Showing posts with label Dey Kraham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dey Kraham. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sophal's Story - Amnesty International on Forced Evictions in Cambodia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFmuYUcqjBg
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Victims of Evictions Mark Dey Krahorm Anniversary
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| The Dey Krahorm event was a harbinger of evictions to come, with residents from the the neighborhoods of Boeung Kak lake and Borei Keila the most prominent among scores of forced moves. (Photo: by Heng Reaksmey) |
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
“These shoes are a message to the government to think about villagers before development.”
Representatives from at least seven different neighborhoods convened in a demonstration in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, marking the three-year anniversary of a violent forced eviction that pushed out hundreds of families.
Protesters tore their shirts and removed their shoes, some claiming the ruling Cambodian People’s Party had given them T-shirts and $2.50 for favorable votes in the last election.
“These shoes are a message to the government to think about villagers before development,” said Chan Vichet, a representative of former residents of Dey Krahorm, which three years ago saw hundreds of families violently pushed from their homes.
The Dey Krahorm event was a harbinger of evictions to come, with residents from the the neighborhoods of Boeung Kak lake and Borei Keila the most prominent among scores of forced moves.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Call to end evictions
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| An excavator destroys homes in Phnom Penh’s Boeung Kak Lake community. According to Licadho, about 250,000 Cambodians have been affected by land grabs and forced evictions since 2005. (Photo: Reuters) |
Thursday, 03 November 2011
Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
“If you evict them, your people will be poorer and poorer. It’s not a good kind of development.”
Local residents delivered a petition with more than 1,200 signatures to Phnom Penh city hall yesterday, urging governor Kep Chuktema to make Phnom Penh an “eviction free” zone.
The petition, called “Declare the city as an eviction free zone,” calls for an immediate end to all evictions within city limits.
“Forced evictions are a violation of human rights,” the petition declares.
“More than 150,000 people have found themselves without a home and many of them have been forced or coerced into leaving. Others have been traumatised by having to watch their homes and belongings be destroyed by excavators,” it continues.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Women evictees join hands
Ex-residents of the former Dey Krahorm community gather at the central Phnom Penh site on Sunday. (Photo by: SAM RITH)Monday, 09 March 2009
Written by Sam Rith The Phnom Penh Post
Evictees from around Cambodia assemble at Dey Krahorm community on International Women’s Day to address land rights of women and children
MORE than 100 people evicted from Phnom Penh's Dey Krahorm community and others who are facing eviction elsewhere gathered with provincial land activists and NGO workers Sunday to celebrate International Women's Day.
The ceremony was held near the site of a "sacred ... Banyan tree" at Dey Krahorm where villagers once prayed and made offering to the gods before the tree was knocked down during the eviction. On Sunday, balloons were released to draw attention to the plight of the women and children victims of land-grabbing.
Naly Pilorge, director of rights group Licadho, said it was a symbolic day to consider the union between all women who fight for their rights.
"Today is an example that, whatever you do, it's all interlinked, whether you work on human rights, unions, land rights...we are all affected by the lack of implementation of law, and all have the ability to assemble to express our concern."
"[Evictions] are very serious. We've been getting calls from [people] in Phnom Penh and the provinces almost daily about people being threatened with eviction or evicted," she added.
"It is very difficult to live there," she said. "[Developer 7NG] transported us to live in the rice fields where there is nothing," she added.
She said her husband had become a motorbike taxi driver but did not earn enough money for her children's transportation costs to school in Phnom Penh. She said that per day, these costs were around 20,000 riel.
Long Khom, 45, another former Dey Krahorm villager, said her family's living standards had also significantly worsened after moving to the new site. She told the Post she had nothing left, not even a mosquito net, as all of her assets were destroyed by 7NG workers during the eviction.
"Sadly, there is nothing special about this day [International Women's Day] for many Cambodian women ... because they have been evicted from their homes or are living in fear of eviction. It is just another day of hardship and suffering," said Licadho President Kek Galabru, in a press release issued Sunday.
Orn Chhanna called on the United Nations to help preserve the rights of evicted villagers.
"I would like organisations ... to help people who are evicted from communities such as Dey Krahorm to have better lives," she said.
Lim Sambo, a representative of neighbouring Group 78 community, which lives under threat of eviction, said he and others on the land welcomed any government proposal for development, but insisted that fair compensation is given to those who are impacted.
"We need negotiation, not violent evicting ... the government must offer proper compensation to people before handing out any plot of land to a private company.... The government must also have its own reserved budget to offer affected people," he said.
Sy Define, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Women's Affairs, acknowledged that moving people far away from the city affected women and children who needed to travel to the city. However, she said the government will help build schools near relocation sites.
MORE than 100 people evicted from Phnom Penh's Dey Krahorm community and others who are facing eviction elsewhere gathered with provincial land activists and NGO workers Sunday to celebrate International Women's Day.
The ceremony was held near the site of a "sacred ... Banyan tree" at Dey Krahorm where villagers once prayed and made offering to the gods before the tree was knocked down during the eviction. On Sunday, balloons were released to draw attention to the plight of the women and children victims of land-grabbing.
Naly Pilorge, director of rights group Licadho, said it was a symbolic day to consider the union between all women who fight for their rights.
"Today is an example that, whatever you do, it's all interlinked, whether you work on human rights, unions, land rights...we are all affected by the lack of implementation of law, and all have the ability to assemble to express our concern."
"[Evictions] are very serious. We've been getting calls from [people] in Phnom Penh and the provinces almost daily about people being threatened with eviction or evicted," she added.
"Sadly, there is nothing special about this day for many cambodian women..."Orn Channa, one of the evicted Dey Krahorm villagers, told the Post that her family found it difficult to live at the relocation site, Damnak Trayeung, as there were no schools available for her two children to continue their education and no water, electricity, health care centres or employment opportunities.
"It is very difficult to live there," she said. "[Developer 7NG] transported us to live in the rice fields where there is nothing," she added.
She said her husband had become a motorbike taxi driver but did not earn enough money for her children's transportation costs to school in Phnom Penh. She said that per day, these costs were around 20,000 riel.
Long Khom, 45, another former Dey Krahorm villager, said her family's living standards had also significantly worsened after moving to the new site. She told the Post she had nothing left, not even a mosquito net, as all of her assets were destroyed by 7NG workers during the eviction.
"Sadly, there is nothing special about this day [International Women's Day] for many Cambodian women ... because they have been evicted from their homes or are living in fear of eviction. It is just another day of hardship and suffering," said Licadho President Kek Galabru, in a press release issued Sunday.
Orn Chhanna called on the United Nations to help preserve the rights of evicted villagers.
"I would like organisations ... to help people who are evicted from communities such as Dey Krahorm to have better lives," she said.
Lim Sambo, a representative of neighbouring Group 78 community, which lives under threat of eviction, said he and others on the land welcomed any government proposal for development, but insisted that fair compensation is given to those who are impacted.
"We need negotiation, not violent evicting ... the government must offer proper compensation to people before handing out any plot of land to a private company.... The government must also have its own reserved budget to offer affected people," he said.
Sy Define, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Women's Affairs, acknowledged that moving people far away from the city affected women and children who needed to travel to the city. However, she said the government will help build schools near relocation sites.
"...let their children, wives, grandchildren and all their lineage die, those who grabbed the Dey Krahorm land": Curse by Dey Krahorm victims
People affected by land disputes have gathered in Dey Krahorm on 08 March 2009 to appeal for an end to forced evictions (Photo: Ouk Savborey, RFA)Victims of land disputes pray for an end to eviction
08 March 2009
By Ouk Savborey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
About 150 people coming from communities where land dispute communities are taking place, and who are about to leave or on the verge of leaving their homes, gathered near the large Boddhi tree located in Dey Krahorm commune, Tonle Bassac district, Phnom Penh, during the 99th International Women’s Day celebrated on 08 March 2009. The people gathered to pray for an end to evictions that saw people being chased out of their homes.
A woman representing the Dey Krahorm community said that women and children are hurt by their forced eviction from their homes on the morning of 24 January 2009: “Please, spirits protecting the land and water of Dey Krahorm, prevent those who grabbed the land from the people from being able to do anything, let them vanish to naught soon, immediately, let their children, wives, grandchildren and all their lineage die, those who grabbed the Dey Krahorm land.”
Another woman representing families who are about to leave their homes in Boeung Kak Lake, added that she prayed so that the eviction that took place in Dey Krahorm does not happen in her community: “I say, for all of us women, if there is an eviction like Dey Krahorm taking place, we will suffer, because as women, we have extremely heavy charge, because in the future, our group will also face the same fate as them.”
Another man from Beoung Kak Lake community said: “Our goal is to obtain freedom, and a voice so that we will not be faced with eviction like Dey Krahorm, we don’t want any violence like this anymore.”
A representative from Group 78 (Tonle Bassac) claimed that those who want to take the land under the pretext of development, as well as the city hall, are forcing people to leave their lands without any negotiation, they hurt all the people, young and old: “If they want to take the people out of the city, they must resolve the money issue first, then they can take the people out, they should not do like Dey Krahorm or Sambok Chap. Now, the people can no longer accept that.”
Representatives from communities in various provinces claimed that any development without prior negotiation to provide proper compensation (for the people affected) will lead to an increase in poverty and it will lead to further destructions of forest, animals and the environment.
Van Sophat, a NGO representative who is observing the land dispute situation under the pretext of government development, indicated that the 150 people who came to pray at this ceremony are from the Dey Krahorm community, the Phnom Penh Thmei community, the Boeung Kak community, the Sambok Chap community, as well as other communities in Cambodia who suffer from eviction without proper compensation. They all came to ask the Cambodian government (led by Hun Sen) to respect the 2001 land law which guarantees the home ownership for the people.
Following a blessing by 5 Buddhist monks, balloons bearing slogans were released asking for an end to eviction in order to support women, for the right of women to have access to proper housing, and for supporting women as it also means supporting the country.
The ceremony took place outside the gate of the 7NG company, no company employees or police officers came to disrupt the ceremony held by these victims of land disputes.
A woman representing the Dey Krahorm community said that women and children are hurt by their forced eviction from their homes on the morning of 24 January 2009: “Please, spirits protecting the land and water of Dey Krahorm, prevent those who grabbed the land from the people from being able to do anything, let them vanish to naught soon, immediately, let their children, wives, grandchildren and all their lineage die, those who grabbed the Dey Krahorm land.”
Another woman representing families who are about to leave their homes in Boeung Kak Lake, added that she prayed so that the eviction that took place in Dey Krahorm does not happen in her community: “I say, for all of us women, if there is an eviction like Dey Krahorm taking place, we will suffer, because as women, we have extremely heavy charge, because in the future, our group will also face the same fate as them.”
Another man from Beoung Kak Lake community said: “Our goal is to obtain freedom, and a voice so that we will not be faced with eviction like Dey Krahorm, we don’t want any violence like this anymore.”
A representative from Group 78 (Tonle Bassac) claimed that those who want to take the land under the pretext of development, as well as the city hall, are forcing people to leave their lands without any negotiation, they hurt all the people, young and old: “If they want to take the people out of the city, they must resolve the money issue first, then they can take the people out, they should not do like Dey Krahorm or Sambok Chap. Now, the people can no longer accept that.”
Representatives from communities in various provinces claimed that any development without prior negotiation to provide proper compensation (for the people affected) will lead to an increase in poverty and it will lead to further destructions of forest, animals and the environment.
Van Sophat, a NGO representative who is observing the land dispute situation under the pretext of government development, indicated that the 150 people who came to pray at this ceremony are from the Dey Krahorm community, the Phnom Penh Thmei community, the Boeung Kak community, the Sambok Chap community, as well as other communities in Cambodia who suffer from eviction without proper compensation. They all came to ask the Cambodian government (led by Hun Sen) to respect the 2001 land law which guarantees the home ownership for the people.
Following a blessing by 5 Buddhist monks, balloons bearing slogans were released asking for an end to eviction in order to support women, for the right of women to have access to proper housing, and for supporting women as it also means supporting the country.
The ceremony took place outside the gate of the 7NG company, no company employees or police officers came to disrupt the ceremony held by these victims of land disputes.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Cambodia For Sale - SBS Australia Video
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Video Journalist David O'Shea reports from Cambodia, where locals are now faced with a new peril - rampant land developers literally smashing entire communities, leaving thousands homeless.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Some Dey Krohorm took 7NG’s offer of compensation
Houses, located about 16km from the centre of Phnom Penh, that have been offered to the evicted families from Dey Krohorm.Radio Free Asia
By Mayarith
1st February, 2009
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization
Some families who were evicted from the Dey Krohorm slum have accepted the compensation package offered by 7NG even though most of them are not happy with the offer.
Mr. Chan Saveth, representative from the Dey Krohorm neighbourhood, said that some families have agreed to accept the offer because they have been traumatised by the forced evictions that have been carried on 24th January. They have accepted the ultimatum given by 7NG because they are afraid that they will not get anything and that they do not foresee any solution better than this offer.
Mr. Chan Saveth said that 7NG gave an ultimatum to the evicted families until 31st January to accept their offer or they will receive nothing. He said that all who accepted the offer were forced to do so by the company.
Mr. Chan Saveth said: “The company has given an ultimatum to the 85 families recognised by the company to accept the offer. If they don’t accept the compensation offered by the company after the ultimatum, all their claims will be invalid and the company will not make any other compensation offers. Because the company has strongly threatened them, they have to accept the offer under duress and some people who went to get their houses offered by the company have to pay bribes before they (company’s representatives) will give them the house.”
Mr. Chan Saveth said that there are about 50 more families who did not accept the compensation offered by the company as they have requested to be paid $20,000 in cash offered by the company before the evictions.
Mr. Chhim Savuth, an official from the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said that, most of the evicted families complained that most of the houses offered by the company are uninhabitable.
He said: “The houses offered by 7NG at Borey Santepheap II, according to the complaints from the families, are substandard buildings. Some houses have leaks from the ceilings when it rains and most houses have no sewage system or other systems at all. For the houses to be habitable, the occupants have to pay at least between $2,000-$3,000 more out of their pockets to repair the houses.”
On 24th January, 7NG has carried out the forced evictions and demolitions of many houses from Dey Krohorm slum, among them, the evictions and the demolitions of the houses belonging to some of Cambodian comedians, including Grandpa Songsiss, Grandma Oeun and Mr. Songset.
In the evictions, 20 of the evicted people, including one pregnant lady, were injured.
By Mayarith
1st February, 2009
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization
Some families who were evicted from the Dey Krohorm slum have accepted the compensation package offered by 7NG even though most of them are not happy with the offer.
Mr. Chan Saveth, representative from the Dey Krohorm neighbourhood, said that some families have agreed to accept the offer because they have been traumatised by the forced evictions that have been carried on 24th January. They have accepted the ultimatum given by 7NG because they are afraid that they will not get anything and that they do not foresee any solution better than this offer.
Mr. Chan Saveth said that 7NG gave an ultimatum to the evicted families until 31st January to accept their offer or they will receive nothing. He said that all who accepted the offer were forced to do so by the company.
Mr. Chan Saveth said: “The company has given an ultimatum to the 85 families recognised by the company to accept the offer. If they don’t accept the compensation offered by the company after the ultimatum, all their claims will be invalid and the company will not make any other compensation offers. Because the company has strongly threatened them, they have to accept the offer under duress and some people who went to get their houses offered by the company have to pay bribes before they (company’s representatives) will give them the house.”
Mr. Chan Saveth said that there are about 50 more families who did not accept the compensation offered by the company as they have requested to be paid $20,000 in cash offered by the company before the evictions.
Mr. Chhim Savuth, an official from the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said that, most of the evicted families complained that most of the houses offered by the company are uninhabitable.
He said: “The houses offered by 7NG at Borey Santepheap II, according to the complaints from the families, are substandard buildings. Some houses have leaks from the ceilings when it rains and most houses have no sewage system or other systems at all. For the houses to be habitable, the occupants have to pay at least between $2,000-$3,000 more out of their pockets to repair the houses.”
On 24th January, 7NG has carried out the forced evictions and demolitions of many houses from Dey Krohorm slum, among them, the evictions and the demolitions of the houses belonging to some of Cambodian comedians, including Grandpa Songsiss, Grandma Oeun and Mr. Songset.
In the evictions, 20 of the evicted people, including one pregnant lady, were injured.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Dey Kraham: Activist released from jail after 6-month detention
Dey Kraham ceremony to honor released activist Lor Seiha (Photo: Kang Kallyan, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)21 Jan 2009
By Kang Kallyann
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
On Wednesday 21 January, Dey Kraham residents, who are still anxiously waiting for their upcoming eviction, have organized a ceremony to honor Lor Seiha, their former representative, who was released from jail following 6-month of detention.
Lor Seiha was charged with “incitation to violence,” “falsification,” and “destruction of someone else’s property” in Dey Kraham.
Seven other people also saw the same charge leveled against them, however, only Lor Seiha was arrested.
“We organize this ceremony to free Lor Seiha from all the bad spirits in jail,” Chan Vichet, the current representative of the residents, indicated. “This is also an occasion to remind people that we are Buddhist followers and that we wish to see all conflicts resolved peacefully.”
On Monday 19 January, Chan Vichet sent a letter to the city hall, asking for a meeting to discuss the Dey Kraham land dispute issue.
Lor Seiha was charged with “incitation to violence,” “falsification,” and “destruction of someone else’s property” in Dey Kraham.
Seven other people also saw the same charge leveled against them, however, only Lor Seiha was arrested.
“We organize this ceremony to free Lor Seiha from all the bad spirits in jail,” Chan Vichet, the current representative of the residents, indicated. “This is also an occasion to remind people that we are Buddhist followers and that we wish to see all conflicts resolved peacefully.”
On Monday 19 January, Chan Vichet sent a letter to the city hall, asking for a meeting to discuss the Dey Kraham land dispute issue.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Dey Kraham residents given 3 days of reprieve before eviction
16 Jan 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
The plan to evict Dey Kraham residents on 15 January has been delayed after a request was made by the local residents. Chan Vichet, the representative of the residents, said in the morning of 15 January that the time allotment for the residents to decide on the $20,000 offer for each owner is too short, and some of the residents did not even know the allotted time and yet it is already over. Chan Vichet would like the authority to allow 15 to 30 days for the residents to think about the offer and to negotiate the price with the city and the 7NG company. The city hall had already prepared police force to evict the residents in the morning of 15 January, however, the plan was delayed after a request was made by the residents. Lo Yuy, the Chamcar Mon deputy district governor, indicated that the city hall is providing another 3 days for the residents to come up with a decision. Chan Vichet said that a 3-day delay is too short and the residents would not be able to think about it or to conduct any negotiation. Chan Vichet also asked the authority to abstain from using force or impose any rule on the Dey Kraham residents.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Dey Krahorm stalemate continues as 20 relocate
Dey Krahorm residents at a press conference to discuss their pending relocation on Wednesday. (Photo by: TRACEY SHELTON)Thursday, 15 January 2009
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
Despite a last-ditch offer by the municipality that expired Wednesday, only 20 of the remaining families have left the hotly contested central city site
RESIDENTS of the Dey Krahorm community, along with a coalition of NGOs, reiterated their position Wednesday that the ongoing land dispute should be resolved through peaceful negotiations rather than forced evictions.
The residents sent a letter to the Phnom Penh Municipality expressing their desire to negotiate with the private developer 7NG, suggesting they were open to relocate in exchange for compensation they deemed adequate.
Also Wednesday, 10 families accepted an offer to relocate in exchange for US$20,000.
Chan Vichet, a Dey Krahorm resident who spoke on behalf of the families remaining in the community, said most residents did not have enough time to consider the $20,000 offer, which was announced Monday night and expired Wednesday.
"We did not even have time to talk with our wives," Chan Vichet said.
He said 152 families remained in the settlement, although the Phnom Penh Municipality maintains that only 91 families have not yet left.
The Housing Rights Task Force in Cambodia, a coalition of NGOs and community-based organisations, issued a statement Wednesday calling on officials to allow for detailed negotiations and to give residents sufficient time to consider relocation offers.
"Taking time to reach a peaceful agreement will clearly demonstrate the municipality's kindness and commitment to respect for human rights and the rule of law," David Pred, director of Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia, said in the statement.
Mann Chhoeun, deputy governor of Phnom Penh, took issue with the notion that the officials had not been patient with the remaining residents, saying that evictions could have begun as early as December 30, the date by which an eviction notice ordered them to move. He also said the $20,000 offer was originally set to expire Tuesday before officials extended it for a day, adding that the municipality would be willing to engage with those residents who were open to negotiate the terms of a possible relocation.
"We are not cold-hearted," Mann Chhoeun said.
Pred and other NGO leaders maintain that the residents of Dey Krahorm are lawful possessors of their homes under the Land Law, and thus are entitled to the right to negotiate a relocation price acceptable to them.
RESIDENTS of the Dey Krahorm community, along with a coalition of NGOs, reiterated their position Wednesday that the ongoing land dispute should be resolved through peaceful negotiations rather than forced evictions.
The residents sent a letter to the Phnom Penh Municipality expressing their desire to negotiate with the private developer 7NG, suggesting they were open to relocate in exchange for compensation they deemed adequate.
Also Wednesday, 10 families accepted an offer to relocate in exchange for US$20,000.
Chan Vichet, a Dey Krahorm resident who spoke on behalf of the families remaining in the community, said most residents did not have enough time to consider the $20,000 offer, which was announced Monday night and expired Wednesday.
"We did not even have time to talk with our wives," Chan Vichet said.
He said 152 families remained in the settlement, although the Phnom Penh Municipality maintains that only 91 families have not yet left.
The Housing Rights Task Force in Cambodia, a coalition of NGOs and community-based organisations, issued a statement Wednesday calling on officials to allow for detailed negotiations and to give residents sufficient time to consider relocation offers.
"Taking time to reach a peaceful agreement will clearly demonstrate the municipality's kindness and commitment to respect for human rights and the rule of law," David Pred, director of Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia, said in the statement.
Mann Chhoeun, deputy governor of Phnom Penh, took issue with the notion that the officials had not been patient with the remaining residents, saying that evictions could have begun as early as December 30, the date by which an eviction notice ordered them to move. He also said the $20,000 offer was originally set to expire Tuesday before officials extended it for a day, adding that the municipality would be willing to engage with those residents who were open to negotiate the terms of a possible relocation.
"We are not cold-hearted," Mann Chhoeun said.
Pred and other NGO leaders maintain that the residents of Dey Krahorm are lawful possessors of their homes under the Land Law, and thus are entitled to the right to negotiate a relocation price acceptable to them.
Dey Kraham lies in wait
Dey Kraham residents (Photo: DR, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)15 Jan 2009
By L.D. and A.L.G.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
While the eviction rumors are being spread out, the residents have not yet decided whether they will accept the 7NG company’s offer.
Discussions are underway between Dey Kraham residents to see whether they will accept the relocation offer and the compensation offered by the 7NG company, the company which received the land concession.
While rumors are circulating about a probable eviction on Thursday 15 January, on the spot, the situation is calm. “Yesterday, at 5 PM, we discussed again about the 7NG offer. We sent a letter to the city hall, asking it not to use force,” Chan Vichet, a representative of the residents, indicated.
The residents must decide whether to accept the $20,000 compensation offer to voluntarily leave the location, in lieu of the previous $15,000 offer.
However, the agreement proposal involves only 91 families, whereas the residents indicated that there are 152 families currently living on the site, Chan Vichet said. “The city hall said that the fate of the remaining residents will be resolved later, but nobody knows if they are part of the 91 families or not,” he indicated.
Another problem raised by Chan Vichet: the families will receive the same compensation amount irrespective of the land plot size they currently own.
Some residents indicated that the true value of their land amounts to $7,000 per square-meter, and that the actual compensation should be $70,000.
Furthermore, the relocation site, Damnak Trayoeung, located in the Phnom Penh suburb, does not satisfy all the residents of Dey Kraham.
Several NGOs, such as the Center On Housing Rights and Eviction (COHRE) or Bridge Across Borders, are present on the site 24/7 in order to avoid any confrontation with the police force.
Discussions are underway between Dey Kraham residents to see whether they will accept the relocation offer and the compensation offered by the 7NG company, the company which received the land concession.
While rumors are circulating about a probable eviction on Thursday 15 January, on the spot, the situation is calm. “Yesterday, at 5 PM, we discussed again about the 7NG offer. We sent a letter to the city hall, asking it not to use force,” Chan Vichet, a representative of the residents, indicated.
The residents must decide whether to accept the $20,000 compensation offer to voluntarily leave the location, in lieu of the previous $15,000 offer.
However, the agreement proposal involves only 91 families, whereas the residents indicated that there are 152 families currently living on the site, Chan Vichet said. “The city hall said that the fate of the remaining residents will be resolved later, but nobody knows if they are part of the 91 families or not,” he indicated.
Another problem raised by Chan Vichet: the families will receive the same compensation amount irrespective of the land plot size they currently own.
Some residents indicated that the true value of their land amounts to $7,000 per square-meter, and that the actual compensation should be $70,000.
Furthermore, the relocation site, Damnak Trayoeung, located in the Phnom Penh suburb, does not satisfy all the residents of Dey Kraham.
Several NGOs, such as the Center On Housing Rights and Eviction (COHRE) or Bridge Across Borders, are present on the site 24/7 in order to avoid any confrontation with the police force.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Green light to evict Dey Krahorm residents: city officials, developer
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
7NG says it bumped up cash compensation offered to families remaining in Dey Krahorm slum as final offer ahead of eviction.
PRIVATE developer 7NG and the Phnom Penh Municipality announced they have the green light from the government to forcibly remove the remaining residents of the embattled Dey Krahorm community, but sweetened the threat of eviction with an improved offer of compensation for those who go willingly.
"If you agree, we will negotiate," Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said during a roundtable discussion on the "development of Dey Krahorm solutions", which was organised Tuesday by the Club of Cambodian Journalists at the Sunway Hotel.
He said a final notice of eviction has been issued several times, but none of the remaining residents have moved - paving the way for legal action by authorities.
For the 91 families remaining, 7NG has set aside US$1,820,000 - or $20,000 per family - if they do not want the alternative housing being provided in the Damnak Trayoeng area on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, he said.
"But $20,000 is only a price for today. If they do not accept until we remove them, we will give them the old offer of $15,000," he said.
No date for an eviction was announced.
An estimated 800 to 1,400 residents lived in Dey Krahorm before the old community leaders signed a contract with 7NG in 2005, giving it the 3.6- hectare property in return for building relocation houses in Damnak Trayoeng village.
Srey Chanthou, 7NG's managing director, said the bumped-up compensation offer was a last-ditch effort, before sweeping the area, that was suggested by city officials.
"We announced $20,000 last night [Monday] to residents. No one has contacted us yet. Our policy is to solve the problem peacefully," he said.
Chan Vichet, a representative of the remaining Dey Krahorm families, said the offer of $20,000 by city hall and 7NG on Monday evening demanded too quick a decision for residents.
"It is far too fast for us to think about whether or not we will accept it. We want the authorities to give us time."
Too late to bargain?
The leverage of the estimated 91 families still living in Dey Krahorm to negotiate compensation remains contentious among local observers.
According to David Pred, director of the NGO Bridges Across Borders, the residents of Dey Krahorm are lawful possessors of their homes under the Land Law, and therefore the only way to relocate them is to negotiate a fair price they will accept.
"Intimidation, violence, arrest, force, prosecution have been used [to force people to leave] Dey Krahorm over the last three years," he said.
But Chhim Phalvorun, director of the Institute for Civil Education, called into question the residents' legal claim to the land and said they should not demand more than is required to acquire different homes.
"They know they are not legal owners. So, the demand is far beyond their right."
PRIVATE developer 7NG and the Phnom Penh Municipality announced they have the green light from the government to forcibly remove the remaining residents of the embattled Dey Krahorm community, but sweetened the threat of eviction with an improved offer of compensation for those who go willingly.
"If you agree, we will negotiate," Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said during a roundtable discussion on the "development of Dey Krahorm solutions", which was organised Tuesday by the Club of Cambodian Journalists at the Sunway Hotel.
He said a final notice of eviction has been issued several times, but none of the remaining residents have moved - paving the way for legal action by authorities.
For the 91 families remaining, 7NG has set aside US$1,820,000 - or $20,000 per family - if they do not want the alternative housing being provided in the Damnak Trayoeng area on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, he said.
"But $20,000 is only a price for today. If they do not accept until we remove them, we will give them the old offer of $15,000," he said.
No date for an eviction was announced.
An estimated 800 to 1,400 residents lived in Dey Krahorm before the old community leaders signed a contract with 7NG in 2005, giving it the 3.6- hectare property in return for building relocation houses in Damnak Trayoeng village.
Srey Chanthou, 7NG's managing director, said the bumped-up compensation offer was a last-ditch effort, before sweeping the area, that was suggested by city officials.
"We announced $20,000 last night [Monday] to residents. No one has contacted us yet. Our policy is to solve the problem peacefully," he said.
Chan Vichet, a representative of the remaining Dey Krahorm families, said the offer of $20,000 by city hall and 7NG on Monday evening demanded too quick a decision for residents.
"It is far too fast for us to think about whether or not we will accept it. We want the authorities to give us time."
Too late to bargain?
The leverage of the estimated 91 families still living in Dey Krahorm to negotiate compensation remains contentious among local observers.
According to David Pred, director of the NGO Bridges Across Borders, the residents of Dey Krahorm are lawful possessors of their homes under the Land Law, and therefore the only way to relocate them is to negotiate a fair price they will accept.
"Intimidation, violence, arrest, force, prosecution have been used [to force people to leave] Dey Krahorm over the last three years," he said.
But Chhim Phalvorun, director of the Institute for Civil Education, called into question the residents' legal claim to the land and said they should not demand more than is required to acquire different homes.
"They know they are not legal owners. So, the demand is far beyond their right."
Dey Krohom: Residents must present united front in the face of upcoming eviction
Phnom Penh (Cambodia).13/01/2009: Mann Chhoeun, vice-Governor of Phnom Penh, at a roundtable organised by the Club of Cambodian Journalists on Dey Krohom. On the left handside, one of the sons of Srey Sothea, who owns the 7NG company (Photo: John Vink/ Magnum)13-01-2009
By Ros Dina
Ka-set in English
Click here to read the article in French
Click here to read the article in Khmer
Late July 2003, an urbanisation plan established by the municipality of Phnom Penh provided that the residents of the Bassac settlement, in the heart of Phnom Penh, be grouped on part of the area known as “Dey Krohom” (“Red Lands”) and enjoy the possibility of getting ownership rights. But three years later, the villagers of the Red Lands were informed by a municipal circular that they were going to be evicted. A long struggle started between them, the local authorities and the 7NG company, who was granted the land to build a residential tower and a shopping mall. On 30th December, the dozens of families still opposed to leaving under the current conditions were expected to be forced out. But the threat has not been acted upon yet. The land dispute has drawn out for years but now seems to be closer to the end.
Since 2006, when they found out they had to give way for the 7NG company, the villagers of Dey Krohom have kept repeating they would sell their land for its real market value, not for the slashed price offered to them. They have also recalled the government's commitment to allow them the on-site development of their community. Their words have hardly changed but in this protracted conflict, 1,374 out of the initial count of 1,465 families have already left, that is 93% of them. They have accepted monetary compensations or relocation in the village of Damnak Trah Yeung, in the Dangkor district, over twenty kilometers West of Phnom Penh.
The Club of Cambodian Journalists invited Mann Chhoeun, the deputy governor of Cambodia's capital, to express his views on the situation on Tuesday 13th January. He disclosed the latest offer made by 7NG, that is 20,000 USD – plus food supplies and indemnity for the move – for each of the uncompromising families in exchange for their departure – an increase of 5,000 USD from the previous offer – under the essential requirement that all of the families accept this solution. Srey Chanthou, the director of the company, affirms that the offer was communicated to the residents on the evening of the previous day and is valid until Wednesday 14th January. A rumour says that on Thursday, the day following the expiry of the offer, the eviction of the residents will be actually ordered. Officially, it is expected to take place “in the very near future”.
An exercise in public relations
Mann Chhoeun performed a real exercise in public relations, complete with visuals to illustrate his words. A slide show presented the new environment of the resettled families in the village of Damnak Trah Yeung, where they enjoy running water, electricity, new bicycles they were able to buy on credit, several buses that provide shuttle service to the Demkor market (behind the Chenla theatre) nine times a day, a market, shops... and a nearby factory. The picture painted is one of residents happy in their frail 4m x 12m houses, all on the ground floor...
The deputy governor sent a message to the 91 remaining families, although community representatives claim there are 150 left, and warned that the company will not include in the negotiations the opportunists who have joined the group in the hope of also receiving compensation.
The official then depicted Dey Krohom as a “difficult” area, inhabited by drug addicts and hub of all kinds of traffic. An observer claimed in a low voice 7NG representatives were seen selling “glue” to villagers. As for the famous artists living in this small community – the chapey players Kong Nay and Ta Phe –, Mann Chhoeun alleged the company had solved their problem by offering them to be relocated in the Phnom Penh neighbourhood of Boeung Tampoun.
“We have not acted since the ultimatum of 30th December. The municipality – as the mediator between the company and the residents – has shown treasures of patience and demonstrated its willingness to handle the situation for the best,” Mann Chhoeun argued.
The accusations against 7NG
In the audience, David Pred, director of the NGO Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, contested the initial number of families in the community as shown in the presentation and asked why there was no mention of the corruption that reportedly marred the allocation of the housing lots in the resettlement village. The word “corruption” got lost in the translation into Khmer and Mann Chhoeun replied that if the activist questioned the inflated figure, it meant he was siding with the 7NG company.
David Pred then accused some former community representatives of pursuing their own personal interest, without any consideration for the villagers. The deputy governor pointed out that the residents had accepted their candidacy and had not prevented them from intervening in their name. When the representative of Bridges Across Borders then evoked how intimidation and violence had been used against the residents to sway them, Mann Chhoeun held in his hand a letter from 7NG in which the company instructs their lawyer to withdraw their complaint against one of the Dey Krohom residents, the owner of a coffee shop, who they accused of acts of violence. The deputy governor painted the residents as uncontrollable and rebellious people who did not hesitate to throw bags of urine and feces to 7NG representatives.
Bunn Rachana, from the organisation Housing Rights Task Force, then referred to the land law and asked why the villagers were not allowed to be resettled on site. Her question was answered by Chhim Phalvorin, director of the Institute of demography and specialist of the Cambodian Constitution, and second guest of the Club of Cambodian Journalists. He first observed that “sometimes, people ask for too much money for compensation, as if they were encouraged by others to do so.” He then recalled that Dey Krohom residents had written in 2003 to Prime Minister Hun Sen to ask to be allowed to remain there, which “proves that the residents were aware they had settled there in complete illegality.” The specialist insisted that an occupation is declared legal as long as it is based on a legal ownership title. “If this were the case, the residents could then be entitled to claim for financial compensation based on actual land market value.”
Pursuing his explanations, Mann Chhoeun stressed that the hypothesis of an on-site resettlement had been envisaged in a first time, under which half the land would be for the company and the other half for the residents. “However, the only way to provide a roof for everyone was to build a nine-floor building. But the residents said they did not want to live above the ground floor and further demanded an elevator. Who will pay for the electricity for the elevator? As the 7NG company had land available in the village of Damnak Trah Yeung, they offered to resettle the residents there.”
Undecided residents
On Tuesday afternoon, the residents met at the headquarters of the NGO Community Legal Education Center (CLEC) to discuss a new common strategy as things seemed to gather speed. The NGO representatives present advised them to negotiate a postponement of the eviction ultimatum set by the authorities, by communicating such request to the municipality of Phnom Penh and to 7NG. Their lawyer, Attorney Chiv Sambath, explained this would give them more time to agree on the amount of money they want to receive in exchange for their departure. He suggested they should advocate for the resumption of three-party negotiations as 7NG has made it clear that from now on, it will be the same price for everybody.
“It is starting to be very complicated because nobody has the same opinion. Only a couple of families have told me they would accept 7NG's latest offer of 20,000 USD. Those who own large houses still consider the offer not to be enough. I have probed the residents and their requests are between 30,000 and 60,000 USD. Also, some change their mind along the way, depending on what their neighbours are asking for... It is hard to agree on a consensus,” Chan Vichet, the representative of the families still opposed to leaving, explained by the end of the day.
Discussions between the residents were to continue throughout the evening. They are now in a race against time and more than ever, they must present a united front against the municipality and the 7NG company.
Since 2006, when they found out they had to give way for the 7NG company, the villagers of Dey Krohom have kept repeating they would sell their land for its real market value, not for the slashed price offered to them. They have also recalled the government's commitment to allow them the on-site development of their community. Their words have hardly changed but in this protracted conflict, 1,374 out of the initial count of 1,465 families have already left, that is 93% of them. They have accepted monetary compensations or relocation in the village of Damnak Trah Yeung, in the Dangkor district, over twenty kilometers West of Phnom Penh.
The Club of Cambodian Journalists invited Mann Chhoeun, the deputy governor of Cambodia's capital, to express his views on the situation on Tuesday 13th January. He disclosed the latest offer made by 7NG, that is 20,000 USD – plus food supplies and indemnity for the move – for each of the uncompromising families in exchange for their departure – an increase of 5,000 USD from the previous offer – under the essential requirement that all of the families accept this solution. Srey Chanthou, the director of the company, affirms that the offer was communicated to the residents on the evening of the previous day and is valid until Wednesday 14th January. A rumour says that on Thursday, the day following the expiry of the offer, the eviction of the residents will be actually ordered. Officially, it is expected to take place “in the very near future”.
An exercise in public relations
Mann Chhoeun performed a real exercise in public relations, complete with visuals to illustrate his words. A slide show presented the new environment of the resettled families in the village of Damnak Trah Yeung, where they enjoy running water, electricity, new bicycles they were able to buy on credit, several buses that provide shuttle service to the Demkor market (behind the Chenla theatre) nine times a day, a market, shops... and a nearby factory. The picture painted is one of residents happy in their frail 4m x 12m houses, all on the ground floor...
The deputy governor sent a message to the 91 remaining families, although community representatives claim there are 150 left, and warned that the company will not include in the negotiations the opportunists who have joined the group in the hope of also receiving compensation.
The official then depicted Dey Krohom as a “difficult” area, inhabited by drug addicts and hub of all kinds of traffic. An observer claimed in a low voice 7NG representatives were seen selling “glue” to villagers. As for the famous artists living in this small community – the chapey players Kong Nay and Ta Phe –, Mann Chhoeun alleged the company had solved their problem by offering them to be relocated in the Phnom Penh neighbourhood of Boeung Tampoun.
“We have not acted since the ultimatum of 30th December. The municipality – as the mediator between the company and the residents – has shown treasures of patience and demonstrated its willingness to handle the situation for the best,” Mann Chhoeun argued.
The accusations against 7NG
In the audience, David Pred, director of the NGO Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, contested the initial number of families in the community as shown in the presentation and asked why there was no mention of the corruption that reportedly marred the allocation of the housing lots in the resettlement village. The word “corruption” got lost in the translation into Khmer and Mann Chhoeun replied that if the activist questioned the inflated figure, it meant he was siding with the 7NG company.
David Pred then accused some former community representatives of pursuing their own personal interest, without any consideration for the villagers. The deputy governor pointed out that the residents had accepted their candidacy and had not prevented them from intervening in their name. When the representative of Bridges Across Borders then evoked how intimidation and violence had been used against the residents to sway them, Mann Chhoeun held in his hand a letter from 7NG in which the company instructs their lawyer to withdraw their complaint against one of the Dey Krohom residents, the owner of a coffee shop, who they accused of acts of violence. The deputy governor painted the residents as uncontrollable and rebellious people who did not hesitate to throw bags of urine and feces to 7NG representatives.
Bunn Rachana, from the organisation Housing Rights Task Force, then referred to the land law and asked why the villagers were not allowed to be resettled on site. Her question was answered by Chhim Phalvorin, director of the Institute of demography and specialist of the Cambodian Constitution, and second guest of the Club of Cambodian Journalists. He first observed that “sometimes, people ask for too much money for compensation, as if they were encouraged by others to do so.” He then recalled that Dey Krohom residents had written in 2003 to Prime Minister Hun Sen to ask to be allowed to remain there, which “proves that the residents were aware they had settled there in complete illegality.” The specialist insisted that an occupation is declared legal as long as it is based on a legal ownership title. “If this were the case, the residents could then be entitled to claim for financial compensation based on actual land market value.”
Pursuing his explanations, Mann Chhoeun stressed that the hypothesis of an on-site resettlement had been envisaged in a first time, under which half the land would be for the company and the other half for the residents. “However, the only way to provide a roof for everyone was to build a nine-floor building. But the residents said they did not want to live above the ground floor and further demanded an elevator. Who will pay for the electricity for the elevator? As the 7NG company had land available in the village of Damnak Trah Yeung, they offered to resettle the residents there.”
Undecided residents
On Tuesday afternoon, the residents met at the headquarters of the NGO Community Legal Education Center (CLEC) to discuss a new common strategy as things seemed to gather speed. The NGO representatives present advised them to negotiate a postponement of the eviction ultimatum set by the authorities, by communicating such request to the municipality of Phnom Penh and to 7NG. Their lawyer, Attorney Chiv Sambath, explained this would give them more time to agree on the amount of money they want to receive in exchange for their departure. He suggested they should advocate for the resumption of three-party negotiations as 7NG has made it clear that from now on, it will be the same price for everybody.
“It is starting to be very complicated because nobody has the same opinion. Only a couple of families have told me they would accept 7NG's latest offer of 20,000 USD. Those who own large houses still consider the offer not to be enough. I have probed the residents and their requests are between 30,000 and 60,000 USD. Also, some change their mind along the way, depending on what their neighbours are asking for... It is hard to agree on a consensus,” Chan Vichet, the representative of the families still opposed to leaving, explained by the end of the day.
Discussions between the residents were to continue throughout the evening. They are now in a race against time and more than ever, they must present a united front against the municipality and the 7NG company.
Dey Kraham land dispute: New offer from the 7NG company
Dey Kraham residents (Photo: DR, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)13 Jan 2009
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
A dispute opposing the 7NG company and Dey Kraham residents has been brewing in the past several years. The dispute involves a land plot located in the center of Phnom Penh. A new compensation offer should convince the last residents to leave the area.
The dispute, which lasted several years already, could be on the verge to a conclusion. In the past, close to 90% of the families have accepted to leave the area in exchange for a house in the suburb of Phnom Penh or for a cash buyout. However, less than 100 families have refused to relinquish their homes because they believe that the offer was too low.
On Monday 12 January, the 7NG company proposed another offer through the city hall: $20,000 to be paid to the last residents instead of the original $15,000 offer up to now. “This offer is valid only for today. If the residents refuse, we will return back to the $15,000 offer starting 14 January,” Man Chhoeun, Phnom Penh deputy governor, indicated on Tuesday 13 January during a press conference organized by the Cambodian Club of Journalist.
When reached over the phone at about 3 PM, the representatives of the residents said that the residents have not yet decided if they will accept the offer or not. Their discussions could last until later this evening.
The residents do not want to leave Dey Kraham because the area is close the city center and this allow them to earn a living fairly easily. The 7NG company plans to develop the site and turn it into a commercial complex. In general, in Phnom Penh, one can easily notice the eviction of poor people towards the city suburb.
The dispute, which lasted several years already, could be on the verge to a conclusion. In the past, close to 90% of the families have accepted to leave the area in exchange for a house in the suburb of Phnom Penh or for a cash buyout. However, less than 100 families have refused to relinquish their homes because they believe that the offer was too low.
On Monday 12 January, the 7NG company proposed another offer through the city hall: $20,000 to be paid to the last residents instead of the original $15,000 offer up to now. “This offer is valid only for today. If the residents refuse, we will return back to the $15,000 offer starting 14 January,” Man Chhoeun, Phnom Penh deputy governor, indicated on Tuesday 13 January during a press conference organized by the Cambodian Club of Journalist.
When reached over the phone at about 3 PM, the representatives of the residents said that the residents have not yet decided if they will accept the offer or not. Their discussions could last until later this evening.
The residents do not want to leave Dey Kraham because the area is close the city center and this allow them to earn a living fairly easily. The 7NG company plans to develop the site and turn it into a commercial complex. In general, in Phnom Penh, one can easily notice the eviction of poor people towards the city suburb.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Don't discriminate at Dey Krahorm
Monday, 12 January 2009
Written by David Pred
Letter to The Phnom Penh Post
Written by David Pred
Letter to The Phnom Penh Post
Dear Editor,
We were dismayed to read about the blatant discrimination exhibited by municipal authorities in the article "Artists' relocation prioritised" [January 8, 2009]. The article reported that recent moves to evict Dey Krahorm residents are being "sweetened" by offering the "most celebrated residents" of the community more expensive city-centre relocation housing. According to the article, the non-famous residents will have to settle for a compensation package worth around US$10,000 or distant alternative housing at Damnak Trayoeng.
The article neglected to include the views of these other residents of the community, who have roundly rejected the 7NG company's offer to them as unacceptable.
It is clear that Dey Krahorm's artist community, which includes popular musicians and comedians, presents a big problem for municipal authorities and 7NG, who seek to clear the residents out of the area to make way for commercial development. Needless to say, the image of forcibly removing the likes of Kong Nai from his Dey Krahorm home would not be a public relations score for the municipality.
After all, the Royal Government of Cambodia reported to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on December 2, 2008, that "in Cambodia, people have the rights to live in their home with law protecting them from eviction." The Government's State Party Report continues:
If eviction is required, the government pays just and equitable compensation for that as stated in Article 44, paragraph 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Cambodia. "The right to confiscate possessions from any person shall be exercised only in the public interest as provided for under law and shall require fair and just compensation in advance" [Para 528].
These legal protections must apply indiscriminately to all Dey Krahorm homeowners, not just the artists. The current residents of Dey Krahorm lawfully possess their property. They have either lived there for many years or they purchased their land from previous residents, and thus have valid claims of ownership under the Land Law.
Moreover, Dey Krahorm land was granted to the community as a Social Land Concession in 2003, following Prime Minister Hun Sen's welcome announcement to provide secure land tenure and to assist in the onsite upgrading of 100 inner-city poor communities each year until all of Phnom Penh's urban poor communities have secure land tenure and full basic services. Dey Krahorm was to be among the first urban poor communities to become beneficiaries of this plan. The intention to provide secure land tenure and onsite upgrading to the Dey Krahorm community was reiterated just last month in the government's report to the UN Committee. The report identified Dey Krahorm as a land-sharing project intended to "help the communities to build houses on their legally owned land" [Para 537].
Despite the strong support of the community and the 2003 endorsement of the prime minister, the onsite development plan has yet to come to pass.
While the community has demonstrated unambiguous claims to their land, the 7NG company has not. In light of the community's clear rights, 7NG's alleged lease could not have been lawfully granted without the express permission of all the homeowners. It is important to clarify that this is not a case of the government taking land in the public interest. It is a case of a private company seeking to acquire prime city-centre real estate, valued a year ago at more than $44 million, by coercing the poor people who own that land to swap it for flats they have built outside the city. Therefore, any eviction of Dey Krahorm residents, as opposed to a good-faith purchase offer, would be illegal.
It is a welcome development that the 7NG company and the municipality have offered the artists of Dey Krahorm a fairer deal including alternative city-center housing where they "can work as usual", but this must be extended to all residents regardless of their profession, talents or social status.
The "few hundred holdouts" of Dey Krahorm are hard working citizens of Cambodia. Like the artists, their jobs and small businesses are also based in central Phnom Penh, making relocation to distant Damnak Trayoeng unfeasible. They are entitled to be treated with the same respect and concern as their celebrity neighbors. This means offering them a price for their house that they can accept.
David Pred
Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia
Natalie Bugalski
Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions
We were dismayed to read about the blatant discrimination exhibited by municipal authorities in the article "Artists' relocation prioritised" [January 8, 2009]. The article reported that recent moves to evict Dey Krahorm residents are being "sweetened" by offering the "most celebrated residents" of the community more expensive city-centre relocation housing. According to the article, the non-famous residents will have to settle for a compensation package worth around US$10,000 or distant alternative housing at Damnak Trayoeng.
The article neglected to include the views of these other residents of the community, who have roundly rejected the 7NG company's offer to them as unacceptable.
It is clear that Dey Krahorm's artist community, which includes popular musicians and comedians, presents a big problem for municipal authorities and 7NG, who seek to clear the residents out of the area to make way for commercial development. Needless to say, the image of forcibly removing the likes of Kong Nai from his Dey Krahorm home would not be a public relations score for the municipality.
After all, the Royal Government of Cambodia reported to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on December 2, 2008, that "in Cambodia, people have the rights to live in their home with law protecting them from eviction." The Government's State Party Report continues:
If eviction is required, the government pays just and equitable compensation for that as stated in Article 44, paragraph 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Cambodia. "The right to confiscate possessions from any person shall be exercised only in the public interest as provided for under law and shall require fair and just compensation in advance" [Para 528].
These legal protections must apply indiscriminately to all Dey Krahorm homeowners, not just the artists. The current residents of Dey Krahorm lawfully possess their property. They have either lived there for many years or they purchased their land from previous residents, and thus have valid claims of ownership under the Land Law.
Moreover, Dey Krahorm land was granted to the community as a Social Land Concession in 2003, following Prime Minister Hun Sen's welcome announcement to provide secure land tenure and to assist in the onsite upgrading of 100 inner-city poor communities each year until all of Phnom Penh's urban poor communities have secure land tenure and full basic services. Dey Krahorm was to be among the first urban poor communities to become beneficiaries of this plan. The intention to provide secure land tenure and onsite upgrading to the Dey Krahorm community was reiterated just last month in the government's report to the UN Committee. The report identified Dey Krahorm as a land-sharing project intended to "help the communities to build houses on their legally owned land" [Para 537].
Despite the strong support of the community and the 2003 endorsement of the prime minister, the onsite development plan has yet to come to pass.
While the community has demonstrated unambiguous claims to their land, the 7NG company has not. In light of the community's clear rights, 7NG's alleged lease could not have been lawfully granted without the express permission of all the homeowners. It is important to clarify that this is not a case of the government taking land in the public interest. It is a case of a private company seeking to acquire prime city-centre real estate, valued a year ago at more than $44 million, by coercing the poor people who own that land to swap it for flats they have built outside the city. Therefore, any eviction of Dey Krahorm residents, as opposed to a good-faith purchase offer, would be illegal.
It is a welcome development that the 7NG company and the municipality have offered the artists of Dey Krahorm a fairer deal including alternative city-center housing where they "can work as usual", but this must be extended to all residents regardless of their profession, talents or social status.
The "few hundred holdouts" of Dey Krahorm are hard working citizens of Cambodia. Like the artists, their jobs and small businesses are also based in central Phnom Penh, making relocation to distant Damnak Trayoeng unfeasible. They are entitled to be treated with the same respect and concern as their celebrity neighbors. This means offering them a price for their house that they can accept.
David Pred
Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia
Natalie Bugalski
Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions
7NG ups compensation offer
Two of Dey Krahorm's remaining 120 residents sit in their slum house last week. (Photo by: Tracey Shelton)Monday, 12 January 2009
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
Eager to relocate the remaining 120 families at Dey Krahorm, developer 7NG has offered more compensation but not as much as residents want
DEY Krahorm developer 7NG raised its offer of compensation for those agreeing to leave their houses, but declared they would not match the amount requested by the slum's defiant residents.
"This morning, they offered us an additional US$5,000 [taking the total cash compensation to $15,000] and another water tank," resident representative Chan Vichet said, adding that people have asked for between $30,000 and $60,000.
"The $15,000 is not a definite price for us to leave Dey Krahorm. We can still negotiate," he said. "But we do not expect to get what we are asking for."
After the last eviction deadline passed on December 30, residents met on multiple occasions with representatives of developer 7NG and resident officials to renegotiate compensation, seeking an increase from the previous offer of $10,000 plus a sum of 770,000 riels ($188.22).
Srey Sothea, 7NG company chairman, told the Post Thursday that $15,000 is just a base offer but the company could give more.
"We cannot make an equal offer to each family. We can give them more than $15,000, but not up to $30,000," he said, calling the current offer "generous" considering most residents' standard of living.
Srey Sothea said that peaceful negotiation could not go on indefinitely because he knew that some people at the site would not leave regardless.
"Negotiation is limited because we have negotiated for four years. No later than this month or next month, the authorities will take legal action. We respect the law," he said.
Residents have complained about various acts of violence by 7NG employees during the last couple of months, claiming that residents have been beaten and property destroyed. Company officials have denied such claims.
By the end of December, Chan Vichet estimated that about 120 families out of the original 1,465 were still living at Dey Krahorm, many in fear of arrest for defying eviction orders.
Bunn Rachana, monitor at the Housing Rights Task Force, called on authorities and the company to continue peaceful negotiations with the residents.
"Fair and just compensation is [only achieved] when both sides can happily enjoy the benefit of development," Bunn Rachana added.
DEY Krahorm developer 7NG raised its offer of compensation for those agreeing to leave their houses, but declared they would not match the amount requested by the slum's defiant residents.
"This morning, they offered us an additional US$5,000 [taking the total cash compensation to $15,000] and another water tank," resident representative Chan Vichet said, adding that people have asked for between $30,000 and $60,000.
"The $15,000 is not a definite price for us to leave Dey Krahorm. We can still negotiate," he said. "But we do not expect to get what we are asking for."
After the last eviction deadline passed on December 30, residents met on multiple occasions with representatives of developer 7NG and resident officials to renegotiate compensation, seeking an increase from the previous offer of $10,000 plus a sum of 770,000 riels ($188.22).
Srey Sothea, 7NG company chairman, told the Post Thursday that $15,000 is just a base offer but the company could give more.
"We cannot make an equal offer to each family. We can give them more than $15,000, but not up to $30,000," he said, calling the current offer "generous" considering most residents' standard of living.
Srey Sothea said that peaceful negotiation could not go on indefinitely because he knew that some people at the site would not leave regardless.
"Negotiation is limited because we have negotiated for four years. No later than this month or next month, the authorities will take legal action. We respect the law," he said.
Residents have complained about various acts of violence by 7NG employees during the last couple of months, claiming that residents have been beaten and property destroyed. Company officials have denied such claims.
By the end of December, Chan Vichet estimated that about 120 families out of the original 1,465 were still living at Dey Krahorm, many in fear of arrest for defying eviction orders.
Bunn Rachana, monitor at the Housing Rights Task Force, called on authorities and the company to continue peaceful negotiations with the residents.
"Fair and just compensation is [only achieved] when both sides can happily enjoy the benefit of development," Bunn Rachana added.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Dey Kraham: Eviction likely to take place after 07 January
Chan Vichet speaking to the families in Dey Kraham on 29 Dec 2008 (Photo: PS, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)07 Jan 2009
By Kang Kallyan
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
According to Chan Vichet, a representative of the squatters, the latter are ready to burn tires in case of police intervention.
Squatters from Dey Kraham, located in Chamcar Mon district, Phnom Penh, will most likely be evicted after the 07 January celebration, Chan Vichet, a representative of the squatters, indicated when asked by “Cambodge Soir Hebdo.”
“I heard this information from people living in Damnak Trayang, the area where the authorities plan to relocate us,” Chan Vichet added.
According to him, people from Dey Kraham plan to burn tires to demonstrate and show their opposition to the eviction, in case of police intervention.
The owner of the 7NG company, the company which received the land concession, assured that he does not know the date planned for the eviction which is “under the responsibility of the authorities.” According the latter, the 7NG company has already prepared “houses, water distribution and food” to relocate the 91 squatter families.
Squatters from Dey Kraham, located in Chamcar Mon district, Phnom Penh, will most likely be evicted after the 07 January celebration, Chan Vichet, a representative of the squatters, indicated when asked by “Cambodge Soir Hebdo.”
“I heard this information from people living in Damnak Trayang, the area where the authorities plan to relocate us,” Chan Vichet added.
According to him, people from Dey Kraham plan to burn tires to demonstrate and show their opposition to the eviction, in case of police intervention.
The owner of the 7NG company, the company which received the land concession, assured that he does not know the date planned for the eviction which is “under the responsibility of the authorities.” According the latter, the 7NG company has already prepared “houses, water distribution and food” to relocate the 91 squatter families.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Eviction deadline passes quietly, but residents expect the worst
Residents of Dey Krahorm face uncertain future as forced eviction looms. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan)Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Written by Chhay Channyda The Phnom Penh Post
About 100 families remain in Dey Krahorm in defiance of authorities
AS the December 30 eviction deadline for Dey Krahorm residents came and went, locals expressed relief while hunkering down for a possible standoff with authorities.
District authorities ordered residents to vacate their homes by Tuesday or face forced eviction, but community leaders have vowed to defy the order.
"We are ready to fight eviction, but everything is normal," said Chan Vichet, who represents disgruntled Dey Krahorm residents.
Chan Vichet said that about 120 families out of the original 1,465 are living in fear of arrest as they defy the order by staying in their homes.
"All residents dare not go far from home for fear of eviction," he said.
"The company has no right to evict people. Only the authorities can do that," he said.
Local property developer 7NG plans to clear Dey Krahorm for unspecified purposes and has offered compensation to the mostly poor residents.
The company says it gave residents the option of receiving US$10,000 cash plus 770,000 riels ($192.50), or a house in Dangkor district plus 770,000 riels to leave their homes.
Community leaders have rejected the offer as insufficient.
Srey Sothea, 7NG chairman, said the compensation offer is fair.
"We own the land and are very sorry some people have not left," he said by phone, adding that he obtained the land title in 2006.
AS the December 30 eviction deadline for Dey Krahorm residents came and went, locals expressed relief while hunkering down for a possible standoff with authorities.
District authorities ordered residents to vacate their homes by Tuesday or face forced eviction, but community leaders have vowed to defy the order.
"We are ready to fight eviction, but everything is normal," said Chan Vichet, who represents disgruntled Dey Krahorm residents.
Chan Vichet said that about 120 families out of the original 1,465 are living in fear of arrest as they defy the order by staying in their homes.
"All residents dare not go far from home for fear of eviction," he said.
"The company has no right to evict people. Only the authorities can do that," he said.
Local property developer 7NG plans to clear Dey Krahorm for unspecified purposes and has offered compensation to the mostly poor residents.
The company says it gave residents the option of receiving US$10,000 cash plus 770,000 riels ($192.50), or a house in Dangkor district plus 770,000 riels to leave their homes.
Community leaders have rejected the offer as insufficient.
Srey Sothea, 7NG chairman, said the compensation offer is fair.
"We own the land and are very sorry some people have not left," he said by phone, adding that he obtained the land title in 2006.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Slum eviction deadline today
Dey Krahorm residents sit near a sign that says "Stop evictions" during a news conference Monday in the slum. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan)Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
Some 100 families holding out in Dey Krahorm say they will refuse to leave their homes until the company developing the land gives them more money
SEVERAL hundred Dey Krahorm residents who are facing an eviction deadline today say they will not leave the slum until the private company that has taken control of the land gives them a fair price for the homes they will lose.
Their refusal has set the stage for another outbreak of violence in the shantytown, rights workers warn, following several previous clashes between residents and representatives of 7NG, the developer who has a concession for the land.
"Human rights groups urge the government not to force people to leave their homes," said Bunn Rachana, a monitor with the Housing Rights Taskforce.
But city officials say they hope the standoff can be resolved through negotiations.
"We try not to use force to evict people - we must use negotiations as a way to find a solution," said Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun.
He added that most of Dey Krahorm's former residents have taken 7NG's compensation offer of relocation in Dangkor district's Damnak Trayoeng village.
Holdouts, he said, risk receiving far less than the US$30,000 to $50,000 that they are demanding from the company, which is offering $10,000 in lieu of a new house at the relocation site.
"The residents want a high price, but the company has no money to give them," he told the Post Monday.
He added that the company would give land titles to those families who have already relocated only after the remaining people left Dey Krahorm.
"Each family can borrow two million to five million riels ($500 to $1,250) to run the business," he said.
Not enough
But residents say the offer is not enough for them to leave land that they say will be valued at many times whatever the company would pay them to leave.
"The villager cannot take what the company is offering," said Chan Vichet, a community representative speaking at a news conference in the slum Monday.
"What we want is legal possession of the land," he said, adding that even Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema warned Dey Krahorm residents not to be cheated when he visited the slum before the 2003 national elections.
"He said, ‘Please don't exchange your diamonds for stone'," Chan Vichet said.
Bunn Rachana said Dey Krahorm residents should have a legal right to the land under the Kingdom's land law.
"They legally occupy the land at Dey Krahorm according to the law," she said.
"They do not want to move."
The land, near the riverside in Chamkarmon district, was granted to 7NG in 2006 for the purposes of developing housing, at a time when real estate prices - even in former slumland - started to skyrocket.
SEVERAL hundred Dey Krahorm residents who are facing an eviction deadline today say they will not leave the slum until the private company that has taken control of the land gives them a fair price for the homes they will lose.
Their refusal has set the stage for another outbreak of violence in the shantytown, rights workers warn, following several previous clashes between residents and representatives of 7NG, the developer who has a concession for the land.
"Human rights groups urge the government not to force people to leave their homes," said Bunn Rachana, a monitor with the Housing Rights Taskforce.
But city officials say they hope the standoff can be resolved through negotiations.
"We try not to use force to evict people - we must use negotiations as a way to find a solution," said Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun.
He added that most of Dey Krahorm's former residents have taken 7NG's compensation offer of relocation in Dangkor district's Damnak Trayoeng village.
Holdouts, he said, risk receiving far less than the US$30,000 to $50,000 that they are demanding from the company, which is offering $10,000 in lieu of a new house at the relocation site.
"The residents want a high price, but the company has no money to give them," he told the Post Monday.
He added that the company would give land titles to those families who have already relocated only after the remaining people left Dey Krahorm.
"WHAT WE WANT IS LEGAL POSSESSION OF THE LAND."Mann Chhoeun also downplayed residents' concerns that the relocation site was lacking infrastructure, saying that a school was under construction and 7NG would offer loans to residents who wanted to open businesses.
"Each family can borrow two million to five million riels ($500 to $1,250) to run the business," he said.
Not enough
But residents say the offer is not enough for them to leave land that they say will be valued at many times whatever the company would pay them to leave.
"The villager cannot take what the company is offering," said Chan Vichet, a community representative speaking at a news conference in the slum Monday.
"What we want is legal possession of the land," he said, adding that even Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema warned Dey Krahorm residents not to be cheated when he visited the slum before the 2003 national elections.
"He said, ‘Please don't exchange your diamonds for stone'," Chan Vichet said.
Bunn Rachana said Dey Krahorm residents should have a legal right to the land under the Kingdom's land law.
"They legally occupy the land at Dey Krahorm according to the law," she said.
"They do not want to move."
The land, near the riverside in Chamkarmon district, was granted to 7NG in 2006 for the purposes of developing housing, at a time when real estate prices - even in former slumland - started to skyrocket.
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