A former Dey Krahorm resident outside the National Assembly displays wounds he said he suffered Saturday during the eviction. (Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN)Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
In letter to City Hall, National Assembly president says help is needed, makes no specific demands to developer 7NG.
National Assembly President Heng Samrin urged the municipality Tuesday to intervene in the bitter dispute between families forcibly removed Saturday from Phnom Penh's Dey Krahorm neighbourhood and private developer 7NG. He made no specific demands, however.
Evicted residents had submitted a complaint to the influential ruling party official Monday, asking for cash compensation to be reinstituted.
"Residents said that on January 24, the 7NG company and municipality demolished and bulldozed their houses without proper compensation," Heng Samrin said in a letter delivered to City Hall, a copy of which was obtained by the Post. "Please help solve this problem and report back to the [human rights] committee."
Cash compensation or a home at a relocation site 16 kilometres from the city, in the village of Damnak Trayoeng, had been offered by the private developer. In the weeks before the eviction, 7NG upped its cash offer to US$20,000, yet all but a handful of the remaining residents held out, arguing neither a home outside the city nor the cash figure offered was sufficient compensation.
Diamonds aren't forever
Dey Krahorm community spokesman Chan Vichet said flocks of evictees would continue protests outside the National Assembly until cash compensation was reinstituted.
But he lamented what he described as a series of broken promises by the authorities.
"I remember the Phnom Penh governor telling us not to exchange our diamonds for stone," he said, referring Kep Chuktema's warning to Dey Krahorm residents not to be cheated when he visited the prime-location slum before the 2003 national election.
Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun Tuesday declined to comment on how Heng Samrin's letter would affect City Hall's stance.
However, 7NG Chairman Srey Sothea insisted he would not budge.
"A house is the only choice. If I give them money, I would be violating the contract with former community leaders who signed a contract to build houses for them," he said.
In 2005, old community leaders at Dey Krahorm unilaterally chose to sign away the 3.6 hectare property to 7NG in return for relocation homes in Damnak Trayoeng village. Land rights groups had challenged the legality of the original contract and accused 7NG officials of using strong-arm tactics to force residents to accept the compensation deals offered.
In a statement Monday, Amnesty International said authorities are ignoring the needs of residents displaced in the "violent" eviction.
The watchdog group also accused the municipality of breaking the government's commitments under international law.
"Cambodia is obliged to ensure, before any planned evictions, that all alternatives are explored in consultation with those affected by the eviction."
National Assembly President Heng Samrin urged the municipality Tuesday to intervene in the bitter dispute between families forcibly removed Saturday from Phnom Penh's Dey Krahorm neighbourhood and private developer 7NG. He made no specific demands, however.
Evicted residents had submitted a complaint to the influential ruling party official Monday, asking for cash compensation to be reinstituted.
"Residents said that on January 24, the 7NG company and municipality demolished and bulldozed their houses without proper compensation," Heng Samrin said in a letter delivered to City Hall, a copy of which was obtained by the Post. "Please help solve this problem and report back to the [human rights] committee."
Cash compensation or a home at a relocation site 16 kilometres from the city, in the village of Damnak Trayoeng, had been offered by the private developer. In the weeks before the eviction, 7NG upped its cash offer to US$20,000, yet all but a handful of the remaining residents held out, arguing neither a home outside the city nor the cash figure offered was sufficient compensation.
Diamonds aren't forever
Dey Krahorm community spokesman Chan Vichet said flocks of evictees would continue protests outside the National Assembly until cash compensation was reinstituted.
But he lamented what he described as a series of broken promises by the authorities.
"I remember the Phnom Penh governor telling us not to exchange our diamonds for stone," he said, referring Kep Chuktema's warning to Dey Krahorm residents not to be cheated when he visited the prime-location slum before the 2003 national election.
Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun Tuesday declined to comment on how Heng Samrin's letter would affect City Hall's stance.
However, 7NG Chairman Srey Sothea insisted he would not budge.
"A house is the only choice. If I give them money, I would be violating the contract with former community leaders who signed a contract to build houses for them," he said.
In 2005, old community leaders at Dey Krahorm unilaterally chose to sign away the 3.6 hectare property to 7NG in return for relocation homes in Damnak Trayoeng village. Land rights groups had challenged the legality of the original contract and accused 7NG officials of using strong-arm tactics to force residents to accept the compensation deals offered.
In a statement Monday, Amnesty International said authorities are ignoring the needs of residents displaced in the "violent" eviction.
The watchdog group also accused the municipality of breaking the government's commitments under international law.
"Cambodia is obliged to ensure, before any planned evictions, that all alternatives are explored in consultation with those affected by the eviction."
12 comments:
When push comes to shove,the constitutionality means nothing to people rights in due process and fair treatment.
Hun Sen is too powerful but money still can buy his soul anytime.
6:41 PM
Also, bullet (s) will certain buy his heart, mind and soul. The guy does not need anymore money, as far I, and everybody, knows.
Just give the guy bullets--not money.
that is good idea, i really like to read and get more knowledge
I know the love for my people is and will always be there. But this Khmer government is seriously in shame and it lacks transparency - it works without "new pair of glasses".
Much like the revolution in the past few decades the Khmer leaders couln not see the danger of "maha lod ploh" that led to the killing and psychologically wounding millions of human bodies, minds and souls. The entire Cambodia was systematically and foolishly driven into an actual hell on earth.
This present Khmer government is running business under the pretext of development but with much carelessness or shortsightedness. This is unacceptably harmful and dangerous to the citizens.
I fully agree that the slum in, near or around the capital city as well as anywhere else in the country should be eliminated for the well being and good image of the nation. But the job MUST be done with an absolute transparency from the leadership.
This on going problematic situation in Dei Krohom now implies the inability and shortsightedness of the Hun Sen Administration to move the country forward without crushing human mind soul and body.
The Hun Sen Administration is driving drunk and it must be pulled over by Hun Sen's own conscience. The buck stops there in your desk.
Please, Mr. Prime Minister, gather your relevant advisors and get the job done "without" running over the soul and mind and foot of your poor citizens.
AND DO IT NOW!!
Oops! I meant please hurry up and hear the cry of your constituents in Dei Krohom. Sank you and God bless.
Qm
"Cambodia is obliged to ensure, before any planned evictions, that all alternatives are explored in consultation with those affected by the eviction."
And I agree with this bottom line. "... all alternatives are explored.." before eviction.
Qm
Isn't it too late, monkey, for you to ask your gov. to act over Dey Krahom?
If the NA assembly wants the government to do something, they need to make law for it. Government can't do anything otherwise.
Yeah your 9:34pm government can do anything to help but everything everything to kill and forced your own people illegally from their home? Good job but God will give your government ten time better than your government did to DEI KRAHOM PPL.
keo chutama is responsible for the displaced people security and shelter.however,the tragedy reflects how incompetent municipal government is.
No, 10:13, Khmer government doesn't do any illegal thing, only the US government does that.
What the hell Heng Som Oy is talking about? He urged the gov’t? It should be action and effective immediately, not wishing!
What a dumb former cow thief (Heng Samrin) can do? urge the government? He will just shit in his pant.
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