Around 200 evictees from two Phnom Penh developments gathered in front of the National Assembly on Monday, demanding that 15 of their representatives be released from jail.
The representatives were arrested in protests last week. Thirteen of them were hastily sentenced to lengthy jail terms for attempting to rebuild houses on the Boeung Kak development site, which has seen the forced eviction of thousands of families since 2008. VOA Khmer's Kong Sothanarith report.
Showing posts with label Protest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Protest. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Praying and Demanding for Release of 15 Boeung Kak Lake Villagers
Hell will welcome you with two arms and two legs Hun Xen and Hochimonks!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Cambodia land activists' convictions called unjust
Associated Press, May 25, 2012
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Human rights groups in Cambodia expressed outrage Friday over prison sentences imposed on 13 women who were protesting being evicted from their land without adequate compensation.
The women were sentenced Thursday by a Phnom Penh court after being found guilty of aggravated rebellion and illegal occupation of land in a three-hour trial.
Their trial came amid heightened concern in Cambodia about land grabbing, which is sometimes linked to corruption and the use of deadly force to carry out evictions.
This month, a visiting U.N. human rights envoy warned that the issue was a volatile social problem, and a teenage girl was shot dead by security forces carrying out an eviction.
"Sentencing to jail 13 people who have been victimized by land grabbing is a complete injustice," said Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. "There was no fair trial."
Those sentenced, who included a 72-year-old woman, had been residents of Phnom Penh's Boueng Kak lake area, which the government awarded to a Chinese company for commercial development, including a hotel, office buildings and luxury housing.
They were arrested Tuesday when they tried to rebuild their homes on the land where their old houses were demolished by the developers in 2010.
The group has protested several times in the last few years to demand land titles they said had been promised by Prime Minister Hun Sen's government. They claimed that the city government resettled some families, but did not include them.
Ou Virak said the issue of the rich and powerful grabbing land from the poor — who then are arrested if they resist or complain — was becoming more serious.
Pung Chhic Kek, president of the local human rights group Licadho, said the case against the women was groundless and described the legal proceedings as "a show trial and ridiculous."
She said that lawyers from her organization were barred from talking with the defendants and introducing witnesses.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Human rights groups in Cambodia expressed outrage Friday over prison sentences imposed on 13 women who were protesting being evicted from their land without adequate compensation.
The women were sentenced Thursday by a Phnom Penh court after being found guilty of aggravated rebellion and illegal occupation of land in a three-hour trial.
Their trial came amid heightened concern in Cambodia about land grabbing, which is sometimes linked to corruption and the use of deadly force to carry out evictions.
This month, a visiting U.N. human rights envoy warned that the issue was a volatile social problem, and a teenage girl was shot dead by security forces carrying out an eviction.
"Sentencing to jail 13 people who have been victimized by land grabbing is a complete injustice," said Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. "There was no fair trial."
Those sentenced, who included a 72-year-old woman, had been residents of Phnom Penh's Boueng Kak lake area, which the government awarded to a Chinese company for commercial development, including a hotel, office buildings and luxury housing.
They were arrested Tuesday when they tried to rebuild their homes on the land where their old houses were demolished by the developers in 2010.
The group has protested several times in the last few years to demand land titles they said had been promised by Prime Minister Hun Sen's government. They claimed that the city government resettled some families, but did not include them.
Ou Virak said the issue of the rich and powerful grabbing land from the poor — who then are arrested if they resist or complain — was becoming more serious.
Pung Chhic Kek, president of the local human rights group Licadho, said the case against the women was groundless and described the legal proceedings as "a show trial and ridiculous."
She said that lawyers from her organization were barred from talking with the defendants and introducing witnesses.
Snap Court Verdict Sentences 13 Lake Protesters to Prison
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
May 24, 2012
 |
| A Cambodian protester, right, from Boeung Kak lake clashes with police officers in Phnom Penh, Tuesday, May 22, 2012. AP photo |
The 13 women were found guilty of illegally taking land and resisting public officers. Each received a jail term of between one year and two-and-a-half years. They were arrested this week when they tried to rebuild a home at the Boeung Kak lake development in protest of a forced eviction there earlier this year.
“They have been doubly victimized,” said Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. “Victimized by the court and victimized by the land concession to the private company.”
About 100 demonstrators gathered outside the court on Thursday, as the women were remanded to Prey Sar prison. Two of those demonstrators were arrested Tuesday afternoon and were held without charge, the center said in a statement.
Those imprisoned were Kong Chantha, Tol Sreypov, Tep Vanny, Pov Sophea, Suong Samai, Pan Chhunret, Heng Nom, Chan Navy, Po Davy, Nguon Kimleang, Song Sreyleap, Chheng Leap and Nget Kun. Seven of the women received sentences of two years and six months; five were given two years; and one was sentenced to one year in prison.
“Even though they are condemned, the Boeung Kak lake [conflict] will not end,” said Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Licadho. The women were convicted on thin evidence, he said, including a video clip that did not include any of the seven defendants on trial, he said.
Meanwhile, Loun Savath, a monk who is also a prominent human rights activist, was forced into a vehicle at Wat Botum in Phnom Penh and is reportedly defrocked, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights said Thursday. He was driven away by unidentified men after being surrounded by police and officials from the ministries of Interior and Religion.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Protest in Chikreng, Siem Reap
Videos of land disputes protest in Chikreng, Siem Reap (re-mixed with sad and beautiful songs) by Venerable Loun Sovath, Human Rights Activist
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Stop Eviction
Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. Buddhism
A Cambodian girl holds a banner next to a boy as former residents of the Dey Krahorm community gather in front of the site where they used to live before being evicted by government forces in Phnom Penh January 24, 2012. Source: VOA
Friday, March 09, 2012
Protesters successful; water prices decrease [-Protest if you want to be heard!!!]
Friday, 09 March 2012
Tep Nimol
The Phnom Penh Post
Tep Nimol
The Phnom Penh Post
Authorities in Prey Veng province yesterday agreed to cut the price of water from 1,800 riel to 1,200 riel a cubic metre after more than 1,000 people blocked National Road 11 for the fourth consecutive day.
Acting provincial police chief Dim Yarum said yesterday an urgent meeting, involving the director of the provincial council, police, a village representative and representatives of the industry, mining and energy ministry and the environment ministry had been called to resolve the issue.
The long meeting, held at the office of the Cambodian People’s Party in Baray commune, had ultimately ended in success, Dim Yarum said.
As the private water company had not yet accepted the villagers’ proposal, authorities had decided to re-open the state water system, he said.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Indonesia says fuel prices to go up at midnight
Students scuffle with police during an anti-government demonstrationJAKARTA (AFP) — Indonesia said Friday it would raise its subsidised fuel prices by nearly 30 percent from Saturday in response to soaring global oil costs.
Long queues formed at petrol stations ahead of the announcement late Friday that prices would rise by an average 28.7 percent from midnight (1700 GMT) due to record oil costs that have sucked state money out of social programmes.
"Considering the rising global fuel price and the heavy burden of subsidies on the budget, we have decided to raise the fuel price. It is effective at 00:00 May 24," said energy minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
Indonesia announced earlier this month it was planning the hike to limit the impact of record world oil prices, which has blown out the government's multi-billion dollar fuel subsidy scheme.
It has outlined plans for direct cash transfers amounting to 14.1 trillion rupiah (1.5 billion dollars) to millions of poor families to ease the financial pain.
"The price of fuel in Indonesia is the lowest in the Asia region, even lower than in poor countries such as East Timor, Cambodia and Bangladesh. Even after the rise of 28.7 percent, our fuel price is still lower than East Timor, The Philippines, Thailand and Singapore," the economy ministry said in a statement late Friday.
The move means the price of premium gasoline and diesel fuel for transportation will be raised by 33.33 percent and 27.9 percent respectively to 6,000 rupiah (65 cents) and 5,500 rupiah per litre.
Earlier Friday, Indonesia said it may be forced to hike the cost of oil even further, despite widespread protests against the move.
Many ordinary Indonesians say higher fuel prices combined with the soaring cost of food will put an intolerable strain on family budgets.
Global crude oil prices reached record highs reached this week on concerns that supplies will not meet demand.
Long queues formed at petrol stations ahead of the announcement late Friday that prices would rise by an average 28.7 percent from midnight (1700 GMT) due to record oil costs that have sucked state money out of social programmes.
"Considering the rising global fuel price and the heavy burden of subsidies on the budget, we have decided to raise the fuel price. It is effective at 00:00 May 24," said energy minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
Indonesia announced earlier this month it was planning the hike to limit the impact of record world oil prices, which has blown out the government's multi-billion dollar fuel subsidy scheme.
It has outlined plans for direct cash transfers amounting to 14.1 trillion rupiah (1.5 billion dollars) to millions of poor families to ease the financial pain.
"The price of fuel in Indonesia is the lowest in the Asia region, even lower than in poor countries such as East Timor, Cambodia and Bangladesh. Even after the rise of 28.7 percent, our fuel price is still lower than East Timor, The Philippines, Thailand and Singapore," the economy ministry said in a statement late Friday.
The move means the price of premium gasoline and diesel fuel for transportation will be raised by 33.33 percent and 27.9 percent respectively to 6,000 rupiah (65 cents) and 5,500 rupiah per litre.
Earlier Friday, Indonesia said it may be forced to hike the cost of oil even further, despite widespread protests against the move.
Many ordinary Indonesians say higher fuel prices combined with the soaring cost of food will put an intolerable strain on family budgets.
Global crude oil prices reached record highs reached this week on concerns that supplies will not meet demand.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Pursat Demonstrators Angered at Temple Destruction
By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 January 2008
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 January 2008
More than 100 demonstrators gathered in Pursat province Monday to protest the destruction of a local temple for the alleged development plan of a private company, opposition officials and rights workers said.
Heng Chanthuon, head of the Sam Rainsy Party in Pursat, said about 30 families were going to have a temple torn down they'd built in 2002.
Authorities told them the land had environmental problems, he said.
A local rights worker, Nhoung Samoeun, of Adhoc, said the ouster of the families from their land was done with "no talk or legal solution."
Local government officials could not be reached for comment.
The protest comes on the heels of an outcry last week by Pursat teachers that local school land had been handed to the Cambodian People's Party for a political headquarters. Land theft is a political destabilizer in Cambodia, as economic improvement drives land prices upward.
UN human rights envoy Yash Ghai warned in December that land theft could cause Cambodians to "rise up" against the government.
Heng Chanthuon, head of the Sam Rainsy Party in Pursat, said about 30 families were going to have a temple torn down they'd built in 2002.
Authorities told them the land had environmental problems, he said.
A local rights worker, Nhoung Samoeun, of Adhoc, said the ouster of the families from their land was done with "no talk or legal solution."
Local government officials could not be reached for comment.
The protest comes on the heels of an outcry last week by Pursat teachers that local school land had been handed to the Cambodian People's Party for a political headquarters. Land theft is a political destabilizer in Cambodia, as economic improvement drives land prices upward.
UN human rights envoy Yash Ghai warned in December that land theft could cause Cambodians to "rise up" against the government.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Petitioners say “Not the Cambodian deputy prime minister!”
Who Will Attend 2008'S Cambodian New Year Parade?
Thu. December 27
Theo Douglas
The District Weekly (Long Beach, California, USA)
Thu. December 27
Theo Douglas
The District Weekly (Long Beach, California, USA)
Petitioners say “Not the Cambodian deputy prime minister!”
The 2008 Cambodian New Year Parade isn’t until some time in April–so far off that folks in the Mayor’s office say they haven’t even set a date. But already tensions are mounting over plans by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to attend the parade.
According to Greg Mellen in this morning’s Press-Telegram, some people in Long Beach’s Cambodian community oppose the current Cambodian government for its human rights violations, corruption and other “misdeeds.”
They’ve launched a petition to protest Sok An’s appearance–copies of which will be printed in the Jan. 31 edition of the Angkor Borei News, its editor Anthony Ly told Mellen.
Ly also said the petition has more than 20 signatures to date–and he called Sok An “the most corrupt man in [Prime Minister] Hun Sen’s government.”
So now the question becomes: who invited him?
Former councilman Evan Anderson Braude was part of a Long Beach delegation which visited Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, earlier this month–and extended what Braude characterized to Mellen as “a general invitation to anyone who wanted to attend.”
“There was no specific invitation to a specific person,” Braude is quoted as saying. But Sok An accepted.
And if the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister decides he wants to actually be in the parade, Mellen reports that he’ll be “provided with a car to ride in, and banners identifying him.”
No matter where you stand on the issue, it should make the three months leading up to the parade exceedingly interesting.
The 2008 Cambodian New Year Parade isn’t until some time in April–so far off that folks in the Mayor’s office say they haven’t even set a date. But already tensions are mounting over plans by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to attend the parade.
According to Greg Mellen in this morning’s Press-Telegram, some people in Long Beach’s Cambodian community oppose the current Cambodian government for its human rights violations, corruption and other “misdeeds.”
They’ve launched a petition to protest Sok An’s appearance–copies of which will be printed in the Jan. 31 edition of the Angkor Borei News, its editor Anthony Ly told Mellen.
Ly also said the petition has more than 20 signatures to date–and he called Sok An “the most corrupt man in [Prime Minister] Hun Sen’s government.”
So now the question becomes: who invited him?
Former councilman Evan Anderson Braude was part of a Long Beach delegation which visited Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, earlier this month–and extended what Braude characterized to Mellen as “a general invitation to anyone who wanted to attend.”
“There was no specific invitation to a specific person,” Braude is quoted as saying. But Sok An accepted.
And if the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister decides he wants to actually be in the parade, Mellen reports that he’ll be “provided with a car to ride in, and banners identifying him.”
No matter where you stand on the issue, it should make the three months leading up to the parade exceedingly interesting.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Watchdog Group Plans Protest Over Detained Monk
Heng Reaksmey, VOA KhmerOriginal report from Phnom Penh
24 August 2007
A citizen's watchdog group is hoping to hold a protest to call for the release of defrocked monk who has been detained in Vietnam for more than a month.
Supporters of incarcerated monk Tim Sakhorn have steadily called for his release from Vietnam, in a low-intensity information campaign that shows no sign of letting up.
Organizers said Thursday they were planning a "major" protest in hopes of pressuring Vietnamese authorities to release him.
"We hope that we succeed in our demand," said Rong Chhun, head of the Cambodia Watchdog group, which is planning the march. "It's not such as serious case that Tim Sakhorn had to be defrocked and sent to Vietnam."
Vietnam maintains Tim Sakhorn is a Vietnamese citizen who crossed back into Vietnam without proper documentation after his monkhood was taken away by Cambodian Buddhist authorities and so must be held accountable according to Vietnamese law.
Supporters of incarcerated monk Tim Sakhorn have steadily called for his release from Vietnam, in a low-intensity information campaign that shows no sign of letting up.
Organizers said Thursday they were planning a "major" protest in hopes of pressuring Vietnamese authorities to release him.
"We hope that we succeed in our demand," said Rong Chhun, head of the Cambodia Watchdog group, which is planning the march. "It's not such as serious case that Tim Sakhorn had to be defrocked and sent to Vietnam."
Vietnam maintains Tim Sakhorn is a Vietnamese citizen who crossed back into Vietnam without proper documentation after his monkhood was taken away by Cambodian Buddhist authorities and so must be held accountable according to Vietnamese law.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Union members want to burn down clothes bearing the labels Zara and H&M
Customers shop in the newly opened H&M shop in Shanghai April 12, 2007. (Photo: Reuters)Friday, May 18, 2007
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read Cambodge Soir’s original article in English
Challenge between the workers and the management at the River Rich factory over layoffs.
Members of the CCAWDU (Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Worker Democrat Union) prepare to burn down this morning in front of the River Rich factory, clothes made for the Zara, H&M and Inditex SA labels. The union wants to take this action to attract the attention of these major label companies on the plight of their colleagues who were laid off. During this occasion, At Thun, CCAWDU President, indicates in a communiqué that he will hold a press conference to remind about the fate of the 30 union members laid off by the factory in 2006.
Among those laid off, 10 of them still uphold their complaint to the court, but 20 others have dropped their cases in exchange for a sum of money proposed by the factory owner. At Thun will also talk about the violations of the work code perpetrated by the Chinese owner of this factory, located in the Kandal province, about 20 kilometers from Phnom Penh. He hopes that this spectacular action will have an impact on the large companies such as Zara and H&M, and also on the behavior of the River Rich owner.
Members of the CCAWDU (Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Worker Democrat Union) prepare to burn down this morning in front of the River Rich factory, clothes made for the Zara, H&M and Inditex SA labels. The union wants to take this action to attract the attention of these major label companies on the plight of their colleagues who were laid off. During this occasion, At Thun, CCAWDU President, indicates in a communiqué that he will hold a press conference to remind about the fate of the 30 union members laid off by the factory in 2006.
Among those laid off, 10 of them still uphold their complaint to the court, but 20 others have dropped their cases in exchange for a sum of money proposed by the factory owner. At Thun will also talk about the violations of the work code perpetrated by the Chinese owner of this factory, located in the Kandal province, about 20 kilometers from Phnom Penh. He hopes that this spectacular action will have an impact on the large companies such as Zara and H&M, and also on the behavior of the River Rich owner.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Cambodians Protest Monk's Death
Apr 25, 2007
Asian American Press (USA)
Asian American Press (USA)
ST. PAUL – To bring attention to the alleged Vietnamese persecution of the Khmer-Krom peoples of Cambodia, Cambodians of Minnesota staged a protest at the state capitol, reports Tom LaVenture in the Asian American Press. A Buddhist priest in Cambodia was recently found murdered. He had protested in Phnom Penh against the purging of Cambodian residents from border areas ceded to Vietnam under recent agreements. Protestors say that Vietnamese soldiers and settlers are entering the border areas and driving out Cambodians. The protesters want the United States to put pressure on Vietnam to release monks in Vietnam jails and stop the persecution of Cambodians on the border.
Friday, April 06, 2007
[Kien Svay] Villagers Angered at Land Poured in Lake
Kong Soth, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05/04/2007
Original report from Phnom Penh
05/04/2007
Hundreds of families in Kien Svay town, Kandal province, gathered in protest Thursday against a local company they say is pouring landfill into a lake.
Land around the town has rises and valleys, and during the rainy season, people farm to where the flooding stops, a villager who gave his name as Dy told VOA. This leads to a lack of boundaries, making it easier for a company to pour land into the lake, he said.
"We demand [the company owner] stop the activities," Dy said.
Cambodians are increasingly at risk for land grabs and encroachment, as rural and urban areas face development pressure and unscrupulous political and business leaders take valuable land from the poor.
Land around the town has rises and valleys, and during the rainy season, people farm to where the flooding stops, a villager who gave his name as Dy told VOA. This leads to a lack of boundaries, making it easier for a company to pour land into the lake, he said.
"We demand [the company owner] stop the activities," Dy said.
Cambodians are increasingly at risk for land grabs and encroachment, as rural and urban areas face development pressure and unscrupulous political and business leaders take valuable land from the poor.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Ousted Lake Residents Step-Up Pressure on City Hall
Thida Win
VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
28/03/2007
VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
28/03/2007
A group of displaced residents has increased pressure on City Hall to at least meet with them to address their ouster from a lake district in the capital.
The Beung Kak Lake residents have said they will protest outside City Hall until officials grant them an audience to explain why they were evicted from their homes in favor of development and to find a way they might move back.
But city officials say they are too busy until after commune elections.
"City Hall is busy in the commune elections and postponed the meeting until April 3," Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chutema said.
He accused Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay of inciting the people for political gain, a charge Son Chhay denied.
"We want the City Hall to meet directly with the people and discuss things," he said. "Is there any means to solving the Beung Kak development issue? City Hall and the people should work closely together and agree before any agreement can proceed."
More and more development in Cambodia has meant the displacement of many families, often times far from jobs, school or even potable water.
The Beung Kak Lake residents have said they will protest outside City Hall until officials grant them an audience to explain why they were evicted from their homes in favor of development and to find a way they might move back.
But city officials say they are too busy until after commune elections.
"City Hall is busy in the commune elections and postponed the meeting until April 3," Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chutema said.
He accused Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay of inciting the people for political gain, a charge Son Chhay denied.
"We want the City Hall to meet directly with the people and discuss things," he said. "Is there any means to solving the Beung Kak development issue? City Hall and the people should work closely together and agree before any agreement can proceed."
More and more development in Cambodia has meant the displacement of many families, often times far from jobs, school or even potable water.
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