KI Media: “Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The THORN” plus 24 more

KI Media: “Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The THORN” plus 24 more

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The THORN

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:41 PM PDT

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

National Assembly To Unseat Opposition Leader

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:35 PM PDT

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 16 March 2011
"Sam Rainsy must lose all rights and privileges to membership of the National Assembly for Kampong Cham province."
The National Assembly announced Wednesday it was removing Sam Rainsy from parliament, following the decision by the Supreme Court in February to uphold criminal charges against him.

Sam Rainsy, the main opposition leader in the National Assembly, will no longer hold his representative seat there, the Assembly said in announcing a decision made Tuesday.

The February Supreme Court decision, which upheld Sam Rainsy's guilty verdict and two-year sentence for racial incitement and the destruction of markers on the Vietnamese border, effectively ended his legal bid to avoid a criminal sentence. He still faces an ongoing legal battle over a charge of disinformation, which carries a 10-year sentence.

In a directive issued Tuesday, National Assembly President Heng Samrin said the decision also meant, "Sam Rainsy must lose all rights and privileges to membership of the National Assembly for Kampong Cham province."


Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann called the move a slide in Cambodian democracy. The party will now work with the government to find a solution, he said, without elaborating.

Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, said the loss of the opposition's main party leader would damage the upcoming elections in 2012 and 2013.

The move would hurt the opposition's access to free and fair elections, he said, especially with its now ousted leader in exile.

Chea Vannath, an independent political analyst, said Wednesday Sam Rainsy's political life would be hurt in the short term, but she predicted he would eventually be allowed to return under a political solution.

Opposition Worries Japan Disaster Could Hurt Aid Money

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:28 PM PDT

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Wednesday, 16 March 2011
"In following years, I am sure it will be cut."
Opposition leaders say Japan's earthquake and tsunami woes will affect aid coming to Cambodia in future years, underscoring the importance of economic independence.

The Japanese government said this week the disaster would not affect its aid to Cambodia, signing a $94 million aid package on Tuesday.

However, following the devastating tsunami in Japan on Friday, opposition officials said Tuesday they were concerned one of Cambodia's largest donors will not be able to sustain its level of aid.

"We face difficulties exporting our goods abroad," opposition leader Sam Rainsy told VOA Khmer. "And countries that usually give much aid to this country, when they face a problem like Japan is today, they clearly reduce their assistance to us."


Japan has been one of Cambodia's largest donors, giving nearly $2 billion in aid packages since 1992. Cambodia relies on about $1 billion in aid annually to support its budget.

Kem Sokha, head of the minority oppsotion Human Rights Party, said that even if the Japanese government continued its aid for the near future, it will need to save money for its own rehabilitation after the tsunami.

"In following years, I am sure it will be cut," he said. "That's first. Secondly, relating to some goods that are imported from Japan, this can raise the prices, because Japan will stop producing them, such as some cars."

In light of the potential loss of funding, both party leaders urged the government to promote Cambodia's economic growth to move away from its dependency on aid money.

"I would say the government should consider issues of finding economic income on its own, such as beneficial investments," Kem Sokha said. "Don't [let] all the benefits go only to powerful, big businessmen. Allow much of the benefit to go to the nation, such as in effective tax collection."

Sam Rainsy said the government should follow the examples of neighboring countries that have stopped taking external assistance, "to properly prepare the economy by way of progress."

"Then we surely will not completely depend on foreign aid, like today," he said.

Hip-Hop Artist praCh Ly Joins ‘Freedom-to-Write’ Festival

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:23 PM PDT

Photo: Courtesy of Prach Ly
Im Sothearith, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Wednesday, 16 March 2011
"The truth needs to come out and journalists need to do their part, writers need to do their part, artists and musicians need to do their part."
[Editor's note: Cambodian hip-hop star Prach Ly has joined writers and playwrights at Brown University, in the US city of Providence, Rhode Island, for a three-day festival to celebrate the literature and culture of Cambodia, as well as free speech. "Khmer Voices Rising," which is sponsored by the university, will include discussions and readings with writers from Cambodia, Vietnam and the US, among other events. Prach Ly spoke with VOA Khmer by phone from Providence on Tuesday.]

What do you think about the International Freedom-to-Write Festival?

They've invited journalists and writers from all around the world. And it is important because the freedom of expression, the freedom of speech, is lacking in Cambodia and also third world countries. But this year they are concentrating on Cambodia. One of the honorees or fellows they'll honor this year is Tararith Kho.

Anywhere in the world, especially in Cambodia, writers and journalists need to express themselves, need the right to truth, and the truth needs to be told. If the people can't speak out, if you can't say a certain thing, then there's no freedom, no sense of freedom. The truth needs to come out and journalists need to do their part, writers need to do their part, artists and musicians need to do their part. So freedom of expression is very important.

Why are you interested in participating in this festival?

I was asked to be here to headline the event. I am talking on four different panels and also doing a performance on Thursday at the end of the event. Again, I was censored in Cambodia and music was censored, even been banned. So I know how important it is to speak out and let your words be heard. If with censorship you can only go so far, if you can't express your words, if the writers can't write—I consider myself a writer too—and because my lyrics and my songs are very explicit in terms of storytelling, and if they censor and they said you can't express certain thing, then I can't do what I do, you know my freedom is gone. So, I feel that it's very important to attend.

As soon as they invited me, I got on the plane and came right away. I am here now. Something like this with organizations around the world who help fighting for freedom and freedom of expression, freedom of speech, we need to keep on doing that, especially what's happening in Egypt and also the domino effect that's going on there. Everyone wants democracy; everyone wants freedom. That's where it's leading to right now. If you keep censoring people, you can't say this, you can't say that, and then you threaten them with death, and you know you threaten to kill them for exposing the truth, then you become a threat to yourself.

Unions Meet Over Worries in Draft Law

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 15 March 2011
"The current draft law is a strong restriction on the rights and freedoms in the establishment and participation of trade union activities."
Trade unions say they are concerned that a draft law under consideration by the government will be used to attack or dismantle group's that do not follow the government line.

A coalition of factory unions met Tuesday over the draft law, currently under consideration at the Ministry of Labor.

Concerns over the draft law echo similar worries by NGOs on a draft law to further regulate that sector.

Among their concerns are provisions in the draft that requires a request for registration, a list of dues-paying members or other leaders, and report requirements of an action plan to the government.

The law also allows for unions to be dissolved by court order following complaints by a third party or the government. It also allows for fines of between $500 and $2,500 and jail sentences as high as three years for union leaders in breach of regulations.


"The current draft law is a strong restriction on the rights and freedoms in the establishment and participation of trade union activities," Ath Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union, told reporters after Tuesday's meeting. "If the draft is passed without the recommendations of the trade unions, non-government unions will not have a presence in Cambodia."

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Free Trade Union, said the draft would silence union leaders and seriously restrict the rights of unions. He called the draft in contravention to the International Labor Convention and the Cambodian constitution.

Moeun Tola, an official at the Community Legal Education Center, said the draft law provides a system of permissions for trade unions and hands more power to the Ministry of Labor in approving unions.

However, Huy Han Song, undersectary of state for the Ministry of Labor, said the draft was aimed at "social harmony" and not to pressure any certain group.

Cambodia's sometimes unruly garment sector has 62 different unions, though some of those stand by government and factory owners, according to union leaders.

Playing together, eating together at [the Khmer-Thai] border

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:58 PM PDT

Soldiers from both sides meet for a hearty lunch of Cambodian beef and Thai beer.

17/03/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Under normal circumstances, Thai soldiers will refrain from accepting food or water from the Cambodians for fear of the infamous Cambodian "black magic".
The drinks led to the "confession" from many Cambodian soldiers that they did not want to fight Thai soldiers but had no choice because they were under orders from Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is Maj Gen Hun Manet's father.

An all-out war to win disputed territory is a thing of the past. These days, all skirmishes lead to negotiations.

This is true of the current spat between Thailand and Cambodia over the 4.6 sq km area of land around Preah Vihear Temple that is claimed by the both countries. The only difference is that the dispute began with armed clashes on Feb 4, followed by talks and a collapsed truce, with both sides trading accusations as to who broke the truce first.

Their armed forces, led by Thai army Chief-of-Staff Gen Dapong Rattanasuwan and Cambodia's deputy army chief Maj Gen Hun Manet, made a gentlemen's agreement at a meeting at Sa-ngam Pass in Si Sa Ket on Feb 19. But since then peace has yet to return permanently to this part of the border.

The meeting led to the end of attacks with heavy weaponry, but the sounds of rifle and grenade fire have been heard sporadically almost every day, in the strategic location of Phu Ma Khua to the west of the Hindu temple.


The Thai army claims the Cambodian troops tried to seize control of the hill and had no choice but to counter the raid. Cambodia argues that its soldiers were hit first by Thai grenades and had to fight back. The latest tense situation took place on March 4, when Thai soldiers resumed construction of a road and bridge. Cambodian troops have made clear that they are ready to fight if the road project goes to Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda.

As the defence ministers and top military leaders of the two countries will be at the same table at the General Border Committee meeting in Bogor, Indonesia on March 24-25, nobody wants to do anything to spoil the atmosphere. Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon of the Second Army Region ordered his soldiers to use a new approach to deal with their Cambodian counterparts. Thus, last Saturday a volleyball match was held at Ta Thao Pass near Preah Vihear to foster ties. It was not a match between Thailand and Cambodia, as both Thai and Cambodian soldiers were in both teams on the court, to underscore a sense of unity. After the game, the soldiers and local leaders enjoyed a hearty luncheon together, with food prepared by both sides.

"Cambodian soldiers said they killed two cows to prepare this meal, showing their appreciation for this occasion," said a Thai soldier at the event.

For the Thai side, all leaders of tambon administration organisations, district office and schools in the area were invited to take part.

On the field, this day of friendship was organised by Col Wutti Saengchak, deputy commander of the Suranaree Task Force who is the right-hand man of Lt Gen Thawatchai. The colonel worked with Lt Gen Prom Peng, who is in charge of Ta Thao Pass in Cambodia. The two main organisers ordered a company of troops from each side to meet for the first time since the fighting.

Visiting Cambodian troops told Thai soldiers that they had been ordered to drink not more than two cans of beer at most. But it turned out to be a non-stop "happy hour", starting with the volleyball at 9am followed by lunch and drinks till 2pm.

This enemy-turned-friend event lasted a lot longer than two cans of beer, with round after round of cheers and resounding applause, as the Thai side had made sure there would be an almost limitless supply of beer.

To show their good faith and sincerity, the Thai soldiers showed no hesitation in eating the beef brought by the Cambodian troops. Under normal circumstances, Thai soldiers will refrain from accepting food or water from the Cambodians for fear of the infamous Cambodian "black magic".

The drinks led to the "confession" from many Cambodian soldiers that they did not want to fight Thai soldiers but had no choice because they were under orders from Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is Maj Gen Hun Manet's father.

The get-together last Saturday was highlighted by an informal meeting which led to a new promise on the border truce, with both sides agreeing on four points:

- The commander of the respective militaries will strictly control their soldiers based at the border, to make sure that there will be no more gunfire. Any badly behaved soldier will be immediately moved out and away from the frontline.

- They will not build new structures and stop the existing project. For the Thai side, this means shelving the road project to Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda.

- The respective commanders will immediately use the hotline if any conflict takes place at the border, to prevent it from escalating.

- The soldiers will continue to nurture an atmosphere of friendship to ease border tensions ahead of GBC meetings, including the one at Phu Ma Khua.

The Thai side is confident the situation will ease ahead of the GBC meeting between Thai and Cambodian defence ministers, Prawit Wongsuwon and Teah Banh, who will thrash out details regarding the Indonesian observers to be sent to the border.

Frankly, Thai military leaders are not happy that the GBC has to be held in a third country and are not keen to attend. But they have to do so, in line with the policy of the Foreign Ministry. At least they do not want to disrupt this move.

Still, the Thai army remains on full alert at the border in Si Sa Ket, despite last Saturday's merry lunch, because the soldiers are not sure whether and for how long the gentlemen's agreement will hold.
-----------------------
Wassana Nanuam reports on military affairs for the Bangkok Post.

Sustainable growth in focus [...only among Hun Xen's cronies?]

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:48 PM PDT

Prime Minister Hun Sen addresses the Cambodia Outlook conference at the Phnom Penh Hotel Today. (Photo by: Pha Lina)
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
May Kunmakara and Tom Brennan
The Phnom Penh Post
"They do need to make sure that the benefits from growth flow through broadly ... And we're seeing in North Africa the consequences of when that doesn't happen, which is why issues like [Boeung Kak] lake, they have to deal with that in a different way ... What is happening at the lake at the moment does not reflect well on the country" - Stephen Higgins, chief executive officer of ANZ Royal Bank
Prime Minister Hun Sen today outlined the key challenges and opportunities that Cambodia faces in its pursuit of both economic growth and sustainable development, as a leading business figure highlighted the importance of tackling corruption.
The premier's comments were part of the opening address to more than 300 international development partners, nongovernmental organisations, experts, economists and businessmen at the Fifth Cambodia Outlook Conference, held at the Phnom Penh Hotel.

"We now see more clearly than ever that Cambodia is well positioned to benefit from three important opportunities," said Hun Sen, "harnessing the benefits of regional integration in our dynamic East Asian region, the management of our considerable natural resources in a sustainable way and investment in the future through agriculture, infrastructure, education and higher savings."

He added that success in dealing with the related challenges of vocational education and training, tertiary education, human resource development and labour market responsiveness, in response to the country's growing need for a skilled and educated workforce, "will also be fundamental to our success".


Stephen Higgins, chief executive officer of ANZ Royal Bank, praised Prime Minister Hun Sen's comments, calling them "very balanced".

On a more granular level, there are still many things Cambodia can do over the next 12 months to move the country toward achieving the goals laid out by Hun Sen, one expert claimed.

Putu Kamayana, country director for the Asian Development Bank, said the growth hoped for in agriculture, the garment and manufacturing industries, as well as infrastructure and telecommunications, can start by providing technical and vocational training for Cambodian workers right away.

"I would hope that by next year we will see some significant improvements in the types of training being offered and the number of training centres providing high-quality training to better address the needs of the employers," he said.

Putu Kamayana also advocated diversification in the agriculture business, investments in agriculture technology and regulation and more financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.

"A lot of things can be done in the short term to move the economy along," he said.

Higgins believes that Cambodia's business environment is "very supportive" in ways that will make attaining those goals possible, and he sees consolidation in the education, banking and telecom spaces are short-term ways to reach the conference's goals.

But the country still struggles with one important issue, he said: corruption.

Higgins pointed to a Post story in which some Singaporean investors visiting the country last week named corruption as their No 1 concern.

While the country is making strides to solve the problem, he said, more work needed to be done.

"I think the government is putting the right building blocks in place," Higgins said.

"They just really need to drive home the enforcement part."

Hun Sen did address the issue during his speech, noting that Cambodia's anti-corruption legislation and the establishment of an anti-corruption commission "sends a clear message to the nation, to investors and to the international community that we take anti-corruption measures seriously".

He did admit, though, that the Kingdom needs "to work harder, in cooperation with the private sector, to continue to … practice to a higher international standard, strengthening institutions and building the capacity of government officials to build a healthy and dynamic but well-regulated environment for businesses".

Higgins said bringing a number of high-profile corruption cases against government officials and businessmen in the private sector would show international investors that Cambodia does, in fact, take the problem seriously.

Speaking to the conference's theme of growth without sacrificing sustainability, Higgins said the present government could take a lesson from other countries struggling with civil unrest right now.

"They do need to make sure that the benefits from growth flow through broadly," he said.

"And we're seeing in North Africa the consequences of when that doesn't happen, which is why issues like [Boeung Kak] lake, they have to deal with that in a different way."

"What is happening at the lake at the moment does not reflect well on the country," he said.

Special Documentary Screening "Sentenced Home" in Philadelphia, PA

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:23 PM PDT


Time:
Sunday, March 20 · 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Location:
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA

Created By:
Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP)

More Info:

FREE FILM SCREENING! FREE EVENT!

Special Documentary Screening
"SENTENCED HOME"

This film is a gripping documentary exploration that humanizes the United States' tragically flawed immigration policy. The film follows the story of 3 Cambodian-American immigrants living in Seattle (who came as children in the early 80s, when a multitude of Cambodian refugees were given housing in the city's projects) whose teenage rebellions catch up with them in a horrific way. ~ IMDb

Special Guest Host
AZI Fellas www.TheAZI.com
Carla Pendino

Vietcongs honored by Viet Slave Hun Xen's regime for its communist propaganda in Cambodia

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:17 PM PDT


Cambodia's orders given to VOV staff

16/03/2011

(VOV) - Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) held a ceremony at its headquarters on March 16 to present the Cambodian Government's Orders to nine cadres of VOV in recognition of their contributions to Cambodia's construction.

The orders were previously handed over by Cambodia during a VOV visit to Cambodia on the occasion of inauguration of five local FM radio stations with non-refundable aid from Vietnam, said VOV General Director Vu Van Hien.

In the meetings during the trip, the Cambodian government highly appreciated the contributions made by Vietnam and VOV to Cambodia's radio sector.

Dr Hien attributed these achievements to the efforts of all officials and employees of VOV.


Hoang Minh Nguyet, a former official of VOV, said at the ceremony that the dedicated work of VOV experts in Cambodia has laid a firm foundation for bringing the Voice of Vietnam to Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries.

In the time to come, VOV will continue to help Cambodia in the radio broadcasting industry.

Previously, the Kingdom of Cambodia signed a decision to award the Legion of Honour to the General Director of VOV, Vu Van Hien.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Speaking Xmer

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:09 PM PDT

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

(VOV) - Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) held a ceremony at its headquarters on March 16 to present the Cambodian  Government's Orders to nine cadres of VOV in recognition of their contributions to Cambodia's construction.

State agencies must modernise and start communicating

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:05 PM PDT

March 16, 2011
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun
The Nation

The Thai-Cambodian disputes will not be resolved and Thailand will continue to play second fiddle to Cambodia as long as the Thai state agencies fail to work as a team and to formulate a coherent policy.

Unfortunately there is no indication that these state agencies really acknowledge such a problem. The Foreign Ministry's response ("Thailand is striving for border settlement", March 10) to my article ("Military interference hinders a settlement of border issue", March 2) clearly shows that Thai diplomats, specifically those in the News Division, completely miss the point when it comes to understanding what went wrong in the Thai-Cambodian relationship.

First, for the Foreign Ministry to say that there has been no collision between state agencies regarding Thailand's policy towards Cambodia is an unconvincing denial. Historically, Thailand often struggled to produce a unified stance vis-a-vis Cambodia. British scholar Duncan McCargo argues that, at the end of the Cold War, while the Chatichai Choonhavan government wanted to transform the battlefield in Cambodia into a marketplace, the Foreign Ministry remained wedded to the American influenced Asean orthodoxy of punishing Vietnam for invading Cambodia. The military took matters a stage further by actively supporting residual elements of the Khmer Rouge. McCargo summed up: "Three Thai government agencies, three Cambodia policies."


Today, little has changed in the foreign policy-making process. The Foreign Ministry has endorsed a "dialogue" approach and thus supported the upcoming Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee meeting, to be held from March 24-25 in Bogor, Indonesia and co-chaired by the two defence ministers. But the Thai Army let it be known that it was unhappy with Indonesia's "interference". The meeting will fail if the military keeps backtracking on its own effort to re-establish peace along the border.

Second, the conduct of Thai foreign policy toward Cambodia seriously lacks consistency. The Abhisit Vejjajiva government has insisted on dealing with the conflicts on a bilateral basis, even when it was pressured to involve Asean. The initial reluctance to consult with Asean has eroded the Thai leadership in the organisation.

While the Foreign Ministry has enthusiastically embraced the community-building process of Asean, the government bluntly rejected the regional approach. This has unveiled the hypocritical nature of Thailand's foreign policy, particularly towards Asean.

Third, the Foreign Ministry's measurement of its diplomatic success is shockingly outdated. It said that "last year, the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers met four times, and that this year Foreign Minister Kasit Priomya was still in Phnom Penh when the armed clashes took place on February 4, just having concluded a successful and cordial meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Siem Reap. Even after the clashes, Deputy Prime Minister Trirong Suwankiri visited Cambodia on February 17 and called on Prime Minister Hun Sen."

Have numerous exchanges of visits between the two sides helped minimise the bilateral conflicts? Obviously not. If anything, they demonstrate that the two countries continue to speak "different languages" to each other, and that the numerous visits have produced nothing substantial. The fact that Kasit was in Siem Reap when the armed clashes occurred simply confirms a lack of communication between the Thai Foreign Ministry and the military. And if the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation was so successful, as claimed by the Foreign Ministry, then why did the two armies fire artillery into each other's territories on that day?

It is therefore naive to believe that exchanges of visits are symbols of healthy relations. Indeed, it would have been perfectly all right for Thailand to admit that its ties with Cambodia have worsened. At least, the Foreign Ministry should have the guts to tell the truth.

Fourth, the operational mode inside the Foreign Ministry is still largely top-down, and this has restricted creativity. As a result, it has helped to maintain the parochial worldview of some of its members. It is known that Thai diplomats are protective of their "foreign policy turf" and more than willing to discredit those who possess different views on foreign policy issues.

The report on some Thai soldiers wanting to express their frustration with the government by shooting into the Preah Vihear Temple was not based on "hearsay" but an account of those who actually fought in the "war zone". Some of these soldiers accused the Foreign Ministry of knowing nothing on the ground, yet continuing to formulate unrealistic foreign policy from its comfortable office in Bangkok.

Lastly, the practice of using an obsolete "template" in explaining the Thai position in any crisis must be abolished, plainly because it delivers false and even conflicting messages to the public. This template normally includes dream-like statements such as: the forever amicable relations between Thailand and country A; the absence of any conflict between Thailand and country A; Thailand and country A working tirelessly to solve the existing problem; Thailand having a successful working relationship with country A, and so on.

The advice here is that the Foreign Ministry must leave its fantasy land and come back to the world of reality as part of rebuilding its reputation as one of Thailand's most respected state agencies. The world has changed and the Thais are no longer stupid. They have learned more about global politics and become well-versed in foreign affairs. Making untrue and overly simplified statements will only reveal snobbishness on the part of the Foreign Ministry.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a former diplomat, is a visiting lecturer at the Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore.

Announcing the Voice of Khmer Nationalist website

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 01:56 PM PDT


The Voice of Khmer Nationalist now has its own website home at:

Who's Afraid of Sam Rainsy?

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 10:14 AM PDT


Khniom, pi p'ruoh khniom l'gnuong, khu'out chlart.

I spik Englih now, 'kay?

Mi, Heng (but not so lucky sometime, he-he. I make funny joke).

Because am ignorant fool and he very smart.

Who's Afraid of Sam Rainsy?

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 10:02 AM PDT


Moi, aussi. Parce que, je suis Svar.

Who's Afraid of Sam Rainsy?

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:37 AM PDT

Ahgn! Because I am a Khmer Rouge Hor.

Who's Afraid of Sam Rainsy?

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:20 AM PDT

Moi, je suis DICK-ta-teur.

Khmer Ruob Ruom Khnea - Khmer Ruos - "United, We Stand": Poem in Khmer by Khmer Sachak

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:43 AM PDT

Seen in Phnom Penh...

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:40 AM PDT

Click on each photo to zoom in 
(Photos Credit: Lim Pealy)

World Cambodia sets age limit for foreign husbands

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:12 AM PDT

16 March 2011
AFP

Foreigners who earn less than $2,580 per month are also barred from wedding local women.

MALE foreigners over the age of 50 have been outlawed from marrying Cambodian women in the country under new rules designed to crack down on sham marriages and human trafficking, the government said today.

Foreigners who earn less than $2,580 per month are also barred from wedding local women, foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong told AFP, but the restrictions do not apply to weddings taking place overseas.

Marriages between old men and young women are "inappropriate", Koy Kuong said, and foreign men who wish to marry nationals must earn a high salary to ensure that "Cambodian women can live a decent life".

"We are preventing fake marriages and human trafficking," he said, adding that the government was aware of cases, documented by rights groups, where Cambodian women were sent into prostitution or "used as slaves" in their husband's home country.


The Cambodian foreign ministry has sent a diplomatic note to all the embassies and consulates in the country informing them of the new regulations, which came into effect on March 1.

Kek Galabru, president of local human rights group Licadho, praised the government's intention to protect Cambodian brides.

But she said the new guidelines "go against Cambodian marriage law and international law" - specifically the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

"This is discrimination against women because they will not be allowed to marry men who are over 50 ... while Cambodian men can marry any foreign woman they choose," she said.

Cambodia imposed a temporary ban on foreign marriages in 2008 to prevent human trafficking, amid concern over a sharp rise in the number of brokered unions involving South Korean men and poor Cambodian women.

That ban followed an International Organisation for Migration report that said many Cambodian brides suffered abuse after moving to South Korea in marriages hastily arranged by brokers who made large profits.

The restriction was lifted about eight months later after new laws were introduced to prevent women becoming mail-order brides.

CCHR Comment to Media - Blurred separation of powers serves the political objectives of the executive (in Khmer)

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:03 AM PDT

Dear all

Please find attached the Khmer language version of the Media Comment by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights titled "Blurred separation of powers serves the political objectives of the executive".

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.

CCHR Media Comment - Blurred Separation of Powers Serves the Political Objectives of the Executive (KHM)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/50865977/CCHR-Media-Comment-Blurred-Separation-of-Powers-Serves-the-Political-Objectives-of-the-Executive-KHM

Rainsy stripped of MP status

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:58 AM PDT

Sam Rainsy speaking to journalist during the press conference at SRP head office in 2009. (Photo by: Sovan Philong)
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
"What gives them a headache, what makes them worried? It is only Sam Rainsy."
Embattled opposition leader Sam Rainsy's position in the National Assembly has been terminated following a string of losses in his long-running legal saga.

In a proclamation dated Tuesday, National Assembly President Heng Samrin said Sam Rainsy's criminal convictions had rendered him ineligible to serve as a lawmaker based on the Kingdom's Law on the Status of Parliamentarians.

"His Excellency Sam Rainsy has completely lost his rights, prerogatives and membership as a parliamentarian of Kampong Cham provincial constituency in the fourth legislative mandate," the proclamation states.

"This proclamation has judicial power from the day of signature onward."


Sam Rainsy, president of the eponymous party, has lived in exile since 2009 to avoid prosecution in connection with a protest he staged in October that year in Svay Rieng province against alleged Vietnamese land encroachment.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld his convictions for incitement and destruction of public property, for which he has been sentenced to two years in prison.

He was sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison in September for disinformation and falsifying public documents in connection with evidence he publicised from abroad to vindicate his border claims.

Speaking by phone from France, Sam Rainsy said he was untroubled by the proclamation and was confident he had the support of legal experts and the international community.

"This shows that power in Cambodia is becoming more and more absolute and more and more illegal," he said.

Despite this grim assessment, however, the opposition leader said he would continue to lead the SRP and predicted that he would be able to return to the Kingdom for the upcoming national elections in 2012 and 2013 via a compromise with the ruling Cambodian People's Party.

"We are not panicking," he said, adding that the continued attempts to silence him "show the weakness of the CPP".

"They are afraid of Sam Rainsy," he said.

"What gives them a headache, what makes them worried? It is only Sam Rainsy."

In a statement issued today, Cambodian Centre for Human Rights president Ou Virak said Sam Rainsy's case "shows how the judiciary and legislature serve the political objectives of the executive".

"The National Assembly lifted Sam Rainsy's parliamentary immunity in apparent disregard for the constitutional guarantee that immunity will not be removed for opinions expressed in the exercise of one's duties as a parliamentarian," Ou Virak said.

"The judiciary showed an equal disregard for his fair trial rights and convicted him on highly politicised charges without sufficient evidence."

In a speech earlier this year, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced his intention to "make the opposition group die".

Cambodia recruitment firm 'detained staff illegally'

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:52 AM PDT

Heng Hak broke both her legs after she jumped off from the 3rd floor of the T&P facility (Photo: Provided)
16 March 2011
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh

Cambodians often seek work abroad due to low and limited options at home

Cambodian police have asked prosecutors to charge a recruitment company with illegally detaining its staff.

The firm has been under investigation since one woman died and another was hurt at its training centre this month.

T&P's lawyer has denied the company has done anything wrong and says its training programmes comply with Cambodia's labour laws.

It is one of a growing number of firms which are training Cambodians to work overseas - often as domestic staff.

The T&P company is facing serious allegations.


One young woman was so desperate to escape its facility in Phnom Penh that she jumped from a window, breaking both her legs.

She has since said that she was not allowed to leave the centre at any time.

Days later, a woman in her 30s died from a suspected heart attack.

Her husband has complained that she had been feeling sick for days - but the company had not allowed her to leave.

Other staff have alleged that they have not been allowed to leave the training facility to visit their families.

Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about other labour brokers.

T&P is one of a growing number of companies which recruit and train Cambodians to work overseas.

It is an attractive option to many young people - around a quarter of a million of them come onto the job market each year - and the options at home are limited.

Migrant workers send back a total of more than $300m (£186m) a year to their families.

But some complain about poor treatment on their return.

Woman jumped off 3 floors to try to escape from T&P recruitment agency "imprisonment"

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:26 AM PDT

The following photos show Ms. Heng Hak who jumped off the 3rd floor of the T&P recruitment agency. She is visited daily at the hospital to make sure that the T&P company does not move her out of the Kossamak hospital as they had planned last week. SRP MP Mu Sochua's phone call to T&P stopped their plan and with cooperation from the hospital she remains there but with no family members to assist her.

Cambodia opposition leader loses parliamentary seat

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:16 AM PDT

3/16/2011
AFP

Cambodia's opposition leader has been stripped of his role as a member of parliament after exhausting his appeals against a prison sentence, according to a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday.

Sam Rainsy was last year handed a two-year jail term in absentia for inciting racial discrimination and uprooting border markings with neighbouring Vietnam in a 2009 incident, a case his lawyer said was politically motivated.

The outspoken politician, who lives in self-imposed exile in France, lost his final appeal against the sentence when Cambodia's Supreme Court upheld the verdict earlier this month.

Citing the country's constitution, election laws and the Supreme Court's decision, the National Assembly announced in a statement dated March 15 that Sam Rainsy "loses his rights, privileges and membership as member of parliament... for the fourth mandate."

Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party, slammed the decision by a parliament dominated by MPs from the ruling Cambodian People's Party.

"We will not recognise the politically motivated decision by the parliament which violates the principle of democracy and human rights," he said.

"They want to... keep Sam Rainsy out of politics."


The Cambodian Center for Human Rights expressed disappointment over the move, which it said showed "how the judiciary and legislature serve the political objectives of the executive".

"The removal of his membership of the National Assembly comes as little surprise and the executive is one step closer to its stated goal of 'making the opposition die'," said the group's president Ou Virak.

Sam Rainsy now faces a total of 12 years in prison if he returns to Cambodia, after a court late last year also sentenced him to 10 years for publishing a false map of the border with Vietnam in a separate case.

The Sam Rainsy Party and rights groups have in the past said the convictions were an attempt to keep Sam Rainsy from taking part in Cambodia's national election in 2013.

He is the main rival to Prime Minister Hun Sen, 59, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985 and has vowed to remain in power until he is 90 years old.

Cambodian parliament expels opposition leader

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:03 AM PDT

Mar 16, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's parliament has expelled the leader of the opposition, Sam Rainsy, two weeks after the Supreme Court upheld a jail term against him for uprooting markers along the Vietnamese border.

Veteran opposition politician Son Chhay said parliament's permanent standing committee, which is comprised of lawmakers from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), had issued the decision.

Son Chhay said previous expulsions of parliamentarians who fell foul of the ruling party had been resolved through political compromise.

'But the situation today is different - the CPP controls all state institutions and it seems they are moving the country back to the authoritarian system which requires no need to compromise,' he said.


Son Chhay said the standing committee's decision could not be appealed, adding that the only hope was to petition the king.

Sam Rainsy, who heads the Sam Rainsy Party, which is the largest opposition party, currently lives in self-imposed exile in France.

Earlier this month the Supreme Court upheld a two-year sentence against Sam Rainsy in a case over border posts that demarcate the country's boundary with Vietnam. Last year he was convicted by a lower court of racial incitement and damaging public property after he uprooted several markers.

The incident riled Hanoi, which is a close ally of Prime Minister Hun Sen's government. Vietnam has significant interests in agribusiness, aviation, telecommunications and banking in Cambodia.

The SRP had charged that land rights of Cambodian farmers in the area were not being respected by an ongoing demarcation process along the 1,270-kilometre border, which is scheduled to be completed by 2012.

The opposition claims the case against Sam Rainsy was political in a bid to keep him out of the country ahead of local elections in 2012 and a general election the following year.

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