Sam Rainsy talking with farmers from Banteay meanchey who are victims of land grabbing, in front of the National Assembly on 18 Dec 2006 (Photo: SRP)
Sam Rainsy talking with shopkeepers from Battambang province who are victims of exactions, in front of the National Assembly on 18 Dec 2006 (Photo: SRP)Wednesday, December 20, 2006
B Meanchey, B'bang Villagers Protest Near NA
By Pin Sisovann THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Hundreds of villagers from Banteay Meanchey and Battambang provinces have established a camp in the park opposite the National Assembly to protest land grabbing and a government tax hike, authorities and demonstrators said.
Around 100 villagers from Banteay Meanchey moved into the park Saturday to draw attention to the plight of 222 former border camp refugee families who have lost 444 hectares of land to 10 families.
The families had farmed, but not permanently occupied, their land in Preah Netr Preah district which was given to them by the UN after their return from border camps as part of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement.
Since 2000, 10 families have laid claim to the former refugees' land and late this year Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court sided with the 10 against the land title holders.
Provincial Deputy Governor Sok Sareth said the villagers should return to the province to find a solution.
Sok Sareth added that he stood with the former refugees against the 10 "rich" families who claim they bought the land from a middleman.
"I support them," Sok Sareth said. But he added: "What can I do? The court is independent."
Provincial Governor On Sum said he was looking for alternative land for the former refugees, adding that the protesters had twice traveled to Phnom Penh to protest.
Protester Chetr Reuk said that the former refugees are demanding the return of all their land plus half of the rice crop planted on the land this season by the 10 families.
On Monday, more than 100 vendors from Battambang's Boeng Chhuok market also protested in the park against a 10 percent hike in taxes for market stalls.
Already paying rents of between $25 and $37.50 per month on their stalls, the vendors say the monthly tax increase of 10 percent—dubbed a "Value Added Tax"—will put them out of business.
Market owner Tann Chhun said the Ministry of Finance ordered the tax increase and that he would be happy if the vendors decide to leave instead of paying. Other vendors would happily take their place, he added.
Around 100 villagers from Banteay Meanchey moved into the park Saturday to draw attention to the plight of 222 former border camp refugee families who have lost 444 hectares of land to 10 families.
The families had farmed, but not permanently occupied, their land in Preah Netr Preah district which was given to them by the UN after their return from border camps as part of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement.
Since 2000, 10 families have laid claim to the former refugees' land and late this year Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court sided with the 10 against the land title holders.
Provincial Deputy Governor Sok Sareth said the villagers should return to the province to find a solution.
Sok Sareth added that he stood with the former refugees against the 10 "rich" families who claim they bought the land from a middleman.
"I support them," Sok Sareth said. But he added: "What can I do? The court is independent."
Provincial Governor On Sum said he was looking for alternative land for the former refugees, adding that the protesters had twice traveled to Phnom Penh to protest.
Protester Chetr Reuk said that the former refugees are demanding the return of all their land plus half of the rice crop planted on the land this season by the 10 families.
On Monday, more than 100 vendors from Battambang's Boeng Chhuok market also protested in the park against a 10 percent hike in taxes for market stalls.
Already paying rents of between $25 and $37.50 per month on their stalls, the vendors say the monthly tax increase of 10 percent—dubbed a "Value Added Tax"—will put them out of business.
Market owner Tann Chhun said the Ministry of Finance ordered the tax increase and that he would be happy if the vendors decide to leave instead of paying. Other vendors would happily take their place, he added.
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CAMBODIALYWOOD FIRST CELEBRITY: HE
SAM RAINSY, THE DEFENSER OF THE FAITH...
KI-MEDIA
What? What faith?
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