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| Cambodian officers block children from the squatter areas in Boeung Kak lakeside during a protest in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, June 27, 2012. Residents from the squatter areas in Boeung Kak lakeside gather to protest and are calling for the appeal court to release their members after Phnom Penh City authority arrested 15 residents during a protest at Boeung Kak lakeside May 22, 2012, according to local media sources. (EPA/MAK REMISSA) |
Showing posts with label Hun Sen's repressive regime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hun Sen's repressive regime. Show all posts
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The image that Hun Xen's regime project overseas: That of a repressive regime, even against children
Friday, May 25, 2012
Ven. Loun Sovath arrested during Boeung Kak residents’ demand to release their representatives
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| Ven. Loun Sovath can be seen dragged by cops in civilian clothes. He was shoved into a waiting car (Photo: FPM) |
24 May 2012
By Pech Bandol
Free Press Magazine
Translated from Khmer by Soch
Phnom Penh police force blocked all streets surrounding the Phnom Penh municipal court next to the new City Mall which houses the Lucky market, the ACLEDA bank, as well as a number of other store fronts. All businesses were closed in order to prevent the public from seeing the protest and the crying of Boeung Kak Lake residents who were demanding for the release of 13 of their representatives. At that time, Ven. Loun Sovath, a human rights activist, was seen arrested by force by pro-government monk officials and government forces.
Ven. Loun Sovath was using his cell phone to take pictures of a woman who was protesting against the questioning of their representatives inside the Phnom Penh city courtroom. Less than an hour later, a group of about 10 pro-government monk officials arrived in a new car, they got off the car and they were accompanied by cops dressed in civilian clothes. They then proceeded to grab and pull Ven. Loun Sovath and shoved him inside a car. Meanwhile, protesting Boeung Kak Lake residents attempted to prevent the arrest and in the melee, Ven. Loun Sovath was beaten on his head by the cops who forced him into a car which sped off from the incident location. According to report, Ven. Loun Sovath would be taken to Wat Botumvotey pagoda [where he could be defrocked].
National and international civil society representatives told reporters in front of the court that action by the police and the pro-government monks is a blatant human rights violation and that actions taken by the Phnom Penh city hall are getting worst and more serious.
As of noon time on Thursday, the 13 BKL representatives who were arrested on Tuesday have not been released yet. Children of the arrested BKL representatives can be seen crying and calling for their mothers among a group of 60 BKL residents. The small group of children and women are now surrounded by hundreds of government cops.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
ព្រះតេជគុណ លួន សាវ៉ាត ត្រូវបានចាប់ព្រះកាយ អំឡុងការទាមទាររបស់អ្នកភូមិបឹងកក់ឲ្យតុលាការដោះលែងតំណាងរបស់គេ
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| ព្រះតេជគុណ លួន សាវ៉ាត ពេល ត្រូវ បាន ចាប់ ក្រៀក ព្រះ កាយ ដោយ ប៉ូលិស ស្លៀក ពាក់ ស៊ីវិល បញ្ចូល ក្នុង រថយន្ត(រូបៈFPM) |
ព្រហស្បតិ៍ 24 ឩសភា 2012
ពេជ្រ បណ្តូល
Free Press Magazine Online
កម្លាំងរដ្ឋាភិបាលក្រុងភ្នំពេញបានឡោព័ទ្ធផ្លូវនានា ជុំវិញបរិវេណតុលាការ ផ្សារទំនើប ស៊ីធីម៉ល ផ្សារ ឡាកគី ធនាគារអេលីស៊ី រួមទាំងអគារពាណិជ្ជមួយចំនួនទៀត ដែលនៅក្បែរនោះត្រូវបានបិទទ្វារ ស្ងាត់ជ្រាប ដើម្បីរារាំងកុំឲ្យឃើញជាសាធារណៈ ពីការ តវ៉ា យំស្រែក របស់អ្នកភូមិបឹងកក់ ទាមទារឲ្យដោះលែង តំណាងរបស់ពួកគេ១៣នាក់ ។ ដែលពេលនោះហើយព្រះតេជគុណ លួន សាវ៉ាត សកម្មជនការពារសិទ្ធិមនុស្សត្រូវបាន ក្រុមមន្ត្រីសង្ឍ និង កម្លាំងរដ្ឋាភិបាល ចាប់ព្រះកាយ យ៉ាងប្រតាយប្រតប់ ។
ព្រះតេជគុណ លួន សាវ៉ាត ដែលបានប្រើប្រាសទូរស័ព្ទដៃ ថតរូបស្ត្រី ដែលអ្នកតំណាងរបស់ពួកគេកំពុងត្រូវបានសាកសួរដោយតុលាការក្រុងភ្នំពេញ ស្ទើរមិនដល់មួយម៉ោងផង ក្រុមមន្ត្រីសង្ឍ ប្រមាណ១០អង្គ ជិៈរថយន្តទំនើបមួយគ្រឿង បានចុះពីលើឡាន រួមទាំងប៉ូលិសស្លៀកពាក់ស៊ីវិលផង បានចាប់គ្រាកនិងទាញដៃអូសបញ្ចូលក្នុងឡាន ។ ដោយមានការទាញរារាំង ពីក្រុមអ្នកភូមិ ព្រះតេជគុណ ត្រូវបានប៉ូលិស វាយព្រះកេស និងសង្កត់បញ្ចូលទៅក្នុងរថយន្ត រួចដឹងចេញទៅយ៉ាងលឿន ។ ដែលតាមដឹងថា បញ្ជូនទៅកាន់វត្តបទុមវត្តី ។
ក្រុមអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិលទាំងជាតិ និង អន្តរជាតិ បានថ្លែងប្រាប់ក្រុមអ្នកកាសែត នៅខាងមុខតុលាការថា អំពើរំលោភបំពានសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស ដែលបង្កឡើងដោយរដ្ឋាភិបាលក្រុងភ្នំពេញ កាន់តែមានសភាពអាក្រក់ធ្ងន់ធ្ងរទៅៗ ហើយ ។
Day of Crackdown – 13 Lake Activists Imprisoned as “Multi-Media Monk” is Detained and Defrocked
Human Rights Defenders Alert – Phnom Penh, 24 May 2012
Day of Crackdown – 13 Lake Activists Imprisoned as “Multi-Media Monk” is Detained and Defrocked
Thirteen women affected by the land conflict at Phnom Penh’s Boeung Kak Lake who have led protests against the eviction were today convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on charges of inciting others to take land illegally under Article 504 of the Penal Code and obtaining land illegally under Articles 34,259 of the Land Law Act after being detained without charge for a period of 48 hours. The 13 women are Kong Chantha, Tol Sreypov, Tep Vanny, Pov Sophea, Suong Samai, Pan Chhunret, Heng Nom, Chan Navy, Po Davy, Nguon Kimleang, Song Sreyleap, Chheng Leap and Nget Kun. Seven of the women have been sentenced to two years and six months in prison, five have been sentenced to two years and one has been sentenced to a term of one year.
The Venerable Loun Savath, a prominent human-rights activist and monk joined someone hundred protestors outside the court today. As shown in this video clip, at around 10am, Loun Savath was manhandled and forced into an unmarked Land Cruiser by policemen, army officers and unidentified men before being driven to Wat Botum Pagoda, where police and officials from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Cults and Religion barricaded him inside. As of 4pm, Wat Botum remained completely sealed off, with even fellow monks unable to gain access to the site. It was widely rumoured that Loun Sovath had been defrocked although a Ministry of Cults and Religion official has stated that this remains unclear. Last year, Loun Savath was banned from entering all pagodas in Phnom Penh as a result of his human rights and community activism.
In another development, a further two Boeung Kak representatives – Ly Channary (female) and Say Sareoun (male) were arrested outside the Phnom Penh Municipal Court at 2 pm and taken to Phnom Penh Police Station where they are being held without charge.
Suon Bunthoeun, Human Rights Defenders Project Coordinator (tel: 012 48 35 46; e-mail: bunthoeun@cchrcambodia.org).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sG6iLwj95o
Amnesty: Several Asian nations 'repressing dissent'
The report welcomed Burma's decision to free political prisoners
23 May 2012
BBC News
Leaders in the region put profits before the interests of people with land grabs and evictions in ... Cambodia affecting thousands, and ''impunity for past violations'' continue to plague ... Cambodia, the report said.
Several governments in the Asia-Pacific region responded to the Arab Spring protests with a clampdown on dissent, Amnesty International said.
Leaders from China to Thailand employed a range of methods to silence critics, the group said in its annual report.
But activists were increasingly able to use new technologies to voice their opinions, it said.
The rights group also noted positive changes in countries including Burma.
Despite ''serious obstacles'', many human rights defenders and activists in Asia were still able to ''navigate their way towards greater respect for their rights'', said the 2012 report on the state of the world's human rights.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Free speech under fire: Licadho
Bridget Di Certo
The Phnom Penh Post
Five laws proposed or enacted since 2008 demonstrate the “stunning scope of Cambodia’s legislative crackdown on free speech” and the “alarming extent of the government’s growing control of expressive activities”, a report from rights group Licadho warned yesterday.
The laws and draft laws “include dangerously vague and oppressive provisions that undermine freedom of expression and other fundamental freedoms”, said the report titled The Delusion of Progress: Cambodia’s Legislative Assault on Expressive Rights.
“New legislation is deliberately drafted and used as a weapon to silence those who speak out against the political and financial elite,” Licadho said.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Cambodia: Rights Defenders Under Fire
22 Jan 2010
Source: Human Rights Watch
Source: Human Rights Watch
(New York) - Cambodia's respect for basic rights dramatically deteriorated in 2009 as the government misused the judiciary to silence government critics, attacked human rights defenders, tightened restrictions on press freedom, and abandoned its international obligations to protect refugees, Human Rights Watch said today in its new World Report 2010.
The 612-page World Report 2010, the organization's 20th annual review of human rights practices around the globe, summarizes major human rights trends in more than 90 nations and territories worldwide. Cambodian human rights defenders were threatened, arbitrarily arrested, and physically attacked during 2009, Human Rights Watch said. Victims included staff and volunteers of human rights organizations, as well as community-based activists working on land rights, natural resource exploitation, and forced evictions.
"Cambodians who speak out to defend their homes, their jobs, and their rights face threats, jail, and physical attacks," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The only way that the Cambodian government will end its assault on civil society is if influential governments and donors demand real change and put the pressure on."
Violations often occurred during mass evictions when police and soldiers frequently used unnecessary or excessive force. For example, on January 24, the streets of central Phnom Penh were filled with heavily armed soldiers firing teargas and water cannons as they forcibly evicted hundreds of families from the Dey Krahom community. In March, police opened fire on unarmed farmers protesting confiscation of their land in Siem Reap province, seriously wounding four villagers.
More than 60 community activists were imprisoned or awaited trial - often on spurious charges - for helping to organize and represent fellow community members facing eviction or illegal confiscation of their land.
Urban poor evicted from their homes were often dumped in squalid relocation sites far from the city that lack water, social services, and access to jobs.
At least 10 government critics - including four journalists and several opposition party members - were sued for criminal defamation and disinformation by government and military officials, the report says.
"As the political space shrinks for human rights and advocacy groups to defend themselves, there are valid concerns that a pending law to increase restrictions on nongovernmental organizations will be used to shut down groups critical of the government," Adams said.
The report details other key issues including political violence, the lack of accountability by government officials involved in abuses, arbitrary detention and abuse of sex workers, and substandard prison conditions.
Over 2,000 people who use drugs were arbitrarily detained in 11 government-run drug detention centers, where arduous physical exercises and forced labor are the mainstays of their "treatment," and torture is common. Even if an assessment concludes that an individual is not dependent on drugs, the centers continue to hold some detainees arbitrarily.
One of the year's low points was the government's forcible deportation of 20 Uighur asylum seekers from Cambodia to China on December 19, without an examination of their refugee claims. This action was a clear violation of Cambodia's obligations as a state that has ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
"Cambodia's deportation of the Uighurs was a glaring example of the government's failure to respect human rights," Adams said. "The Cambodian government showed its profound disregard for minimum standards of due process, refugee protection, and international cooperation."
Khmer Krom (ethnic Khmer from southern Vietnam) asylum seekers and migrants faced obstacles to obtaining safe places to live and full citizenship rights in Cambodia, despite pronouncements by the Cambodian government that it considers Khmer Krom who move to Cambodia to be Cambodian citizens.
Thirty years after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, justice for the crimes of that era remained as elusive as ever, Human Rights Watch said. The US$100 million Khmer Rouge tribunal continued to face political interference and made little headway in addressing credible reports of corruption that have plagued the court and undermined its credibility.
Human Rights Watch expressed concerns about the training and material support donors are providing for Cambodian military, police, and counterterrorism units with track records of serious human rights violations. Donors should conduct more thorough vetting of individuals and their units participating in such programs to ensure that none have been involved in rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said.
"While donors may have policy reasons to work with the Cambodian security forces on issues such as terrorism and peacekeeping, they should work just as hard on holding abusers accountable and ending the culture of impunity that exists for high-ranking members of the security forces and those close to Prime Minister Hun Sen," Adams said.
The 612-page World Report 2010, the organization's 20th annual review of human rights practices around the globe, summarizes major human rights trends in more than 90 nations and territories worldwide. Cambodian human rights defenders were threatened, arbitrarily arrested, and physically attacked during 2009, Human Rights Watch said. Victims included staff and volunteers of human rights organizations, as well as community-based activists working on land rights, natural resource exploitation, and forced evictions.
"Cambodians who speak out to defend their homes, their jobs, and their rights face threats, jail, and physical attacks," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The only way that the Cambodian government will end its assault on civil society is if influential governments and donors demand real change and put the pressure on."
Violations often occurred during mass evictions when police and soldiers frequently used unnecessary or excessive force. For example, on January 24, the streets of central Phnom Penh were filled with heavily armed soldiers firing teargas and water cannons as they forcibly evicted hundreds of families from the Dey Krahom community. In March, police opened fire on unarmed farmers protesting confiscation of their land in Siem Reap province, seriously wounding four villagers.
More than 60 community activists were imprisoned or awaited trial - often on spurious charges - for helping to organize and represent fellow community members facing eviction or illegal confiscation of their land.
Urban poor evicted from their homes were often dumped in squalid relocation sites far from the city that lack water, social services, and access to jobs.
At least 10 government critics - including four journalists and several opposition party members - were sued for criminal defamation and disinformation by government and military officials, the report says.
"As the political space shrinks for human rights and advocacy groups to defend themselves, there are valid concerns that a pending law to increase restrictions on nongovernmental organizations will be used to shut down groups critical of the government," Adams said.
The report details other key issues including political violence, the lack of accountability by government officials involved in abuses, arbitrary detention and abuse of sex workers, and substandard prison conditions.
Over 2,000 people who use drugs were arbitrarily detained in 11 government-run drug detention centers, where arduous physical exercises and forced labor are the mainstays of their "treatment," and torture is common. Even if an assessment concludes that an individual is not dependent on drugs, the centers continue to hold some detainees arbitrarily.
One of the year's low points was the government's forcible deportation of 20 Uighur asylum seekers from Cambodia to China on December 19, without an examination of their refugee claims. This action was a clear violation of Cambodia's obligations as a state that has ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
"Cambodia's deportation of the Uighurs was a glaring example of the government's failure to respect human rights," Adams said. "The Cambodian government showed its profound disregard for minimum standards of due process, refugee protection, and international cooperation."
Khmer Krom (ethnic Khmer from southern Vietnam) asylum seekers and migrants faced obstacles to obtaining safe places to live and full citizenship rights in Cambodia, despite pronouncements by the Cambodian government that it considers Khmer Krom who move to Cambodia to be Cambodian citizens.
Thirty years after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, justice for the crimes of that era remained as elusive as ever, Human Rights Watch said. The US$100 million Khmer Rouge tribunal continued to face political interference and made little headway in addressing credible reports of corruption that have plagued the court and undermined its credibility.
Human Rights Watch expressed concerns about the training and material support donors are providing for Cambodian military, police, and counterterrorism units with track records of serious human rights violations. Donors should conduct more thorough vetting of individuals and their units participating in such programs to ensure that none have been involved in rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said.
"While donors may have policy reasons to work with the Cambodian security forces on issues such as terrorism and peacekeeping, they should work just as hard on holding abusers accountable and ending the culture of impunity that exists for high-ranking members of the security forces and those close to Prime Minister Hun Sen," Adams said.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Cambodia: Forced evictions must end
Several homes belonging to the villagers were burnt down in Preah Vihear province (Photo: Sav Yuth, RFA)
A monk shows the grave of a woman killed during the clash in Preah Vihear province (Photo: Sav Yuth, RFA)
The authority forces patrolling the clash area in Preah Vihear province (Photo: Sav Yuth, RFA)AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Public Statement
AI Index: ASA 23/008/2007 (Public)
News Service No: 226
22 November 2007
Two people dead, many injured and thousands homeless: two recent forced evictions demonstrate the urgent need for the Cambodian authorities to immediately end this practice. Forced evictions are driving an increasing number of Cambodians from their homes or lands without consultations, due process of law, legal or other protection, and without consideration of adequate alternatives.
Deadly price for land
On 15 November 2007 two people were shot dead by security forces during a forced eviction in the remote northern Preah Vihear province. The victims, one man and one woman, belonged to a group of 317 families -- over 1,500 people1 -- evicted by more than 200 armed police, military police and soldiers. Toeun Chheng, 29, was shot in the chest at point blank range as she was protecting her four children during the eviction. Witnesses told human rights investigators that a member of the security forces stole a necklace and other valuables from her as she lay bleeding on the ground. She later died in a health clinic. According to accounts provided to Amnesty International, the other casualty, Oeun Eng, 31, was shot dead during the course of the eviction.
According to accounts given to local human rights workers, the security forces had not issued any warnings before opening fire on this group of very poor families, most of whom were day labourers.
At least six other evictees were reportedly injured, five by gun shots, one by beatings. Two are reportedly seriously injured and are being treated at the provincial hospital.
The authorities arrested at least twelve people during and after the eviction, including two of the injured, who were transferred from a health clinic to police custody. Three other persons were reportedly arrested on 14 November. All 15 have been sent to Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.
The 317 families had recently arrived from other parts of Cambodia and settled on unutilised land in Sra Em village, Kantuot commune, near the Preah Vihear temples -- a growing tourist attraction -- and the Thai border. Local authorities had decided they could not stay on the land, but after a stand-off which led to a negotiated agreement, the families were allowed to stay on a temporary basis.
International human rights law requires that evictions be carried out only as a last resort, and only following adequate notice and consultation with those affected. Amnesty International is concerned that in this case the eviction was carried out without adequate due process. The eviction reportedly took place in breach of an agreement between local authorities and the families, which stated that the families could remain on the land on a temporary basis until a suitable resolution had been found. This agreement had been reached and signed following a stand-off between the villagers and the authorities on 9
November, when police had moved in at night in an attempt to arrest two community leaders.2 On 11 November the Choam Khsan district governor had reportedly offered two vaguely described alternative locations which the community declined. In doing so, community leaders said that in order to agree to the relocation they needed to be informed about the precise geographic location of the land.
They also required access to water, schooling for the children and other basic infrastructure. Four days later and without any prior notification, security forces showed an announcement from the provincial administration, stating the community had to leave. The implementation of the eviction followed immediately and included the burning of houses.
Most of the families have now left the province following the violent forced eviction. Around 40 families who have lost most of their belongings lack the means to leave, and have been stranded on a roadside where they currently lack even emergency shelter, food, water and security, a major concern in this remote area.
Turning families homeless -- Phnom Penh
In a pre-dawn operation on 2 November 2007, 300 members of the security forces forcibly evicted and demolished the entire village of Chong Chruoy on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, using excavators and hired workers to demolish the homes of the 132 families living there. Human rights activists and journalists were blocked from monitoring the incident.
The basis for evicting the village was a written announcement issued by the district authority on 30 August 2007 stating that the reason for the eviction was “to eliminate disorder in the society, to protect environment, sanitation and public health, and to promote the municipality's beauty.”3 The villagers were, according to the announcement, given five days to clear the area. However, no action was taken and no new information was provided until security forces moved in on 2 November. According to the authorities the village is located on state land; however, this assumption, disputed by villagers who claim ownership to the land, has reportedly not been heard by the competent authorities.
Immediately following the demolition, trucks took some families to a resettlement site, and within two days all villagers had been forcibly relocated to Trapeang Anchanh village in Dangkor district, an area that lacks basic infrastructure such as shelter, clean water, sanitation, medical facilities or schools and is prone to flooding. According to information provided to Amnesty International this relocation was not a negotiated settlement, but a forced solution which had not been preceded by any meaningful consultation.
The 132 homeless families, most of whom had reportedly lived at Chong Chruoy since the mid-nineties, have not been provided with any emergency assistance from the Cambodian authorities, including any shelter or construction materials at the resettlement site. However, following the eviction, a Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh told the press that the families would each receive a piece of land and a five-year interest-free loan so that they could re-build a house. So far, this has not materialised, so the families stay in tents and under tarpaulins provided by local non-governmental organisations.
The resettlement site, 20 kilometres from Phnom Penh, has also been used to relocate other families, who have been forcibly evicted in the past two years.
Background
Forced evictions are evictions that are carried out without adequate notice, consultation with those affected, without legal safeguards and without assurances of adequate alternative accommodation. As the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has clarified, forced evictions are “the permanent or temporary removal against their will of individuals, families and/or communities from the homes and/or land which they occupy, without the provision of, and access to, appropriate forms of legal or other protection.
The prohibition on forced evictions does not, however, apply to evictions carried out by force in accordance with the law and in conformity with [international human rights law]”.
Forced evictions were recognised by the UN Commission on Human Rights to be a gross violation of a range of human rights including the right to adequate housing, which is protected in Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
As a party to the ICESCR, and other international human rights treaties which prohibit forced eviction and related human rights violations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Cambodia has an obligation to stop forced evictions and to protect the population from forced evictions.
Amnesty International urges the Cambodian government to end all forced evictions and declare and enforce a moratorium for all mass evictions until legislative and policy measures are in place to ensure that evictions are conducted only in full compliance with international human rights laws and standards.
Amnesty International also calls on the authorities to immediately ensure that all victims of forced evictions in Phnom Penh and Preah Vihear are provided with emergency relief including shelter, food, water and access to medical assistance. The authorities should also take timely, concrete and targeted steps to ensure they receive adequate reparation, including adequate alternative accommodation and compensation.
The organisation is concerned at reports of the excessive force used during the evictions, and in particular in Preah Vihear, and calls for a full, effective and independent inquiry, following which those responsible should be brought to justice.
_________
(1) Estimate based on the average Cambodian rural household size of 5.0 persons, according to Cambodia: Inter-Censal Population Survey 2004, the National Institute of Statistics/Ministry of Planning, 2004.
(2) Copy on file.
(3) Unofficial translation; copy on file.
Deadly price for land
On 15 November 2007 two people were shot dead by security forces during a forced eviction in the remote northern Preah Vihear province. The victims, one man and one woman, belonged to a group of 317 families -- over 1,500 people1 -- evicted by more than 200 armed police, military police and soldiers. Toeun Chheng, 29, was shot in the chest at point blank range as she was protecting her four children during the eviction. Witnesses told human rights investigators that a member of the security forces stole a necklace and other valuables from her as she lay bleeding on the ground. She later died in a health clinic. According to accounts provided to Amnesty International, the other casualty, Oeun Eng, 31, was shot dead during the course of the eviction.
According to accounts given to local human rights workers, the security forces had not issued any warnings before opening fire on this group of very poor families, most of whom were day labourers.
At least six other evictees were reportedly injured, five by gun shots, one by beatings. Two are reportedly seriously injured and are being treated at the provincial hospital.
The authorities arrested at least twelve people during and after the eviction, including two of the injured, who were transferred from a health clinic to police custody. Three other persons were reportedly arrested on 14 November. All 15 have been sent to Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.
The 317 families had recently arrived from other parts of Cambodia and settled on unutilised land in Sra Em village, Kantuot commune, near the Preah Vihear temples -- a growing tourist attraction -- and the Thai border. Local authorities had decided they could not stay on the land, but after a stand-off which led to a negotiated agreement, the families were allowed to stay on a temporary basis.
International human rights law requires that evictions be carried out only as a last resort, and only following adequate notice and consultation with those affected. Amnesty International is concerned that in this case the eviction was carried out without adequate due process. The eviction reportedly took place in breach of an agreement between local authorities and the families, which stated that the families could remain on the land on a temporary basis until a suitable resolution had been found. This agreement had been reached and signed following a stand-off between the villagers and the authorities on 9
November, when police had moved in at night in an attempt to arrest two community leaders.2 On 11 November the Choam Khsan district governor had reportedly offered two vaguely described alternative locations which the community declined. In doing so, community leaders said that in order to agree to the relocation they needed to be informed about the precise geographic location of the land.
They also required access to water, schooling for the children and other basic infrastructure. Four days later and without any prior notification, security forces showed an announcement from the provincial administration, stating the community had to leave. The implementation of the eviction followed immediately and included the burning of houses.
Most of the families have now left the province following the violent forced eviction. Around 40 families who have lost most of their belongings lack the means to leave, and have been stranded on a roadside where they currently lack even emergency shelter, food, water and security, a major concern in this remote area.
Turning families homeless -- Phnom Penh
In a pre-dawn operation on 2 November 2007, 300 members of the security forces forcibly evicted and demolished the entire village of Chong Chruoy on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, using excavators and hired workers to demolish the homes of the 132 families living there. Human rights activists and journalists were blocked from monitoring the incident.
The basis for evicting the village was a written announcement issued by the district authority on 30 August 2007 stating that the reason for the eviction was “to eliminate disorder in the society, to protect environment, sanitation and public health, and to promote the municipality's beauty.”3 The villagers were, according to the announcement, given five days to clear the area. However, no action was taken and no new information was provided until security forces moved in on 2 November. According to the authorities the village is located on state land; however, this assumption, disputed by villagers who claim ownership to the land, has reportedly not been heard by the competent authorities.
Immediately following the demolition, trucks took some families to a resettlement site, and within two days all villagers had been forcibly relocated to Trapeang Anchanh village in Dangkor district, an area that lacks basic infrastructure such as shelter, clean water, sanitation, medical facilities or schools and is prone to flooding. According to information provided to Amnesty International this relocation was not a negotiated settlement, but a forced solution which had not been preceded by any meaningful consultation.
The 132 homeless families, most of whom had reportedly lived at Chong Chruoy since the mid-nineties, have not been provided with any emergency assistance from the Cambodian authorities, including any shelter or construction materials at the resettlement site. However, following the eviction, a Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh told the press that the families would each receive a piece of land and a five-year interest-free loan so that they could re-build a house. So far, this has not materialised, so the families stay in tents and under tarpaulins provided by local non-governmental organisations.
The resettlement site, 20 kilometres from Phnom Penh, has also been used to relocate other families, who have been forcibly evicted in the past two years.
Background
Forced evictions are evictions that are carried out without adequate notice, consultation with those affected, without legal safeguards and without assurances of adequate alternative accommodation. As the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has clarified, forced evictions are “the permanent or temporary removal against their will of individuals, families and/or communities from the homes and/or land which they occupy, without the provision of, and access to, appropriate forms of legal or other protection.
The prohibition on forced evictions does not, however, apply to evictions carried out by force in accordance with the law and in conformity with [international human rights law]”.
Forced evictions were recognised by the UN Commission on Human Rights to be a gross violation of a range of human rights including the right to adequate housing, which is protected in Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
As a party to the ICESCR, and other international human rights treaties which prohibit forced eviction and related human rights violations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Cambodia has an obligation to stop forced evictions and to protect the population from forced evictions.
Amnesty International urges the Cambodian government to end all forced evictions and declare and enforce a moratorium for all mass evictions until legislative and policy measures are in place to ensure that evictions are conducted only in full compliance with international human rights laws and standards.
Amnesty International also calls on the authorities to immediately ensure that all victims of forced evictions in Phnom Penh and Preah Vihear are provided with emergency relief including shelter, food, water and access to medical assistance. The authorities should also take timely, concrete and targeted steps to ensure they receive adequate reparation, including adequate alternative accommodation and compensation.
The organisation is concerned at reports of the excessive force used during the evictions, and in particular in Preah Vihear, and calls for a full, effective and independent inquiry, following which those responsible should be brought to justice.
_________
(1) Estimate based on the average Cambodian rural household size of 5.0 persons, according to Cambodia: Inter-Censal Population Survey 2004, the National Institute of Statistics/Ministry of Planning, 2004.
(2) Copy on file.
(3) Unofficial translation; copy on file.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The short memory of Cambodia's prime minister
HONG KONG, Oct. 7
SARADA TAING
Posted on UPI Asia Online
Guest Commentary
SARADA TAING
Posted on UPI Asia Online
Guest Commentary
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday called on the Burmese junta to end its crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators and monks, following violence that has left hundreds of protesters dead. Hun Sen urged the junta to have maximum patience, not to use force to crack down on the demonstrators and to continue its efforts toward national reconciliation by solving these issues through respect of human rights, democratization and peace.
It seems that Hun Sen has a short memory. On Sept. 10, 1998, thousands of Cambodian Buddhist monks, nuns, students and civilians went out to participate in a massive peaceful demonstration organized by the opposition party in the capital, Phnom Penh. The aim of the demonstration was to oppose the results of the national election, which the ruling party unfairly won through ballot fraud and other offenses.
After four or five days of demonstrations, the Cambodian government sent thousands of heavily armed soldiers and police and fire trucks with strong water hoses to break up the protests. In the clash between government forces and innocent people, hundreds of people were killed and injured. Hundreds of monks and nuns were beaten bloody. Several students and activists were kidnapped. Many are still missing today.
The situation in Cambodia in 1998 was similar to the situation in Burma today, and to the protests that took place there in 1988. In Burma today, government soldiers and police have opened fire on hundreds of demonstrators -- including monks, nuns and students. Many of the protesters have been wounded from the government forces' cruel crackdown. At least 100 people were killed and thousands of people, including monks, were arrested.
The Cambodian and Burmese governments have a history of violating their citizens' freedom of expression and human rights, which are guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia and Burma are signatories.
Hun Sen called on the Burma junta to refrain from using violence against the monks, but Hun Sen himself has repeatedly used violence against Kampuchea Krom monks, both recently and in the past.
The international community must strongly condemn both the Burmese military government and the Cambodian government for using violence against innocent people -- monks, nuns and students -- instead of seeking peaceful negotiations. I urge the international community and ASEAN to sanction these governments for violating their citizens' basic human rights and for killing peaceful demonstrators. I urge the two governments of Cambodia and Burma to be responsible for the dead and wounded among the protesters of 1998 in Cambodia and 1988 and 2007 in Burma.
I strongly urge the Buddhist monks around the world, the United Nations and the ASEAN community to support the peaceful movement of Burma's Buddhist monks and other pro-democracy supporters. I strongly urge the United Nations and the ASEAN community to immediately intervene to prevent further bloodshed in Burma.
--
(Sarada Taing is a program assistant for the Cambodia project at the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong. He was previously a human rights investigator and radio reporter for the Cambodian Center for Human Rights in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.)
It seems that Hun Sen has a short memory. On Sept. 10, 1998, thousands of Cambodian Buddhist monks, nuns, students and civilians went out to participate in a massive peaceful demonstration organized by the opposition party in the capital, Phnom Penh. The aim of the demonstration was to oppose the results of the national election, which the ruling party unfairly won through ballot fraud and other offenses.
After four or five days of demonstrations, the Cambodian government sent thousands of heavily armed soldiers and police and fire trucks with strong water hoses to break up the protests. In the clash between government forces and innocent people, hundreds of people were killed and injured. Hundreds of monks and nuns were beaten bloody. Several students and activists were kidnapped. Many are still missing today.
The situation in Cambodia in 1998 was similar to the situation in Burma today, and to the protests that took place there in 1988. In Burma today, government soldiers and police have opened fire on hundreds of demonstrators -- including monks, nuns and students. Many of the protesters have been wounded from the government forces' cruel crackdown. At least 100 people were killed and thousands of people, including monks, were arrested.
The Cambodian and Burmese governments have a history of violating their citizens' freedom of expression and human rights, which are guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia and Burma are signatories.
Hun Sen called on the Burma junta to refrain from using violence against the monks, but Hun Sen himself has repeatedly used violence against Kampuchea Krom monks, both recently and in the past.
The international community must strongly condemn both the Burmese military government and the Cambodian government for using violence against innocent people -- monks, nuns and students -- instead of seeking peaceful negotiations. I urge the international community and ASEAN to sanction these governments for violating their citizens' basic human rights and for killing peaceful demonstrators. I urge the two governments of Cambodia and Burma to be responsible for the dead and wounded among the protesters of 1998 in Cambodia and 1988 and 2007 in Burma.
I strongly urge the Buddhist monks around the world, the United Nations and the ASEAN community to support the peaceful movement of Burma's Buddhist monks and other pro-democracy supporters. I strongly urge the United Nations and the ASEAN community to immediately intervene to prevent further bloodshed in Burma.
--
(Sarada Taing is a program assistant for the Cambodia project at the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong. He was previously a human rights investigator and radio reporter for the Cambodian Center for Human Rights in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.)
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