អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា​គួរ​ត្រូវបាន​ពង្រឹង! - Parliamentary immunity should be strengthened!

លោក​ចាន់ ចេង​ អ្នក​តំណាងរាស្ត្រ​គណបក្ស​សម រង្ស៊ី​ ដែល​ទើប​នឹង​ត្រូវ​សភា​ដក​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​ថ្មីៗ​នេះ (លាងដឺលុច)

សៅរ៍ 31 ធ្នូ 2011
ដោយ ប៉ែន បូណា
Radio France Internationale

Following the latest lifting of parliamentary immunity of Chan Cheng last week, the problem of parliamentary immunity is turning into a hot topic for Cambodian politics. Critics indicated that parliamentary immunity can be lifted so easily, therefore MPs do not have much confidence anymore. What is parliamentary immunity? How should parliamentary immunity be defended?

ការ​ដក​ហូត​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​ដោយ​ងាយៗ​ពេក ​គឺ​ជា​ការ​បង្ហាញ​រូបភាព​ជាស្វ័យប្រវត្តិ​ថា ​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា​គ្មាន​តម្លៃ​អ្វី​ឡើយ

បន្ទាប់ពី​ការដក​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា​តំណាងរាស្ត្រ​គណបក្ស​សម រង្ស៊ី ​ចុងក្រោយ​គឺ​លោក​ ចាន់ ចេង​ កាលពី​សប្តាហ៍​កន្លង​ទៅ​ បញ្ហា​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា​របស់​អ្នកតំណាងរាស្រ្ត​បាន​ក្លាយ​ជា​ប្រធានបទ​ក្តៅ​មួយ​ទៀត​ សម្រាប់​ឆាក​នយោបាយ​កម្ពុជា។ ​មាន​ការ​រិះគន់​ជាទូទៅ​ថា​ អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិសភា​អាច​នឹង​ត្រូវ​គេ​ដក​ដោយ​ងាយ​ពេក​ ដែល​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​អ្នកតំណាងរាស្ត្រ​មិន​សូវ​មាន​ភាព​កក់ក្តៅ។​ តើ​អ្វី​ទៅ​ជា​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា?​ តើ​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា​គួរ​ត្រូវ​បាន​ការពារ​យ៉ាង​ដូចម្តេច​ខ្លះ?

ការដក​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា​ពី​លោក ​ចាន់ ចេង​ តំណាងរាស្ត្រ​គណបក្ស​សម រង្ស៊ី​ដោយ​រដ្ឋសភា​ជាតិ​ កាល​ពីសប្តាហ៍​កន្លង​ទៅ​ ដើម្បី​បើក​ផ្លូវ​ឲ្យ​តុលាការ​ចាត់ការ​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ច្បាប់​ គឺជា​ករណី​ដក​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា​ចុងក្រោយ​មួយ​ទៀត​ ពី​តំណាងរាស្ត្រ​បក្ស​ប្រឆាំង។ ​ករណី​នេះ​បាន​បង្ក​ឲ្យ​មាន​សង្គ្រាម​ពាក្យ​សម្តី ​និង​សង្គ្រាម​ប៉ាកកា​ផ្ទុះ​ឡើង​ជាថ្មី​ ជុំវិញ​ភាព​ផុយស្រួយ​នៃ​អភ័យឯកសិទ្ធិ​សភា។

អង្គការ​សង្គម​ស៊ីវិល ​ដែល​ធ្វើការ​ផ្នែក​ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ ​និង​សិទ្ធិមនុស្ស ​បាន​សម្តែង​ការព្រួយបារម្ភ​ អំពី​ការ​ចុះ​ទន់​ខ្សោយ​នៃ​តួនាទី​របស់​តំណាងរាស្ត្រ ​និយាយ​ដោយឡែក​ និង​ការ​ចុះ​ខ្សោយ​តួនាទី​រដ្ឋសភា​នៅ​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា​ ​និយាយ​ជារួម។ ​ប្រឈមមុខ​ចំពោះ​បញ្ហា​នេះ​ប្រធាន​ក្រុម​តំណាងរាស្ដ្រ​គណបក្ស​សមរង្ស៊ី ​លោក ​សុន ឆ័យ​ បាន​កោះ​អញ្ជើញ​រដ្ឋមន្ត្រី​ក្រសួង​យុត្តិធម៌​ឲ្យ​មក​ឆ្លើយ​បំភ្លឺ​ផ្ទាល់មាត់​ នៅ​ក្នុង​កិច្ចប្រជុំ​រដ្ឋសភា​ អំពី​បញ្ហា​នេះ។ ​លិខិត​កោះអញ្ជើញ​នេះ​ត្រូវ​បាន​ប្រធាន​រដ្ឋសភា​ចុះ​ហត្ថលេខា ​និង​ត្រូវ​បាន​បញ្ជូន​បន្ត​ទៅ​ឲ្យ​នាយក​រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីហើយ ​កាលពី​ថ្ងៃទី​២៩ធ្នូ។

New Year Wishes for 2012 from SRP-Europe

New Year Wishes from Young Workers - By Anonymous

Kamnap: "Hun Sen Kdabb Oss" by Sam Vichea

សង្គមស៊ីវីលរិះគន់រដ្ឋសភា និងតុលាការ ថាកំពុងបំរើគណបក្សនយោបាយ

អាជ្ញាធរ​ទទួល​ស្គាល់​ថា​មាន​ក្រុមហ៊ុន​កាប់​ឈើ​នៅ​តំបន់​ព្រៃឡង់

អង្គការបរិស្ថានពិភពលោករិះគន់ ឡៅ ម៉េងឃាង និង លី យ៉ុងផាត់ មនុស្សស្និទជាមួយ ហ៊ុន សែន ពីការរំលោភសិទ្ឋិមនុស្សនៅកម្ពុជា!

រួមគ្នាតវ់ាប្រឆាំងថែ្ង៧មករា Let Stand Up to Oppose the 7 January Day

សេចក្តីអំពាវនាវ

Op-Ed by Khmer Young

យើងខ្ញុំជាយុវជនជំនាន់ក្រោយសូមអំពាវនាវដល់កូនខ្មែរទាំងអស់ ទាំងក្មេងទាំងចាស់ កុមារាកុមារី យុវជនយុវតី និងព្រះសង្ឃ ចូលរួមរំលឹកខួបថែ្ង៧ មករា ១៩៧៩ - ៧ មករា ២០១១ ថាជាថែ្ងដែលខ្មែរបាត់បង់ឯករាជ្យ ធ្លាក់ជារដ្ឋរណបរបស់យៀកណាម។ ទោះតាមហេតុផលណាក៏ដោយ ពួកជនដែលគោរពបូជាថែ្ងនេះ គឺជាជនទុរយសជាតិ។

• របបទាំងបីគឺរបបសាធារណរដ្ឋ របបខ្មែរក្រហម និងរបបសាធារណរដ្ឋប្រជាមានិតកម្ពុជាឫរដ្ឋកម្ពុជា គឺជារបបដែលនាំមកនូវភាពហិនហោចដល់កម្ពុជា។
  
• ក្រោយថែ្ង២៣ តុលា ១៩៩១ កម្ពុជាគួរអាចកំណត់ជោគវាសនាជាតិខ្លួនប្រកបដោយនិតិរដ្ឋនិង អធិបតេយ្យភាពពិតប្រាកដ តែផ្ទុយទៅវិញកាកសំណល់និងមនុស្សសំណល់ពីរបបទាំងបីនេះ បានបន្តធ្វើផ្គរធ្វើភ្លៀងនៅក្នុងរដ្ឋាភិបាលបច្ចុប្បន្ន អោយនាវាកម្ពុជាធ្លាក់ទៅរកភាពអន្ធការ។
• ពួកជនសំណល់ពីរបបទាំងបីនេះបានបន្តបូជាថែ្ង៧ មករា ដើម្បីបំផ្លាញនិតិរដ្ឋនិងអធិបតេយ្យពិត ប្រាកដរបស់កម្ពុជា ដែលជាផលិតផលនែកិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងទីក្រុងប៉ារី២៣ តុលា ១៩៩១។

យើងខ្ញុំជាយុវជនជំនាន់ក្រោយ សូមអំពាវនាវដល់កូនខ្មែរអ្នកស្នេហាជាតិទាំងអស់ងើបឡើងប្រឆាំងនឹង ថែ្ង៧ មករា ថែ្ងយួនឈ្លានពាននេះព្រមទាំងប្រឆាំងពួកមនុស្សសំណល់ពីរបបទាំងបីដែលមានតួនាទីធំៗ នៅក្នុងរដ្ឋាភិបាលបច្ចុប្បន្ន ដោយសកម្មភាពដូចតទៅនេះ៖

1. អុចធូបទៀនបន់ស្រន់ សូត្រធម៌ភាវនាវនៅក្នុងផ្ទះ នៅក្នុងវត្តអារាម និងទីសក្ការះផ្សេងៗ
2. រំលឹកដល់កូន ដល់ចៅ ដល់ភរិយា ដល់ស្វាមី ដល់តា ដល់យាយ ដល់លោកគ្រូ-អ្នកគ្រូ និងដល់មិត្តភក្តិអំពីថែ្ងមហន្តរាយនេះ
3. សរសេរជាលិខិត អីម៉េល និងសារខ្លីៗ ទៅកាន់មិត្តភក្តិ សហគមន៍ និងសារពត៌មានផ្សេងៗ
4. សរសេរជាលិខិតទៅកាន់ប្រទេសហត្ថលេខីនែទីក្រុងប៉ារីទាំងអស់ ទូតនានា និងការិយាល័យអង្គការ សហប្រជាជាតិ ព្រមទាំងអង្គការនានាទាំងក្នុងនិងក្រៅប្រទេសកម្ពុជា
5. រួមគ្នាជាក្រុមប្រកបដោយពិដារ ពាក្យស្លោក និង គ្រឿងសំលេង ដើម្បីឈរតវ៉ានៅពីមុខស្ថានទូត យក្សណាមនៅគ្រប់ប្រទេសនិងគ្រប់ទីកនែ្លង។

យើងរួម យើងរស់ យើងបែកបាក់ យើងស្លាប់

ដោយការគោរពដ៏ខ្ពង់ខ្ពស់

ខ្មែរយ៉ាំង

APPEAL

We are younger generation of Cambodia, would like to appeal to all Khmer children, either young or old, pupils, students, Buddhist monks, and youths, to collectively memorize the day of 7 January 1979 - 7 January 2012 as the day that Cambodian nation was swallowed by Vietnam imperialist. With any logical reasons to justify this day, this day is actually relevant as the devastating day for Cambodia.

• All three regimes such as Khmer Republic of Lon Nol regime, Democratic Kampuchea of Pol Pot regime, and People's Republic of Cambodia or State of Cambodia of Hun Sen regime, are the regimes that brought devastation to Cambodia.
• After the Paris Peace Agreement in October 23, 1991 which brought to Cambodia the rule of law and genuine sovereign integrity, but in contrast, the rubbish from those regimes and people rubbish from those regimes who are top leaders in incumbent government, have continued to devastate Cambodia.
• The people rubbish from those regimes who are top leaders in incumbent government have continued to worship the day of January 7 aiming to undermine the rule of law and genuine sovereign integrity of Cambodia which was produced by the Paris Peace Agreement.

We are younger generation of Cambodia, would like to appeal to all Khmer compatriots to stand up firmly to oppose the rubbish from those regimes and those people rubbish who are holding high positions in incumbent government by following activities:

1. Light candles and burn incenses to pray, worship and chant at home, pagodas and public holy alters
2. Remind your children, parents, grandparents, friends and teachers about the devastation of this day
3. Write letter, email or text to friends, communities and media
4. Write letter to all signatory countries of Paris Peace Agreement, embassies in Cambodia, office of UNs, and NGOs
5. Gather together equipping by slogans, paper boards and microphone to protest in front of all Vietnamese embassies every where.

We unite, we survive; We divide, we die

Respectful

Khmer Young

SRP rejects Hun Xen's accusations

Kong Korm

30 December 2011
Radio Free Asia

Kong Korm, the standing SRP President, rejected that the accusations made by Hun Xen on 29 December 2011. Hun Xen claimed that the SRP forced its commune councilors to only vote for SRP candidates for the Senate.

On 29 December, Kong Korm added that his party asked its commune councilors to swear that they will be faithful to the SRP, however, the SRP did not incarcerate any of them as Hun Xen accused.

Please listen to Yun Samean's interview of Kong Korm who explained about Hun Xen's accusations.

.

Mr.Tep Khunnal's letter to OCEC

http://www.box.com/s/hbb74hslub75tbm7jq87


http://www.box.com/s/9u9x6t5nm977ga1pz9oq


http://www.box.com/s/9692adbcoj6es65319dr


http://www.box.com/s/l173byhfozc1d28yvn6m

Angry at corrupt government officials? This solution may work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q97OQ2pJ1tw

Xee-PP comrade Pal Xam Oeun on kowtow trip to Hanoi to receive Hanoi's marching order

VN, Cambodia share legislative experience

December, 31 2011
VNS

HA NOI -- The legislative bodies of Vietnam and Cambodia should increase bilateral cooperation and share experience in law-making, said a top Vietnamese legislator.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son made the statement during his meeting in Hanoi on Dec. 30 with a delegation of the Cambodian National Assembly's Commission on Interior, National Defence, Investigation, Anti-Corruption and Public Function, led by its deputy head Pal Sam Oeurn.

Son expressed his wish that the two legislatures would continue to take measures and effectively promote cooperation mechanisms, thus boosting the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia .

Cambodia is so delicious for Hanoi!!!

Vietnam treasures ties with Cambodia

Fri, December 30, 2011
VNA

The Government, people and army of Vietnam always attach importance to developing the solidarity with the Government, people and army of Cambodia and will do their utmost to preserve and further strengthen the relations.

The statement was made by Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Cung at a meeting with a delegation of the Cambodian National Assembly led by Pal Sam Oeurn, Vice Chairman of the Commission on Interior, National Defence, Investigation, Anti-Corruption and Public Function, in Hanoi on Dec. 29.

Cung informed his guests of Vietnam ’s socio-economic development and highlighted the time-honoured traditional friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

Choung Chou-ngy: There was no arrest but there was attempt made to arrest - លោក ជូង ជូងី៖ មិន​មាន​ការ​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​តែ​មាន​ការ​ប៉ុនប៉ង​ចាប់

៣០-ធ្នូ-២០១១៖ មេធាវី​ការពារ​ក្ដី​ឲ្យ​មន្ត្រី​គណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី លោក ជូង ជូងី ធ្វើ​សន្និសីទ​កាសែត នៅ​ទីស្នាក់ការ​គណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ។ (RFA/Uon Chhin)
30 Dec 2011 - SRP Lawyer Choung Chou-ngy held a press conference at the SRP headquarters in Phnom Penh (Photo: Uon Chhin, RFA)

30 Dec 2011
By Uon Chhin
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soy

Click the control below to listen to the audio program:

Click here to download the audio program in MP3

Choung Chou-ngy, the SRP lawyer, held a press conference to deny his arrest on 29 December 2011, however he confirmed that there was indeed attempts made by the cops to arrest him.

Choung Chou-ngy, the defense lawyer for SRP officials, claimed during a press conference held at the SRP headquarters on 30 December 2011 that he was not arrested on 29 December 2011.

Nevertheless, Choung Chou-ngy indicated that there were attempts made by the cops to arrest him on 29 December 2011. However, due to his past good deeds, he was able to escape from the 3 ambushes set up to arrest him: the first ambush was set in Kampong Chhnang, the second in Sala Lekh Pram and the third in Prek Kdam: “They held a tumultuous pursuit after me, if it was not because of my [past] good deeds, they would have arrested me already!”

Strike at the Kwei yang garment factory

សេចក្តីជូនដំណឹង

នៅព្រឹកថ្ងៃទី 31 ខែធ្នូ ឆ្នាំ2011នេះ កម្មករ-កម្មការិនីនៃរោងចក្រកាត់ដេរ ឃ្វៃយ៉ាង ២០០ ទៅ 300 នាក់ កំពុង ធ្វើកូតកម្ម ទាមទារ ប្រាក់ សហការ ៥ដុល្លា ពីនិយោជក ដែលក្រុមហ៊ុន ធ្វើការ គាបសង្កត ទៅលើ ពួកគេ។

សូមទំនាក់ទំនង លោកថន ថុល 017 552 452 មន្រ្តី សហជីព សេរីកម្មករ
និងកម្មការិនី ម៉ុយ សំឡូត 068 436012 និង កម្មការិនី 077 380 547

អរគុណ
លីណា
--
Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC)
Social Justice is the Foundation of Peace


Address: House No.16A, Street 360, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang 3,
Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh


Tel/Fax: +855 0 23 216 870
Mobile: +855 0 12 941 308
http://www.ftuw.org/ http://ftuwkc.webs.com/
-------
Unofficial translation from Khmer:

In the morning of 31 December 2011, 200 to 300 workers at the Kwei Yang garment factory held a strike to demand $5 in cooperation payment from the factory owners who are putting pressure on them.

Kamnap:"Yuon Chaul Srok Hoeuy!" by Ung Thavary

RFA's report on Lawyer Choung Chou-ngy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P95Al6635eE

128 firms get licenses for mineral exploration in Cambodia

December 30, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- The government of Cambodia has so far granted mining concessional licenses to approximately 128 local and foreign entities to conduct mineral exploration in the country, according to an industry's report published on Friday.

Those firms have been licensed for mineral exploration, dredging and quarrying throughout Cambodia, said the report entitled "Current Trends for Mining-Related Social and Environmental Impact in Cambodia".

The report was compiled by the Extractive Industry Social and Environment Impact (EISEI) Network, which consists of a number of non-governmental organizations.

Cambodia attracts 2.58 mln foreign visitors in 11 months

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The international tourist arrivals in Cambodia had increased 14 percent year-on-year in the first eleven months this year, showed the statistics of the Tourism Ministry on Friday.

From January to November this year, the country had welcomed 2. 58 million foreign visitors, up 14 percent from the same period last year, said the report.

Vietnam topped the chart among the top ten arrivals with 564, 532 tourists, up 20 percent, followed by South Korea with 304,922, up 17 percent, and Chinese tourists at third up 37 percent with 220,476.

During the period, Thai tourists to Cambodia declined by 26 percent to 101,118 due to the two countries' border clashes earlier this year.

Myanmar, Cambodia emerge as high-growth investment destinations

30 December 2011
By Avelyn Ng
Channel News Asia (Singapore)

SINGAPORE: By some measure, Myanmar had a spectacular 2011. Endorsed as chair of Asean for 2014, and a high profile visit from the US secretary of state - reward for recent political reforms that have elevated confidence in an economy barely emerging from years in the dark.

Andrew Rickards, CEO of Yoma Strategic, said: "The country that is perhaps being held back in development, that is perhaps being held back for the last 40 or 50 years, suddenly tries to reintegrate with the world economy.

"There's an awful lot of catching up to do, challenges from basic infrastructure mobile telephones internet access to hotel rooms and getting flights... You could imagine that the whole place is creaking a little bit at the seams as it is suddenly being put on people's radar for the first time."

Thailand, Cambodia to establish power plant working group

PHNOM PENH, Dec 30 (MCOT online news) - Thailand and Cambodia are to establish a working group to facilitate cooperation for the Stung Num hydropower plant and a coal-fired power plant on Koh Kong after both countries agreed on electricity sharing.

Thailand’s Minister of Energy Pichai Naripthaphan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul were officially visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Thursday when the Cambodian leader raised the issue.

Mr Pichai said the matter had been on hold due to political problems between the two nations.

According to Mr Pichai, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) was assigned to discuss with Cambodia in detail, as it is to purchase power as stated in the existing agreement.

Thailand to revive revoked MoU with Cambodia

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (MCOT online news) - The Thai government is considering reviving the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the kingdom’s maritime border signed with Cambodia in 2001 but which was revoked by the previous government, according to Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Speaking to the media at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon returning from his official two-day visit to Cambodia, Mr Surapong said the government is considering revoking the cabinet resolution which terminated the MoU on overlapping maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand signed with Cambodia in 2001.

When the MoU is revived, the government could go ahead on negotiations under the framework of MoU, he said.

The MoU was signed by then foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Cambodia's deputy prime minister Sok An on June 14, 2001, under the Thaksin Shinawatra-led administration.

Thailand Plans To Revive MOUs With Cambodia

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The Thai government is planning to revive memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Cambodia, which were scrapped by the previous government, as Bangkok and Phnom Penh move forward to cooperate in energy and other sectors, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

Speaking to journalists after returning from a two-day official visit to Cambodia Friday, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, said he had discussed with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, who is also Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, and he had agreed on the issue.

Surapong revealed that the Thai and Cambodian sides have also agreed to open a new permanent border checkpoint at Baan Nong Ian in Aranyaprathet District of Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo Province to further boost cross border trade and travelling and expedite approvals for visa applications.

Surapong said they had also agreed to organise the next meeting of Thailand-Cambodia Joint Commission for Cooperation (JC) in Chiang Mai from Feb 29 - March 1, 2012 and the next meeting of Thailand-Cambodia Joint Border Commission (JBC) in February, with the exact date of the upcoming JBC meeting to be announced later.

Orphanage tourism and Cambodia's fight to end it

Dec 30th 2011
By Jessica Marati
Gadling

In Cambodia, it's not uncommon for tourists to be offered tours of local orphanages in the same way they're offered tours of Angkor Wat.

It might be tempting to accept the opportunity to experience "the real Cambodia," especially when you're confronted by extreme poverty at every turn. But before you do, a new campaign backed by international NGO Friends-International and UNICEF asks you to think again.

"Travelers care for Cambodia and are often disturbed by the perceived situation of children," said Sebastien Marot, Executive Director of Friends-International, whose headquarters are in Cambodia. "It is essential for them to understand the real situation and what positive actions they can take to effectively protect and support these children."

Khmer Krom: Rights Groups Urge Assistance for Monks

Human rights groups in Cambodia have urged the domestic and international community to help two monks who have been the victims of discrimination that saw one monk dismissed from his position without reason and another accused of inciting protests.

Below is an article published by the Khmer Krom Post:

The Khmer Kampuchea Krom association wrote a letter to Licadho, Adhoc, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights and the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia, calling on them to intervene to help the Buddhist monks.

In early November [2011], Mok Kampoul district officials in Kandal province forced Khmer Kampuchea Krom Buddhist monk Chea Sovannaphum to leave the Keo Monyvorn pagoda without reason.

Last week, Khmer Kampuchea Krom Buddhist monk Sieng Sovannara, who lives in Samki Raingsey pagoda, was summonsed to Phnom Penh Municipal Court to face accusations of inciting protesters involved in a land dispute in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district.

“I just came out to my 80-something father”

The author speaks at the 2011 TED Conference about his choreography, framing his political dance works within the tradition of devotional art (Credit: James Duncan Davidson)

After my sister called me a homophobic slur, I felt overwhelmed by hatred. And I dialed our dad in angry tears

Friday, Dec 30, 2011

By Prumsodun Ok

Salon

Inspired by the recently released film "Pariah," Salon teamed up with New America Media to run a series of coming-out stories by minority and immigrant LGBT youth. This is the final installment.

I don’t even remember how it began.

My eldest sister is in my apartment, screaming and yelling at me with a nonsensical fury. There is something about my not going to work. There is something about my going out late at night. Is this woman crazy? I shut down her every attack with calm but assertive responses, revealing the faults in her strange accusations. The exchange is escalating wildly, but she is unable to faze me. Finally, in an angry, spiteful resignation, she says, “You’re just a faggot.”

The shit was about to hit the fan. And, seeing this, everyone who intruded into the apartment with her — her husband, my brother — tries to pull her out of my path.

Growing up, I’ve always been the black sheep of my family. I was ripped away from my refugee parents when I began kindergarten, English gaining importance over the Khmer I spoke at home. My mother once threatened to disown me if I pursued the predominantly female art form of Cambodian classical dance. And, in line with the combination of my youthful independence and my family’s inability to guide me through American society, I defied my parents and left to study experimental filmmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute.

Than Shwe Wants To Be Remembered As Kim Jong IL And Not Pol Pot

December 30, 2011
Written by: Kanbawza Win
OpEd

Pol Pot, Kim Jong IL and Than Shwe: The common denominator of these three men is cruelty, brutality, ruthlessness, and secrecy in a tyranny which simultaneously oppressed and starved its people to an almost unique degree to sustain their regimes. All of them have directly or indirectly killed from 1.5 to 2 million of their own citizens.

Pol Pot (actual name of birth is Saloth Sa) won a scholarship in 1949 to study radio electronics in Paris and became enthralled by writings on Marxism and revolutionary socialism and forged bonds with other likeminded young Cambodians studying in the metropolis, including Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan, Khieu Ponnary, Khieu Thirith and Song Sen who were destined to become the notorious Khmer Rouge leaders. Returning from a secret trip to North Vietnam in 1967, Pol Pot took refuge in the northeast of Cambodia where he lived with a hill tribe and was so impressed by their simple, non-material way of life, that he imagined its to be a realisation of communist ideals.

Beginning on the day in 1975 when his guerrilla army marched silently into the capital, Pol Pot declared ‘Year Zero’ and directed a ruthless program to “purify” Cambodian society and no opposition was tolerated. Buddhist monks were defrocked and forced into labour brigades. In Phnom Penh, Pol Pot emptied the cities, pulled families apart, abolished religion and closed schools. Everyone was ordered to work, even children. The Khmer Rouge outlawed money and closed all markets. Doctors were killed, as were most people with skills and education that threatened the regime. The Khmer Rouge like the Burmese Tatmadaw (army) persecuted members of minority ethnic groups — the Chinese, Muslim Chams, Vietnamese and Thais who had lived for generations in the country, and any other foreigners — in an attempt to create a ”pure” Cambodia. Non-Cambodians were forbidden to speak their native languages or to exhibit any ”foreign” traits. The pogrom against the Cham minority was the most devastating, killing more than half of that community. The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, in which approximately 1.7 million people lost their lives (21% of the country’s population), was one of the worst human tragedies of the last century. As in the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian genocide, in Nazi Germany, and more recently in East Timor, Guatemala, Yugoslavia, and Rwanda, the Khmer Rouge regime headed by Pol Pot combined extremist ideology with ethnic animosity and a diabolical disregard for human life to produce repression, misery, and murder on a massive scale. Irrefutable evidence of “crimes against humanity, genocide, grave breaches of the Geneva Convention, homicide, torture and religious persecution.” were found by the UN. But the people of Cambodia were liberated when on 15th April 1998 in a small thatched hut in the mountains of northern Cambodia Pol Pot died at the age of 73 when the government troops were closing down on him and left the nation in trauma up to this day.

Mekong Battle Delayed

Photo Credit: Preetam Rai

December 31, 2011
By Tom Fawthrop
The Diplomat

The announcement that a decision over whether to proceed with the controversial Xayaburi dam has been delayed has been welcomed by NGOs. But will Laos push ahead anyway?

The turbulent waters of the Mekong River have been witness to much strife. From the Vietnam War to the conflict in Cambodia in the 1980s, the citizens of the Mekong have been divided by war, ideology and Cold War diplomacy. And now, an energy-hungry region that has witnessed a boom in hydropower projects has spawned a new conflict – one that could again divide the Mekong sub-region.

It isn’t meant to be like this. After all, the Mekong River Commission (the MRC), which was established in 1995, was meant to unite the four member states in cooperative management of the river through dialogue and negotiation. The MRC was itself the successor to the Mekong Committee and the Interim Mekong Committee.

កំណាព្យ: ក្រោយថ្ងៃប្រាំពីរមករា ១៩៧៩ ដោយ: ឆាំ ឆានី

Choung Chou-ngy came out to say that he cannot talk about his arrest - មេ​ធាវី​ជូង​ ជូងី​ចេញ​មុខ​និយាយ​ថា ​មិន​អាច​និយាយ​ពី​ការ​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​

មេធាវី​ ជូង ជូងី មេធាវីនៃបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី ធ្វើសន្និសីទសាព័ត៌មាន​នៅថ្ងៃសុក្រ៣០ធ្នូនៅទី​ស្នាក់ការកណ្តាល​របស់គណបក្ស​ ពាក់ព័ន្ធពីរឿងបាត់ខ្លួនលោកនាពេលកន្លងមក (RFI/ដោយ លាង ដឺលុច)
SRP Lawyer Choung Chou-ngy at his press conference on Friday 30 December at the SRP headquarters where he talked about his disappearance (Leang Delux, RFI)

30 Dec 2011
By Leang Delux
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Soy

One day after news alert on the arrest of Lawyer Choung Chou-ngy, the lawyer himself appeared at a press conference on Friday 30 December 2011. During the press conference, Choung Chou-ngy said that there was indeed a pursuit made to arrest him, but that it was not successful.

In a surprised press conference held the SRP headquarters in the morning on 30 December, the SRP lawyer who disappeared all day on Thursday, re-appeared there. However, it was a press conference where this lawyer did not say much at all.

When asked by reporters whether he was arrested or not, Choung Chou-ngy replied by saying that he could not talk about this problem due to professional pressure.

It was an answer that nobody understood. However Choung Chou-ngy announced that there was a pursuit made to arrest him at 3 locations: in Prek Kdam, Sala Lekh Pram and Kampong Chhnang. He said that he did not want to provide any details on this issue. However, in a protesting response to the pursuit to arrest him, Choung Chou-ngy announced that he will shave his head, don the white [religious] robe, and he will hold prayers in front of the Kandal provincial court, the Appeal court, the ministry of Justice and the Cambodian Bar Association.

Chan Soveth, an investigation official for the Adhoc human rights group, talked about Choung Chou-ngy’s demeanor: Choung Chou-ngy looked troubled and he was careful when he talked to reporters. Chan Soveth said that human rights organizations will continue to follow up in this case.

In a lawsuit case involving a SRP activist that Choung Chou-ngy is defending, the Kandal provincial court suspects him of providing means for the SRP activist to flee from jail. On Thursday, Adhoc claimed that Choung Chou-ngy was arrested, however, the national police commission rejected this arrest information.

------
ថ្ងៃ សុក្រ 30 ធ្នូ 2011

២៤​​ម៉ោង​​ក្រោយ​​ការ​​ផ្អើល​​ព័ត៌មាន​​ថា ​​មាន​​ការ​​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​​លោក​​មេធាវី​​ជូង​ ជូងី​ មេធាវី​​រូប​​នេះ​​ស្រាប់​​តែ​​ចេញ​​មុខ​​ធ្វើ​​សន្និសីទ​​កាសែត​​តែ​​ម្តង​​នៅ​ព្រឹក​​ថ្ងៃ​​សុក្រ​៣០ធ្នូ​​នេះ។ ​នៅ​ក្នុង​​សន្និសីទ​​កាសែត​​លោក​​មេធាវី​​ជូង​ ជូងី ​​បាននិយាយ​ថា ពិតជា​​មាន​​ការ​​តាម​​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​​មែន​ តែ​មិន​​បាន​​ជោគ​ជ័យ។​

សន្និសីទ​កាសែត​ដ៏​គួរ​អោយ​ភ្ញាក់ផ្អើល​មួយ​ត្រូវ​បាន​រៀបចំ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទីស្នាក់ការ​កណ្តាល​របស់​គណបក្ស​សម រង្ស៊ី​នៅ​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃ​សុក្រ​ទី​៣០​ធ្នូ​នេះ។ មេធាវី​ការពារ​ក្តី​អោយ​គណបក្ស​សម រង្ស៊ី​ដែល​បាន​បាត់​ខ្លួន​ពេញ​មួយ​ថ្ងៃ​ព្រហស្បតិ៍​នោះ ​ស្រាប់​តែ​បាន​លេច​មុខ​នៅ​ក្នុង​សន្និសីទ​កាសែត​​នោះ។ ជា​សន្និសីទ​កាសែត​ដែល​មេធាវី​រូប​នេះ​មិន​បាន​និយាយ​អ្វី​ច្រើន​ឡើយ។

នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​អ្នក​កាសែត​សួរ​ថា តើ​មាន​ការ​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​ដែរ​ឬ​ទេ? មេធាវី​ជូង ជូងី​បែរ​ជា​ឆ្លើយ​ថា​លោក​មិន​អាច​និយាយ​រៀបរាប់​បញ្ហា​នេះ​បាន​ឡើយ ដោយសារ​គំនាប​វិជ្ជាជីវៈ។

ជា​ចម្លើយ​ដែល​គ្មាន​អ្នកណា​យល់​ឡើយ។ ប៉ុន្តែ​ថា លោក​មេធាវី​បាន​ប្រកាស​ថា មាន​ការ​តាម​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​លោក​នៅ​បី​កន្លែង​ គឺ​នៅ​ព្រែកក្តាម នៅ​សាលា​លេខ​៥ និង​នៅ​កំពង់ឆ្នាំង។ អ្នក​ច្បាប់​រូប​នេះ​មិន​ចង់​និយាយ​លំអិត​បញ្ហា​នេះ​ឡើយ។​ ប៉ុន្តែ នៅ​ក្នុង​ន័យ​តបត​ប្រឆាំង​ការ​តាម​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​លោក​ ដែល​លោក​បាន​អះអាង​នោះ លោក​ជូង ជូងី​បាន​ប្រកាស​អោយ​ដឹង​ថា​ លោក​នឹង​កោរ​សក់​​ស្លៀកពាក់​ស ​​សំណាក់​ធម៌​នៅមុខ​សាលាដំបូង​ខេត្ត​កណ្តាល នៅ​សាលា​ឧទ្ធរណ៍ ក្រសួង​យុត្តិធម៌ និង​មុខ​គណៈមេធាវី។

មន្ត្រី​អ្នកស៊ើបអង្កេត​របស់សមាគម​ការពារ​សិទ្ធិមនុស្ស​អាដហុក លោក​ចាន់ សូវេត​បាន​រៀបរាប់​អំពី​អាកប្បកិរិយា​របស់​មេធាវី​ថា មេធាវី​រូប​នេះ​ហាក់​មាន​ទឹកមុខ​ទុក្ខព្រួយ និង​មាន​ការ​ប្រុងប្រយ័ត្ន​ច្រើន​ក្នុងពេល​និយាយ​ជាមួយ​អ្នកកាសែត។ លោក​បន្ត​ថា ក្រុម​អង្គការ​សិទ្ធិមនុស្ស​នឹង​បន្ត​តាមដាន​ករណី​នេះ។

នៅ​ក្នុង​សំណុំរឿង​ក្តីក្តាំ​មួយ​របស់​សកម្មជន​គណបក្ស​សម រង្ស៊ី​ដែល​លោក​ជូង ជូងី​គឺ​ជា​អ្នក​ការពារ​ក្តី​នោះ តុលាការ​ខេត្តកណ្តាល​ក៏​បាន​សង្ស័យ​ថា​លោក​មេធាវី​រូប​នេះ​ បាន​ផ្តល់​មធ្យោបាយ​​អោយ​ជន​ជាប់ចោទ​រត់​គេច​ពី​ការ​ឃុំ​ខ្លួន។ កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​ព្រហស្បតិ៍​មន្ត្រី​សមាគម​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស​អាដហុក​អះអាង​ថា មេធាវី​ជូង ជូងី​ត្រូវ​បាន​ចាប់​ខ្លួន ខណៈ​ស្នងការដ្ឋាន​នគរបាល​ជាតិ​បដិសេធ​ព័ត៌មាន​នេះ៕

SRP Lawyer held a conference about secret ambushes to arrest him

Click the control below to listen to the audio program:

Click here to download the audio program in MP3

30 Dec 2011
By Kong Sothanarith
Voice of America
Translated from Khmer by Soy

“I understand that the way he talked seems to show that he is under pressure.”

Nevertheless, once again, today, a reliable human rights investigation official in Cambodia who declined to reveal his identity indicated that Choung Chou-ngy was arrested by the cops before he was released at night time.

After disappearing for one whole day – an event that created quite a havoc – Choung Chou-ngy, the SRP lawyer, appeared at a public press conference this Friday to say that there was attempt made to arrest him, but he was able to evade it safely.

During a press conference held at the SRP headquarters located in the suburb of Phnom Penh, Choung Chou-ngy confirmed that his car led to the defeat in the attempt to arrest him, however he did not elaborate further than this. Chuong Chou-ngy said that he is under pressure that does not allow him to provide further details.

“Yesterday, because of my car, it helped me evade my arrest. I am limited in what I can talk.”

Even though Choung Chou-ngy could not discuss clearly what he faced, he seems to be linking the attempt to arrest him to Ouk Kim Sith, the Kandal provincial court prosecutor, who issued charges against him.

“My lawsuit against Ouk Kim Sith was a legal case. When Ouk Kim Sith turned against me, he cut corners and he used his people to inflict hardship on me. There were three places where they ambushed to arrest me. The first one was in Sala Lekh Pram, the second one in Kampong Chhnang and the third one in Prek Kdam.”

ឬសគល់នៃថ្ងៃ ៧ មករា !

មេធាវី​គណបក្ស​ប្រឆាំង​ធ្វើ​សន្និសីទ​ព័ត៌មាន​អំពីការ​ស្ទាក់​ចាប់ខ្លួន​លោក​ស្ងាត់ៗ

លោក​សុន ​ឆ័យ ​ប្រធាន​ក្រុម​តំណាងរាស្ដ្រ​គណបក្ស​សម ​រង្ស៊ីរូបថត៖ VOA - R. Carmichael

ថ្ងៃសុក្រ, 30 ខែធ្នូ 2011
ដោយ គង់ ​សុឋានរិទ្ធ | ភ្នំពេញ
VOA

«ខ្ញុំ​យល់​ថា ​អ្វី​ដែល​គាត់​និយាយ​ក្នុង​លក្ខខណ្ឌ​បែប​នេះ​ហាក់​ដូច​ជា​គាត់​ចង់​បង្ហាញ​ថា ​គាត់​មាន​សម្ពាធ»។​

បន្ទាប់​ពី​បាត់​ខ្លួន​ពេញ​មួយ​ថ្ងៃ​ប្រកប​ទៅ​ដោយ​ភាព​ឆោឡោ ​មេធាវី​ប្រចាំ​គណបក្ស​ជំទាស់​សម ​រង្ស៊ី ​គឺ​លោក​ ជូង​ ជូងី​បាន​ចេញ​មុខ​ជា​សាធារណៈ​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​សុក្រ​នេះ​ដោយ​ថ្លែង​ថា ​លោក​ទទួល​រង​ការ​ប៉ុនប៉ង​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​ ប៉ុន្ដែ​លោក​បាន​គេច​ខ្លួន​ដោយ​សុវត្ថិភាព។​

ថ្លែង​ក្នុង​សន្និសីទ​កាសែត​ក្នុង​ទីស្នាក់ការ​គណបក្ស​ជំទាស់ ​នៅ​ជាយ​ទីក្រុង​ភ្នំពេញ ​លោក​ជូង ​ជូងី​បាន​បញ្ជាក់​ថា​ រថយន្ដ​របស់​គាត់​បាន​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​ការ​ប៉ុនប៉ង​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​រូប​លោក​ជួប​បរាជ័យ។ ​ប៉ុន្ដែ​លោក​មិន​បាន​ពន្យល់​បន្ថែម​នោះ​ទេ។ ​លោក​ជូង ​ជូងី​លើក​ឡើង​ថា​ លោក​ទទួល​គំនាប​មួយ​ដែល​មិន​អនុញ្ញាត​ឲ្យ​លោក​លាតត្រ​ដាង​ព័ត៌មាន​លម្អិត​បាន។​

«ម្សិលមិញ​ដោយសារ​ឡាន​ខ្ញុំ​ អាច​ជួយ​រំដោះ​ខ្ញុំ​ឲ្យ​ចេញ​ផុត​ពី​ការ​ចាប់​ខ្លួន។ ​ខ្ញុំ​មាន​ការ​ដាក់​កម្រិត​ក្នុង​ការ​និយាយ»។​

ថ្វី​បើ​លោក​ជូង ​ជូងី ​មិន​បាន​បង្ហាញ​នូវ​លក្ខខណ្ឌ​ជាក់ស្ដែង​ ដែល​លោក​ជួប​ប្រទះ​ ក៏ប៉ុន្ដែ​លោក​ទំនង​ជា​ចង់​ភ្ជាប់​ទំនាក់ទំនង​ការ​ប៉ុនប៉ង​ចាប់​ខ្លួន​រូប​លោក​ទៅ​នឹង​លោក​ព្រះរាជអាជ្ញា​សាលា​ដំបូង​ខេត្ត​កណ្ដាល​គឺ​លោក​អ៊ុក ​គឹមសិទ្ធិ ​ដែល​បាន​ចេញ​ដីកា​ចោទ​ប្រកាន់​រូប​លោក។​

«ខ្ញុំ​ប្ដឹង​អ៊ុក ​គឹមសិទ្ធិ​គឺ​ប្ដឹង​ទៅ​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ច្បាប់។ ​ពេល​អ៊ុក ​គឹមសិទ្ធិ ​លេង​ខ្ញុំ​គឺ​លេង​តាម​ផ្លូវ​កាត់​ ទៅ​ជា​យក​គ្នា​គាត់​មក​ធ្វើ​បាប​ខ្ញុំ។ ​មាន​បី​កន្លែង​ដែល​គេ​ស្ទាក់​ចាប់​ខ្ញុំ។ ​កន្លែង​ទី​មួយ​គឺ​នៅ​សាលា​លេខ​៥ ​កន្លែង​ទី​ពីរ​គឺ​នៅ​កំពង់ឆ្នាំង ​និង​កន្លែង​ទី​បី​នៅ​ព្រែកក្ដាម»។​

Demonstration in front of the Viet embassy in Paris on 07 January 2012

MANIFESTATION

Cambodge/Laos contre le Vietnam expansionniste

La Révolution du Lotus Khmer et nos amis laotiens du Conseil National Lao pour la Démocratie appellent les compatriotes des deux nations à se manifester le 7 janvier 2012 , à 14 heures , devant l’Ambassade du Vietnam sise au :

N°- 62 rue Boileau

Paris 16è

Métro : Michel-Ange Molitor

Personnes à contacter :

1. M. krethya au N°- : 0676473082
2. Dr Somboun THORANINTH au N°-0148925544

-----------

Demonstration

Cambodia/Laos against Vietnamese expansionism

The Khmer Lotus Revolution and our Lao friends of the Lao National Council for Democracy are calling all compatriots from both nations to hold a demonstration on 07 January 2012, at 2PM, in front of the Vietnamese embassy in Paris at the following address:

No. 62 Rue Boileau

Paris XVI

Metro station: Michel-Ange Molitor

For additional information, please contact:

1. Mr. krethya, Tel. No. 0676473082
2. Dr. Somboun Thoraninth, Tel. No. 0148925544

Happy New Year to Teacher community of Cambodia

Lowell monks steadfast on controversial temple plans

Temple-steering-committee members met with Sun staff yesterday in Lowell. From left are Samkhann Kheoun, Sam Meas, Maya Men and Sambath Soum. SUN/David H. Brow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgasDeNxbJA

12/29/2011
By Jennifer Myers, jmyers@lowellsun.com
Lowell Sun (Lowell, Massachusetts, USA)

LOWELL -- The goal is to build a 20,000-square-foot Buddhist temple and Cambodian cultural and educational center on a 12-acre parcel in the city's Pawtucketville neighborhood -- the largest such complex on the East Coast.

It will take money. It will take time. It will take communication and compromise with a contingent of neighbors who, thus far, have stood in opposition to the Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks' project.

Yesterday morning, four members of the steering committee -- Samkhann Khoeun, Sam Meas, Maya Men and Sambath Soum -- met with Sun Editor James Campanini and a Sun reporter to discuss the project's purpose and challenges.

"The center we are planning to build will hold religious services and be a place where people from all faiths can come to meditate, receive formal religious teaching from monks and learn about Cambodian culture," said Meas.

Lakeside women turn entrepreneurs

Boeung Kak lakeside resident Tol Srey Pau makes a purse at the home of community representative Tep Vanny yesterday. (Photo by: Touch Yin Vannith)

Friday, 30 December 2011
Khouth Sophakchakrya
The Phnom Penh Post

Many women living in communities around the capital’s Boeung Kak lake who have lost employment after spending years shielding their homes from the impact of a real estate development have begun creating handicrafts in order to support their families.

About 30 women divided into four groups arrive daily to work in shifts on seven sewing machines in the house of former Village 22 representat-ive Tep Vanny, producing handbags for sale.

“We are hopeful and confident that our houses will not be lost. That is why we initiated to create some jobs for income,” Tep Vanny told the Post yesterday.

In 2007, local firm Shukaku Inc was granted a 99-year lease on 133 hectares of land around the lake for a real-estate development project.

Soul Food

YOU MUSTN'T QUIT

* Calligraphy by Ms. Seng Theary when she was a few moons younger (!!!).

The Lawyer Choung Chou-ngy Saga

As seen and heard on Ms. Seng Theary's 
Facebook and BLOG

Ms. Seng Theary, Dec. 2011

I believe this commie regime "prematurely" arrested lawyer Choung Chou-Ngy by one or two days... They must have felt forced to do something this Dec. 29 morning rather than wait till late afternoon of Dec. 30 or beginning Dec. 31 as then all of us are preoccupied with New Year Eve's plan and would not show up in full force (despite the holiday season of having most away) as we did today and we are/were active in getting the information out!!!

So now, HE IS FREE! 

Details to be pieced together tomorrow...

- Theary, 29 Dec. 2011 at 10:30 p.m.

Yesterday, we forced this commie regime to write and re-write its narratives in its uncreative, comedic, commie manner re lawyer Chou-Ngy, so that in the end lauk Chou-Ngy is FREE and safe, and hopefully negotiated hard politically for his SRP. Now this cowardice, uncreative, commie regime is spinning the blame on the trustworthiness of human rights monitors and media in our 'exaggeration'.

Hey commie regime, we the free, the democrats, have you figured out, but you in your fearful paranoia can never understand what it means to be free, particular freedom from fear and free thinking! It's like the sane can understand insanity but the insane/looney/coo-coo cannot comprehend what it means to be sane/normal.

For example, we can understand how looney/coo-coo is Kim Jong-un, but he can never understand how to be normal. Same with this Kew-Kew commie regime so steeped in its fears and paranoia that it cannot understand freedom and peace as in shalom (absence of conflict and presence of justice. Funny also that it blames me particularly yesterday ;) .

- Theary C. Seng, Facebook posts, 30 Dec. 2011

Choung Chou-ngy to hold a press conference at the SRP headquarters

10 AM on 30 Dec 2011

 

Rhetorics from DAP-news, the CPP mouthpiece, on Choung Chou-Ngy's press conference

DAP News, Friday, 30 Dec. 2011

I really think Ms. Seng Theary could give a fart about what this commie regime spins/twists against her.  This regime is so anachronistic and so beyond reasonableness that Ms. Seng could give a fart about the lies and shenanigans this idiotic, commie regime could cook up against her.  Let the commie, idiotic,  come and arrest her.

They are the minority, the tool of Vietnamization.

The majority Cambodians love dignity, love justice, side with Ms. Seng, including those in power who have yet to realize their role for dignity and love of nation.

. . .

Lawyer Choung Chou-ngy is under pressure; He can't say much but promised he would follow the path of dharma

Cambodia Express News, 30 Dec. 2011

SRP Lawyer Choung Chou-ngy claimed that there was indeed a pursuit to arrest him

Free Press Magazine Online, 30 Dec. 2011

Closing Order of Case 002 against Senior KR Leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith

In light of the HISTORIC (!) start of MOST COMPLEX (sic!) trial hearings beginning on 27 June 2011 and again ANOTHER HISTORIC (!) START of this same MOST COMPLEX (sic!) on 21 Nov. 2011 of Case 002 against the surviving Khmer Rouge senior leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith, KI Media is posting installations of the public document of the Closing Order of Case 002.  The Closing Order of the Co-Investigating Judges forms the basic document from which all the parties (Co-Prosecutors, Co-Lead Lawyers for all civil parties, Defense Lawyers) will be making their arguments before the Trial Chamber judges (one Cambodian President, 2 Cambodian Judges, 2 UN judges).  Up until now, the hearings involving these four surviving senior Khmer Rouge leaders have been in the Pre-Trial Chamber over issues of pre-trial detention and jurisdictional issues.  Beginning in June 2011, the Trial Chamber will hear the substantive (sic!) arguments over the criminal charges (e.g. genocide, crimes against humanity, penal code of 1956 - sic!).  Available in Khmer and French. Contact the ECCC for a free copy. 

 

CLOSING ORDER

of Co-Investigating Judges You Bunleng and Marcel Lemonde

15 September 2010

Steung Tauch Execution Site³⁰⁷⁰

Location and Establishment

715. The Steung Tauch execution site³⁰⁷¹ was situated east of the Mekong River, approximately 7 kilometres south of a town on Highway 7 called Ta Hiev Kraom, and 10 kilometres north of

3072                                                                                                                                                                  3073

the Vietnamese border³⁰⁷² in an area that was heavily forested at the time³⁰⁷³ in Kak Subdistrict, Ponhea Krek District, Kampong Cham Province (a village called Steung Tauch has since grown up in the same area).³⁰⁷⁴ Applying the CPK's system of identifying administrative boundaries, it was located in Sector 20 of the East Zone (Zone 203).³⁰⁷⁵

716. The judicial investigation did not reveal any link between Steung Tauch and the execution of prisoners from local security centres under East Zone control.³⁰⁷⁶ The balance of the evidence concerns a relatively short period, starting in late May 1978, when CPK Centre-led forces seized control of Ponhea Krek District during the purge of the East Zone.³⁰⁷⁷ Indeed, many arrests and killings at Steung Tauch and in the surrounding area may be dated to within a month of this takeover.³⁰⁷⁸ One witness heard of the killing of Bos villagers (discussed below) shortly after the seizure of the district.³⁰⁷⁹ Killings appear to have continued until late in 1978, since residents returning in 1979 saw mass graves "full of fresh, swollen corpses"³⁰⁸⁰ Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that some of the bodies found at Steung Tauch may have been victims of executions that occurred before May 1978, or combat victims.³⁰⁸¹

Functioning

Structure and Personnel

717. The forested location of Steung Tauch, long an area of military activity pocked with a large number of B52 craters,³⁰⁸² made it an ideal place for concealed mass executions.³⁰⁸³ The site consists of an undetermined number of burial pits discovered progressively by local residents returning to the district after 1979.³⁰⁸⁴ Investigators specifically identified four distinct sets of burial pits during the judicial investigation.³⁰⁸⁵

718. There is consistent evidence that the killings in Ponhea Krek District were conducted by forces under the immediate command of Ke Pork, Secretary of the Central Zone (Old North Zone) and, from 1977, Vice Chairman of the Route 7 battlefield against the Vietnamese (initially under the Secretary of the East Zone, Sao Phim).³⁰⁸⁶ There is also evidence that, during the events at Steung Tauch, Ke Pork was acting under the command of Son Sen, also stationed in the East Zone at that time,³⁰⁸⁷ and Nuon Chea.³⁰⁸⁸ Another witness states that the

Central Zone Military Chairman responsible for collecting the population for execution was called [REDACTED].³⁰⁸⁹

719. The witnesses describe the purge process, one explaining how "Sao Phim was accused of being a traitor of the State" with the result that those who worked under his supervision were all executed. Another witness notes that, after the first phase of arrest of military cadre, the "coup d'etat" became general, through the successive arrest of the cadre of the sectors, zone, commune com., district com., sector com. and finally the cooperative chairmen.³⁰⁹⁰

720. The 'purge forces' included both Centre divisions (integrating some elements originating

3091                                                                                     3092

from the Southwest Zone), and Central Zone divisions. Survivors of the mass execution of Bos villagers recall that their execution detachment, dressed in black, was relieved by other soldiers in green uniforms, whom they were told "would not have spared them".³⁰⁹³

721. There is evidence to suggest that Son Sen and Ke Pork's forces were quartered at a number of locations along Route 7 west of Steung Tauch, extending from the main East Zone office at Suong to the west,³⁰⁹⁴ through a joint command post at Steung Village,³⁰⁹⁵ to Sras Pagoda,³⁰⁹⁶ just west of the Steung Tauch turnoff. An office called "Mai Sak" (teak grove), situated at a former military Division 4 command base south of Route 7 and east of the turnoff to Steung Tauch,³⁰⁹⁷ appears to have been a base for the soldiers who conducted the execution operations at Steung Tauch, since reprieved witnesses were taken there from the execution site.³⁰⁹⁸ A number of witnesses refer to the use of large Chinese military trucks during such arrests.³⁰⁹⁹

Target population

722. There were a number of categories of victims at Steung Tauch, in particular, lower level cadre, related civilians and military personnel. Moreover, the specific case of Prey Tumnob ("Bos") village requires further development.

Lower Level Cadre and Related Civilians

723. Immediately following the purge of the senior East Zone military and political cadre,³¹⁰⁰ and subject to the specific case of Bos Village (detailed below), arrests in the area surrounding Steung Tauch appear to have been limited to lower level cadre such as village chiefs or subdistrict chairmen,³¹⁰¹ and persons associated with them, such as family members³¹⁰² (although they may also have extended to new people).³¹⁰³ One witness provided investigators

with a list of 105 names of Kak Subdistrict or cooperative cadre who disappeared at that time.³¹⁰⁴ Various means appear to have been used in order to separate the intended victims from the rest of the population: being called to meetings or study sessions, such as a district office at Kandaol Chrum,³¹⁰⁵ followed by arrests and disappearances;³¹⁰⁶ or receiving a leaflet calling everyone from the cooperative to gather at the local pagoda, where "the group of the chairmen was then told to go to study and to receive new work plan, and has disappeared since then" ²¹⁰¹

724. There is consistent, corroborated witness evidence that 'ordinary' people wearing civilian clothing were executed and buried at Steung Tauch.³¹⁰⁸ One witness explains that his brother (a survivor) and a number of other people from Bos Roka Village (Doun Tei Subdistrict) were transferred by truck to Kandaol Chrum, arrested and then sent for execution at Steung Tauch.³¹⁰⁹ Other witnesses indicate that the local cadre and associated civilians arrested in surrounding villages (Reus Rokha Thom, Ponley Village and Teuk Yung) were killed at Steung Tauch.³¹¹⁰ Moreover, some witnesses state that low level cadre and civilians were also killed at other sites in the District.³¹¹¹

Military Personnel

725. There is also evidence that military personnel were buried at Steung Tauch.³¹¹² One witness notes that some pits, "contained male bodies, apparently soldiers, because [he] saw bullets, military clothing and army boots made in China".³¹¹³ Witnesses also identified elements leading them to believe that some of the corpses they discovered were Cambodian forces.³¹¹⁴

726. Nevertheless some doubt remains. Thus, although witnesses note that East Zone soldiers were arrested and disappeared during the time when Steung Tauch was being used,³¹¹⁵ there is no evidence linking these arrested soldiers to the bodies found there.³¹¹⁶ Moreover, it should be noted that some soldiers may have been killed whilst resisting the East Zone takeover,³¹¹⁷ that many escaped the purges and joined forces in the jungle,³¹¹⁸ and that, some CPK soldiers or Vietnamese military personnel³¹¹⁹ may have died at Steung Tauch during the armed conflict with Vietnam.³¹²⁰