KI Media: “Opposition Leader Says Cambodia's Government Faces Possible Protests” plus 24 more |
- Opposition Leader Says Cambodia's Government Faces Possible Protests
- From Anonymous to Anonymous
- Khmer Nationalist Voice leaflet: Preah Vihear clash was a Viet political trick...
- Rights groups welcome order to free man jailed for unionist murder
- Cambodia accepts military observers
- Catch these shows before they wrap up
- Cambodia: Ensure Montagnards’ asylum rights
- CCHR comment to media - Supreme Court ruling in case of Thach Saveth raises more questions than answers
- CIVICUS Cambodia - RFK Center Seminar - Theary Seng's welcome remarks in Khmer and English
- US band returns to Khmer roots for tour of Cambodia
- Financing the front lines
- A short course on Islam in Cambodia
- Youth of the week: Im Rachna
- Whad'Ya Know?
- Supreme Court Ruling in case of Thach Saveth raises more questions than answers
- Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Money & Power
- Viet-Cambodia NatAsses boost ties
- ASEAN and the Cambodia-Thailand Conflict
- Panich: Veera in poor health
- Cambodian move raises border tension [-Why only Bangkok can bring in foreign military attaches?]
- Krolek Meul Ké - "Looking at them": A Poem in Khmer by Khmer Sachak
- SRP MP Mu Sochua's address on International Women's Day
- Supreme court upheld Appeal Court verdict in Sam Rainsy's case
- Photo Diary of RFK Center's Speak Truth To Power launching events (Part 1)
- Photo Diary of RFK Center's Speak Truth To Power launching events (Part 2)
| Opposition Leader Says Cambodia's Government Faces Possible Protests Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:12 PM PST
Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy says Cambodians are growing impatient with the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has held on to power for 26 years. By Kate Woodsome 02 March 2011 Source: VOA.com Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy says Cambodians are growing impatient with the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has held on to power for 26 years. Rainsy says his countrymen could very well decide to follow the example of Egyptians and Tunisians, who recently overthrew their authoritarian rulers. The opposition leader, who faces a prison sentence at home for allegedly inciting racial tension with Vietnam, is currently living in France. He recently visited the U.S. and spoke with VOA's Kate Woodsome. In their conversation, Rainsy pointed to parallels between the situation in Cambodia and that in the Middle East. RAINSY: There are many similarities between Cambodia and those countries where we have seen popular uprisings over the last few weeks or few months. The similarities are related to poverty, to social injustice, to corruption, to the lack of mechanisms whereby the people could express themselves—could express their will to change—to improve—the system. So because of this lack of freedom, and because of the growing popular frustrations and discontent, I think what is happening in Egypt, in Tunisia, and in Libya could take place also in Cambodia any time. Q: Is that something that you would like to see happen? RAINSY: It would be better to avoid violence. It is why we urge the Cambodian government (with the support of the international community—of friendly countries such as the United States) to implement democratic reform, to insure that the people have a means to express their desire for change and they do not have to resort to street demonstrations to bring about democratic reforms. Q: You say Cambodians are concerned about poverty and corruption, but the International Republican Institute recently released a survey showing that 76 percent of Cambodians are satisfied with the direction of their country. How do you explain that? RAINSY: It depends on the question that you ask. If you ask, "have your living conditions improved over the last 5 years," I think the answer would be different. So, in a country where there are no freedoms of expression, we have to take very carefully (the) result of any opinion poll. Q: Is there any indication that the Cambodian government is concerned about the demonstrations in the Middle East and North Africa and the possiblity that protests might spread to Cambodia? RAINSY: Definitely, the Cambodia government is very concerned because the ruling party in Cambodia, and especially Mr. Hun Sen, have been in power for around 30 years. And all over the world there is a desire for change. People want change, want new leaders, want new approach, want new policies. Q: I know you have been out of the country, but have you seen any indication that the Cambodian government is tightening its control on the media or on political activists, trying to avoid what is happening in the Middle East? RAINSY: Yes, they have closed down some opposition websites, because these new technologies are very helpful for protesters to coordinate their effort to organize protests. So definitely the Cambodia government is very concerned, but generally speaking, they tightly control the press. They have a monopoly on the electronic press and they tightly control the non-government organizations and the civil society in general.  | ||
| Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:56 PM PST Anonymous wrote: Does every one know that KI was funded by Thai, to separate us from youn, and to destroy Khmer, youn got khmer krom indeed franch cut it to youn, youn never fought with Khmer, Thai steale khmer land all time and fought with us over 700 years, doese any one know about this, all KI writer are Thai, they never show up real nam , they are thai. Anonymous reply:   | ||
| Khmer Nationalist Voice leaflet: Preah Vihear clash was a Viet political trick... Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:24 AM PST The following leaflet were seen distributed in Kampong Cham province. The authorities are currently looking for its distributors.
 | ||
| Rights groups welcome order to free man jailed for unionist murder Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:16 AM PST Mar 2, 2011 DPA Phnom Penh - Cambodian human rights groups welcomed the Supreme Court's order on Wednesday to release a man imprisoned for the 2004 murder of a prominent trade unionist. Thach Saveth was sentenced in 2005 to 15 years for the killing of garment union factory head Ros Sovannareth. He had always protested his innocence. The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the lower court must re-examine the conviction and ordered Thach Saveth's provisional release. However, by late Wednesday, his paperwork had not been processed and he remained in prison. The Cambodian Center for Human Rights said there had never been any credible evidence linking Thach Saveth to the crime. Its president, Ou Virak, blamed 'at best' incompetence in the judiciary for the original verdict and at worst manipulation for political ends. At his Supreme Court hearing last month, Thach Saveth said he had been visiting relatives on the other side of the country when the killing occurred. 'They charged me wrongly,' the Phnom Penh Post newspaper reported him as telling the court on February 9. 'I request the court to find justice for me because I did not commit the crime.' Ros Sovannareth was a factory representative for the Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia, which has long been aligned with the political opposition. He was shot dead in Phnom Penh months after the union's national head, Chea Vichea, was shot and killed at a newspaper stand in the capital. The two men convicted of Chea Vichea's murder were released in 2009 pending a new investigation after five years in prison. The judiciary has long been criticized as being a pawn for the ruling party. The UN human rights envoy, Surya Subedi, said in June that some judges were not interested in upholding the law and noted the courts faced 'tremendous challenges in delivering justice for the people of the country, especially the poor and marginalized.'  | ||
| Cambodia accepts military observers Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:09 AM PST Wednesday, 02 March 2011 Cheang Sokha The Phnom Penh Post Cambodia has accepted terms of reference for unarmed Indonesian military observers to watch over a ceasefire along the Preah Vihear border area and now awaits a response from Thailand. "We have clearly stated in the terms of reference letter that in the case of a Thai objection, Cambodia will receive Indonesian observers alone," said Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We don't know about the Thai side but our stance is that we have completely agreed to the terms of reference." After four days of fighting early last month left at least 10 dead, dozens injured and thousands temporarily displaced on both sides, Cambodia and Thailand agreed at an informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on February 22 in Jakarta to allow Indonesian military observers to monitor a ceasefire. The 30 observers, 15 in each country, will report to both ASEAN and the United Nations Security Council, which has called for a permanent ceasefire. Marty Natalegawa, the Indonesian Foreign Minister, sent Phnom Penh and Bangkok the terms of reference last week. Veerachon Sukondhadhpatipak, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Army, and Thani Thongphakdi, deputy spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, could not be reached for comment yesterday. The Cambodian Ministry of Defence will lead a tour of the border area and the Preah Vihear temple tomorrow for military attachés from more than 10 embassies. Although the move follows a similar event organised by Thailand, it has apparently annoyed at least some in the Thai army according to an unnamed military source quoted in the Bangkok Post. Koy Kuong said there was no reason for the visit to increase tensions. "Cambodia only brings those foreign military attachés to visit the border inside Cambodian territory, so there is not anything to cause tension," he said. "Thailand also brought foreign military attachés to visit the border recently, and Cambodia did not say it caused tension."  | ||
| Catch these shows before they wrap up Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:05 AM PST
Coquitlam NOW (British Columbia, Canada) Two exhibits currently on display at Coquitlam's Place des Arts wrap up this weekend, while a third continues through March 18. The first features the works of Mong Yen. Originally from Cambodia, Yen and his family fled to Vietnam during the Khmer Rouge uprising in the mid 1970s before again being forced to flee, this time to Thailand. From there the family ended up in Toronto in 1980, before Yen moved to Metro Vancouver in 1992. It's those experiences, and the places he's seen in between, that have helped shape his exhibit of watercolour and egg tempera paintings, Quiet Path, which will be shown through Saturday, March 5. Joining Yen for the exhibit will be a pair of Coquitlam residents: photographer Daryl Spencer and watercolour painter Lori Motokado. Entitled The Essential Landscape, Spencer's exhibit consists of 38 black and white photographic prints combined into one vignette. "The challenge in photography is often one of elimination," Spencer said in a press release. "The world is big. The world is cluttered. Creating The Essential Landscape is carefully focusing in from the clutter to find the elements of a scene that make it interesting, that evoke emotion, that capture the essence." Taking her inspiration from the stories and personalities behind her subjects, Motokado's exhibit, Possessions, explores how we perceive things of value. "Before society's current cycle of buy, replace and discard, things were built to last, were cherished, handed down and reused," she said. "This series explores various everyday artifacts to re-examine prevailing values; our worth is not based on what we own, rather it is our experiences and stories that give our possessions true value." Possessions and Quiet Path run through Saturday, March 5, while The Essential Landscape will be on display until Friday, March 18.  | ||
| Cambodia: Ensure Montagnards’ asylum rights Posted: 02 Mar 2011 07:56 AM PST 2 March 2011 Source: ALIRAN Cambodia should provide safe asylum for Montagnards fleeing Vietnam's Central Highlands even after it closes the United Nations' refugee centre in Phnom Penh for Montagnards on 15 February 2011, Human Rights Watch has said. Ongoing government crackdowns in Vietnam against Montagnard Christians make it imperative for Cambodia not to deny Montagnards their basic right to seek safe asylum, Human Rights Watch said. As a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, Cambodia is obligated to protect the rights of all who seek asylum within its borders. "Cambodia has a clear obligation to ensure that future Montagnard asylum seekers are permitted to enter a refugee screening process that is fair and based on international standards," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Closing the Montagnard refugee centre doesn't change those obligations." In December 2010, the Cambodian government ordered the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to close the Montagnard refugee centre by 1 January 2011. The Cambodian government subsequently agreed to an extension of the deadline to 15 February to allow time to resettle or repatriate the Montagnards remaining at the centre. Human Rights Watch expressed concerns that after the refugee centre closes, the Cambodian government will screen future Montagnard asylum seekers under a procedure that does not meet international standards. A Cambodian government sub-decree passed in December 2009 allows Cambodia's Interior Ministry, not UNHCR, to make the final decision about a refugee's status. Human Rights Watch's analysis of the sub-decree finds, however, that it fails to incorporate the UN Refugee Convention's definition of what constitutes a refugee and lacks provisions to fulfil Cambodia's other obligations as a party to the convention. The sub-decree provides Cambodian authorities great leeway to reject and expel asylum seekers, with insufficient procedural protections in place to prevent unlawful forced returns that are in violation of the Refugee Convention. Just days after the sub-decree was passed, Cambodian authorities deported 20 Uighur asylum seekers who were at risk of torture and mistreatment to China. "The Cambodian government has a dismal track record when it comes to deporting recognised refugees and asylum seekers under UNHCR protection – particularly those from countries such as China and Vietnam, with whom it has close relations," said Robertson. "The UN and concerned governments should press Cambodia to make sure the Montagnards don't suffer the same fate as the Uighurs and others who have been unlawfully deported." In defending the closure of the Montagnard refugee centre, Cambodian officials have declared there is no longer any need for Montagnards to flee to Cambodia, citing Vietnam's economic progress and lack of armed conflict in Montagnard areas. "It is time for us to close the refugee center because Vietnam has no war or armed conflict, and it is not necessary to have the refugee centre in our country," Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters in December. "The Cambodian foreign minister and other officials have grossly mischaracterised the definition of a refugee," said Robertson. "A refugee is a person with a well-founded fear of being persecuted, whose flight can occur irrespective of armed conflict or economic factors." Since 2001, thousands of Montagnards in Vietnam have fled harsh government crackdowns to Cambodia, where most have been recognised as refugees and resettled to the United States, Sweden, Finland, and Canada. Under a 2005 agreement between the UNHCR and the Cambodian and Vietnamese governments, the UNHCR handled the protection and refugee screening process for Montagnard asylum seekers in Cambodia. The agreement called for Montagnards whose asylum claims had been determined to be either resettled abroad or repatriated to Vietnam. Human Rights Watch continues to receive credible reports of persecution of Montagnards in Vietnam, where more than 300 have been imprisoned since 2001 for peaceful expression of their religious or political views, or for trying to seek asylum in Cambodia. "Montagnards will continue to try to flee Vietnam as long as the Vietnamese government systematically violates their basic rights," said Robertson. "It's imperative that the Cambodian government live up to its international obligations and not force asylum seekers back to a place where their lives and their liberty will be at stake."  | ||
| Posted: 02 Mar 2011 02:19 AM PST Dear all Further to today's emailed English language comment to the media from the Cambodian Center for Human Rights concerning the release of Thach Saveth, please find attached a Khmer version of the comment. CCHR Media Comment - Supreme Court Ruling in Case of Thach Saveth Raises More Questions Then Answers- Khmer  | ||
| CIVICUS Cambodia - RFK Center Seminar - Theary Seng's welcome remarks in Khmer and English Posted: 02 Mar 2011 02:12 AM PST Welcome Remarks by Theary Seng for the Kennedy Seminar on Human Rights (Khmer) Welcome Remarks by Theary Seng for the Kennedy Seminar on Human Rights (English) The Kennedy Seminar on Human Rights in Education, Photo Exhibition, and Play Wednesday, 23 February 2011. 3 – 5:30 P.M. Pannasastra University of Cambodia (PUC) Auditorium, Norodom Blvd. . . . . . INTRODUCTORY / WELCOME REMARKS Theary C. SENG, Founding President of CIVICUS Cambodia Good afternoon Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is my deep honor, as founding president of CIVICUS: Center for Cambodian Civic Education, to welcome you this afternoon to the launching events of the Speak Truth To Power global initiative of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and to do so alongside Ms. Kerry Kennedy, the president of this RFK Center and the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, a man admired and loved for his vision and for his love of liberty by Americans and the world alike, including us, the Cambodian people. Kerry and Michaela—we are deeply delighted to have you and your delegation here in Phnom Penh! We are also deeply honored to have as our Keynote Speaker this afternoon, His Excellency Senior Minister Om Yentieng, president of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, who has generously taken time from his busy schedule to join us today in the celebration of human rights and of education. And I look forward to more occasions where we—the government and civil society, in particular CIVICUS Cambodia—can come together publicly to express our shared values for the love and education of our children and for a prosperous, healthy, reconciled Cambodia; it is natural that we should have disagreements, but we have so much more in common to celebrate than our differences. This space for public dialogue and expression is extremely important and we need to enlarge it. Excellency, thank you for your commitment to these shared values and your presence today. We at CIVICUS Cambodia look forward to working with you especially as we prepare to bring the Speak Truth To Power play to Angkor Wat. It is also our deep privilege and honor to welcome the U.S. Ambassador Carol Rodley and the Senior Minister and Founder of one of the most elite educational institutions of higher learning, Pannasastra University of Cambodia, Dr. Kol Pheng to give the Opening Remarks, with Kerry Kennedy. We have this afternoon a distinguished panel of speakers of Kerry Kennedy, Dr. Kek Galabru, president of LICADHO; Father John Visser, Country Representative of Don Bosco. UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Surya Subedi may stop by between his meetings to say hello and give a few remarks as well. I would like to acknowledge especially the presence of Mr. Rong Chhun who will not be on the panel, seeing that we have already so many speakers, but he is here with a group of teachers. A special welcome also to Mr. John Heffernan, the RFK Center director of Speak Truth To Power who will give the closing remarks on this first day and introduction to the Photography Exhibition. The events of today and tomorrow would not be possible without the generous support of The Charitable Foundation, the donor of the Speak Truth To Power project in Cambodia. I would like to thank Pannasastra University of Cambodia for this wonderful venue and its beautiful work of high quality education; to Cambodian Living Arts for reviving our souls through artistic expression and the beautiful national anthem earlier, to the Phnom Penh Players for the performance tomorrow. And, last but not least, to my staff at CIVICUS Cambodia for their dedication and grace under pressure. Once again, welcome. We are so delighted to have all of you here to join us in this celebration of human rights and education and the launch of Speak Truth To Power of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in Cambodia. Thank you. Day One: Wednesday, 23 Feb. 2011  Audience of first day launching events, 23 Feb. 2011.  We sent out 300 hand-delivery invitations to all the senior government officials; many called to apologize that they couldn't get out of their official engagements, but we also received many who did attend.  Theary Seng, Father John Visser, Dr. Kek Galabru, Kerry Kennedy  U.S. Ambassador Carol Rodley, PUC Founder Dr. Kol Pheng, Senior Minister Om Yentieng (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  Audience at seminar and photo exhibition launching events, 23 Feb. 2011.  Kerry Kennedy, Dr. Kek Galabru, US Ambassador, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, Peder Pedersen, John Heffernan, Theary Seng (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011). Day Two: Thursday, 24 Feb. 2011   Madam MU Sochua, Peder Pedersen, British Ambassador Andrew Mace, US Embassy Public Affairs chief Mark, Italian philanthropist Adolfo Vannucci etc. watching the play, 24 Feb. 2011.  Kerry Kennedy and Theary Seng thanking the Phnom Penh Players with flowers after their powerful performance, 24 Feb. 2011.  Theary Seng with Kerry Kennedy, 24 Feb. 2011  Some of the dedicated staff of CIVICUS Cambodia with Kerry Kennedy and the delegation, 24 Feb. 2011.  | ||
| US band returns to Khmer roots for tour of Cambodia Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:40 AM PST  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUX1xdBkhEE Wednesday, 02 March 2011 Chhim Sreyneang The Phnom Penh Post A Khmer-influenced pop band from California's San Jose have arrived for the first time in Cambodia to perform in aid of NGOs supporting traditional arts. Laura Mam and The Like Me's have already toured Siem Reap and will play at Parkway Studios on Thursday night to raise money for Cambodia Living Arts and the Anvaya Initiative, a network for returning Cambodians. The four-women band plays classic Khmer hits from the 1960s alongside R&B songs and their own music, which have gained a cult following on YouTube. "Cambodia has been in our dreams of touring since the band started," says lead guitarist and singer Laura Mam. "We used to sit around the dinner table before practice and dream about going to Cambodia and playing for people who need new music the most." The other three members of the band are Cambodian-born Helena Hong and Filippinas Monique Coquilla and Loren Alonzo. One of their big hits is a version of Sva Rom Monkiss, where mothers, sisters, aunties and cousins join in the dancing on the video. "Our household was a normal Cambodian American home full of karaoke discs and high quality microphones. My father was a wedding singer and let me come on stage occasionally and sing with him," says Laura. "Both my parents encouraged me to listen very carefully to the music to find the right tone, even though they never had any music training either. Playing by ear became the natural way of doing things." The Like Me's tour is sponsored by Friends of Khmer Culture, which is supporting a sustainable tourism and conservation project at Banteay Chhmar Temple. Laura Mam and The Like Me's play at Parkway Studios, 133 Mao Tse Toung Boulevard, on Thursday, March 3 at 8pm. Tickets cost $8.  | ||
| Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:31 AM PST  Sun Narin and Kim Samath The Phnom Penh Post "I am not sure that this money can reach soldiers or not. I do not trust people collecting funds. Our society is difficult to trust for this kind of work." During our recent clashes with Thailand, just about everyone gave something to support Cambodian soldiers. Sun Narin and Kim Samath find out how it moved from you to the troops Forty -six-year-old Chheng Sarann, an office official of Vocational Training at the Ministry of Education, has contributed money to support the military at Preah Vihear Temple four times now, at his home and workplace, and said the reason he gave money to the fund raising efforts was he just followed what his colleagues and neighbours did. "No one forced me to give, but I had to because if I did not, I would have been considered strange and not like the other people who contributed money," he said. He added that he was not worried about his contribution by explaining that if he did not give his money to the military it would be like committing a sin. As the Buddhist saying goes: "If you do something bad, you will receive something bad, if you do something good, you will receive something good." He said that the money could get lost and he did not know if the collectors were honest or not. However, he added: "I think the contribution can help the soldiers in terms of food and consumption materials." Since the simmering dispute between Cambodia and Thailand over the Preah Vihear Temple started in 2008, Cambodia's government started the idea of nationalist fund raising to back the military at the border through some television stations as well as private and public institutions. Since the recent clash on February 4, the fund raising has increased because the foundation now reaches every province. However, critics are skeptical about whether all the funds raised will end up in military hands. A small number of people also seem to be bored with the fund raising. Under the Ministry of Interior, provincial governors set up fund raising groups in the provinces and each governor takes the money to buy food which is distributed directly to the military. When buy food for the military, the television stations always go to cover the event in order to inform the public. However, one unnamed critic said it is true that money and food were distributed to the military, but not all the money was given to the military. "There is no transparency for that. They may keep some money for their own pockets," he said. In Phnom Penh, some commune chiefs went to people's houses with a piece of paper to raise funds to support the military. They asked people to contribute both money and food items. Phan Raksmey, a resident in Orrusey commune, said he contributed some food items to the military because he thought this would actually reach the men in uniform. "I do not want to contribute money since I am afraid that they just keep the money for themselves. I am a bit tired of the fund raising now," he said. The fund raising was also happening at some education institutions. Students were asked to contribute some money to support the military. The Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) raised funds from students and Ponn Chhay, the office chief of academics of RUPP, said no members of the government told his school to raise money, but the lecturers themselves were behind the drive to raise funds. "We are suffering from Thailand's invasion of our territory," he said. "I am sure that money will reach the military's hands because we asked students to write their names and the amount of money they contributed. Students and other contributors will see their names on television screens, so they can trust it," said Ponn Chhay. He said all the money his school collected was sent to the Bayon Television Foundation and RUPP even sent some voluntary youths to help pack the presents for the military. Two television stations, CTN and Bayon, played an important role in raising funds from the people. By February 24, Bayon television has collected about US$1.17 million. Bayon TV station has gone to Preah Vihear province to distribute items to the military directly since February 7 and bought a variety of items for them, according to Tith Thavrith, Deputy Director General of Bayon Television. Pol Vibo, the deputy general manager of CTN, said his working group distributed funds collected for the military since February 26, adding that he gave US$2,500 to each deceased soldier's family and spent the rest of the money buying food items and other basic materials. He said that people who wanted to contribute had to come directly to CTN and then CTN issued a receipt for them. "This can guarantee the accuracy of collecting funds from the people," he said, adding that they had a mixed working group giving out the funds and items to the military and handing money to the dead soldier's families and military leaders in meetings which were broadcast on television. "All of this shows the transparency of the distribution of money without disclosure. We are nationalists and aim to help our country," he said. Born Kanha, a sophomore student of sociology at RUPP, said he gave his own money for Preah Vihear Temple because the government was lacking a budget to support the soldiers. However she added: "I am not sure that this money can reach soldiers or not. I do not trust people collecting funds. Our society is difficult to trust for this kind of work."  | ||
| A short course on Islam in Cambodia Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:24 AM PST
The Phnom Penh Post Staff Islam is changing in Cambodia. Muslims are financially benefiting from aide from global Islamic institutions, often at the expense of traditional practices, which are quickly changing according to the preferences of international donors. Cambodian Islam is composed of three main groups: the orthodox Islam, who make up a 80% of Cambodian Muslims, the Chvea Muslims of coastal regions and the Imam Sann group. The first group has the closest connection to Muslims around the world, and their practices most closely resemble those seen in other the majority of Muslim populations. Most orthodox followers, for example, forbid keeping dogs as pets as it is considered unsanitary. Orthodox Muslims are believed to descend from Champa, and their beliefs are largely influenced by the elite Chams who initially came to Cambodia. Recently, however, they are being increasingly influenced by the belief systems of charity organizations from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia and local cultures are withering away. The second group of Muslims, about 40,000 people, lives mostly along the Cambodian coastal area, do not speak Cham and are believed to be the original Muslims who converted Cham refugees from Hinduism to Islam when they first arrived in Cambodia in the 15th century. The third group are followers of Imam Sann, an old and devout Muslim, who died and was buried on Oudong Mountain (the old capital of Cambodia). With 38,000 followers, they are the smallest group, live mostly in Kampong Tralach district, Kampong Chhnang province, and are seen as being the least devout in the Islamic practices. For example, they do not wash their face when they pray, men do not need to keep beard and they do not cover their heads or faces as is Orthodox Islamic practice. They pray one time in seven days.  | ||
| Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:18 AM PST Wednesday, 02 March 2011  Sok Eng The Phnom Penh Post Im Rachna loves going on adventures, both in books and in the real world. She hopes that other people will join her by reading her stories SUPPLIED Reading started as a hobby, but 19-year-old Im Rachna's passion for books became a potential career as a writer, as she is now the youngest member of the Khmer Writer's Association. The association has helped shape her talent with words and allowed her to become familiar with a variety of forms, including short stories, novels and poems.  Rachna was born in Svay Rieng province but moved to Phnom Penh to continue her studies at the Beltei International Institute from the age of about nine. She performed well in her studies, especially Khmer literature, and in 2008 was named the National Khmer Literature Outstanding Student ranked at number five when she was in grade 12. After she graduated, she was given a scholarship to study law at the Royal University of Law and Economics and paid to study English literature at Norton University.Becoming an author was just a coincidence, she said. The motivation to become a writer was reading. She said she loved reading since she was small. Starting with comics and then novels, she gradually fell in love with the beauty of writing. "It's magical. You will never know why those little letters in the book made you cry and sometimes laugh at the same time," she said. She also added that well known Cambodian author Mao Samnang once told her: "You can write because you read a lot." Since she had been reading for so long, she decided to give writing a try. "If they can do it, I too can do it too," she said. She started writing in 2006 when she was 14 and she finished a 100 plus page novel called Hatred is love in only one month, but it has not been published until now because she preferred that her published books should be ones that have an educational value rather than a love story. Because she is a member of the Khmer Youth Writers Group, one of her works, a novel called Message Lak Sne, was selected to be published in Love Diary, a collection of love stories, in 2008. She has written many short stories, novels and poems that have not been published so far, but she plans to publish them when she gets some free time from her studies. However, most of her works, which have an education value or are critical and call for a better society, are available on her blog: rainnamail.wordpress.com. Her talent and commitment made her a candidate for the Ship for South East Asian Youth Program 2010, and she also won an award in a short drama contest on climate change organised by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media and the British Embassy in 2009. She has also attended several training courses such as IYF (International Youth Fellowship) World Camp Cambodia, the People Health Development Association Conference dealing with young people's sexual relationships, and the Cambodia Center for Independent Media's climate change related writing course. She is also an editor for La Reine magazine in charge of the fashion and lifestyle sections. Rachna says writing is her main interest and she puts a lot of effort into it. She is very proud of her work because her writing has been accepted and loved. In her point of view, writing is a wonderful thing that records and reflects real people's lives. Once something has been written and published, people read it, remember it and learn from it. It gives them a better choice for a better future. She says that to be a success one must have a dream and strive for it no matter how difficult it is as long as you really want to achieve it. In the future, Rachna want to open her own restaurant, but she will never lose her interest in writing.  | ||
| Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:13 AM PST Anonymous said...  Prof. Surya Subedi, Kerry Kennedy, Madam MU Sochua, John Heffernan, Theary Seng Well, to answer Anonymous, let's look at a slice of their educational credentials to engage their level of intellectual exchange, touching briefly only on their extensive global experiences where the world is their classroom: Professor Surya P. Subedi, O.B.E.
Kerry Kennedy
John Heffernan, the director of RKF Center's Speak Truth To Power, Juris Doctor.
Madam Mu Sochua, former Minister of Women's Affairs for 10 years, SRP Member of Parliament; graduate of University of California at Berkeley, fluent in Khmer French and English; counts Abigail Disney, Hillary Clinton as colleagues and friends; the subject of countless films. Theary C. Seng. Graduated from Georgetown University where her classmates were the Prince of Spain (next in line to being the King) and other political/social elites from Europe, the Middle East and the US East Coast. Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School, ranked always in the top 10 law schools, 4th when she attended; probably the first Cambodian-American to pass the New York bar exam, where she simply goes by Ms. rather than the amusing Dr. title which everyone throws around with his/her name.  | ||
| Supreme Court Ruling in case of Thach Saveth raises more questions than answers Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:44 AM PST  Dear all The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Cambodia today, 2 March 2011, ordered the provisional release of Thach Saveth from detention – albeit under judicial supervision – on account of a lack of evidence and the length of time that he has already spent in detention and has sent the case back down to the Court of Appeal to be re-considered. Thach Saveth has been in prison since 2004 since being convicted of and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the murder of Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia Ros Sovannareth. While the Cambodian Center for Human Rights ("CCHR") welcomes Thach Saveth's long overdue release, his initial conviction for a crime for which there was no credible evidence against him raises more questions than it provides answers about the competence of the Cambodian judiciary and its failure to provide accountability in cases involving violent crimes against union activists, journalists and other human rights defenders. Ou Virak, President of CCHR, a non-political, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia, commented: "I am delighted that Thach Saveth has finally been released from detention, even if it's only provisionally, after almost six years in prison for a crime which he is widely believed not to have committed. The fact that the case needed to be proceeded as far as the Supreme Court in order for it to be rejected for a lack of evidence at best suggests a lack of competence within the Cambodian judicial system and at worst points to its manipulation in political and or sensitive cases. As with the cases of Chea Vichea and Hy Vuthy, the real perpetrators of this crime have not been brought to justice. The judiciary's lack of competence and independence continues to be one of the most important factors preventing the country from developing a fair, just and inclusive society based on the rule of law. I sincerely hope this is an end to Thach Saveth's ordeal as a victim of our justice system. Until wider problems within our judiciary are rectified, it appears likely that more innocent Cambodian citizens will have to suffer for crimes that they have not committed". Please find attached in English a copy of this media comment in PDF. A Khmer version will follow later today. Thank you and kind regards -- The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) is a non-political, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia. For more information, please visit www.cchrcambodia.org.  | ||
| Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Money & Power Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:38 AM PST  On the road, Bopha explained me that everything is easy for us [Vietnamese] here in Cambodia. The Cambodian leaders are gullible, uncultivated and uneducated. She says that "we just need to let them cover the front of the political scene and let them drown themselves in the thirst of the power and the money". After that, we can do all what we want to do. Sometimes, our leaders come to visit these Cambodian leaders when they are sick. PS : Hun Manet should convey this message to his beloved father,Hun Xen, and its CPP.  | ||
| Viet-Cambodia NatAsses boost ties Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:30 AM PST Vietnamese, Cambodian NAs boost ties 02/03/2011 VNA/VOVNews The Vietnamese and Cambodian National Assemblies should strengthen coordination and create the most favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation. This statement was made by NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien while receiving a delegation from the Cambodian NA's Commission for Education, Youth and Sports, Cults, Religious Affairs, Culture and Tourism led by its chairman Mom Chim Huy in Hanoi on March 1. Kien suggested the two NAs pay attention to popularisation and education work so that Vietnamese and Cambodian people, especially young generations, will continuously preserve and promote the fine traditional relationship between the two countries. He expressed his wish that the two countries' ministries, agencies and localities would strengthen exchanges and take specific measures to further their multifaceted cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment, culture and education. He also affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy to attach importance to developing ties with Cambodia, for the interests of each country's people and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large. The NA Vice Chairman acknowledged fine developments in the relationship between the two NAs in the past, saying that they helped boost the traditional friendship, neighbourly relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations. He thanked the Cambodian NA's active support for Vietnam as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Chair during the 2009-2010 term and expressed his belief that the Cambodian NA would fulfill its role excellently as the AIPA Chair during the 2010-2011 term and successfully host the 32nd AIPA Assembly in the country this September. For his part, Chairman Mom Chim Huy affirmed the Cambodian NA's wish and determination to consolidate and further strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the commissions in particular and between the two legislative bodies of the two countries in general. He stated that the bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam has strongly developed in all fields, with two-way trade reaching US$1.8 billion in 2010. Vietnamese businesses have invested around US$2 billion in Cambodia. On the same day, the Cambodian NA delegation held talks with a delegation from the Vietnamese NA's Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children headed by its chairman Dao Trong Thi. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and experience exchange in several fields. During their stay in Vietnam from February 28 to March 5, the Cambodian delegation will work with leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Education and Training and the Government Committee on Religious Affairs. They also plan to pay a working visit to the northern province of Bac Ninh.  | ||
| ASEAN and the Cambodia-Thailand Conflict Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:46 PM PST March 1, 2011 Author: K. Kesavapany, ISEAS Thailand Business News The fighting and violence that have taken place in the Thai-Cambodia border area violate both the letter of solemn agreements among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its spirit, the spirit which underlies the very concept of ASEAN. As ASEAN members, Cambodia and Thailand are both signatories to the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which commits them to reject the use or threat of force in the relations between states and to the peaceful settlement of inter-state disputes. The overriding purpose in this regard is to avoid and prevent actions that result in the death or injury of human beings. Already, between ten and twenty persons are reported to have been killed and countless others injured or displaced in the border fighting between the two countries. In addition to the provisions of TAC, certain facts have to be kept in mind to avoid the repetition of violence in the future. The first is that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 ruled that the temple of Preah Vihear, near where the fighting has occurred, belonged to Cambodia. Both Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to submit their dispute to the ICJ and to abide by its decision. The current dispute is not about the temple itself but over a strip of land nearby, which the ICJ saw fit not to adjudicate but which joint Cambodia-Thailand border and boundary bodies are supposed to deal with. Another fact to remember is that in 2008 UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site. It did so upon Cambodia's proposal but with the support of Thailand. This cooperation between the two was manifested in an agreement signed in June 2007 by Noppadol Pattama, then foreign minister in the government of Samak Sundaravej, a successor to the deposed Thaksin Sinawatra deemed sympathetic to Thaksin. Anti-Thaksin politicians have charged that the agreement violated Thailand's constitution. These events were also inflamed by nationalistic public emotions. It would be responsible and indicative of the value that the leaderships in both countries place on human life if they were to dampen the emotional flames instead of fanning them. As the weaker protagonist, Cambodia has sought to multilateralise and internationalise the matter, including asking for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on it. However, Thailand has expressed its preference for bilateral negotiations. But there are venues for mediating this conflict other than the world body, among them regional countries and ASEAN itself. In recognition of this, Susilo Bambang Yudhuyono, President of Indonesia, this year's ASEAN chair, has sent his foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, to Cambodia and Thailand on 7 and 8 February, respectively. The new ASEAN Charter allows the parties to a dispute 'to request the Chairman of ASEAN or the Secretary-General of ASEAN . . . to provide good offices, conciliation or mediation'. Marty and the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand were invited to the 14 February UNSC meeting, at which all three made statements. At the end of that meeting, the Council President, Brazil, issued a statement calling on 'the two sides to display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation' and 'to establish a permanent ceasefire . . . and resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue'. It went on: 'The (Council) members . . . expressed support for ASEAN's active efforts in this matter and encouraged the parties to continue to cooperate with the organization in this regard. They welcomed the . . . Meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on 22 February.' The Cambodia-Thailand conflict puts to a severe test both ASEAN and Indonesia. Indonesia was one of ASEAN's founders, its largest member and its current chair. Indonesia was where the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation was signed and the Blueprint for an ASEAN Political and Security Community was adopted, in 2003. It is the leading proponent of the Political and Security Community, which calls for the prevention of disputes and conflicts from arising between member-states. The 22 February ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting was called, hosted and chaired by Indonesia as ASEAN's chair. It resulted in clever compromises among Thailand's call for bilateral negotiations, third-party intervention, and ASEAN's role. While the statement released at the end of the meeting underscored bilateral talks, it also repeatedly referred to Indonesia, which the ministers called on to send ceasefire observers on both sides of the disputed territory, as 'ASEAN's chair'. For the sake of their peoples and of the region, not to mention ASEAN's credibility, the efforts at mediation by Indonesia as the ASEAN chair and a cessation of hostilities must be encouraged and succeed. K. Kesavapany is the Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.  | ||
| Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:37 PM PST 2/03/2011 Bangkok Post The health of yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid, who is imprisoned in Cambodia, is worsening, Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth said on Wednesday. Mr Panich, one of the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian troops on Dec 29 last year for illegal entry, said Mr Veera had a head wound, skin rashes and respiratory illness due to poor air circulation in his cell. The MP said he had talked with the mothers of Mr Veera and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who is also detained in Phnom Penh. Both mothers were concerned for Mr Veera and Ms Ratree and wanted them to be released as soon as possible. The quickest way to get them released was to petition the Cambodian monarch to grant the pair a royal pardon, he said. Mr Panich said he hoped the case of Mr Veera and Ms Ratree would be similar to the case of Thai engineer Sivarak Chutipong who was granted a royal pardon by Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni before serving 2/3 of his sentence. Mr Sivarak was found guilty of stealing the flight plan of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ahead of his visit to Cambodia in 2009. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Feb 1 jailed Mr Veera for eight years, and Ms Ratree for six years, after they were found guilty of illegal entry and espionage on Dec 29.  | ||
| Cambodian move raises border tension [-Why only Bangkok can bring in foreign military attaches?] Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:33 PM PST 2/03/2011 Wassana Nanuam Bangkok Post Meanwhile, reports reaching the Thai military said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered a change to the border forces, replacing the current soldiers with those of the Khmer Rouge. The source said Khmer Rouge soldiers were viewed as intended more for combat than for promoting a good relationship. A Cambodian bid to take a group of foreign military attaches into part of the disputed 4.6 square kilometres around Preah Vihear temple has raised tension, again, on the border in Si Sa Ket provinced, a military source said on Wednesday. The source said that Thai troops were put on a continuing alert in the 4.6 sq-km area, especially around the Preah Vihear temple, as a precaution, from Tuesday night. The tension flared after Cambodia informed the Thai soldiers that it planned to bring the military attaches of 10 countries from Phnom Penh into the disputed area on Wednesday. The Thai side denied them permission. Cambodia wanted the attaches to see important spots, including the damage to Wat Kaeo Sikha Kiri Savara and the area around it, which is in Thai terrority, the source said. "There would be no problems if the attaches were taken specifically to see Preah Vihear temple, but we cannot allow them to go into the disputed area which has been occupied by Cambodian soldiers. We also regard the disputed area as ours," said the source. The source said when Thailand took military attaches of 14 countries to the border in the middle of last month, they were taken to see only Mor E-daeng cliff and Phum Srol village on the Thai side of the border,. They did not enter the disputed area. The rejection caused Cambodia to postpone the visit until Thursday. Thai troops have been put on the alert. It was not known whether Cambodia would persist with the visit or cancel it, the source said. The source said the Thai military attache in Phnom Penh had contacted the military attaches of other countries and been told they wanted the visit postponed for fear of sparking a new confrontation between Thailand and Cambodia. Meanwhile, reports reaching the Thai military said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered a change to the border forces, replacing the current soldiers with those of the Khmer Rouge. The source said Khmer Rouge soldiers were viewed as intended more for combat than for promoting a good relationship.  | ||
| Krolek Meul Ké - "Looking at them": A Poem in Khmer by Khmer Sachak Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:06 PM PST   | ||
| SRP MP Mu Sochua's address on International Women's Day Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:03 PM PST http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39G8W5qMbwk&feature=player_embedded  | ||
| Supreme court upheld Appeal Court verdict in Sam Rainsy's case Posted: 01 Mar 2011 10:59 PM PST http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBtRfcZgjDU&feature=player_embedded  | ||
| Photo Diary of RFK Center's Speak Truth To Power launching events (Part 1) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 10:51 PM PST A Photo Diary of the Launching Events of Speak Truth To Power of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in association with CIVICUS: Center for Cambodia Civic Education in Cambodia Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, 22—26 Feb. 2011 ----------------------------------  Upon arrival into Phnom Penh and immediately after lunch at the FCC, we took a tuk-tuk ride in a roundabout way to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, only to be nicely distracted and greeted by Sambo at Wat Phnom. Here, the newly minted teenager, ever engaging Michaela Kennedy Cuomo lavishing kisses on Sambo as mom, Kerry Kennedy, memorializes the moment (Phnom Penh, 22 Feb. 2011).   Kerry Kennedy with CIVICUS Cambodia Theary Seng, CITA president Rong Chhun, Michael Hayes (founder of The Phnom Penh Post) at a reception hosted by Madam MU Sochua and Mr. Scott Leiper at their elegant residence (Phnom Penh, 22 Feb. 2011).  UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Surya Subedi, Kerry Kennedy, John Heffernan, Theary Seng and host Madam Mu Sochua at her lovely residence (Phnom Penh, 22 Feb. 2011).  John Heffernan (director of RFK Center's STTP), Senior Minister Om Yentieng (president of Cambodian Human Rights Committee and RGC representative to ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission for Human Rights), Kerry Kennedy, CIVICUS Cambodia Theary Seng at La Residence after a nice lunch and conversation, joined by Dr. Kol Pheng (not pictured), before the afternoon launching seminar at Pannasastra University of Cambodia auditorium (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011). We were all deeply moved by His Excellency's Khmer Rouge ordeal, how he survived three executions. Senior Minister Om Yentieng, in turn, invited us to dinner at Topaz restaurant two days later, Friday, where we enjoyed a private room of great food and great conversations, joined by his two sons (Nel and Terry) and his personable personal assistant Chheang Dara and where he said that the Speak Truth To Power materials should be widely disseminated, including via his Cambodian Human Rights Committee, how his CHRC has an MOU with ADHOC (Mr. Thun Saray); he invited me to join him on future visits to prison, an offer I will accept. The Friday dinner came immediately after our one day trip to Siem Reap—with no overnight stay: Silk Farm and three temples of Ta Prom, Bayon (HE Om Yentieng's face reflect the Bayon face in this photo) and Ankor Wat. We ran late for dinner when Kerry, waiting for us, saw a Buddha wooden statue in a boutique of the Hotel Cambodiana where they were staying (as the guests of Prince Norodom Sirivudh), that was about to close, on her last night, after a 3-day search. We appreciate the understanding of Senior Minister Om Yentieng, especially as my mobile ran out of battery and we couldn't inform of our slight delay.   Students signing in for the first day launching events, the seminar, the photo exhibition at Pannasastra University of Cambodia (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  The Seminar speakers: John Heffernan, Dr. Kek Galabru, U.S. Ambassador Carol Rodley, Dr. Kol Pheng (founder of Pannasastra University and former Minister of Education), Senior Minister Om Yentieng (president of Cambodian Human Rights Committee), Kerry Kennedy, Theary Seng, Father John Visser (country representative of Don Bosco Cambodia), 23 Feb. 2011.  National anthem sung acapella by exquisite Ms. Pheun Sreypov of Cambodian Living Arts. All the local TV stations filmed the launching events which were broadcasted all day long and internationally among the Cambodian diaspora communities in Europe, the US and Australia.  Kerry Kennedy with her deeply moving personal account of her journey toward embracing human rights work, filmed by German cinematographer Marc Eberle and all the local TV stations which also air internationally (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  Senior Minister Om Yentieng who gave the Keynote Address (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  UN Special Rapporteur Surya Subedi       UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Surya Subedi generously stopped by between his myriad of meetings to give a few remarks to a packed auditorium of diplomats, senior government officials, NGO leaders, donors and students (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  U.S. Ambassador Carol Rodley and British Ambassador Andrew Mace after the seminar (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  Kerry Kennedy and Theary Seng speaking with Madam OUM Suphany, the prolific author who is an active officer of the Association of Khmer Rouge Victims in Cambodia (AKRVC). A handful of AKRVC members attended the seminar, including lauk Monysak (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  Students looking at the Photo Exhibition, reading the Khmer translation (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  The Photo Exhibition after the seminar (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  | ||
| Photo Diary of RFK Center's Speak Truth To Power launching events (Part 2) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 10:34 PM PST  Peder Pedersen (The Charitable Foundation), Nicole Sayres (deputy country representative of The Asia Foundation), Scott Neeson, Kerry Kennedy, Amy of The Asia Foundation HQ, Theary Seng, Daravuth Seng, DED Christoph Sperfeldt at a gathering after the first day launching events at my apartment (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  Kerry Kennedy and Theary Seng with the inspiration and brain behind Cambodian Living Arts: Arn Chorn Pond, Charley Todd, John Burt at the gathering after the first day seminar (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).   Charley Todd, famed cinematographer Rithy Panh, John Burt, John Heffernan, Daravuth Seng, Rob Carmichael, Nicole Sayres (Phnom Penh, 23 Feb. 2011).  Italian philanthropist Adolfo Vannucci (president of RFK Center Europe), Nico Mesterharm (owner of Meta House), Kerry Kennedy (president of Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights), Peder Pedersen (executive director of The Charitable Foundation which funds the STTP project in Cambodia), John Heffernan (director of RFK Center's STTP), Theary Seng (CIVICUS Cambodia founding president) in the small gallery of Meta House where 10-12 photos of the STTP will be featured each month from March to July, with all the 50+ photos displayed in the large gallery during the month of August 2011.   Theary Seng with Kerry Kennedy and donor of Habitat for Humanity at the star-studded performance of Speak Truth To Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark in New York City, May 2010.  Theary Seng meeting playwright Ariel Dorfman at the May 2010 performance of Speak Truth To Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark in New York City.   CIVICUS Cambodia Theary Seng thanking the Phnom Penh Players and everyone who had contributed so generously to make the 2-day launching events a success (Phnom Penh, 24 Feb. 2011).  Kerry Kennedy and Theary Seng with the Phnom Penh Players after the amazing performance (Phnom Penh, 24 Feb. 2011).   I am deeply honored to know Kerry Kennedy not only as an inspiring personality, but a genuine great person!  Italian philanthropist Adolfo Vannucci (president of RFK Center Europe and donor to Don Bosco Cambodia), chief of Public Affairs US Embassy Mark, opposition MP Mu Sochua at the play (Phnom Penh, 24 Feb. 2011).  Kerry Kennedy with my good friend Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers' Association, who had joined us earlier in the morning on a tour of Don Bosco Training School for boys near the airport and joined us after this European Union reception to inaugurate its new headquarters in Phnom Penh for dinner at La Croisette (Phnom Penh, 24 Feb. 2011). More photos and narratives at (within the next week). In the interim, visit  |
| You are subscribed to email updates from KI Media To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
