STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator McKIM (Tasmania—Australian Greens Whip) (13:46): In a world where nature and climate systems are being destroyed at record rates, environmental and climate activists are being persecuted and killed. We've recently seen turtle conservationist Mona Khalil killed by Israeli war crimes in southern Lebanon. In Cambodia, five young environmental defenders from Mother Nature Cambodia are currently serving long prison sentences for peacefully protecting the environment.

Since July 2024, Phuon Keoraksmey, Ly Chandaravuth, Long Kunthea, Thun Ratha and Yim Leanghy have been imprisoned for documenting environmental destruction, opposing illegal pollution and sand mining, and defending vital ecosystems. Their brave activism focused on exposing sewage discharges into the Tonle Sap River, destructive landfilling projects and environmental pollution that harms local communities.

All five were convicted under charges of plotting against the government, with Yim Leanghy also convicted of insulting the king, despite prosecutors failing to present credible evidence that they committed those crimes. They're serving sentences ranging from six to eight years and face harsh conditions that severely restrict family contact. Mother Nature Cambodia has been internationally recognised for its work, and the continued imprisonment of these brave environmental defenders represents a serious violation of human rights and civic freedoms in Cambodia.

They should be freed immediately. The Australian government must call on the Cambodian government to immediately and unconditionally release the Cambodian five and overturn all of their convictions.