Outrage over water prices

(All photos: Koh Santepheap)

Tuesday, 06 March 2012
Tep Nimol
The Phnom Penh Post

More than 1,000 villagers in Prey Veng province’s Prey Veng town blocked traffic on national road 11 outside the office of the Cambodian People’s Party yesterday to demand the price of water be lowered from 1,800 riels per cubic metre to 1,200 riels.

The protesters, who included government officials, blocked the road from Neak Loeung port to Prey Veng provincial town from 7am.

They waved banners and shouted through loudspeakers in protest against a price hike from Touch Kim Water Supply Company, the province’s supplier of fresh water.

Chin Sina, 35, a protester who occupied the road, said the company had a duty to produce and supply affordable fresh water to more than 2,000 families in the town, but had increased its price to 1,800 riels per cubic metre, which villagers could not afford.

“We urged authorities to intervene and make the company reduce its price to 1,200 riels per cube – the same as the state water supply last year,” she said.

Protest against Thai Aggression at Canadian Parliament Hill and Thai Embassy in Ottawa

Dear All:

For your information, attached please find some pictures of the subject protest which took place in Ottawa/Canada yesterday. It was a privilege for me to be at the protest with our compatriots. More pictures and live TV are available at the following URLs:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=168649669849400&id=162242600490107&aid=33735


http://www.khmerlive.tv/archive/20110218_Demonstration_in_Ottawa_Against_Agression_from_Thai_Army.php

Regards,
Davan Long
------------------
Chers Amis,

Veuillez trouver ci-joints les photos de la manifestation au colline parlementaire Canadien et à l'ambassade Thaïlandaise à Ottawa hier. C’était un moment de fierté pour moi d’être la parmi nos compatriotes. Pour plus de détails, veuillez visiter les liens ci-dessous :

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=168649669849400&id=162242600490107&aid=33735


http://www.khmerlive.tv/archive/20110218_Demonstration_in_Ottawa_Against_Agression_from_Thai_Army.php

Cordialement,
Davan Long

Demonstrations await Ban Ki-moon's arrival in Phnom Penh

Boeung Kak residents gathered at the UNDP office on Monday to ask for intervention against
their eviction from the city (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Land-eviction victims are holding banners in front the UN office on Monday
(Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Thank you message from R. Visal

Dear Compatriots and Friends,

I send my personal gratitude to all the many people who helped to make our International Rally a success. Thank you for your time, courage, tenacity and vigilance to participate in the demonstration to commemorate the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia. The influences of your courage at this rally are reverberating throughout the world.

United we stand, divided we fall.

Sincerely,

R. Visal
Philadelphia, PA

"Hun Sen is a murderer and a traitor": Cambodian-Canadian Demonstrators in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

23 October 2010

Cambodian community in Canada organize the 19th anniversary of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement  in front of the Parliament Hill, Ottawa.This manifestation is to call for a reconvening of the Paris Peace Accord of 1991 as guarenteed by all the signatories.

CHUOP Samnang

Montreal, Canada

Cambodian demonstrators in front of the Canadian Parliament building in Ottawa, Canada (All Photos:  Samnang Chuop)

"Hun Sen is a murderer" reads the sign held by this Cambodian-Canadian lady

Buddhist monks and several children also attended the demonstration

"Hun Sen is a traitor" can be read behind these Chhayam drum players

Cambodian community in Italy supports the Demonstration in Paris on 24 October 2010

Click on the article in Khmer to zoom in

Cambodians Abroad To Demonstrate Ahead of Ban Visit

Cambodian demonstration in New York in September 2010 (Photo: Michael Duong)

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Friday, 22 October 2010

“We want Cambodia's suffering heard by Ban Ki-moon.”

Cambodian groups abroad say they are preparing demonstrations this weekend, just ahead of the visit of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon next week.

Organizers say they want to call attention to encroachment on Cambodia's sovereignty, its human right violations and backslides on principles of democracy.

Demonstrations, to be held in France, Canada and the US, will also coincide with the anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreement, the UN-brokered accord that brought peace to Cambodia after decades of fighting in 1991.

“We want Cambodia's suffering heard by Ban Ki-moon,” said Thach Vien, an organizer in France.

Ban is scheduled to visit Oct. 26 through Oct. 28. Thach Vien said Cambodians from Belgium, Switzerland and Germany would join a demonstration in Paris Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.

The French demonstrators will petition the French government requesting a review of the Cambodian government's violations of the peace agreement, he said.

In Canada, organizer Chea Sokha said demonstrations were planned for Ottawa over the weekend.

“All Cambodian people see that there are serious violations, and this is critically dangerous for our nation,” he said. Canadian-Cambodians want the peace agreement reactivated, he said.

A demonstration is also planned in New York, ahead of Ban's trip, said Yap Kim Tung, a Virginia-based organizer. “They want Mr. Ban to know about Cambodia and their dissatisfaction,” he said.

Pung Kek, founder of the rights group Licadho, told VOA Khmer the peace agreement was an important document Cambodians should not forget. Eighteen countries signed onto the agreement, including the US, Russia, China, the UK and France, she said.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said the government has worked to build peace, the rule of law and democracy.

Rally for the Paris Peace Agreements (PPA) in front of the UN in New York City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Rally at:

the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York

to condemn Vietnam and Thailand who have violated the Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia on 23rd October 1991 (PPA of 1991) on:

22 October 2010 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

at:

 East 47th Street and 1st – 2nd Avenue.

Washington, DC – Monday, October 18, 2010: We are, the Cambodians, and Cambodian-Americans, and Friends from Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and other places are proudly hosting the Rally in front of the Headquarters, United Nations to condemn Vietnam and Thailand on the 19th Anniversary of the PPA of 1991, the Agreement Concerning the Sovereignty, Independence, Territorial Integrity and Inviolability, Neutrality and National Unity of Cambodia on Articles II & IV that both countries have signed. In addition, we are appealing to all Signatory Countries and United Nations to reconvene and reinforce the PPA of 1991, and as well as to all our beloved Cambodians, Cambodian-Americans, and Friends around the world to take no nonsense answers from the violators (Individuals, and Nations), and tell them to abide by the PPA of 1991.

Vietnam has breached the PPA of 1991 on Articles II and IV by:

• Interfering in Cambodia’s internal political affair and stability.
• Annexing our borders and border encroachments that forced the Opposition Leader to self-exile and Hun Sen’s Government has imprisoned some innocence Farmers.
• Illegal treaties between Vietnam and Cambodia (1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, and Supplemental Treaty of 2005). These treaties are violated the spirit of the PPA of 1991 and Cambodia National Sovereignty, Independent, prosperity, and Peace.
• Engulfing of illegal Vietnamese Immigrants into Cambodia.

Thailand has breached the PPA of 1991 on Articles II and IV and International Court of Justice by:

• Illegally invading the vicinity of Preah Vihear Temple of Cambodia, which violated the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on 15 June 1962 on Preah Vihear, Cambodia.
• Violating the PPA of 1991 on Articles II and IV.

Cambodia:

• Cambodia Government has failed to exercise its rights under the PPA of 1991.
• Cambodia Government under the leaderships of Mr. Hun Sen, King Sihanouk, King Sihamoni, and National Assembly’s members have failed to fulfill their Constitutional duties and responsibilities.

For further information, please contact the Rally Organizer, Mr. Michael Duong (202) 280-7223 or E-Mail jeyvarman@yahoo.com.

Additional Photos from Anti-Hun Xen Demonstration in New York

 (All Photos: Courtesy of Thavary - Thank you very much!)

Cambodians will not be able to demonstrate against Hun Xen in Belgium, but … they will demonstrate with protesting Lao people anyway

Anti-Hun Xen demonstration in New York

03 October 2010
Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Komping Puoy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Organizers for the demonstration to protest against PM Hun Xen in Brussels, Belgium, indicated their disappointment because the Belgian authority did not authorize them to demonstrate against Hun Xen and the Cambodian government delegation that will attend the ASEM meeting on 04-05 October.

One of the demonstration organizers indicated that the reason they were prevented from demonstrating was because their request to hold the demonstration was sent in too close to the meeting date, and a decision could not be delivered on such short notice.

The organizers prepared their request letter on 29 September, and sent it in on 30 September, whereas the ASEM meeting will take place on 04-05 October already.

65-year-old Cheat Chea, one of the 4 demonstration organizers in Brussels, told RFA over the phone that his group will nevertheless hold anti-Hun Xen banners along with Lao demonstrators who received the authorization to hold their demonstration on 04 October.

Cambodians in Europe to demonstrate against the “dictatorial, corrupt and human rights offender” Hun Xen’s regime

Friday 01 October 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Cambodian people in Europe plan to demonstration against Hun Xen during his visit to Brussels to participate in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) which will be held on 04 October. The planned demonstration is to oppose Hun Xen’s dictatorial, corrupt and human rights offender regime. Tith Sothea, mouthpiece of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit (PQRU) of the Council of Ministers, said that the plan to demonstrate against Hun Xen in Brussels is only conducted by a small minority of the Cambodian community in Europe. (sic!)

Anti -Hun Sen Demonstration in Brussels on 04 October 2010

MANIFESTATION CONTRE HUN SEN A BRUXELLES LE 4 OCTOBRE 2010

La Police de Bruxelles est prévenue de la manifestation publique que vont organiser plusieurs associations et groupements de Cambodgiens en Europe le lundi 4 octobre 2010 pour protester contre la venue de Hun Sen à Bruxelles et dénoncer son régime dictatorial, corrompu et anti-national. Une autorisation pour organiser une telle manifestation n'est pas nécessaire dans un pays démocratique comme la Belgique.

- Heure du début du rassemblement: 14 H 00

- Lieu du rassemblement: PARC DU CENTENAIRE, ROND-POINT SCHUMAN, 1040 BRUXELLES. C'est l'endroit où la prochaine rencontre "Euro-Asie" se tiendra ce lundi 4 octobre 2010 avec la participation de nombreux dirigeants européens et asiatiques dont Hun Sen.

Pour contacter les organisateurs : (00) 32 24 65 00 95 / (00) 32 48 67 86 988 /

(00) 32 83 21 17 79 / (00) 32 48 89 73 366.

VENEZ NOMBREUX AVEC VOS AMIS

POUR PROTESTER CONTRE LES VIOLATIONS DES DROITS DE L'HOMME

ET RÉCLAMER LA DÉMOCRATIE AU CAMBODGE.

DÉMOCRATIE AU CAMBODGE !

LES ACCORDS DE PARIS DE 1991 DOIVENT ÊTRE RÉELLEMENT APPLIQUÉS !

LE PEUPLE KHMER A LE DROIT DE VIVRE LIBRE ET DIGNE !

INDÉPENDANCE POUR LE CAMBODGE !

LA TERRE KHMÈRE AUX PAYSANS KHMERS !

LES OUVRIERS KHMERS NE SONT PAS DES ESCLAVES !

LA JEUNESSE KHMÈRE VEUT UN MEILLEUR AVENIR !

JUSTICE SOCIALE AU CAMBODGE !

-------

Unofficial English Translation

Anti-Hun Sen Demonstration in Brussels on 04 October 2010

Brussels police authority was informed about a public demonstration which will be organized by several Cambodian associations and groups in Europe to oppose the visit of Hun Sen in Brussels and to denounce his dictatorial, corrupt and anti-national regime. An authorization to organize such demonstration is not required in a democratic country such as Belgium

When:

Gathering for the beginning of the demonstration at

2PM on 04 October 2010

Where:

Parc du Centenaire

Rondpoint Schuman

1040 Brussels

(This is the location where the upcoming « Asia-Europe Meeting » (ASEM) meeting will take place on 04 October 2010. The meeting will be attended by several European and Asian leaders, including Hun Sen)

Contact:

(00) 32 24 65 00 95 / (00) 32 48 67 86 988

(00) 32 83 21 17 79 / (00) 32 48 89 73 366

Please attend in large number with your friends and family to protest against the violation of human rights and to reclaim back democracy in Cambodia

Democrary for Cambodia!

The 1991 Paris Agreements must be truly put into application!

The Khmer People have the right to live free with dignity!

Independence for Cambodia!

Khmer lands belong to Khmer farmers!

Khmer workers are not slaves!

Khmer Youths deserve a better future!

Social justice for Cambodia!

Anti-Hun Xen demonstration awaits Cambodia's Prime Dictator in Brussels

Anti-Hun Xen demonstration in Paris in 2005 (Photo: SRP)

29 Sept 2010
KI-Media

A reliable source informed us that a demonstration against PM Hun Xen awaits the latter in Brussels on 04 October 2010 at 2PM.

Additional information will be provided later when they become available.

Small Demonstration Greets Hun Sen in New York

Around 20 Cambodians gathered outside the UN offices in New York on Saturday, to demonstrate against Prime Minsiter Hun Sen ahead of meetings with US and Asean officials. (Photo: By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer)

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
New York City Monday, 27 September 2010

“We do not prohibit any kind of rebuke, but the criticism must be constructive, not just like suffocating throats and pulling wings. No matter what different point of view you have, we respect it. (sic!) But I would only like to tell you that if you love the nation, we must unite, no matter what disagreements we have on some issues.”

Around 20 Cambodians gathered outside the UN offices in New York on Saturday, to demonstrate against Prime Minsiter Hun Sen ahead of meetings with US and Asean officials.

They carried placards reading, “Hun Sen must respect human rights;” “Hun Sen must stop illegal evictions in Cambodia;” “Hun Sen must stop using the court to silence opposition voices;” and “Hun Sen is a tyrant, mafia, a traitor.”

Protesters said they were concerned over Cambodia's human rights record and inability to solve longstanding border disputes with its neighbors. And the demonstration came as Hun Sen was to meet US leaders, including President Barack Obama, and Asean officials, including sideline talks with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over border issues.

Michael Duong, the main organizer of the rally, said all the issues needed to be solved.

But Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Ministry said the protest was not constructive.

“We do not prohibit any kind of rebuke, but the criticism must be constructive, not just like suffocating throats and pulling wings,” said Ouch Borith, a secretary of state for the ministry. “No matter what different point of view you have, we respect it. But I would only like to tell you that if you love the nation, we must unite, no matter what disagreements we have on some issues.”

Photos from the Anti-Hun Xen demonstration in New York

Messages on the posters held by the protesters sum up very well the current situation in Cambodia under Mr. Hun Xen's regime (All Photos: Michael Duong)

VOKK Interview with Mr. Meas Chea at the UN Headquarters Demonstration on 24 September 2010

Click the link below to listen to VOKK's Thach Socheata's interview with Mr. Meas Chea

Click here to listen to the interview in Khmer (WMA)

Cambodian-Americans plan to demonstrate during Hun Xen’s arrival in New York

24 Sept 2010
By Moeung Tum
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Numerous US citizens of Cambodian origin from all over the US plan to hold a peaceful demonstration in front of the UN headquarters building in New York, USA, on 24 September 2010 during PM Hun Xen’s meeting with the US President.

Click here to listen to Moeung Tum’s report in Khmer (MP3)

Workers Take To Demonstration in General Strike

About 1,500 workers demonstrated at the Canadia Industrial Park in Phnom Penh's Dangkor district, followed by another 1,000 workers at the nearby Vattanac Industrial Park. (Photo: By Heng Reaksmey VOA, Khmer)

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 15 September 2010

“The garment workers today joining the strikes have increased since yesterday.”

Garment workers turned to mass demonstrations in at least two sites on Wednesday, as a general strike over salaries entered its third day.

About 1,500 workers demonstrated at the Canadia Industrial Park in Phnom Penh's Dangkor district, followed by another 1,000 workers at the nearby Vattanac Industrial Park. Workers marched with placards and shouted into bullhorns, demanding higher salaries and encouraging other workers to join them.

Workers are striking for increased wages to offset increased costs of living, which managers have said is impossible under current negotiations. Talks broke down last week, leading to a general strike, which started Monday.

The Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, which represents managers, estimated about 20,000 workers were on strike on Wednesday, with only some of them demonstrating and others unable to work because they were blocked or harassed.

That number was supported by Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers, whose 90,000 members did not join the strike. Chea Mony estimated about 10 factories had closed due to strikes.

However, Ath Thun, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, which represents 70,000 workers from seven unions across 59 factories and has been at the head of the strike, said he thought about 160,000 workers across 93 factories had gone on strike Wednesday.

That number was impossible to verify Wednesday, but it would represent nearly half of all garment factory workers.

“The garment workers today joining the strikes have increased since yesterday,” Ath Thun said.

Officials from the ministries of Labor and Interior could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

Four workers were injured when they were struck by a transportation vehicle carrying garments out of a factory complex, but no arrests or other injuries were reported.

Mom Yim, president of the Cambodian National Confederation, said she was followed by unidentified men trying to take her photograph during demonstrations Wednesday.

City Hall nixes ‘peace march’ to PM’s house [-Hun Xen scared of mass demonstration?]

Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

CITY Hall has rejected a request to hold a march today to draw attention to land disputes, the UN human rights office said.

On Sunday, Sen Sok Heng, who represents communities affected by land disputes across the country, said around 300 representatives planned to march from Wat Phnom to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s residence in order to deliver a petition bearing the thumbprints of 60,000 villagers affected by land disputes.

But in a statement issued Monday, the local office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said permission for the march had been denied “without any reasons or justification”.

“We strongly regret the negative response by the Municipality,” UNOHCHR country representative Christophe Peschoux said in the statement.

“It is regrettable that the Municipality did not provide reasons for prohibiting the march or provide alternatives to the group.”

Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema could not be reached for comment Monday. Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said he was not aware of the march and referred questions to Nuon Someth, chief of the Municipal Cabinet, who also could not be contacted.

Cambodians demonstrate in Geneva

05 Dec 2009
By Moeung Tum and Hassan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

More than 100 Cambodians from the US and a number of European countries met to demonstrate on 04 December in front of the UN office in Geneva, Switzerland. The demonstrators demanded for the world to help provide true respect of human rights in Cambodia.

RFA reporter Hassan was on hand at the demonstration and he is reporting about the demonstration by these Cambodians on 04 December 2009.

Hassan: There were more than 100 Cambodians from near and far, some from the USA, such as Georgia, Minnesota and California. There were Cambodians from France, such as Lyon and Paris, and those from Switzerland, such as Zurich and Geneva. There are monks also, such as the abbot of the Zurich pagoda, the abbot of the Chevranche pagoda in France, and the abbot of the Lyon pagoda also came. Based on what I asked all of them, they are meeting to express their opinion that, currently, freedom rights does not exist equally for all Cambodians. This is why they came to express their opinion and it also coincides with the UN Human Rights Universal Period Review (UN UPR) meeting where the Cambodian government was invited to clarify about human rights issues. This is the 6th UN UPR, and the session was held between Tuesday 01 to Thursday 03 December.

French human rights officials also came to encourage the demonstrators.

The demonstrators held posters, they recited nationalist poems and they expressed their opinions under the intense cold weather.

Click here to listen to Hassan’s report (MP3).