during interrogation, but is said to suffer from continuing swelling and numbness in his legs due to the year he spent in shackles and poor nutrition.

14. Loem Vat alias Koe

Loem Vat alias Koe was born in 1953 in Samraong district of Svay Rieng province, and at the time of his arrest he was living in the Chamkar Mon area of Phnom Penh, the capital. He is married and has one son and one daughter. He was educated in a traditional pagoda school, and had made his living as a rice farmer and a casual worker.

Loem Vat alias Koe was first arrested in 1980 for alleged involvement with the opposition Nationalist Movement. He was reportedly shot and wounded during the arrest, and then detained, apparently without charge or trial, until 1989.

He was reportedly rearrested on 1 October 1990 at Phnom Penh's Au Reuhsei market by the municipal police. His arrest occurred shortly after he had visited the home of a family of another political prisoner, and it is believed that he was arrested because the security authorities objected to him making such contacts. The order for his arrest is said to have come from the Ministry of Interior, and he was taken immediately to T3 prison in the capital, where at last report it was believed he was still being held in a dark isolation cell and not allowed visits by family or others.

He reportedly suffers from tuberculosis.