Destruction of the villagers' homes (Photo: Chulthea, Koh Santepheap newspaper)
Bulldozer brought in the destroy the homes (Photo: Chulthea, Koh Santepheap newspaper)
The Russey Keo cops sent in to evict the villagers (Photo: Chulthea, Kos Santepheap newspaper)Phnom Penh municipality to compensate the evicted families
03 November 2007
By Mondul Keo
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
A high-ranking official from the municipality of Phnom Penh said that the 132 families who were evicted from Village No. 1, Chroy Changvar commune, Russey Keo district, and who were brought to a new location in Dangkao district, will receive a house each from the Phnom Penh municipality.
Man Chhoeun, the deputy governor of Phnom Penh, told RFA in the afternoon of 03 November that the people who were evicted by the city from Chroy Changvar commune, were sent to a new location in Trapeang Anh-chanh village, Trapeang Krasaing commune, Dangkao district, and they will receive a plot of land measuring 4-by-10-meter.
Man Chhoeun added that, in addition to this plot, the city has a policy of providing these people with one house measuring 4-by-5-meter, by letting them borrow capitals for 5-year without any interest (to build the house).
Man Chhoeun said: “The villagers who don’t have anything at all, in just one day, they can obtain one thing, if we settle the account, with 2,000 riels (~$0.50) [a day], they can get a house very easily. Our houses have already been built … (all they have to do is) to come and apply for a loan, the amount of the loan is equal to the price of the house, then they can move into these houses. The $1,000 (loan) must be repaid 200(?) riels each day, even if they can save $1 (each day), there is nothing to worry about.” [KI-Media note: for an exchange rate of 4,000 riels to $1, the amount to repay back is 2,200 riels per day, assuming that the loan is interest free, and it must be paid back in 5 years.]
On 02 November, the Russey Keo district used force to tear down homes belonging to 132 families living in Village No. 1, Chroy Changvar commune, Russey Keo district. The use of force to tear down the homes did not cause any major clash.
Nevertheless, when interviewed by RFA in the morning of 03 November, several villagers said: “We don’t object anymore, and on our former land, we don’t object anymore if we now know where we will be relocated, and how much compensation we will get. We do not claim much, even if they give us land in the middle of rice fields, just give us something. However, we want to ask also: if our houses have been destroyed, what do we use to rebuild (a new one)?”
The demolition of the houses belonging to the 132 families in Village No. 1 has been accused by NGOs and by local human rights organizations as a violation of the livelihood freedom rights of the villagers.
Today, the NRP issued a statement condemning the municipality’s action, calling it a violation of the right to own land, and also a violation of the Constitution, the supreme law of the land in Cambodia. However, the authority claimed that this is an arrangement of the social order to bring in development.
Man Chhoeun, the deputy governor of Phnom Penh, told RFA in the afternoon of 03 November that the people who were evicted by the city from Chroy Changvar commune, were sent to a new location in Trapeang Anh-chanh village, Trapeang Krasaing commune, Dangkao district, and they will receive a plot of land measuring 4-by-10-meter.
Man Chhoeun added that, in addition to this plot, the city has a policy of providing these people with one house measuring 4-by-5-meter, by letting them borrow capitals for 5-year without any interest (to build the house).
Man Chhoeun said: “The villagers who don’t have anything at all, in just one day, they can obtain one thing, if we settle the account, with 2,000 riels (~$0.50) [a day], they can get a house very easily. Our houses have already been built … (all they have to do is) to come and apply for a loan, the amount of the loan is equal to the price of the house, then they can move into these houses. The $1,000 (loan) must be repaid 200(?) riels each day, even if they can save $1 (each day), there is nothing to worry about.” [KI-Media note: for an exchange rate of 4,000 riels to $1, the amount to repay back is 2,200 riels per day, assuming that the loan is interest free, and it must be paid back in 5 years.]
On 02 November, the Russey Keo district used force to tear down homes belonging to 132 families living in Village No. 1, Chroy Changvar commune, Russey Keo district. The use of force to tear down the homes did not cause any major clash.
Nevertheless, when interviewed by RFA in the morning of 03 November, several villagers said: “We don’t object anymore, and on our former land, we don’t object anymore if we now know where we will be relocated, and how much compensation we will get. We do not claim much, even if they give us land in the middle of rice fields, just give us something. However, we want to ask also: if our houses have been destroyed, what do we use to rebuild (a new one)?”
The demolition of the houses belonging to the 132 families in Village No. 1 has been accused by NGOs and by local human rights organizations as a violation of the livelihood freedom rights of the villagers.
Today, the NRP issued a statement condemning the municipality’s action, calling it a violation of the right to own land, and also a violation of the Constitution, the supreme law of the land in Cambodia. However, the authority claimed that this is an arrangement of the social order to bring in development.
