By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
11 December 2007
The government Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" and "degrading" remarks from UN special rights envoy Yash Ghai, who wrapped up a 10-day visit Monday.
Ghai, an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the government, said in a speech Monday that Cambodians would not live forever under the coercion they were now experiencing, especially in an environment where land was stolen from them with impunity.
"His eyes only see bad stories, but he does not see good stories," said Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak. "He always worries about this issue, that issue. It is bad when you listen. But the truth is not so."
Ghai's comments did not reflect the true nature of the government, he said.
"Those who don't know will believe him," Khieu Sopheak said. "Those who know will not believe him."
Ghai's observations were based on "grudges," he added.
Ghai toured Cambodia and met with dispossessed villagers in rural areas, many of whom have had land allegedly stolen from them by development companies, with the help of government officials and security forces.
The land disputes have led to violence in the provinces and the outskirts of Phnom Penh in recent months, despite a call by Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier this year for officials to cease the practice.
Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha said Ghai's observations had "much truth" to them.
"I met many people. They are afraid of the government, of their immediate decision and seizure of land, to be given to this company, that company," he said. "And there is also fear of the companies directly, that when the people protest with the company, they usually lose the case."
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Ghai's remarks were "100 percent correct" and highlighted an "atmosphere of fear, the use of force [and] intimidation."
Authorities say "if people dare to go against them, they will mistreat them in many ways," Sam Rainsy said. "And they use the court to mistreat those who want justice."
Ghai, an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the government, said in a speech Monday that Cambodians would not live forever under the coercion they were now experiencing, especially in an environment where land was stolen from them with impunity.
"His eyes only see bad stories, but he does not see good stories," said Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak. "He always worries about this issue, that issue. It is bad when you listen. But the truth is not so."
Ghai's comments did not reflect the true nature of the government, he said.
"Those who don't know will believe him," Khieu Sopheak said. "Those who know will not believe him."
Ghai's observations were based on "grudges," he added.
Ghai toured Cambodia and met with dispossessed villagers in rural areas, many of whom have had land allegedly stolen from them by development companies, with the help of government officials and security forces.
The land disputes have led to violence in the provinces and the outskirts of Phnom Penh in recent months, despite a call by Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier this year for officials to cease the practice.
Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha said Ghai's observations had "much truth" to them.
"I met many people. They are afraid of the government, of their immediate decision and seizure of land, to be given to this company, that company," he said. "And there is also fear of the companies directly, that when the people protest with the company, they usually lose the case."
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Ghai's remarks were "100 percent correct" and highlighted an "atmosphere of fear, the use of force [and] intimidation."
Authorities say "if people dare to go against them, they will mistreat them in many ways," Sam Rainsy said. "And they use the court to mistreat those who want justice."
16 comments:
Well, like they said, losers think alike.
ATTENTION:
CAMBODIA FOR SALE!
SELL IT TO USA OR LEASE IT,WAY BETTER THAN LET VIETCONG DOMINATING IT.
You are correct Rainsy. Cambodian peoples are living under fear under Hun Sen leadership.
Who care about paranoid people?
Ah Khieu Sopheak,a Hanoi born native, is trying to steer Cambodia to become Vietcongs sanctuary. He avoids the truth reports by the UN representative Yash Ghai who condemned the criminal act by his unlawful regime against innocent Khmer landowners.
Bullshit, We ain't gonna accept no allegation from Ah Chkout (Ghai) who is lacking real life experience.
Moreover, our pal Yuon Hanoi also disagreed with Ah Chkout (Ghai). Need we go on?
Mr. Ghai assessment state of Cambodia is very correct. I feel the same way too when I chat with people. They are afraid to express any opinion about the ruling party.
Mr.Ghai is very very correct!!!!!!!!!!!Ah pleu Hun Xen dislike the interligen people.
Dictator hun Xen like only youns,and China!!!!and Hun Xen like Pol Pot,Noun Chea,.........and Vietcong people.
This guy Hun Sen, defying the UN. A country that existed based on donation make such demand, come on. Don't bite the hands that feed you ah Hun. If the facts are falsifying as you claimed, then HunSen you should produce the evidence.
Have you not hear or see the suffering of the poor people? Have you not see the homelessness, landlessness, and abusivenness that plaque the country? I strongly support Ghai's claimed 10 to Xth power.
3:26AM
Your real life experiences is only doing bad to other people, so that why you do not know any better. The crooks are facing trial, you will be next and your friend/relative VN is not going to help you bastard. we already have your record and foollow you each step all the way. And then you will be born as a hungry dog.TATA
Perhaps, ghai got paid by Sam Rainy a penny an hour to paint all the negative pictures about Cambodia. Was there any positive progress mentioned in his report?
The positive things about HunSen is that he & master almost complete the boader marking. And when it's finalized: Ratanakiri, Modulkiri, and Svay rieng/stung treng will no longer within Cambodia sovereignty. Yes, he did many POSITIVES thing for Vietnam, which has the NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON Khmerland. That is the truth, nothing but the whole truth.
Khmer will become landless/homeless; we will face renting land from Vietnam to live.
ក្រុមប្រជាធិបតេយ្យត្រូវភ្ញាក់ខ្លួន។ចេះរួបរួមគ្នាកុំចចេសពេក។ទុកឲ្យពួកឆ្កែយួនកាន់ប្រទេសខ្មែរដល់ណាទៀត។កុំល្ងង់ទាស់គ្នាឲ្យប្រយោជន៏យួន។
Ah Chout (Ghai) and Ah Xam Frainsy can't run a country, period.
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