Human Rights Workers Fear More Violence at Tonle Bassac
By Whitney Kvasager and Kuch Naren
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Phnom Penh municipal authorities were tight-lipped Monday on their plans to remove hundreds of families still living at Tonle Bassac commune's Village 14, and on where they plan to send them after the eviction.
Human rights workers also said they feared more violence when police attempt to remove the homeless residents still camped at the village.
"We have a plan, but we cannot tell the way we are going to do it," Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Pa Socheatvong said.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema said on Sunday that the hundreds of families still located at the disputed site would be evicted this week, though he said the process would be non-violent and that those evicted would be given land elsewhere.
Chan Soveth, program officer with local rights group Adhoc, said that he was skeptical that the eviction would be peaceful, adding that he had heard from City Hall that 300 police officers were being prepared to surround Village 14 and force people to leave later this week.
"I don't believe them," he said of the promises of a peaceful removal.
"In the past the city has used violence to evict the people," Chan Soveth said, adding that providing more information about the eviction could calm villagers and a situation already considered volatile.
Yeng Virak, director of the Community Legal Education Center, said he, too, was concerned an eviction would erupt into violence. He added that he did not believe that police were adequately trained to peacefully evict a group of angry villagers.
"Police should be well trained in how to disperse a crowd, how not to abuse their power," Yeng Virak said.
"I cannot imagine what will happen when these villagers are evicted," he said.
Rumors of a violent eviction are circulating in Village 14, said a 36-year-old resident who referred to himself by his nickname Mao.
"I feel worried about security because police will not use peaceful strategies to remove us," he said on Sunday. "I’ve heard that they will... burn down our homes, beat us. If they use this violence, all we can do is weep."
Human rights workers also said they feared more violence when police attempt to remove the homeless residents still camped at the village.
"We have a plan, but we cannot tell the way we are going to do it," Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Pa Socheatvong said.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema said on Sunday that the hundreds of families still located at the disputed site would be evicted this week, though he said the process would be non-violent and that those evicted would be given land elsewhere.
Chan Soveth, program officer with local rights group Adhoc, said that he was skeptical that the eviction would be peaceful, adding that he had heard from City Hall that 300 police officers were being prepared to surround Village 14 and force people to leave later this week.
"I don't believe them," he said of the promises of a peaceful removal.
"In the past the city has used violence to evict the people," Chan Soveth said, adding that providing more information about the eviction could calm villagers and a situation already considered volatile.
Yeng Virak, director of the Community Legal Education Center, said he, too, was concerned an eviction would erupt into violence. He added that he did not believe that police were adequately trained to peacefully evict a group of angry villagers.
"Police should be well trained in how to disperse a crowd, how not to abuse their power," Yeng Virak said.
"I cannot imagine what will happen when these villagers are evicted," he said.
Rumors of a violent eviction are circulating in Village 14, said a 36-year-old resident who referred to himself by his nickname Mao.
"I feel worried about security because police will not use peaceful strategies to remove us," he said on Sunday. "I’ve heard that they will... burn down our homes, beat us. If they use this violence, all we can do is weep."
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