Cambodia Watchdog Council International (CWCI) has firmly condemned the murder of Free Trade Union (FTU) leader Hy Vuthy on Saturday, according to its press release received on Monday.

"The CWCI appeals to the authorities to investigate thoroughly and to bring the murder to trial. We appeal to all foreign embassies and international organizations to put pressure on the government to find out the murderers who killed those men and end the cycle of impunity in Cambodia," it said.

This marks the third killing of FTU officials since the union's president Chea Vichea was shot dead in January 2004, which was followed four months later by the gunning-down of Ros Sovannareth, also FTU leader at a local garment factory.

"The CWCI could see that the former leader and members of FTU were assassinated and threatened gradually, such as Chea Vichea and Ros Sovannareth. They have not been given the justice by the court till now. They were our good workmates because they worked hard and tirelessly to protect the rights of garment workers," said the CWCI press release.

Two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle shot at 36-year-old Vuthy for three times, FTU leader at the Suntex Garment Factory, shortly after 05:00 am, as he drove home from the factory, the Cambodian Daily quoted police source as saying.

No suspects have been identified yet but robbery has been ruled out as his motorbike was not taken away, said Chuop Sok Heng, Police Chief of Dangkao district, where the murder occurred.

Meanwhile, Chea Mony, current FTU president of Cambodia, said that the killing was an attempt to intimidate union members.

"The killing is to frighten FTU members from striking or staging demonstrations against the garment factories. This is also a threat against workers not to participate in the FTU," he said.

According to official statistics, from 2004 to 2006 Cambodia witnessed 288 cases of strikes and 594 cases of labor disputes, some 50 percent of them initiated by FTU.

Source: Xinhua