Thursday, April 12, 2007

Culture of violence and impunity: Ratanakiri gov’t official beat up a beer-girl

11 April 2007
By Ratha Visal
Radio Free Asia

Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

One human rights activist in Ratanakiri province reported that a beer-girl was beaten up by a government provincial official who is the director of the labor and vocational training department. The official was forcing the beer-girl to swallow beer from his mouth. The beating caused injuries to the beer-girl and she had to be taken to a hospital.

Adhoc investigator in Ratanakiri said that the local police made an arrangement for the victim to be compensated for this violence. However, Adhoc official said this is a savage and illegal action, and he called on the authority to prosecute the perpetrator according to the law. [The Cambodia Daily reported in its 10 April edition that the victim was allegedly offered the paltry sum of $250 in compensation for the beating].

Adhoc Pen Bonnar said: “This is a criminal case, and the prosecutor must deal with it.”

Minh Srey Touch was the 28-year-old victim and Sorn Bun Choeun was the perpetrator, he is the director of the Ratanakiri provincial labor and vocational training department.

According to the victim’s complaint handed to Adhoc human rights organization on 09 April, the victim reported that at 9:30 PM on 06 April, Sorn Bun Choeun and three other companions was eating and drinking at the Samros Ban Lung karaoke bar. Sorn Bun Choeun then drank beer but kept the alcohol in his mouth, he was forcing the victim to drink the beer from his mouth. After the victim refused, Sorn Bun Choeun took the microphone and threw it at the fan, he then proceeded to kick her very hard.

RFA could neither contact Sorn Bun Choeun at his workplace nor on his phone.

Kim Huor, the owner of the karaoke bar where the incident took place, confirmed that the government official not only beat up one of his worker, he also threatened to close down the karaoke bar as well.

Kham Van, the Ratanakiri provincial police commissioner, said that he summoned both parties to make an arrangement for a compensation, and the two sides have agreed.

Nevertheless, Ing Kanthaphavy, the Minister of Women Affairs, said that this act of violence deeply violates a woman. She said that the victim can send a complaint to the provincial Women Affairs department in order to ask for support and justice according to the law.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Culture of violent, Heng Soy? Who
are you try to kid, here? Just
because you are, doesn't mean
we (Khmers) are all like you.
Moreover, I am 100% certain that
if we were to investigate the
bastard background, your finger
prints will show up everywhere as
his teacher and role model,
Gringoes Slave. Accordingly, you
need a serious head examination,
asshole!

Anonymous said...

finger print of CPP role model. People who dare call other Khmer Gringos are not traitors. They're not Khmer Period. The blog is not for illegal immigrants like you.

Buy your passport from your father party CPP and Hanoi and sign it everytime you post a comment here so every not mistake you for a Khmer.

Anonymous said...

Let's appeal to H.E. Pol Lim, police inspector-general at the ministry of interior to investigate the case and take action against the offender.

LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong

Anonymous said...

I am sure the guy who maltreated this poor girl is also from a poor or rural family. But becoming a "nouveau riche", he forgets his roots and looks down to poor people.
A big regret for you! Your off- springs will behave like you and will end up with misery and dishonor.

Anonymous said...

No justice here, as always. But we can only hope that there will be come kind of punishment. Obviously there won`t be since he is offering a lot of money. Cambodia law is, "if you have money, you can buy your way out" period. So in this highlight, justice is serve under Cambodia`s law.

CC, California

Anonymous said...

Yep, and I am very proud of that
law because my government is not
on my back as much as yours,
hehehe. Eat your heart out 8:59!

Anonymous said...

I am ashamedly agreed with 8:59AM.
Khmer Justice is suitable only for the poor, not the rich and powerful Khmer..