NGO-led anti-corruption campaign on October 4, 2006 (Photo: RFA)Tuesday, November 21, 2006
By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
The People Center for Development and Peace (PDP) NGO is denouncing in a declaration published yesterday, the pressures exerted by the authorities in several districts of Phnom Penh, aiming to prevent it from pursuing its anti-corruption campaign.
The third phase of this awareness campaign, extending between Oct 09 and Nov 09, was marred by a series of arrest of PDP members while they were distributing stickers, leaflets, brochures and posters detailing corruption.
Three (PDP) members were arrested on Oct 12, at Kilometer 6 market. The three was placed under surveillance for seven hours. On Oct 26 and 29, two other groups were subjected to the same treatment at the Tek La (Ok?) market and at the Chaktokmouk district. The two latter groups saw their materials confiscated as they were placed under surveillance.
The PDP is calling on the government to end the repression, and to allow the NGO to make the population aware about the fight against corruption. “These authorities have no reason to intervene,” said Yong Kim Eng, PDP director. In our documents, we are not criticizing any particular individuals, but we are informing the people about the negative impacts of corruption, the efforts needed [to eliminate] road blocks [established by police], and land disputes… We are conducting this activity in parallel with that of the government and not against it. We can act as the messenger of the government messages.”
Sok Sambath, Daun Penh district chief who also controls Chaktokmouk district, claims that he is simply following the orders from the Phnom Penh Municipality.
“It’s true, we have seized materials, and arrested people. But that is our function,” the local chief said in self defense. “The Municipality is ordering us to control all non authorized gatherings. It is not about the content distributed, but about the absence of authorization for public gathering.”
Yong Kim Eng rejects the chief’s argument: “The authorities use for excuse the fact that we do not have an authorization, and that this cause a social problem. But, this is not a gathering!” Yong Kim Eng protested. He said that he only sends to the field teams consisting of 3 to 4 people to distribute the brochures. In spite of the obstacles, a new campaign will be started by the PDP in December. Until then, Yong Kim Eng hopes that his materials will be returned back to him.
The third phase of this awareness campaign, extending between Oct 09 and Nov 09, was marred by a series of arrest of PDP members while they were distributing stickers, leaflets, brochures and posters detailing corruption.
Three (PDP) members were arrested on Oct 12, at Kilometer 6 market. The three was placed under surveillance for seven hours. On Oct 26 and 29, two other groups were subjected to the same treatment at the Tek La (Ok?) market and at the Chaktokmouk district. The two latter groups saw their materials confiscated as they were placed under surveillance.
The PDP is calling on the government to end the repression, and to allow the NGO to make the population aware about the fight against corruption. “These authorities have no reason to intervene,” said Yong Kim Eng, PDP director. In our documents, we are not criticizing any particular individuals, but we are informing the people about the negative impacts of corruption, the efforts needed [to eliminate] road blocks [established by police], and land disputes… We are conducting this activity in parallel with that of the government and not against it. We can act as the messenger of the government messages.”
Sok Sambath, Daun Penh district chief who also controls Chaktokmouk district, claims that he is simply following the orders from the Phnom Penh Municipality.
“It’s true, we have seized materials, and arrested people. But that is our function,” the local chief said in self defense. “The Municipality is ordering us to control all non authorized gatherings. It is not about the content distributed, but about the absence of authorization for public gathering.”
Yong Kim Eng rejects the chief’s argument: “The authorities use for excuse the fact that we do not have an authorization, and that this cause a social problem. But, this is not a gathering!” Yong Kim Eng protested. He said that he only sends to the field teams consisting of 3 to 4 people to distribute the brochures. In spite of the obstacles, a new campaign will be started by the PDP in December. Until then, Yong Kim Eng hopes that his materials will be returned back to him.
1 comment:
Tek La should be Tek Thla ( eau claire/ clear water).
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