14 March 2008
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
On Wednesday 12 March, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) revealed its final results on security for 2007. According to General Khieu Sopheak, MoI spokesman, the situation has improved. He added that the directives issued by the government were followed. The following are the main points of the MoI report.
Immigration
The ministry, in conformance with the government recommendations, recognized as first and second phase immigrants, 22,600 foreigners from different nationalities (Vietnamese, Thai, Lao, Chinese, Australian, Indonesian, German and Bengladeshi). These people only benefit from a limited residency authorization. In all of 2007, more than 1.8 million foreigners came to the country, i.e. 19% more than 2006, and 95,000 came from Southeast Asian countries.
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Five suspects charged with the bombing of the (atrocious) stupa commemorating Vietnamese soldiers in Phnom Penh were arrested. The investigation is still pending.
The number of murders has increased in comparison to 2006, from 408 in 2006 to 458 in 2007. The number of cases involving armed gangs climbed from 641 in 2006 to 713 in 2007. However, the number of sexual violence has decreased: the number was 250 is 2007, whereas it was 262 in 2006. Altogether, 3,351 criminal cases were accounted for, i.e., 1,132 crimes and 2219 misdemeanor cases, and 4,600 people were arrested.
519 cases of sexual and human trafficking took place, i.e. 85 less than 2006. Sexual violence also decreased from 262 cases in 2006 to 250 in 2007.
The investigation team on trans-border crimes brought to an end to 18 criminal cases, including 10 drug trafficking cases, 6 human trafficking cases, one terrorist case, and one case of money laundering, thanks to the cooperation with the Australian general commission office,. Altogether 55 cases were resolved with the cooperation from foreign police agencies.
Deforestation
Interventions took place in Ratanakiri, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal and Phnom Penh, and they allowed for the seizure of 78,000-cubic-meter of illegally-cut wood. The government report stresses on an improvement of the situation.
Strikes
There were more strikes in 2007 than in 2006. Among the 102 strikes, 53 were organized by garment workers, and 49 were linked to land disputes.
Accidents
7,542 accidents took place, including 5,870 traffic accidents. These accidents led to 1,434 deaths and 10,400 people were injured, 343 fires took place.
Drug trafficking
The police investigated on 141 drug trafficking cases, charging 253 persons, the majority of whom are Cambodians. Three persons were killed during the police interventions. More than 13 tons of heroin were seized.
Prison
10,902 persons, including 64 women, are detained in Cambodian prisons. Their number has increased by 600 persons in comparison to 2006. Among these prisoners, 375 are foreigners, including 152 women. There are 630 children in jail, 43 of whom live with their mothers. 24 prisoners escaped from jail and 10 were caught back. A fourth prison will be built in Pursat, it will be focused on agriculture (?).
The positive tone of the MoI report is questioned by some observers. For example, Thun Saray, Adhoc human rights defense organization president, believes that this number does not give a clear image on security in Cambodia. He explained that in the countryside, some people are afraid to report their complaints, therefore the number of violent cases by the MoI is underestimated.
Immigration
The ministry, in conformance with the government recommendations, recognized as first and second phase immigrants, 22,600 foreigners from different nationalities (Vietnamese, Thai, Lao, Chinese, Australian, Indonesian, German and Bengladeshi). These people only benefit from a limited residency authorization. In all of 2007, more than 1.8 million foreigners came to the country, i.e. 19% more than 2006, and 95,000 came from Southeast Asian countries.
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Five suspects charged with the bombing of the (atrocious) stupa commemorating Vietnamese soldiers in Phnom Penh were arrested. The investigation is still pending.
The number of murders has increased in comparison to 2006, from 408 in 2006 to 458 in 2007. The number of cases involving armed gangs climbed from 641 in 2006 to 713 in 2007. However, the number of sexual violence has decreased: the number was 250 is 2007, whereas it was 262 in 2006. Altogether, 3,351 criminal cases were accounted for, i.e., 1,132 crimes and 2219 misdemeanor cases, and 4,600 people were arrested.
519 cases of sexual and human trafficking took place, i.e. 85 less than 2006. Sexual violence also decreased from 262 cases in 2006 to 250 in 2007.
The investigation team on trans-border crimes brought to an end to 18 criminal cases, including 10 drug trafficking cases, 6 human trafficking cases, one terrorist case, and one case of money laundering, thanks to the cooperation with the Australian general commission office,. Altogether 55 cases were resolved with the cooperation from foreign police agencies.
Deforestation
Interventions took place in Ratanakiri, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal and Phnom Penh, and they allowed for the seizure of 78,000-cubic-meter of illegally-cut wood. The government report stresses on an improvement of the situation.
Strikes
There were more strikes in 2007 than in 2006. Among the 102 strikes, 53 were organized by garment workers, and 49 were linked to land disputes.
Accidents
7,542 accidents took place, including 5,870 traffic accidents. These accidents led to 1,434 deaths and 10,400 people were injured, 343 fires took place.
Drug trafficking
The police investigated on 141 drug trafficking cases, charging 253 persons, the majority of whom are Cambodians. Three persons were killed during the police interventions. More than 13 tons of heroin were seized.
Prison
10,902 persons, including 64 women, are detained in Cambodian prisons. Their number has increased by 600 persons in comparison to 2006. Among these prisoners, 375 are foreigners, including 152 women. There are 630 children in jail, 43 of whom live with their mothers. 24 prisoners escaped from jail and 10 were caught back. A fourth prison will be built in Pursat, it will be focused on agriculture (?).
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The positive tone of the MoI report is questioned by some observers. For example, Thun Saray, Adhoc human rights defense organization president, believes that this number does not give a clear image on security in Cambodia. He explained that in the countryside, some people are afraid to report their complaints, therefore the number of violent cases by the MoI is underestimated.
2 comments:
For National Security reason, MOI not just only build new prison for detain people. The government as a whole should educate people from out off commit crime. The more people detained, the more labors we loss.
Detained children should be get an basic education as in Education Strategy
for All strategic.
Independent!
I can't rate the government any less than A-, given population growth in hundreds of thousands. Clearly they got everything under control.
Congratulation to all hard working people and let us have Five More Years of that!
Five More Years!
Five More Years!
Five More Years!
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