Yorm Bopha released on bail
Yorm Bopha, a Cambodian activist, who was imprisoned on false charges to keep her quiet, has been released after more than 85,000 people signed our global petition including nearly 18,000 from the UK.
‘Thank you to Amnesty International’s supporters! Your campaign has been successful, as my release shows! But my case is not over yet. Please keep pushing the Cambodian Government to end the case against me. We can achieve the most success when we all work together!’
Yorm Bopha
Thank you for helping get Bopha home to her son and husband. But she has only been released on bail and the charges haven’t been dropped.
We’d like you to leave a message in the comments section below to let Bopha know you are thinking of her and are celebrating her release.
She should never have been imprisoned in the first place and the Supreme Court should have dropped the charges against her today and allowed her to be released unconditionally, but we are happy that today she can return to her family.
‘the release of Yorm Bopha, albeit on bail, proves that campaigning and activism can really make a difference in the lives of people who are victims of human rights abuses and violations.’
Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International Cambodian researcher
Bopha’s story
When her neighbours in Beoung Kak Lake were forced from their homes in their thousands to make way for development, Bopha did not stay silent. When the lake was filled with sand, flooding people’s homes, she did not merge into the crowds.
She took up a microphone and led local activists – most of whom are women – in resistance. She knew there were risks, but she did it for her community, her family and their future.
Threatened, harassed, arrested
First the authorities began to threaten and harass Bopha. Then, in September 2012, she was arrested for planning an assault on two men. Needless to say, the charges were bogus.
Yet even though there was no evidence linking her to the attack, she was convicted and sentenced to three years. In prison she had to share a cramped cell with seven other women.
Husband and son at home
While Bopha was in prison, her family suffered too. Husband Sakhorn says without her around, the warmth had gone from their lives. He told us losing Bopha was like losing an arm.
The heavy compensation the family were forced to pay to her ‘victims’ has crippled them financially. With Sakhorn unable to work selling cloth due to ill-health, their 10 year old son Lyhour can no longer go to school.
But he is inspired by his mum's activism, following in her footsteps by joining community marches for her release.
Our blogs are written by Amnesty International staff, volunteers and other interested individuals, to encourage debate around human rights issues. They do not necessarily represent the views of Amnesty International.
Great news! But we want the charges dropped.
Dear Bopha
I am happy to learn of your release and hope that it will be permanent. I admire your courage and I wish you and your family a better future. John Olney
Dear Bopha
We are so pleased that you are home with your family. Please believe that we will continue working to clear you from the accusations against you, and for you all to enjoy a secure and peaceful future.
In solidarity, Mary and Richard Brown
I am so glad you have been released. You are a very brave for standing up in this way. I very much hope the charges against you are dropped. Very best wishes.
Patricia
Delighted to hear that you are home with your husband and son. I send my support for your campaign. Iona Malcolm x
Bopha So glad to hear of your release. Every good wish to you and your family. I salute your courage. Pat Ryan Belfast Northern Ireland.
So pleased to hear this news - what an amazing person
God Bless Bopha and her strength
So pleased you are out, hopefully the charges will be dropped! We are all thinking of you and will support you till you are totally exonerated!
Glad you are out. I know you will be anxious to be on bail, but trust Amnesty to make sure we will watch over any further injustice against you. Enjoy your time with your family. You are a very inspirational woman!
Great news that you have been released even if only on bail, now enjoy time your family!
So glad you're home Bopha. Been to Cambodia, and my son has friends with a shop by the Lake area, so we know about the situation there. What a difficult place to show your tremendous courage. Well done. Love Jean.
Congratulations. You are an inspiration. Keep your head up.
Congratulations on your release - we are thinking of you and supporting you in your struggle
Wonderful news that you are freed. I hope that the ridiculous charges against you are released. Be brave, and be hopeful; your friends around the world are watching and will support you whatever happens.
Well done, Bopha! Love and respect to you from Nottingham, United Kingdom! x
we celebrate your freedom and pray for your complete exoneration!
Dear Bopha,
I am so pleased to hear you are home with your family today. Amnesty will continue to rally us to support you so that the charges are against you are dropped.
lesley
HOORAY YORM! This is an important step achieved, just the first of many victories. Glad you are back home.
With love and respect from Glasgow. We will continue to support you
Dear Bopha,
Your release is great news and I hope that it is not long before the charges against you are dropped. My thoughts are with you and your family
Best Wishes
Liz
I salute your courage in your fight for justice
Great news about your release. Best wishes to you and to your family. You will not be forgotten. I have great respect for your courage and determination.
Dear Bopha, I am so pleased to hear the news that you are able to go home and be with your family. Your activism is an inspiration. Congratulations on your release. Warm greetings to you and your family, Diana
Good to hear you have been released on bail. Now to continue to campaign for the charges to be dropped. You are v. Courageous, Bopha, thoughts are with you
Valerie
Dear Bopha, what wonderful news that you have been released. And are at home with your husband and son. You are a truly brave person and a great inspiration to everyone. May you be happy and at peace. Thinking of you and with you in spirit, George
I'm so pleased to hear you have been released. The government has, hopefully, listened to reason.
Dear Bopha
Wonderful news!
I was so happy to hear that you have be released and you're able to see your family. I hope the next news we hear is that the charges against you have been dropped.
Stay strong and know that there are people all over the world thinking about you.
Best wishes
Victoria, Chelmsford, UK
You are an inspiration to so many people, not only in Cambodia, not only in Asia, but all over the world. Be of good courage - but do also take the time to be happy with your family.
All very best wishes
Andrew Knapp
So happy to hear you're out. Thinking of you and take care.
I'm delighted you're able to go home to your family. You are very courageous, and I wish you well.
Penny Mitchell
Thinking of you and celebrating your release. With very best wishes.
I am so happy to hear the news that you are free and I rejoice with your family. However we will not give up the fight until all charges have been dropped. Hoping that you and your family will soon be able to live together again without any fear of reprisals, simply for standing up for what is right!
What good news. I hope that you will be released completely before long,
Ernest
I'm very happy to hear of your release and look forward to hearing that all charges have been dropped against you.
So happy for you, knowing you are reunited with your family. We will continue to support you till all charges are dropped. Rest well!
I am so pleased that you are back with your family it must have been so hard. I hope all charges are dropped. You deserve to have freedom.
Very happy to hear that you have been released. Hope all charges will soon be dropped.
Dear Bopha,
How wonderful to hear that you have been released! We will continue to campaign until all the charges against you are dropped. Your Amnesty friends all around the world are thinking of you.
With warmest love,
Jacky
Shropshire, England.
wELL DONE FOR YOUR BRAVERY, GLAD YOU HAVE BEEN RELEASED FOR NOW AND HOPE THAT SOON ALL CHARGES WILL BE DROPPED.YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE TO US ALL, I HOPE THAT WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE AND STAND UP AGAINST CORRUPTION AND LIES.
I am pleased that you are home with your family. Take care. I will keep working to get these bogus charges dropped.
You are an inspiration.
Dear Yorm Bopha
I am so pleased to hear that you have been released and are able to be at home with your family.
I hope you will be able to stay there and that all charges will be dropped
Dear Bopha, I rejoice to hear the news that you have been released. Along with many thousands of others, I will be watching and hoping that all the charges against you will be completely dropped and that you will be able to return to your normal life and activities without fear. I respect you and salute you for your bravery.
Dear Yorm Bopha, you are a true inspiration and I am thrilled to hear that you have been released. It is a great injustice that you were arrested in the first place and that the charges have not been dropped, but you have your freedom and I wish you and your family the very best for the future.
Dear Bopha, I am glad to hear of your release. Hopefully, all charges against you will be dropped in the very near future.
Peter Sturgess
Abergavenny
Wales
Dear Bopha
I am so happy for you and your family that you have been released at last. You are a very courageous woman and I admire your spirit and tenacity. Thank goodness there are people like you in this world. I truly hope the charges against you are dropped and you no longer have to live in fear.
Wishing you peace and happiness.
Karen
England
Dear Bopha - I am so pleased to hear the news of your bail and hope the petition helped encourage the authorities to do this. I continue to hope that all charges will be dropped.
You remain in my thoughts,
Sandra Holliday
It is very difficult to be brave, as you are. I pray that truth and justice will be done. Wonderful news that you can be with your family again.
Dear Bopha
I am delighted for you. Your courage and commitment are an example to us all. I hope you have a restful and loving weekend with your family and recover quickly from your ordeal
Michael
Dear Bopha,
Your UK Amnesty friends are thinking of you & delighted that you have been released - we are so glad you are at home with your family. We will continue to campaign until all charges against you have been dropped. With thoughts & very best wishes, Mair
I am so happy for your release. You have more bravery in your little finger than I have in my entire body. I'm AWED by your strength and heroism.
192 comments