By Kuch Naren
and Whitney Kvasager
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Srey Cheat's work is dangerous. The 24-year old promotes international beer brands in Phnom Penh.
In the course of her night's work she has lost count of the number of times that police officers and soldiers have drawn guns on her.
"I feel like they think we are cattle. We can be shot at any time by customers who are unhappy with us," Srey Cheat said.
Recently, a man pointed a gun at Srey Cheat's head and ordered her into his car. She was driven away and the gunman and some friends raped her.
A'Sros, also a beer promotion worker, also had a gun put to her head by an exuberant guest who thought it would impress his pals.
"A customer put a gun to my head so he could pour beer over my body. I was very scared, and that man and his friends just laughed at me," said A'Sros, who used only her nickname.
"I have experienced many serious incidents with clients who wear civilian clothes but carry guns and police handcuffs," the 21-year-old said.
Four women have been shot and injured by members of the military in four separate shooting at night entertainment spots in Phnom Penh since February. In all cases, the perpetrators have walked free.
Oung Chanthol, executive director of the Cambodian Women's Crisis Center, has just returned from Denmark where she traveled to discuss the safety of Cambodia's "beer girls" with officials from the brewer Carlsberg.
Carlsberg last August acquired a 50 percent share in Angkor beer maker Cambrew Ltd, and officials of the Danish brewer have agreed to improve working conditions for beer promoters, and will come to Cambodia next week to discuss exactly how, she said.
But, ultimately, it is the government who should pass a law to ensure beer promotion girls are safe and those that harm them are punished, Oung Chanthol added.
Former minister of women's affairs Mu Sochua said she is sending a demand to the National Assembly and various government ministries "to find justice for victims and provide punishment for those who shoot girls for fun."
One beer distribution company representative said on Thursday that he hoped that female promotion staff could talk their way out of serious injury.
"I am really sorry to hear about the shootings," said Chea Mong, general manager at ASIA Sunrise Co Ltd, which imports Japan's Asahi beer. "I am only hopeful those beer girls will be smart and clever and talk to their guests to avoid harassment."
Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Kep Chuktema, who last year threatened to shut down unruly beer gardens and restaurants, could not be reached for comment. [Is it possible that Kep Chuktema could not be reached because he was busy drinking a beer at a beer garden???]
In the course of her night's work she has lost count of the number of times that police officers and soldiers have drawn guns on her.
"I feel like they think we are cattle. We can be shot at any time by customers who are unhappy with us," Srey Cheat said.
Recently, a man pointed a gun at Srey Cheat's head and ordered her into his car. She was driven away and the gunman and some friends raped her.
A'Sros, also a beer promotion worker, also had a gun put to her head by an exuberant guest who thought it would impress his pals.
"A customer put a gun to my head so he could pour beer over my body. I was very scared, and that man and his friends just laughed at me," said A'Sros, who used only her nickname.
"I have experienced many serious incidents with clients who wear civilian clothes but carry guns and police handcuffs," the 21-year-old said.
Four women have been shot and injured by members of the military in four separate shooting at night entertainment spots in Phnom Penh since February. In all cases, the perpetrators have walked free.
Oung Chanthol, executive director of the Cambodian Women's Crisis Center, has just returned from Denmark where she traveled to discuss the safety of Cambodia's "beer girls" with officials from the brewer Carlsberg.
Carlsberg last August acquired a 50 percent share in Angkor beer maker Cambrew Ltd, and officials of the Danish brewer have agreed to improve working conditions for beer promoters, and will come to Cambodia next week to discuss exactly how, she said.
But, ultimately, it is the government who should pass a law to ensure beer promotion girls are safe and those that harm them are punished, Oung Chanthol added.
Former minister of women's affairs Mu Sochua said she is sending a demand to the National Assembly and various government ministries "to find justice for victims and provide punishment for those who shoot girls for fun."
One beer distribution company representative said on Thursday that he hoped that female promotion staff could talk their way out of serious injury.
"I am really sorry to hear about the shootings," said Chea Mong, general manager at ASIA Sunrise Co Ltd, which imports Japan's Asahi beer. "I am only hopeful those beer girls will be smart and clever and talk to their guests to avoid harassment."
Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Kep Chuktema, who last year threatened to shut down unruly beer gardens and restaurants, could not be reached for comment. [Is it possible that Kep Chuktema could not be reached because he was busy drinking a beer at a beer garden???]
3 comments:
These soldiers are not professional ones. They are gansters, no behavior. They think they owns the land and they have authority to do whatever they please. Cambodia has a law called jungle law. Whoever has money and power can rule and disregard any people. The citizens should carry gun to protect themself too. This government is good to catch a robber or thief, but can't catch the criminal who commits murder.
In America or democratic countries, soldiers are not permitted to carry gun outside their base. But, Cambodia is having a war now, that's why they carry gun in the city.
Wake up big boys, it's not 1975. It's 21st century, don't act like a cowboy, you're just a call girl. Can only do harm to Cambodian people, but not foreigners.
Stories like that occur everyday in Cambodia. Those without money are forced to suffer from lack of justice as those with money can get away with anything. Cambodian's justice system needs a major reform!!
unacceptable in Cambodia society, these kind of people doesnt deserve to be Khmer at all or have we lost all that kindness in the Khmer Rouge regime and no parents to teach how to be a good boy. Because they have gun, if the girl had a chance she would shoot his weeni off.
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