Press Contact:

J. Coco Chang, WITNESS, jcocochang@witness.org

Sue Gunawardena-Vaughn, Freedom House,

vaughn@freedomhouse.org

Brittis Edman, Civil Rights Defenders,

brittis.edman@civilrightsdefenders.org

CAMBODIAN BUDDHIST MONK – NOMINATED BY WITNESS, FREEDOM HOUSE AND CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENDERS – IS A FINALIST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AWARD

NEW YORK–April 24, 2012– Buddhist monk Venerable Luon Sovath is one of three finalists for the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders announced today in Geneva. The announcement event is being ‘broadcast’ live through at 11am Geneva time (5am ET) at www.martinennalsaward.org.

Venerable Sovath was nominated for the award by WITNESS along with Freedom House and Civil Rights Defenders. Sometimes called “the Multimedia Monk,” he has worked with WITNESS in support of communities facing forced evictions throughout Cambodia.

Forced evictions are among the most widespread human rights abuses in the country. They remove families from their homes and lands with little or no notice, and often without compensation or alternative housing plans. In 2009, Venerable Sovath’s own village lost farmland in a dispute, leading to a stand-off in which police shot at the unarmed villagers, injuring his brother and nephew.

According to local human rights groups, an estimated 400,000 Cambodians have been affected by forced evictions or land grabs since 2003 in the wake of ostensible development projects, land disputes and illegal land confiscation.

Venerable Sovath is recognized for his innovative tactics – including the use of video, songs and art – to provide persistent, non-violent leadership for communities facing forced eviction. Because of his dedicated work, he is threatened with violence, arrest and defrocking. His peaceful approach as a human rights defender is crucial in mobilizing grassroots communities to demand their rights.

“On behalf of Cambodia, I am happy to be nominated for this award,” said Venerable Luon Sovath. “I am also happy to see that Cambodia does have the support of the international community, who can truly help us achieve more rights and freedom, especially for poor communities that are having their homes forcibly taken by the government.”

Venerable Sovath has been previously recognized by the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and in 2011, he received a Hellman/Hammett Award from Human Rights Watch. In 2010 Venerable Sovath also received the WITNESS “See It. Film It. Change It.” Award with WITNESS partner LICADHO.

Watch interviews of the Venerable Sovath talking about using video to document forced evictions in Cambodia:

Created in 1993, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders is granted annually to someone who has demonstrated an exceptional record of combating human rights violations by courageous and innovative means. The winner of the award is judged through a unique collaboration among ten of the world's leading human rights organizations: Amnesty International; Diakonie Germany; Front Line Defenders; Human Rights First; Human Rights Watch; HURIDOCS; International Commission of Jurists; International Federation of Human Rights; International Service for Human Rights; World Organization Against Torture. For further details see www.martinennalsaward.org.

The final recipient of the award will be announced at a special ceremony on 2 October 2012 in Geneva.