SRP MPs' letter to Mr Qimiao Fan, Country Manager of the World Bank in Cambodia

Unofficial Translation

Phnom Penh, 5 September 2011

Drawing Attention to Mr Qimiao Fan, Country Manager of the World Bank in Cambodia

Dear Mr Qimiao Fan,

Firstly, we the members of parliament from the Sam Rainsy Party of the following names, would like to express our deepest gratitude to the World Bank in Cambodia for helping the cambodian people who are victims of human rights abuses, such as land grabbing, forced evictions, threats, and pressure from the authorities in the government, especially the people in the Boeung Kak Lake who recently received reasonable resolutions.

On 9 August 2011 the World Bank decided to suspend its loan to Cambodia due to the real situation of threats, pressures and forced eviction of Boeung Kak Lake villagers. These actions were cruel human rights abuses. The stance of the World Bank did not support the Royal Government of Cambodia's policies, which were being enacted under the lens of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), who had no regard for the wellbeing of the people in the Boeung Kak Lake.

We would like to inform the Country Manager of the World Bank in Cambodia, that the actions of land grabbing, forced evictions, threats and pressures on people from the authorities of government are not only occurring to those people living in Boeung Kak Lake, but are also widespread practices within all provinces. These actions have been committed through:

1) Land concessions to Vietnamese companies: the 'C.R.C.K Rubber Development' (C.R.C.K APHIVATH CAOUTCHOUC CO., LTD) and 'P.N.T' companies in the Prey Lang an area that has borders with four provinces Kampong Thom, Kratie, Stoeung Treng and Preah Vihear.

2) Land concessions in Kampong Thom province: such as in the Krayea commune, San Touk district, to the Vietnamese company 'Tin Bean Co., Ltd' also in Salavisey and Toul Kreul communes, Prasat Balaing district, to the company Ann-mardi Group...

3) Land concessions in Pursat province: such as in the Krakor district to the company 'Pheapimex Group' which is owned by the wealthy tycoon Lao Meng Khin, a member of the senate from the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). In Anlong Tnaut commune the company 'Ratana Visal'. In Veal Veng and Kravanh districts to the company 'Try Pheap'...

4) Land concessions in Kampong Speu province: such as in the Oum laing commune, Thbong district, to 'Phnom Penh Sugar Industry Co., Ltd' which is owned by the wealthy tycoon Ly Young Phat, a member of the senate the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). In Taing Samroung commune, Phnom Sruoch district, to 'Master Group' and 'Slad Sanorn' companies. In Phnom Touch and Damnak Raing communes, Odong district, to 'Meng Kat company'. In Trapaing Chor commune, Aoral district, to 'H.L.H' company...

5) Land concessions in Kratie province: in Snoul district there are 12 companies, Sambor district there are 21 companies, Chet Borei district there are 12 companies, Chhloung district there is 1 company, and Prek Prasab district there are 2 companies. In total 48 companies.

6) Land concessions in Kampong Cham province: In Prek Kak commune, Stoeung Strang district, to the company 'Long Sreng'...

7) Land concessions in Koh Kong province: in Srel Ambel district there are 2 companies, Botum Sakor district there are 3 companies, Koh Kong district 1 company, Kiricholsar district 1 company. In total 7 companies. The Chinese company named 'Union Development Group Co., Ltd' in Botum Sakor district has been involved in a land concession of over 36,000 hectares...

8) Land concessions in Bantey Meanchey province: such as Bantey Chmar commune, Thmar Pouk district, to the 'National Development' and 'Leang Bour' companies, Ou Bei Choan commune, Ou Chroa district, to the 'Hi Sour' company...

9) Land concessions in Mondulkiri province: in Pich Chreada district to 'Korean Phuma', 'Dak Lak' and 'Sok Vin' companies and in Ou Raing district to 'Ho ling', 'Hou Chisan', and 'A Li Mi Na A.C.V' companies...

10) Land concessions in Ratanakiri province: there are at least 10 companies involved covering the province's 8 districts...

11) Land concessions in Siem Reap province: in Khvav and Pong Ro Krom communes, Chi Kreng district, to the companies 'Sauphorn Kheari', 'Ken', 'Nim Neng' and 'Naga Pon'. In Sre Nouy and Lvea Kraing communes, Varin district, to the company 'Ban Ya Group'...

12) Land concessions in Kampong Chhnang province: such as in Ta Ches commune, Kampong Tralach district, to the company 'K.D.C.' which belongs to Mrs. Chea Kheng the wife of Mr. Suy Sem minister of Industry, Mines and Energy. In Sethei commune, Sammki Meanchey district, to the 'Heng Development' company, and in Tek Hot commune Rolea, Phear district, to the 'Chea Rithy' company, and in Bari Bor, Tek Phos, Samm Kimeanchey and Rolea Phear districts to 'Pheapimex Group' a company that belongs to the wealthy tycoon Lao Meng Khin, member of the senate from the Cambodia People's Party (CPP) ...

The land concessions that we have emphasized in this letter, involve a large number of people who have been forcefully evicted or are currently facing the prospect of forced evictions, some of whom have no alternative homes and others have been arrested and unjustly detained in the prisons.

We would like to respectfully request that the Country Manger Mr. Qimiao Fan will assert more influence to cease the actions of land grabbing, forced evictions, threats and pressures that are currently carried out on the Cambodia people under the will of the authorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia. This would allow those people who are victims' access to freedom, justice, and the rule of law, just as the World Bank recently assured for the villagers in the Boeung Kak Lake.

Please accept, Mr Qimiao Fan, the assurance of our highest considerations

SRP Members of Parliament

[Sign]

Ke Sovannroth, Men Sothavarin, Khy Vandeth, Cheam Channy, Long Ri,

Kuoy Bounroeun, Tioulong Saumura, Nuth Rumdoul, Ho Vann, Yont Tharo,

Yim Sovann, Khim Laky, Chea Poch