NGO: Put Sanctions on Cambodian Tycoons Linked to Illegal Logging

Global Witness is calling on the U.S. to administer sanctions on four Cambodian tycoons who are accused of having “massive links” to the illegal logging trade, among other human rights and democracy infractions, according to Khmer Times.

Global Witness, an NGO with offices in London and Washington D.C., released a report alleging Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) senators Mong Reththey, Ly Yong Phat, Lao Meng Khin and Oknha Try Pheap had ties to multi-million-dollar timber smuggling, sand-dredging scandals, marijuana trafficking and land-grabbing.

The Cambodian government said the NGO’s report was an attempt to tarnish the government in an election year.

“The tycoons variously appear to have enjoyed immunity from the law, the rich spoils of the government’s state looting, and the use of state forces to guard their company operations and violently crack down on local protests against them,” the report by Global Witness stated.