CPP Pressured Villagers To Join, Say Rights Worker, SRP Officials
By Kuch Naren
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
A rights worker and Sam Rainsy Party officials have alleged that thousands of Takeo province villagers were pressured to join the CPP after being told that water would be cut off to their rice paddies if they refused.
CPP officials dismissed the allegation Tuesday, attributing the sudden spike in party membership this month to CPP stalwarts rigorously helping their communities.
Since early August more than 12,000 impoverished villagers in Traing district have joined the CPP, said Chhim Savuth, a monitor for the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.
"The majority of those villagers have no strong desire to join the CPP, but they are forced to do so, otherwise they will not get water for their rice paddies during the dry season," he said. He added that CPP village representatives made the threat and that wealthier families that do not depend on farming have declined to sign up.
Srey Ben, the CPP’s deputy provincial governor, said no one has been pressured to join the party.
"We never force villagers to join the CPP. But villagers clearly understand that our party has done many things to improve and develop their areas," he said.
Duong Khan, the CPP’s chief of Sra Nge commune, said that more than 4,000 of the 6,000 residents over the age of 18 in his commune have volunteered to join the CPP.
When villagers sign up to join the CPP, they give their names, ages and the size of their rice paddies, said Leam Chea, chief of Thloak commune. Though he denied that CPP officials threatened to cut the water supply, Leam Chea said new members have to take a vow that includes supernatural punishment if they turn their backs on the CPP. "[The spirit] Tevada will punish them by separating their families and their happiness will be destroyed if they betray our party," he warned.
Mao Sophal, an SRP official in the district, said CPP officials began making the threat regarding dry-season water access after residents in three communes voiced public support for the SRP earlier this month.
"Villagers reported that they submitted CPP membership forms with tears in their eyes," he said.
CPP officials dismissed the allegation Tuesday, attributing the sudden spike in party membership this month to CPP stalwarts rigorously helping their communities.
Since early August more than 12,000 impoverished villagers in Traing district have joined the CPP, said Chhim Savuth, a monitor for the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.
"The majority of those villagers have no strong desire to join the CPP, but they are forced to do so, otherwise they will not get water for their rice paddies during the dry season," he said. He added that CPP village representatives made the threat and that wealthier families that do not depend on farming have declined to sign up.
Srey Ben, the CPP’s deputy provincial governor, said no one has been pressured to join the party.
"We never force villagers to join the CPP. But villagers clearly understand that our party has done many things to improve and develop their areas," he said.
Duong Khan, the CPP’s chief of Sra Nge commune, said that more than 4,000 of the 6,000 residents over the age of 18 in his commune have volunteered to join the CPP.
When villagers sign up to join the CPP, they give their names, ages and the size of their rice paddies, said Leam Chea, chief of Thloak commune. Though he denied that CPP officials threatened to cut the water supply, Leam Chea said new members have to take a vow that includes supernatural punishment if they turn their backs on the CPP. "[The spirit] Tevada will punish them by separating their families and their happiness will be destroyed if they betray our party," he warned.
Mao Sophal, an SRP official in the district, said CPP officials began making the threat regarding dry-season water access after residents in three communes voiced public support for the SRP earlier this month.
"Villagers reported that they submitted CPP membership forms with tears in their eyes," he said.
5 comments:
So what are you going to do? It is widespread commom norm of practice in SE ASIAN. If you have money, please do the same. The poors needs priortiy. CPP can meet that demand whether it is no so legal or else. Can you step in to provide those poor farmers when the CPP stop help them? Otherwise, you should wait for 20 years, until those farmers lving standard is no longer depend on CPP.
CPP is taking a cheap shot at the disadvantage farmers. For a fair and just society, the government helps the people without prejudice, and it is the obligation to do so without taking advantages or discriminations. Here, clearly, the CPP is not acting as the obligation of the government which is responsible for its people but for the sake of its own party benifit. No sign and vote, no water. What's unhuman, and self-fish barstard!
Remember, CPP is NOT a part of Cambodian Government body. CPP goal is to win to get its members into the Government positions regarding the game is fair or not as long as there is no or little International reaction. It is common practice not only in Cambodia. Here is the story, " Chicken are angry because they are killed for people food, so they go to heaven to file petition for justice but they see heavenworld eat chicken, too."
To counter CPP practices is to replace what the poor farmers losed if they choose not to support CPP. Other parties have enough money to do that?
There are not any "Tevoda". Tevoda were killed by Ah Hun Sen!
YUMAREACH WILL DO THE JOB!!!!!!!!
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