Fire blaze in Tuol Sangker village, Russey Keo commune on 02 Feb 2009 (Photo: Chulthea, Koh Santepheap)
Showing posts with label Russey Keo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russey Keo. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Fire blaze in Tuol Sangker, Russey Keo commune
Fire blaze in Tuol Sangker village, Russey Keo commune on 02 Feb 2009 (Photo: Chulthea, Koh Santepheap)
25 houses burnt down in fire near Phnom Penh power station
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 wooden houses were burnt down on Monday amid a fire in Russey Keo district, about 50 meters away from the Phnom Penh Electricity Factory, but no casualty occurred.
The fire started at 02:15 p.m. (0715 GMT) and rapidly spread to dozens of houses, before the firefighters arrived, Soy Kosal, Toul Sangke commune chief, told reporters at the scene.
"The fire lasted around 30 minutes, but nobody is dead, and we can't estimate the damage yet," he said.
Most damaged houses were rented by garment factory workers and more investigation will be carried out, he said.
Temporarily, it seemed that electric or gas problem caused the accident, he added.
Witnesses told reporters that children burned firecrackers and threw them onto mattress, thus starting the fire.
The electricity factory, where power is generated by gasoline, is not affect by the fire.
The fire started at 02:15 p.m. (0715 GMT) and rapidly spread to dozens of houses, before the firefighters arrived, Soy Kosal, Toul Sangke commune chief, told reporters at the scene.
"The fire lasted around 30 minutes, but nobody is dead, and we can't estimate the damage yet," he said.
Most damaged houses were rented by garment factory workers and more investigation will be carried out, he said.
Temporarily, it seemed that electric or gas problem caused the accident, he added.
Witnesses told reporters that children burned firecrackers and threw them onto mattress, thus starting the fire.
The electricity factory, where power is generated by gasoline, is not affect by the fire.
30 houses went up in smoke in Phnom Penh [-Where is Bun Rany's Red Cross to the rescue?]
Scene of the incident (Photo: JM, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)02 Feb 2009
By N.S. and J.M.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
A violent fire took place on Monday at about 3PM, in Tuol Sanker commune, Russey Keo district. Although the fire caused major material damages, there was no victim from this incident.
A fire truck with blaring siren entered a narrow street, and it suddenly made a sharp turn to the left to reach a large courtyard. Police cordon prevented the onlookers from coming nearby. Suddenly, a distraught woman tried to cut across the crowd. Following a quick discussion with a police officer, she was allowed to cross the police cordon. Some dozen meters down, she witnessed in despair a scene of desolation: burnt tin iron roof, fallen walls, rubble… A thick smoke filled the air. Thirty houses, including the one which the woman used to live, went up in smoke following the fire. The fire started at about 3PM in Deum Khvet village. Firemen were on the spot about 15 minutes later, however, difficult road access hamper their work, and the fire trucks could not bring in enough water. A dozen of fire trucks were taking turn to put down the fire. It took 40 firefighters, 24 truckloads of water, and 1 hour and a half of work to put down the fire. “We couldn’t be efficient right away. We don’t have much room to move. The fire rages on, and our equipment was not suited either,” Dy Eav, the deputy fire chief, said with regret. Fortunately, an empty lot is located next to the fire, and acted as a barrier for the fire. Finally, the firemen were able to work close to the fire.
About thirty homes were destroyed, they were rented out to factory workers. There were no death and no serious injuries. Several people were nevertheless affected by smoke inhalation and were transported to the hospital in emergency. While the cause the fire remains unknown, Dy Eav suspects that it could be caused by human negligence: electrical short circuit or kitchen fire. Soy Kosal, the commune chief, explained that tents and cooking utensils will be distributed to the victims of the fire. He assured that the later will be housed on the same spot. Nevertheless, he did not provide any detail about any emergency relief. Those who lost all their belongings can only count on the solidarity of their neighbors or they have to find a place in a pagoda to stay temporarily.
Ung Sary can only cry as she lost everything. She lived in a small house with her husband and a sister. “The fire took everything. I couldn’t save anything, not even my $500 saving hidden inside a book.”
A few meters away, workers from an electrical company felt some relief, the fire did not reach their housing, otherwise, the situation would have been much worse.
A fire truck with blaring siren entered a narrow street, and it suddenly made a sharp turn to the left to reach a large courtyard. Police cordon prevented the onlookers from coming nearby. Suddenly, a distraught woman tried to cut across the crowd. Following a quick discussion with a police officer, she was allowed to cross the police cordon. Some dozen meters down, she witnessed in despair a scene of desolation: burnt tin iron roof, fallen walls, rubble… A thick smoke filled the air. Thirty houses, including the one which the woman used to live, went up in smoke following the fire. The fire started at about 3PM in Deum Khvet village. Firemen were on the spot about 15 minutes later, however, difficult road access hamper their work, and the fire trucks could not bring in enough water. A dozen of fire trucks were taking turn to put down the fire. It took 40 firefighters, 24 truckloads of water, and 1 hour and a half of work to put down the fire. “We couldn’t be efficient right away. We don’t have much room to move. The fire rages on, and our equipment was not suited either,” Dy Eav, the deputy fire chief, said with regret. Fortunately, an empty lot is located next to the fire, and acted as a barrier for the fire. Finally, the firemen were able to work close to the fire.
About thirty homes were destroyed, they were rented out to factory workers. There were no death and no serious injuries. Several people were nevertheless affected by smoke inhalation and were transported to the hospital in emergency. While the cause the fire remains unknown, Dy Eav suspects that it could be caused by human negligence: electrical short circuit or kitchen fire. Soy Kosal, the commune chief, explained that tents and cooking utensils will be distributed to the victims of the fire. He assured that the later will be housed on the same spot. Nevertheless, he did not provide any detail about any emergency relief. Those who lost all their belongings can only count on the solidarity of their neighbors or they have to find a place in a pagoda to stay temporarily.
Ung Sary can only cry as she lost everything. She lived in a small house with her husband and a sister. “The fire took everything. I couldn’t save anything, not even my $500 saving hidden inside a book.”
A few meters away, workers from an electrical company felt some relief, the fire did not reach their housing, otherwise, the situation would have been much worse.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
River bank collapse near Russey Keo
A view of collapsed houses along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea 
A Cambodian girl swims as she carries her goods from her house which collapsed along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A view of collapsed houses along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A rescue boat patrols the site of collapsed houses along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodians carry their goods from houses which collapsed along the bank of Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
People take goods from collapsed houses along the bank of Basak river onto a rescue boat in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea 
Cambodians sit on top of the roofs of houses which have collapsed along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodians look at houses which have collapsed along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Friday, February 29, 2008
Tear Gas and Gunfire During Latest Violent Eviction In Cambodia's Capital
Military Police officers supervising the destruction of 23 houses in Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh (Photos: Licadho)
An Intervention Police officer at latest Russey Keo's eviction site armed with tear gas gunLicadho
Early on the morning of 22 February, 2008, more than 100 heavily-armed military police, intervention police and district police officers violently and forcibly evicted 23 households in Banla S'et village, Khmuonh commune, Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh. As a result, four villagers were injured and eight were detained, leaving behind a dismantled community with nowhere to go.
The eviction was carried out less than 24 hours after the community received notice of eviction. Military and police forces arrived shortly after 7.30am, and less than five minutes later, fired two tear gas canisters at residents while simultaneously shooting dozens of AK-47 bullets into the air, in a blatant attempt to intimidate and force the community to leave. Many bullets were also fired directly at a nearby vehicle, which subsequently exploded.
Authorities then used two mechanical excavators to quickly tear down the community's 23 concrete and wooden houses. A small number of families were allowed to enter their homes to collect their belongings before they were demolished. None of the affected families have been given compensation for the loss of their houses and possessions, nor have they been provided with alternative housing.
During the incident, four villagers were injured from beatings by the police, including one woman who sustained a serious head injury. A further eight people were detained by the authorities. Following negotiations by NGOs at the scene, four detainees were released later that day, and the remaining four were released the following day.
All 23 families maintain that they built their houses and settled their community around 1994 and have been living peacefully on the site since then. Local authorities have recognised their occupation of the land and granted family books and other relevant documents. In 2005, two businessmen claimed ownership of the land and went to court seeking the residents' eviction. Eventually, the Supreme Court upheld the businessmen's claim and decided to authorise the eviction.
Unlawful use of weapons
Despite the Supreme Court's authorization, this was an illegal forced eviction because of the excessive use of force, the lack of compensation paid in advance to the victims for their demolished homes and belongings, and the fact that they have been rendered homeless. Each of these acts is a violation of international law.
The excessive use of force by the authorities, and in particular the dozens of bullets fired by them, violated Cambodian and international law1. The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials states that "Law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall, as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms. They may use force and firearms only if other means remain ineffective or without any promise of achieving the intended result." In this eviction, the police and military police involved did not attempt to use non-violent means before resorting to the shooting of bullets and tear gas.
This eviction is just one of many in Cambodia in recent years in which excessive violence is used, sometimes with deadly consequences.
"The deaths of two unarmed civilians during a brutal eviction in Preah Vihear province in November 2007 shows what can happen in these situations," said Naly Pilorge, director of LICADHO. "Unless the government wants the same thing to happen again, in other provinces and in the middle of Phnom Penh, it needs to radically change the way that it deals with land disputes."
LICADHO reiterates its call for the Royal Government of Cambodia to immediately impose a moratorium on all involuntary evictions until a legal framework that respects human rights is in place. LICADHO also calls for the Royal Government of Cambodia to stop denying that forced evictions are occurring in Cambodia – when cases such as the one in Banla S'et village show they clearly are – and instead to take concrete actions to address these human rights violations.
(1) UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, Adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Havana, Cuba, 27 August to 7 September 1990. Cambodian law (Art. 6, Provisions related to the Judiciary and Criminal Law and Procedure Applicable in Cambodia During the Transitional Period) states that " police shall observe the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and, to the extent possible, Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials".
The eviction was carried out less than 24 hours after the community received notice of eviction. Military and police forces arrived shortly after 7.30am, and less than five minutes later, fired two tear gas canisters at residents while simultaneously shooting dozens of AK-47 bullets into the air, in a blatant attempt to intimidate and force the community to leave. Many bullets were also fired directly at a nearby vehicle, which subsequently exploded.
Authorities then used two mechanical excavators to quickly tear down the community's 23 concrete and wooden houses. A small number of families were allowed to enter their homes to collect their belongings before they were demolished. None of the affected families have been given compensation for the loss of their houses and possessions, nor have they been provided with alternative housing.
During the incident, four villagers were injured from beatings by the police, including one woman who sustained a serious head injury. A further eight people were detained by the authorities. Following negotiations by NGOs at the scene, four detainees were released later that day, and the remaining four were released the following day.
All 23 families maintain that they built their houses and settled their community around 1994 and have been living peacefully on the site since then. Local authorities have recognised their occupation of the land and granted family books and other relevant documents. In 2005, two businessmen claimed ownership of the land and went to court seeking the residents' eviction. Eventually, the Supreme Court upheld the businessmen's claim and decided to authorise the eviction.
Unlawful use of weapons
Despite the Supreme Court's authorization, this was an illegal forced eviction because of the excessive use of force, the lack of compensation paid in advance to the victims for their demolished homes and belongings, and the fact that they have been rendered homeless. Each of these acts is a violation of international law.
The excessive use of force by the authorities, and in particular the dozens of bullets fired by them, violated Cambodian and international law1. The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials states that "Law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall, as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms. They may use force and firearms only if other means remain ineffective or without any promise of achieving the intended result." In this eviction, the police and military police involved did not attempt to use non-violent means before resorting to the shooting of bullets and tear gas.
This eviction is just one of many in Cambodia in recent years in which excessive violence is used, sometimes with deadly consequences.
"The deaths of two unarmed civilians during a brutal eviction in Preah Vihear province in November 2007 shows what can happen in these situations," said Naly Pilorge, director of LICADHO. "Unless the government wants the same thing to happen again, in other provinces and in the middle of Phnom Penh, it needs to radically change the way that it deals with land disputes."
LICADHO reiterates its call for the Royal Government of Cambodia to immediately impose a moratorium on all involuntary evictions until a legal framework that respects human rights is in place. LICADHO also calls for the Royal Government of Cambodia to stop denying that forced evictions are occurring in Cambodia – when cases such as the one in Banla S'et village show they clearly are – and instead to take concrete actions to address these human rights violations.
(1) UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, Adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Havana, Cuba, 27 August to 7 September 1990. Cambodian law (Art. 6, Provisions related to the Judiciary and Criminal Law and Procedure Applicable in Cambodia During the Transitional Period) states that " police shall observe the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and, to the extent possible, Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials".
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
New RUFA takes too long to take shape
The RUFA buildings are currently surrounded by water (Photo: Cambodge Soir)29-10-2007
By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Numerous complaints are heard from the users of the site hosting the new Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA or URBA in French): difficult access, lack of security, buildings not yet completed.
Located at the Russey Keo district, several kilometers away from Phnom Penh downtown, the road leading to the new RUFA campus is going from bad to worst, and meanwhile, the buildings are completely surrounded by water. These pitiful pictures contradict the claims made by Hem Chhin, the secretary of state of the ministry of culture, in November 2006. According to Hem Chhin, “this zone would be integrated with the city, for a nice future, because our ministry is afraid about the disappearance of our culture.”
One year later, during a meeting on the spot with some RUFA teachers and students, several problems were raised: lack of means to pay for gasoline, attacks by hoodlums, theft, bad conditions of study materials, etc… Some teachers and students, who prefer keeping their anonymity, said that that they are very unsatisfied with this situation. “The future here is like a utopian day, we must wait, maybe years, because I don’t see any progress, the high ranking officials close their eyes to our condition,” a theatre student deplored.
Closed windows, closed doors, the buildings are mainly abandoned to the silence. “I don’t blame my students for boycotting classes, because I understand their problems, the road is like the one leading to hell. Furthermore, the teachers who are already underpaid, must travel to here by paying from their own pocket,” a teacher complained.
Last year, RUFA officials, teachers and students were evicted from their former school located near the Japanese bridge. Now a private company is occupying this former location. In exchange, the company built new buildings in the middle of the countryside. RUFA officials complained that the new buildings are not built according to norms, and they fear for the definitive disappearance of RUFA which trains students to traditional Khmer arts.
Located at the Russey Keo district, several kilometers away from Phnom Penh downtown, the road leading to the new RUFA campus is going from bad to worst, and meanwhile, the buildings are completely surrounded by water. These pitiful pictures contradict the claims made by Hem Chhin, the secretary of state of the ministry of culture, in November 2006. According to Hem Chhin, “this zone would be integrated with the city, for a nice future, because our ministry is afraid about the disappearance of our culture.”
One year later, during a meeting on the spot with some RUFA teachers and students, several problems were raised: lack of means to pay for gasoline, attacks by hoodlums, theft, bad conditions of study materials, etc… Some teachers and students, who prefer keeping their anonymity, said that that they are very unsatisfied with this situation. “The future here is like a utopian day, we must wait, maybe years, because I don’t see any progress, the high ranking officials close their eyes to our condition,” a theatre student deplored.
Closed windows, closed doors, the buildings are mainly abandoned to the silence. “I don’t blame my students for boycotting classes, because I understand their problems, the road is like the one leading to hell. Furthermore, the teachers who are already underpaid, must travel to here by paying from their own pocket,” a teacher complained.
Last year, RUFA officials, teachers and students were evicted from their former school located near the Japanese bridge. Now a private company is occupying this former location. In exchange, the company built new buildings in the middle of the countryside. RUFA officials complained that the new buildings are not built according to norms, and they fear for the definitive disappearance of RUFA which trains students to traditional Khmer arts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
