21/06/2007Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Cambodia's international donors have pledged $US690 million in aid to the impoverished nation for the next year.
The pledge came after Prime Minister Hun Sen, told the meeting he would get 'in touch' with fight against corruption and land disputes.
But it hasn't impressed the human rights organisations that work with Cambodia's poorest populations who say donors should demand action and not rhetoric.
Bill Bainbridge reports for Radio Australia's Connect Asia programme that master musician Kong Nai lives on the land that once held the National Theatre of Performing Arts in Phnom Penh.
He is one of many artists who established a community on the site after they lost their homes during the devastation of the Pol Pot years.
But now Nai and the rest of his community face eviction. In 2005 their land and that of communities surrounding them, on prime Phnom Penh real estate, was illegally sold.
Now he says he has no idea where he will live.
Human rights organisation Licadho filmed Nai's story. Their Director Naly Pilorge says land grabbing in Cambodia has exploded in recent years.
"Its often done with very little notice, no participation from the communities, and often very violently with the use of weapons and machinary and often the people that are doing the evictions are company guards usually with the authorities, whether the village chief or riot police," Naly Pilorge said.
The pledge came after Prime Minister Hun Sen, told the meeting he would get 'in touch' with fight against corruption and land disputes.
But it hasn't impressed the human rights organisations that work with Cambodia's poorest populations who say donors should demand action and not rhetoric.
Bill Bainbridge reports for Radio Australia's Connect Asia programme that master musician Kong Nai lives on the land that once held the National Theatre of Performing Arts in Phnom Penh.
He is one of many artists who established a community on the site after they lost their homes during the devastation of the Pol Pot years.
But now Nai and the rest of his community face eviction. In 2005 their land and that of communities surrounding them, on prime Phnom Penh real estate, was illegally sold.
Now he says he has no idea where he will live.
Human rights organisation Licadho filmed Nai's story. Their Director Naly Pilorge says land grabbing in Cambodia has exploded in recent years.
"Its often done with very little notice, no participation from the communities, and often very violently with the use of weapons and machinary and often the people that are doing the evictions are company guards usually with the authorities, whether the village chief or riot police," Naly Pilorge said.
3 comments:
I deeply respect this old popular blind musician. He incarns the Khmer culture and deserves a decent living.
Can you find any Country in the world where singers can sing poems for hours without improvisation?
I think this Country is only CAMBODIA. Mes respect to the singers of AYAI and LAKHON. This 2 types of art can be improved to reflect the living of common people and the Cambodian society. The artists should also write the improvised poems in their own books. They are highly valuable people in the society.
I know Master Kong Nai for a very long time, as I came in Cambodia in the late 80's. Being a westerner, I'm ready to provide him and his family food and accomodation.
IF IT IS TRUE 11:01am? ACTION SPEAL LOUDER THAN TALK!
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