KI Media: “Message to Boeung Kak Lake residents from an Anonymous Reader” plus 24 more |
- Message to Boeung Kak Lake residents from an Anonymous Reader
- Kasit slams Hun Sen for 'interfering'
- [Thai] Troops adjusted but yet to be withdrawn: Yutthasak
- Lake Villagers Arm Themselves Against Evictions [-The start of Hun Xen's predicted "land revolution"?]
- Infrastructure and Education, Thaksin Advises
- Building Boom Causes Asian Sand Smugglers to Expand
- Thai Politicians Woo Rice Grower Votes With Lucrative Subsidies
- Geneva Rally for the anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia - 1991-2011
- Topmost Nat. Ass. “Power Sign” Class Medal for Vietcong Nat. Ass. Nguyen Sinh Hung
- Medal to honor his SIAMESE friends from Bangkok ... Eviction for the KHMERs in Boeung Kak
- SRP-Europe's Declaration on Boeung Kak Case
- Kingdom of Wonder: Development ... to live under makeshift tents?
- New film for Amnesty International: Foreced eviction of farmers in Chi Kreng, Siem Reap
- Cambodia urged to halt Boeung Kak Lake forced evictions in Phnom Penh
- The Cause of Progress [in the Kingdom of Wonder] - Film Trailer
- Aphivoat?
- Beoung Kak Lake: House destruction without warning [-Shukaku's Jungle Law with Hun Xen's connivence!!!]
- Cambodian NGOs under the gun
- Asian Development Bank denies requesting action against NGOs
- Requesting your joint monitoring
- Kasit: Hun Sen's meddling cause for concern
- គណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី ចាត់ទុកក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូ អ៊ិន ជាសត្រូវនៃប្រជារាស្ត្រខ្មែរ
- Prayers for retribution at lakeside - អ្នកបឹងកក់ដាក់បណ្តាសា [-Curse on Lao Meng Khin's Shukaku Inc.]
- Road block jams link to Kratie
- SRP activist charged over protest
| Message to Boeung Kak Lake residents from an Anonymous Reader Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:23 PM PDT
If somebody tries to help you such as Suong Sophorn and got beaten by the brainless police, you don't stand still and watch. You must do with whatever you can to stop these brainless police. When you fiercely fight back, these stupid police will think twice before they initiate violence against you next time. The same perception should apply to the expansionist YiekCongs too. You got to believe these animals (police) are afraid of dying like you too. Stop standing still, stop crying and stop begging people to help you. Everything has price, and it costs something to get it. The helper like our hero Suong Sophorn has only one life to live like you too. Don't let him die in vain. We need collective efforts to successfully defend our right. Stop acting chicken Khmer people !!  | ||||||
| Kasit slams Hun Sen for 'interfering' Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:16 PM PDT 'Stay out of Thai politics', says shadow minister 20/09/2011 Bangkok Post Shadow foreign minister Kasit Piromya has criticised Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for interfering in Thai politics. Mr Kasit said yesterday the Democrat Party was "very concerned" that Hun Sen was interfering in Thai politics. Mr Kasit said the premier took sides with the Pheu Thai Party, its de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) but he "was antagonistic towards the Democrat Party". Mr Kasit was speaking when Thaksin was in Phnom Penh to give lectures on economics to Cambodian parliamentarians and businessmen. Thaksin arrived in the Cambodian capital last Friday and is expected to stay there for the next several days to play football with Hun Sen on Saturday. Pheu Thai MPs who will join the football team are expected to meet with Thaksin on Friday in Phnom Penh. Thaksin is still on the run from a two-year prison sentence handed down by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in 2008 for abuse of authority in helping his former wife Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra buy a plot of land on Ratchadapisek Road when he was prime minister. Mr Kasit, the former foreign minister in the previous government, challenged Hun Sen to arrest Thaksin and other convicted red shirt leaders such as Arisman Pongruangrong and send them back to Thailand to stand trial. He said many red shirt leaders charged with staging riots in Bangkok last May were believed to have taken refuge in Cambodia with the help of Hun Sen. "Hun Sen is giving refuge to these people. It means that Hun Sen does not respect Thai law," Mr Kasit said. "We have never done what Hun Sen is doing. [When the Democrat Party became the government] we did not allow [Cambodia's opposition leader] Sam Rainsy to come to Thailand [to use it as a base to attack Hun Sen]." Mr Kasit said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen should not think that Thailand only belonged to the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin or Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. "In fact it belongs to all Thais," he said. "We are not interfering in Cambodia. But Hun Sen has interfered in Thai politics for a long time." Mr Kasit said everything should be done in accordance with international law and the Constitution of both countries. So the two governments must serve their people. They must not serve a particular person. To help promote Thai-Cambodian relations and better understanding between the people of the two countries, Mr Kasit said the two governments should not be obsessed with the past. He said what they should do is to help write a true chapter of the history under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). "We have to rewrite the Thai-Cambodian history [books]. We have to stop keeping on teaching our children to dislike one another just because of politics. "Now we are going to have the Asean Community [in 2015]. So we must rewrite history textbooks, not teach children to hate one another but to understand one another." Meanwhile Defence Minister GenYutthasak Sasiprapa denied some media reports that the 2nd Region Army had withdrawn its troops from the Thai-Cambodian border next to Preah Vihear temple. "We only refreshed the troops so as to reduce depression and anxiety in our soldiers," Gen Yutthasak said. He said troop withdrawal can only be approved by the government. Gen Yutthasak said he would travel to meet with Hun Sen and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh on Thursday and would use the opportunity to discuss a plan to host the next General Border Committee. He said his visit to Cambodia would not involve maritime benefits between the two countries.  | ||||||
| [Thai] Troops adjusted but yet to be withdrawn: Yutthasak Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:12 PM PDT September 20, 2011 The Nation The Thai military has adjusted its troops in border areas near Preah Vihear Temple, but they have not withdrawn in accordance with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s order, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said yesterday. Redeployment of troops over recent weeks was a normal rotation of armed forces to enable military personnel who stayed for a long time on the border to get a chance to relax, the minister said. Some equipment and weapons also needed maintenance, he said. Withdrawing troops in accordance with the ICJ's injunction would require an order from the government, he said. "So far, the government has not yet given an order to withdraw our troops from the border area," Yutthasak said. The minister gave the explanation after news reports suggested Thailand had withdrawn troops from areas near the disputed area after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reached an agreement with her Cambodian leader Hun Sen to comply with the ICJ's order. The court ordered Thailand and Cambodia in July to withdraw military personnel from a ICJ-determined demilitarised zone near Preah Vihear, pending an interpretation of the 1962 judgement. Yutthasak said he would have an informal meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh when he visits Phnom Penh on Friday. In fact, the matter should be discussed in the General Border Committee (GBC) which is co-chaired by defence ministers of the two countries, but the GBC had yet to be convened. "The GBC requires a Cabinet decision but the previous government did not make any decision, so we have to have some negotiation framework from the government first," he said. "Perhaps, some issues also need to be passed by the Parliament." Yutthasak said he would talk with Tea Banh on preparations for a GBC meeting, pending for backing from the Thai Cabinet. "What I have to do is to create a good atmosphere between the two countries to restore peace for people along the border. "As far as I know, Cambodia has already withdrawn 1,000 troops and equipment from the area but we cannot do the same yet as we have a little bit longer internal legal procedures than Cambodia. When the GBC is ready and the government approves, we will do it immediately to improve and develop relations," he said. Relations with Cambodia have been in the spotlight since an official introductory visit by Prime Minister Yingluck last week, which was followed by a visit by her brother, the fugitive former PM. Thaksin gave a lecture on economics at a conference in Phnom Penh yesterday. He suggested countries in Asia boost consumption to spur growth.  | ||||||
| Posted: 19 Sep 2011 05:05 PM PDT
Monday, 19 September 2011 Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Villagers at the Boeung Kak lake development who clashed with police over the weekend said Monday they will continue to protest the loss of their land at the lakeside development until they are granted titles at the contentious site. The clashes erupted on Friday, when excavators, protected by riot police, began tearing down the homes of a handful of residents. At least one youth activist for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party was beaten by police in the ensuing scuffle, party officials said, as the machines tore down eight homes to make way for a commercial and residential development. Residents said Monday they received no warnings of the eviction and that houses were destroyed with their possessions inside. Some residents said they are now preparing to defend the other homes in the village from a similar fate. Phan Chheang Reth, 54, said villagers were gathering rocks, clubs and knives to defend their homes. Two dozen families in the area say they were left out of a land deal pushed last month by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who had sought a resolution to the long standing dispute between villagers who refused to take buyouts or other deals from Shukaku, Inc., a development firm that hopes to build up 133-hectares of filled-in lake property. Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema could not be reached for comment Monday, but he told VOA Khmer last week that the city was not issuing land titles to some families on the lakeside. They would seek to compensate them instead, he said. The deal, which will set aside plots of land for nearly 800 families, came amid warnings from the World Bank that it would freeze funding to Cambodia if the dispute was not resolved. But Friday's clashes underscored how that deal has failed at least some villagers. Phan Chheang Reth said she was devising an alarm system, whereby she will bang on an iron pot to warn fellow villagers if police approach. "I will sacrifice my life if authorities try to demolish our houses again," she said. Chheng Lep, a 45-year-old resident of Village 22, said eight houses were destroyed Friday. She said authorities had acted "crueler than the Pol Pot regime."  | ||||||
| Infrastructure and Education, Thaksin Advises Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:55 PM PDT
Monday, 19 September 2011Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Thailand's exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Monday he saw potential in Cambodia's economic growth, which has buoyed in 2011 following recovery with garments and tourism. Thaksin said in a lecture at the Asian Economic Forum, held at the Council of Ministers' building, that Cambodia had shown strong growth compared to the region. His talk at the forum was part of a nearly weeklong trip, which included a meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen, economists and other economic officials on Saturday. Thaksin, who was ousted from Thailand in a bloodless coup in 2006, recommended Cambodia bolster state spending on infrastructure and education, as well as modernizing its financial system. The Asian Development Bank said last week Cambodia's growth rate will likely reach 6.8 percent this year. Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association, said Cambodia has potential for even more growth, perhaps 10 percent, but that the country needs to "work hard." "The leaders of the Kingdom of Cambodia will be encouraged by Thaksin's speech," he said. However, Son Chhay, a lawmaker for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said Monday that Cambodia, which exports about $2 billion in goods abroad, only exports only $50 million in goods to Thailand, with which it has a large deficit. "Be careful what Thai political veterans say about Cambodia's economic situation," he said. "We can suppose that in such a speech [Thaksin] is flattering us to gain a benefit from us." Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party, said Thaksin may also be focused on developing petroleum resources on the coast. Thaksin's speech was flattering of Cambodia, Kem Sokha said, "to provide opportunity for him."  | ||||||
| Building Boom Causes Asian Sand Smugglers to Expand Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:32 PM PDT
Monday, 19 September 2011 Luke Hunt, VOA | Kuala Lumpur "I have seen houses perched along the bankside, just waiting to sink into the rivers." Singapore's decades-long effort to reclaim land from the ocean has expanded the nation's coastline and fueled its building boom. But it has also depleted its supply of sand. In recent years, the massive sand shortage has been worsened by export bans by neighboring countries, driving up the price and encouraging the smuggling of useable land-fill. It used to be that sand dredgers had only to travel to nearby Indonesia to get sand for use in Singapore construction projects. But the Indonesian government banned exports after activists and locals complained about disappearing islands and ruined riverbeds. Vietnam and Malaysia have enacted similar curbs on the practice. In Cambodia, officials have curtailed dredging and suspended sales as they assess the environmental damage caused by sand mining. Environmentalists say this is forcing miners to search elsewhere in the region and driving the practice of sand smuggling in the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Burma. George Boden is a campaigner for the London-based environmental group Global Witness, which reported on sand mining in Cambodia earlier this year. "In fact some of the sand trade has also moved on from Cambodia, and Burma has now become a major source. And it's our understanding - and for sand it's quite possible - that Singapore is also looking beyond Cambodia for other countries in the region to fulfill its needs," he said. Singapore has expanded its physical borders by 22 percent over the past half century by filling in the surrounding sea with sand. Analysts say new reclamation projects will require enormous quantities of sea-sand. The tiny island-state also needs salt-free river sand for construction. Gavin Greenwood is a security analyst for the Hong Kong-based firm Allan & Associates and has followed this issue for many years. He says that demand is proving lucrative for nearby countries. "Freshwater sand is far superior for construction purposes than sea sand, simply because sea sand is, by its nature, with the salt in it ... highly corrosive. And to make it usable for construction you should have to wash it to get as much of the salt out as possible," he said. "Much of the reclamation in, shall we say, Singapore will be supporting large buildings with a huge amount of piling which is concrete, steel and so forth. So if you can get river sand or earth or crushed rock or a combination of all three, you're saving yourself a great deal of money and future problems." Government bans in nearby countries have complicated life for Singapore builders. The government requires sand to be authorized with the correct paperwork, signifying it was legally obtained. Companies such as Rangoon-based Bholat General Services and Philippine operator Mecca MFG tout themselves openly on the Internet, offering customers access to large quantities of sand that have been approved by the Singapore government. Other companies offering sand from Burma include Bangkok International and Myanmar Asia Glory Trading. A spokesman for Asia Glory said river sand was being mined from the Salween and Irrawaddy rivers. The spokesman said while operations have been halted during the rainy season, sand mining and exports would resume in November. A Mecca MFG spokesman said there are three large areas in the Philippines suitable for sand mining - primarily around Mount Pinatubo in Luzon, where clean river sand is available in abundance. Similar offers for sand are made by Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese companies. Environmentalists say the practice causes widespread ecological damage to rivers, depletes fish stocks and substantially reduces the livelihoods of villagers who lead a subsistence lifestyle. The money involved also makes regulation difficult. In Cambodia, some companies have flouted a government suspension of dredging. Activists claim that smuggling continues despite government bans in Indonesia, as well as in the east Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo. S.M. Murthu is a council member of the Malaysian Nature Society and an adviser to the Environmental Protection Association in Sabah. He says the smuggling of sand into Singapore is continuing from around Southeast Asia, where laws are not enforced due to corruption. "Smuggling is with the knowledge of certain authorities because nowadays ... in Southeast Asia, everything has a price. It's illegal, so there are certain people who are paid to keep their eyes shut. They solve the problem that way," he noted. A year ago, 34 Malaysian civil servants were arrested for accepting bribes and sexual favors in relation to illicit sand sales. At that time, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad claimed up to 700 trucks a day were loaded with sand which was then smuggled across the border into Singapore. Muthu says that brisk smuggling pace continues today. He says he has previously investigated complaints of illegal sand mining that resulted in villages being swept away, only to be told by Malaysian authorities this was not the case. "I have seen houses already in the water. I have seen houses perched along the bankside, just waiting to sink into the rivers. It's quite bad because these people do not care," Muthu said. "We have laws, but they are only on paper; in terms of practical enforcement it's almost nil. They are all political statements at the end of the day. They just give into those who are looking for cheap sand." George Boden's report for Global Witness prompted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to suspend dredging while his government assessed the ecological damage to the Tatai River. However, fishermen still complain that sand mining has not ceased. Boden wants international donors, who contribute heavily to the country's annual budget, to pressure the Cambodian government to act against smugglers and illegal dredging. "Certainly some dredging is still taking place and that really falls far short of the recommendations that we made in our report. Things we were really calling for is a proper regulatory environment, transparency over how the resources are allocated and the revenue that is collected," Boden stated. "And also proper environmental and social safeguards to ensure that the dredging is carried out in such a way that it is not massively damaging." Singapore's land reclamation also has broader political ramifications because the trade in sand antagonizes relations between Singapore and its neighbors. Indonesia and Malaysia fear constant land reclamation means Singapore is now encroaching into their territorial waters. Security analyst Greenwood is urging Singapore to protect its reputation in Southeast Asian as an environmental role model, by enacting stronger safeguards against the illegal mining. "Singapore's contention is that it's legal from its end because it requires various certification and so forth from the various countries it buys from. The real problem is how valid would those certifications be in a broader legal context, and how damaging this whole thing is to Singapore from a diplomatic and reputational position and context," Greenwood said. "Singapore is very defensive and protective of its reputation as a serious country with rule of law and a strong environmental record." Singapore plans to add tens of square kilometers of additional land to its borders in the next 20 years. That growth will maintain a strong demand for sand imports and could threaten more areas of Southeast Asia where weak regulation and official corruption allow damaging mining to continue.  | ||||||
| Thai Politicians Woo Rice Grower Votes With Lucrative Subsidies Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:26 PM PDT
Monday, 19 September 2011 Ron Corben, VOA | Bangkok
Thailand's rice industry is a global powerhouse that leads the world in exports, with about 10 million tons expected to be sold abroad this year. The industry employs millions of workers across the country and both major political parties are competing for their votes. Analysts say some of the lucrative offers being discussed by politicians could actually reduce the country's massive exports. Winning over voters As politicians campaign for Thailand's July 3 general election, the major political parties are offering income guarantees and sharply higher rice prices in a bid to win over the vote in the country's large rural community. Thailand's central and northern plains grow much of the country's annual rice export haul worth more than $5 billion each year. Political analysts say the region is also politically important because most of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives lie in rural areas, especially in the central and northeastern regions. In recent months some rice farmers have lobbied for more generous government subsidies. The current system run by the governing Democrat Party provides a guaranteed income of about 10,000 baht or $330 per ton for rice, depending on the type grown. If market prices fall below that mark, then registered farmers are paid the shortfall directly to their accounts. Economists say this two-year-old system assists more than five million households, especially smaller farming operators in the poorer regions of the country. The rice insurance scheme replaced a previous plan that had the government directly buy and store the rice in huge warehouses. Critics of the current scheme say that the warehoused rice allowed the government to better control market prices. The opposition Puea Thai Party is pledging to revive that system and pay farmers 15,000 baht per ton or $496. Open to corruption Viroj NaRanong, an analyst with the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) says the Puea Thai Party's "price pledging program" may be open to corruption. "The major problem is that the government itself doesn't have enough budget to provide to all the farmers who want it. So usually the money goes to provinces that have good connections with the politician who run the ministry of agriculture. This measure has been undertaken for a very long time and it always is very corruption prone," said Viroj NaRanong. The Puea Thai Party is led by Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted from power in a coup in 2006. Analysts see the election as an opportunity for Thaksin to return to Thailand and try to be cleared of corruption charges. While the election is expected to be closely fought, Thaksin's party is leading in recent opinions polls and rice traders say that market prices have already started to rise in anticipation of a Puea Thai victory. Subsidy benefits Vichai Sriprasert, president of exporter, Riceland International Ltd and board member of the country's powerful Thai Rice Exporters Association, backs the current government's income support scheme. "I say that the income support should be better. And I think the small farmers, particularly in the north east now they have their own account. The government pays them the difference between the target price and the actual market price - they get the actual cash in their bank account and lot of farmers benefit from this," said Vichai Sriprasert. Vichai says the Puea Thai's pledging scheme benefits larger rice farms on the central plains where they plant up to three crops a year. The scheme could also drive rice prices higher, making them less competitive with exports from neighboring Vietnam. Members of the Rice Exports's Association say it could cause exports to plummet and let vast rice reserves spoil in the government's poorly-managed warehouse system.  | ||||||
| Geneva Rally for the anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia - 1991-2011 Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:14 PM PDT  What: Mass Demonstration for the Safeguard of Cambodia during the 20th Anniversary of the 1991 Peace Agreements on Cambodia When: 21 October 2011 Where: Geneva, Switzerland Information: (Tel) +33 6 32 58 12 97  | ||||||
| Topmost Nat. Ass. “Power Sign” Class Medal for Vietcong Nat. Ass. Nguyen Sinh Hung Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:03 PM PDT
By Seng Phalleap DAP-new Translated from Khmer by Soy
Phnom Penh – On 16 September 2011, Heng Samrin, the president of the Xmer Nat. Ass. (National Assembly), pinned the topmost "Power Sign" class medal to Nguyen Sinh Hung, the president of the Viet Nat. Ass., who was actively participating in the strengthening and the pushing of the good cooperation in all fields with Cambodia in the past up to now. During the handing of the "Power Sign" medal, Cheam Yeap, the CPP chairman of the economy, finance and banking committee of the Xmer Nat Ass, declared that the Vietcong Nat. Ass. president actively participated in the strengthening of the cooperation with Cambodia. It is due to the above fact that the permanent committee of the Xmer Nat. Ass. decided to grant him the topmost medal by the Xmer Nat. Ass., the "Power Sign" medal, to Nguyen Sinh Hung, the Vietcong president of the WC Nat. Ass. At the same time, Nguyen Sinh Hung promised to "his work with utmost effort, and he will continue to push for good common relationships, as well as the cooperation in all fields between Cambodia and Vietnam, in particular in regards to close and strong cooperation between the Nat. Ass. from the two countries. ----------- ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា កម្ពុជា បំពាក់គ្រឿង ឥស្សរិយយស ថ្នាក់សញ្ញាបារមី ខ្ពស់បំផុត ជូនដល់ ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា វៀតណាម Friday, 16 September 2011 ដោយ៖ សេង ផល្លាភ DAP-New ភ្នំពេញ ៖ ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភាកម្ពុជាសម្តេច ហេង សំរិន នៅថ្ងៃទី១៦ ខែកញ្ញា នេះ បានបំពាក់គ្រឿង ឥស្សរិយយសសញ្ញាបារមីខ្ពស់បំផុតជូនដល់ ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភាវៀតណាមលោក ង្វៀន ស៊ីញ ហ៊ុង ដែលបានចូលរួម យ៉ាងសកម្មក្នុងការពង្រឹង និងជំរុញកិច្ចសហប្រតិបត្តិការ យ៉ាងល្អប្រសើរ លើ គ្រប់វិស័យនៅព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា កន្លងមកនេះ។ ថ្លែងក្នុងពិធីបំពាក់គ្រឿងឥស្សរិយយសសញ្ញាបារមីប្រធាន គណៈកម្មការសេដ្ឋកិច្ច ហិរញ្ញវត្ថុ និងធនាគារ របស់រដ្ឋសភាលោក ជាម យៀប បានថ្លែងថា ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភាវៀតណាមបានរួមចំណែកយ៉ាងសកម្មក្នុងការពង្រឹងកិច្ចសហប្រតិបត្តិការ ជាមួយប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ដោយយោងទៅលើមូល បទទាំងនេះហើយ ទើបគណៈកម្មាធិការអចិន្រ្តៃយ៍ នៃរដ្ឋសភាកម្ពុជា បានសម្រេចផ្តល់ជូននូវគ្រឿងឥស្សរិយយសខ្ពស់បំផុតរបស់រដ្ឋសភា ថ្នាក់សញ្ញាបារមីជូនដល់លោក ង្វៀន ស៊ីញ ហ៊ុង ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា នៃសាធារណៈរដ្ឋសង្គនិយមវៀតណាម។ លោកបន្តថា"រដ្ឋសភាកម្ពុជាបានសម្រេចផ្តល់ជូនគ្រឿងឥស្សរិយយស ដោយយោងតាមរដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញនៃព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជានៃឆ្នាំ១៩៩៣ "។ ជាមួយគ្នានេះប្រធានរដ្ឋសភាវៀតណាមលោក ង្វៀន ស៊ីញ ហ៊ុង ក៏បានប្តេជ្ញាថា "នឹងបំពេញការងាររបស់ខ្លួនឲ្យអស់ពីចិត្តពីថ្លើម នឹងបន្តជំរុញបន្ថែមទៀត នូវទំនាក់ទំនងល្អរួម ទាំងកិច្ចសហប្រតិ បត្តិការលើគ្រប់វិស័យជា ប្រណីរវាងថកម្ពុជា-វៀតណាម ជាពិសេសទំនាក់ទំនងប្រកបដោយភាព ជិត ស្និទ្ធ នឹងរឹងមាំរវាងរដ្ឋសភានៃប្រទេសទាំងពីរ"៕  | ||||||
| Medal to honor his SIAMESE friends from Bangkok ... Eviction for the KHMERs in Boeung Kak Posted: 19 Sep 2011 03:20 PM PDT
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| SRP-Europe's Declaration on Boeung Kak Case Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:41 PM PDT   We, members of SRP-Europe, strongly condemn the Shukaku Inc. Company and the law enforcement forces that destroyed eight homes and severely hurt the people of Boeung Kak in the heart of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, in the afternoon of September 16, 2011. These barbaric acts are human rights violation as prescribed in the United Nations Charter. The people of Boeung Kak were cruelly expelled from their homes without any prior notice from the authorities or the company. Mr. Suong Sophorn, a youth, was rounded up and beaten by the police force until he lost consciousness. We call on international organizations, the United Nations, donor countries and friends of the Cambodian people to exert their pressure on the Phnom Penh regime to immediately stop the violent actions on innocent people. Paris, September 17, 2011 SRP-Europe Public Relation Office  | ||||||
| Kingdom of Wonder: Development ... to live under makeshift tents? Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:27 PM PDT    | ||||||
| New film for Amnesty International: Foreced eviction of farmers in Chi Kreng, Siem Reap Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:17 PM PDT September 18, 2011By Chris Originally posted at: http://blog.thecauseofprogress.com/ This is a new film made for Amnesty International about the precarious life of rural farmers faced with forced evictions and land disputes in Cambodia. This particular case follows the village of Chi Kreng during their more than two year struggle against a wealthy and well connected local businessman. The prisoners have been released, but the village are still without their land. For additional photos and video footage, click here: http://blog.thecauseofprogress.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeRf6TXFJ3U  | ||||||
| Cambodia urged to halt Boeung Kak Lake forced evictions in Phnom Penh Posted: 19 Sep 2011 02:09 PM PDT
19 September 2011 Source: Amnesty International The Cambodian authorities must stop a series of heavy-handed forced evictions in Phnom Penh which have seen thousands of families lose their homes, Amnesty International said today. About a further 90 families living around Boeung Kak Lake in the centre of the capital are at imminent risk of forced eviction as development company Shukaku Inc clears the land for construction. Eight homes and businesses were demolished without warning in village 22 on Friday by two excavators accompanied by around 100 armed riot police and security guards. One Boeung Kak Lake resident and activist, Suong Sophorn was beaten unconscious by police with batons and a brick after he called for other residents to join hands to stop the destruction of more houses. "The authorities must act to ensure that no further forced evictions are carried out in the Boeung Kak Lake area and that all the remaining families are treated fairly and equally" said Donna Guest, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Deputy Director. "They must also launch an investigation into the beating of Suong Sophorn and bring those police officers responsible to justice." Only 779 out of some 4,000 families are still living in the Boeung Kak Lake area. The others were subjected to a campaign of threats and intimidation to accept inadequate compensation or resettlement to a site 20km away from their work and livelihoods. On 11 August, the prime minister authorized 12.44 hectares of land within the Boeung Kak Lake development area to be handed over to the remaining 779 families for onsite housing in plots with legal ownership. However, the Municipality of Phnom Penh (MPP) has excluded 96 families in villages which it claims do not live within the 12.44 hectares. The families whose homes and businesses were destroyed on 16 September are among these 96 excluded households. Families have lived under threat of forced eviction since February 2007 when the MPP granted a 99-year lease for the land to Shukaku Inc.  | ||||||
| The Cause of Progress [in the Kingdom of Wonder] - Film Trailer Posted: 19 Sep 2011 01:18 PM PDT The Cause of Progress Film Trailer from Little Ease Films on Vimeo. http://www.vimeo.com/24126538 | ||||||
| Posted: 19 Sep 2011 08:05 AM PDT   | ||||||
| Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:49 AM PDT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNbv6cYnu-w  | ||||||
| Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:37 AM PDT Sep 20, 2011 By Sebastian Strangio Asia Times Online Keat Chhon cited an unnamed ADB consultant as saying the bank had come under "political pressure" from the two organizations, and asked the government to "take immediate action" to stem their activities. The minister also issued the following instructions for Hun Sen's approval: "Do not allow foreign NGOs to do advocacy work. Local NGOs who do advocacy work must not have foreigners involved or interfere." PHNOM PENH -These are tough times for Cambodia's embattled non-governmental organizations (NGOs). As the government gears up to pass controversial legislation regulating the country's estimated 2,000 civil society groups, it has drawn strong criticism for a coordinated crackdown on land rights groups working on a foreign donor-funded railway renovation project. On August 4, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior suspended the local organization Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT), one of several involved with monitoring the resettlement of residents displaced by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and AusAID-funded rail project. At first authorities claimed the suspension was due to inconsistencies in the group's paperwork, but soon tipped their hand. "STT operated and incited people to oppose national development by the government in order to make the development partners suspend or stop the project," the ministry said in an August 14 statement. The $141 million project will see the renovation of Cambodia's decrepit rail system and is set to impact around 4,000 poor families living along the tracks. But resettlement options for those affected have come under fire from STT and other land rights groups since May 2010, when two young children drowned at a resettlement site in Battambang province. STT has also accused the government of the "systematic downgrading" of land values along rail lines in a bid to short-change residents on compensation. In recent months, groups working on rail resettlement issues have been attacked by the highest reaches of the government. In a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen dated June 17, Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon requested that the premier approve punitive action against STT and Bridges Across Borders Cambodia (BABC), another group that has been active on the railway project. Keat Chhon cited an unnamed ADB consultant as saying the bank had come under "political pressure" from the two organizations, and asked the government to "take immediate action" to stem their activities. The minister also issued the following instructions for Hun Sen's approval: "Do not allow foreign NGOs to do advocacy work. Local NGOs who do advocacy work must not have foreigners involved or interfere." He also requested "action according to the laws to nullify the eligibility of these NGOs," and referred specifically to a passage of the new NGO law. "I would like to request the Council of Ministers to review and implement the draft law on Association and Non-Governmental Organizations in a speedy manner," Keat Chhon wrote. (ADB country director Putu Kamayana told the German press agency Deutsche Presse Agentur the bank has conducted "a thorough investigation" which found "no evidence" of misconduct by any ADB consultants). In late July, TV station TVK ran an interview with three government officials about the railway project in which they dismissed NGO criticisms of the project's resettlement and compensation policies as "baseless". According to a transcript of the interview, one official went on to slam various unnamed groups that "incite, provoke and make the affected families to be confused". He identified the culprits as "a small group of NGOs" that were "composed of foreigners" and called on their foreign staff to "no longer exploit the affected people to make your career". The interview has been rebroadcast at least three times since its original airing. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said STT's suspension showed that the Cambodian government "doesn't allow legal principles to get in the way of political priorities". "When the order comes from the top to shutter a NGO or intimidate a community association, officials take action first and figure out the justification for what they did afterwards," he said by e-mail. Since STT's suspension, the government has warned staff from the NGO Forum, an umbrella civil society organization, over letters it sent to ADB and AusAID officials alerting them about the situation at resettlement sites. It has also summoned staff from BABC to warn them about making "false" claims about the deaths of the two children last year, local media reported. Stifled voices The repressive atmosphere is spreading. On September 7, Cambodian authorities and police armed with AK-47s disrupted a human-rights training event organized by two local NGOs in Kampong Thom province. According to a statement issued shortly afterwards by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), which co-organized the workshop, police photographed those taking part in the event, including local activists and community members protesting against land grabs. Participants were told they did not have the necessary "permission" to hold the workshop. Quoted in the Cambodia Daily, Kampong Thom provincial police chief Phan Sopheng accused the two organizations of "inciting" local people, and warned that both could be suspended if they pushed ahead with future events. Since the United Nations transitional mission of the early 1990s seeded Cambodia with a vibrant civil society sector, NGOs here have had an ambivalent relationship with the government. For Hun Sen, tolerating a vocal civil society has been the price for keeping the Western aid dollars flowing; their criticisms of his government have been neutralized by his frequent references to the ravages of the Pol Pot regime, which stands accused of killing as many as two million people, and vague promises of future reforms. This had made Cambodia a relative safe haven for civil society activists - by Asian standards, at least - but has also made Hun Sen's government one of the most firmly entrenched, its tight grip on power legitimized internationally by its apparent tolerance for open criticism. But with the new NGO law looming on the horizon - coupled with the massive increase in no-strings-attached aid and investment from China and the generally supine posture of UN agencies and most other donors - the balance could be tipping decisively in the government's favor. Officials have claimed the law, currently in draft form, is necessary to regulate the country's sometimes unwieldy NGO sector. But the legislation has been widely criticized for granting the government the power to dissolve organizations on vague pretexts, and plague small groups with onerous registration procedures. HRW's Robertson said recent incidents only cast further doubt on the true purposes of the law. "The problem with the government's claims of benign regulatory intent is that this totally contradicts their historical record of going after troublesome NGOs and community associations with the equivalent of hooks and hammers - including straightforward intimidation, violent repression of demonstrations, and now regulatory restrictions," he said. "There is basically no chance that a law on associations and NGOs will be used in the sort of benevolent, hands-off manner that the government is desperately trying to persuade the international community to believe," Robertson added. Indeed, the government's moves could to some degree be an outgrowth of the souring of relations between Cambodia and some of its international donors. During a high-level donor meeting in April, USAID country head Flynn Fuller warned of a funding freeze if the NGO law was passed, describing it as "excessively restrictive". In August, the World Bank announced it had frozen funding to Cambodia over a rash of land seizures at Boeung Kak lake in central Phnom Penh, a high-profile eviction case that was brought to the Bank's attention by several land rights groups, including STT and BABC. Shortly afterwards, Cambodia indefinitely postponed its next meeting with donors set for November. CCHR president Ou Virak said that the active role played by the land rights NGOs in getting the World Bank to take action on the Boeung Kak issue may very well have pushed the government into taking a stronger stance against criticism of the rail project. He said the government had responded to its critics "the only way they know how" - by attacking the messenger. But the groups involved say that contrary to the government's implications, they are not opposed to national development. Ee Sarom, STT's programs coordinator, said his group was working for "a transparent and sustainable development process that benefits all sectors of society and does not leave citizens worse off." "This type of work is important in ensuring development projects are equitable, sustainable, and beneficial to all Cambodians," he said. Sebastian Strangio is a journalist based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He can be reached at  | ||||||
| Asian Development Bank denies requesting action against NGOs Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:31 AM PDT Sep 19, 2011 DPA Phnom Penh - The Asian Development Bank on Monday dismissed accusations that one of its consultants asked Phnom Penh to act against groups monitoring one of its infrastructure development projects. An internal investigation found 'no evidence' of any request for action against two rights groups that advocate for people affected by a 142-million-dollar railway rehabilitation project, ADB country head Putu Kamayana said. His comments contradict a June 17 letter from Minister of Finance Keat Chhon to Prime Minister Hun Sen, a copy of which the German Press Agency dpa has seen. Keat Chhon wrote that an unidentified ADB consultant had asked the government to act against the groups STT and Bridges Across Borders Cambodia (BABC). In his letter, the minister asked Hun Sen to 'nullify (their) eligibility.' 'The ADB consultant has drawn the attention of the government officials to be careful with these NGOs, and requested the government take immediate action on this group of foreign NGOs because (the) ADB is also under political pressure caused by these NGOs,' he wrote. Within weeks the government suspended STT for alleged paperwork violations, and warned BABC for 'discrediting the government' and inciting people against the government, a criminal offence. Two other groups monitoring railway resettlement were similarly cautioned. Keat Chhon also wrote that 'local and international consultants' from the ADB had said the main goal of the non-governmental organizations was to cancel the railway's construction. Cambodia is rehabilitating its railway, which fell into neglect after years of conflict. When completed, the new railway will close the gap in the regional rail network and link Singapore to the city of Kunming in China. The ADB's Kamayana said the bank was aware of the allegations and had carried out a 'thorough internal investigation.' 'No evidence was found to substantiate alleged misconduct by any ADB consultants,' Kamayana said by email. However, the ADB earlier declined to provide a copy of its investigation report, saying dpa could apply for it through the bank's formal information channels. A formal request on September 13 has so far not been answered. Kamayana said the ADB hoped the NGOs would be allowed to continue their monitoring work, which was 'integral' to the project's success. In his letter, Keat Chhon also recommended banning any advocacy work by foreign NGOs and foreigners in local NGOs. He also said the government should rapidly pass and implement the controversial draft NGO Law. The bill has riled some donors and hundreds of civil society groups who say it will impose burdensome restrictions on NGOs, and increase the power of the government over them. Keat Chhon's letter carried an annotation from Hun Sen on June 19 approving its contents. Keat Chhon and staff at the finance ministry could not be reached for comment. Officials at other ministries declined to comment. The ADB has provided 84 million dollars for the railway rehabilitation project, while the Australian government's development arm AusAID has provided 21.5 million dollars. STT and BABC have worked for nearly two years with villagers facing resettlement under the rehabilitation. ADB rules say people who are resettled must not end up worse off. In a letter to the ADB last year the groups targeted by the government criticized conditions at a resettlement site where two children drowned. David Pred, BABC's executive director, said by email that the 'dire circumstances' of many resettled families showed the bank's consultants had failed in their duties. Referring to the June 17 letter, he said he was 'deeply disappointed' that ADB consultants appeared involved in actions against the NGOs. The authorities have crossed swords with STT and BABC before, notably over the groups' advocacy on behalf of villagers at the controversial Boeung Kak lake project in central Phnom Penh, which is being developed by a prominent ruling party senator. In March, the World Bank suspended lending to Cambodia after a slew of evictions at the lake saw thousands of residents displaced with what rights groups said was inadequate compensation.  | ||||||
| Requesting your joint monitoring Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:27 AM PDT FYI! Dear all Friends of BKL Community On behalf of the BKL representatives requesting for joint monitoring the activity of the village 1 of BKL residents. Tomorrow (20 September 2011 from 8.00AM) they are going to gathering at in front of western embassies for submitting the protesting letter in order to ask to intervene to the government of Cambodia to include them in the 12.44h. More detail, please contacting the community rep. 012910023 Thanks Secretariat -- Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF) HRTF:#2A, St.271, Sangkat Beoung Tompun, Khan Chamcar Morn Phnom Penh. Evictions Hotline: (855) 068 470 480 Tel/Fax: (855) 023 996 531 Email: sd@hrtfcambodia.org Website: www.hrtfcambodia.org  | ||||||
| Kasit: Hun Sen's meddling cause for concern Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:21 AM PDT
19/09/2011 Bangkok Post Thailand should be concerned about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's actions now he has a Thai fugitive to his country, former foreign minister Kasit Piromya said on Monday. "A group of journalists from Cambodia came to meet me and I asked them to tell Cambodian authorities that Thailand is apprehensive about Prime Minister Hun Sen, who held a reception for a fugitive instead of cooperating with Thai authorities by bringing that person back to face justice in his own country," Mr Kasit said. The Democrat list MP said Hun Sen's action showed that he backed certain political groups and that he would not accept any other side that he did not support. "The Cambodian premier is violating the Asean charter by intervening in Thailand's internal affairs, and should refrain from doing so. "The Democrat Party has never interfered in Cambodia," he said. On fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's comment that Thailand, Cambodia and Brunei are like brothers, Mr Kasit said the stance of the Sultan of Brunei was not yet known. "The Sultan of Brunei is amataya [aristocrat elite] and the prai [peasants or commoners] must get his permission first," the Democrat MP said. People were suspicious of the ties between Thaksin and Hun Sen and they should explain why they shared the same ideology, he said. The Cambodian government could expedite the return of the two jailed yellow-shirt supporters, Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, to Thailand. Their's was more a political case than a criminal case, Mr Kasit added. Ousted premier Thaksin arrived in Phnom Penh on Sept 16 to attend the Asian Economic Forum Conference and meet Prime Minister Hun Sen. Veera and Ratree were among the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian authorities for illegal entry in late December last year. Five of them were released after being sentenced to a jail term for illegal entry and having served some time during the investigation. Veera and his secretary were sentenced to eight and six years in prison respectively for illegal entry and an additional charge of espionage. Veera had previously been deported for illegal entry and warned not to do it again.  | ||||||
| គណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី ចាត់ទុកក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូ អ៊ិន ជាសត្រូវនៃប្រជារាស្ត្រខ្មែរ Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:15 AM PDT
ក្រុមអ្នកតំណាងរាស្ត្រគណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី បានប្រកាសនៅថ្ងៃទី១៩កញ្ញានេះ ដោយចាត់ទុកថា ក្រុមហ៊ុន ស៊ូកាគូអ៊ិន ដែលទទួលសិទ្ធិអភិវឌ្ឍន៍តំបន់បឹងកក់ថា ជាសត្រូវនៃប្រជារាស្ត្រខ្មែរ។ ជាសេចក្តីប្រកាស ដែលបានធ្វើឡើងភ្លាមៗ ក្រោយពីក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូអ៊ិន និងអាជ្ញាធរ បានប្រើប្រាស់អំពើហិង្សា វាយលើអ្នកភូមិ និងបានវាយកម្ទេចផ្ទះប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ នៅបឹងកក់ កាលពីថ្ងៃសុក្រ ចុងសប្តាហ៍មុន។ ក្នុងសេចក្តីថ្លែងការណ៍ចំហនៅថ្ងៃច័ន្ទនេះ ក្រុមអ្នកតំណាងរាស្ត្រគណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី បាន ប្រកាសថា ក្រុមហ៊ុន SHUKAKU Inc. គឺជាសត្រូវនៃប្រជារាស្ត្រខ្មែរ ដោយសារក្រុមហ៊ុននេះបាន និងកំពុងបណ្តេញប្រជាពលរដ្ឋពីតំបន់បឹងកក់ នៅរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ដោយរឹបអូសយកដីធ្លី ផ្ទះសំបែងប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ។ សេចក្តីថ្លែងការណ៍ ក៏បានលើកឡើងពីសមាជគណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី លើកទី៥ កាលពីថ្ងៃទី១១កញ្ញា ដែលបានអនុម័តសេចក្តីសម្រេច គាំទ្រ និងផ្សព្វផ្សាយពាក្យស្លោករបស់គណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី ស្តីពី "ប្រគល់សងប្រជារាស្ត្រខ្មែរវិញទ្រព្យសម្បត្តិ ដែលត្រូវបានលួចប្លន់ដោយអ្នកដទៃ" ។ គណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី ក៏បានលើកឡើងថា រដ្ឋាភិបាលអនាគតដឹកនាំដោយគណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី នឹងលុបចោលរាល់សម្បទានដីធ្លី បឹងបួ ព្រៃឈើ និងសម្បទានរ៉ែ ដែលបានផ្តល់ឲ្យក្រុមហ៊ុនឯកជន ដោយរដ្ឋាភិបាលបច្ចុប្បន្ន។ សម្បទានទាំងនោះ នាំឲ្យមានការរឹបអូសយកដីធ្លី និងការបណ្តេញប្រជាពលរដ្ឋម្ចាស់ដី។ ក្រុមតំណាងរាស្ត្រគណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី ក៏បានបញ្ជាក់ថា បុគ្គលណា ឬក្រុមហ៊ុនឯកជនណា ដែលបានដណ្តើមយកដីធ្លី និងតំបន់រស់នៅរបស់ប្រជារាស្ត្រដោយប្រើអំពើហិង្សា ត្រូវចាត់ទុកជាសត្រូវ នៃប្រជារាស្ត្រខ្មែរ ហើយនឹងត្រូវផ្តន្ទាទោសជាពុំខាន។ តំណាងរាស្ត្រគណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី ក៏បានអំពាវនាវឲ្យរាល់ក្រុមហ៊ុន និងអង្គការនានាក្នុងពិភពលោក កុំចូលរួមការងារជាមួយក្រុមហ៊ុន SHUKAKU តាមរូបភាពណាក៏ដោយ។ ពោលគឺកុំចូលហ៊ុន ឬក៏ផ្តល់ទុន និងកុំលក់ ឬទិញផលិតផលពីក្រុមហ៊ុន SHUKAKU ដែលមានថៅកែឈ្មោះ ឡាវ ម៉េងឃីន ជាសមាជិកព្រឹទ្ធសភាមកពីគណបក្សប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា និងជាអ្នករកស៊ីទុច្ចរិត។ នៅថ្ងៃទី១៩កញ្ញា ឆ្នាំ២០១១ មិនអាចទាក់ទងក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូអ៊ិន ដើម្បីសុំអត្តាធិប្បាយ ចំពោះសេចក្តីថ្លែងការណ៍ចំហរបស់គណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ី និងបញ្ហាជុំវិញជម្លោះដីធ្លីនៅតំបន់បឹងកក់ដ៏រ៉ាំរ៉ៃនោះ បាននៅឡើយទេ។ ក៏ប៉ុន្តែលោក ទិត សុធា អ្នកនាំពាក្យអង្គភាពព័ត៌មាន និងប្រតិកម្មរហ័ស របស់ទីស្តីការគណៈរដ្ឋមន្ត្រី បានចាត់ទុកថា លិខិតចំហរបស់គណបក្សសមរង្ស៊ីខាងលើ ជាការទាក់ទាញផលប្រយោជន៍នយោបាយរបស់បក្សប្រឆាំង ជាជាងជួយសម្រួល និងរកផ្លូវដោះស្រាយបញ្ហារបស់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋបឹងកក់។ បញ្ហានៅបឹងកក់ ដែលមន្ត្រីជាន់ខ្ពស់រដ្ឋាភិបាលគូសបញ្ជាក់ថា រដ្ឋាភិបាលរបស់លោកនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហ៊ុនសែន បានបំពេញកាតព្វកិច្ច ដោយផ្តល់ដីមួយផ្នែក តាមតម្រូវការអ្នកភូមិ ។ តែការដោះស្រាយបន្ត ជាភារកិច្ចរបស់មន្ត្រីអាជ្ញាធរក្រោមឱវាទ៕  | ||||||
| Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:07 AM PDT
Khouth Sophakchakrya The Phnom Penh Post Shukaku is owned by ruling- party senator Lao Meng Khin. The Chinese firm Erdos Hong Jun Investment Company has a 51 percent stake in the project.
Residents of Boeung Kak's village 22 yesterday morning prayed for retribution on the government officials they accuse of having corrupt ties to a company that used excavators and police to demolish their homes and businesses on Friday, during a brutal incident that was videotaped and uploaded onto YouTube. Standing in the rubble where his home stood before Friday, Doung Kea, 43, told the Post that he was praying for spirits to punish corrupt officials who conspired to destroy his house and those of his neighbours. "It is the time of the Pchum Ben festival, so our prayers for action against corrupt officials will be effective," he said. Friday's destruction began early in the afternoon when two excavators moved into the village, accompanied by about 100 district and riot police. Eight houses and shops were demolished as horrified onlookers cried, shouted or tossed stones at them. Widow Chhun Lycheng, 32, whose shop house was destroyed, accused developer Shukaku Inc and the Daun Penh district officials of conspiring with each other to destroy her house before she could negotiate compensation to relocate. "My house was torn down by the two excavators while I was doing business. I would not have survived if someone had not dragged me away," she said. Heng Mom, 54, whose house was the first to be torn down said that after she had refused compensation of US$80,000 she was told that her house would be buried in sand. "I refused the offer and my house was demolished as they had threatened," she said. Sam Rainsy Party activist Soung Sophoan, a former resident of Village 20, was beaten unconscious by a group of police who whacked him with batons, then kicked him in the face, head and torso after he had fallen to the ground. Yesterday, he said the gold chain he had worn was stolen during the attack, which was captured on a video that as of last night had been viewed nearly 10,000 times on YouTube. Pich Chanthea, 44, a resident of village 23 of Doun Penh's Sras Chok commune, said the government was promoting Cambodia as the Kingdom of Wonder in its latest tourism campaign, but some officials were driving people from their homes into makeshift shelters under tents. Friday's incident was the latest in the dispute between residents of villages around Boeung Kak Lake and Shukaku Inc, which was given a 99-year lease to develop the area in 2007. Earlier last month Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a sub-decree setting aside 12.44 hectares as a relocation site for 746 families who had refused to make way for the development. Residents of villages 6, 22 and 24, however, were denied land titles within the relocation site. Shukaku is owned by ruling- party senator Lao Meng Khin. The Chinese firm Erdos Hong Jun Investment Company has a 51 percent stake in the project. Municipal governor Kep Chutema and Shukaku executives could not be reached for comment yesterday. ------------- អ្នកបឹងកក់ដាក់បណ្តាសា Monday, 19 September 2011 15:06 ឃុត សុភចរិយា The Phnom Penh Post ភ្នំពេញៈ ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋរងគ្រោះក្នុងតំបន់បឹងកក់កាលពីព្រឹកថ្ងៃអាទិត្យម្សិលមិញ បាននាំគ្នាដុតធូបដាក់បណ្ដាសាដល់ក្រុមមន្ត្រីពុករលួយទាំងអស់ ឲ្យជួបតែក្ដីវិនាសទាន់ហន់។ ពិធីដាក់បណ្ដាសានេះបានធ្វើឡើងបន្ទាប់ពីអ្នកភូមិមួយចំនួនបាន រងរបួសជាទម្ងន់នៅក្នុងការវាយបង្ក្រាបយ៉ាងហិង្សាសាជាថ្មីដោយ កម្លាំងសមត្ថកិច្ចចម្រុះខណ្ឌដូនពេញ នៅពេលដែលពួកគាត់បាននាំគ្នាប្រតិកម្មតបត ដើម្បីការពារផ្ទះរបស់ខ្លួនពីការវាយកម្ទេចចោលដោយគ្រឿងចក្រ របស់ក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូអ៊ីនកាលពីថ្ងៃសុក្រ។ នៅក្រោមដំបូលតង់ គ្មានជញ្ជាំងបាំងបិទ លោកដួង គា អាយុ៤៣ឆ្នាំ ដែលជាមន្ត្រីរាជការម្នាក់ ធ្លាប់មានផ្ទះរស់នៅសមរម្យនៅភូមិ២២ សង្កាត់ស្រះចក ខណ្ឌដូនពេញ បានប្រាប់ភ្នំពេញប៉ុស្តិ៍ពីគោលបំណងនៃពិធីដាក់បណ្ដាសានេះថា ធ្វើឡើងដើម្បីបន់ស្រន់សុំឲ្យស្ដេចយមរាជ ជួយផ្ដន្ទាទោសដល់ជនពុករលួយ ដែលបានឃុបឃិតគ្នាវាយបំផ្លាញផ្ទះរបស់គាត់ និងអ្នកភូមិផ្សេងទៀតក្នុងតំបន់បឹងកក់។ លោកបានថ្លែងថា៖ «រដូវនេះជារដូវបុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ ដូច្នេះការដាក់បណ្ដាសាពិតជាស័ក្ដិសិទិ្ធ ហើយខ្ញុំជឿថាមន្ត្រីពុករលួយទាំងនោះនឹងជួបក្ដីវិនាសទាន់ហន់»។ កាលពីថ្ងៃសុក្រ ក្រុមមន្ត្រីនិងកងកម្លាំងប្រដាប់អាវុធមួយចំនួនរបស់អាជ្ញាធរ ខណ្ឌដូនពេញ ប្រមាណ១០០នាក់ បាននាំគ្នាការពារនិងលើកទឹកចិត្តឲ្យបុគ្គលិកនិងកម្មកររបស់ ក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូអ៊ីន ប្រើអេស្កាវាទ័រ វាយកម្ទេចលំនៅដ្ឋានចំនួន៨ខ្នង របស់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋបឹងកក់ ដែលស្ថិតក្នុងភូមិ២២ សង្កាត់ស្រះចក ខណ្ឌដូនពេញ ដោយគ្មានការជូនដំណឹងជាមុន។ ដោយភាពរំជួលចិត្តខ្លាំងពេក ក្រុមអ្នកភូមិរងគ្រោះទាំងនេះ បានបញ្ចេញ ប្រតិកម្មតបត ដោយប្រើដុំថ្ម គប់ទៅលើគ្រឿងចក្រ ដើម្បីការពារលំនៅដ្ឋានរបស់ខ្លួន និងដើម្បីបញ្ឈប់ការបំផ្លិចបំផ្លាញនេះ ប៉ុន្តែពួកគាត់ត្រូវរងការវាយបង្ក្រាបដោយដំបង ខែល និងដុំថ្ម ពីក្រុមកងកម្លាំងសមត្ថកិច្ចចម្រុះខណ្ឌដូនពេញ ដែលបានឈរចាំជួយការពារក្រុមហ៊ុនប្រើគ្រឿងចក្រ ឈូសបំផ្លាញផ្ទះពលរដ្ឋឲ្យរាបដល់ដីនោះ។ លោកសួង សុភ័ណ្ឌ ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋរស់នៅភូមិ ២០ ដែលបានចូលរួមក្នុងការតវ៉ានេះ ត្រូវបានក្រុមកម្លាំងសមត្ថកិច្ចចម្រុះខណ្ឌដូនពេញជាច្រើននាក់ ប្រដាប់ដោយខែល និងដំបង បានចោមរោម វាយសំពង ទាត់ធាក់ រហូតដល់បែកក្បាលដួលសន្លប់ភ្លាមៗក្នុងថ្លុកឈាមនៅលើដី នៅនឹងកន្លែង ហើយក្រុមសមត្ថកិច្ចរាជធានី ដែលត្រូវបានក្រុមអ្នកភូមិ និងមន្ត្រីអង្គការសង្គមស៊ីវិល ហៅថា សាហាវព្រៃផ្សៃ គ្មានធម៌មេត្តានោះ បានបំបែកគ្នាចេញអស់ដោយពុំមានការទទួលខុសត្រូវឡើយ។ លោក សុភ័ណ្ឌ ត្រូវបានក្រុមមន្ត្រីអង្គការសហប្រជាជាតិទទួលបន្ទុកផ្នែកសិទ្ធិ មនុស្ស ជួយអន្តរាគមន៍ នាំយកទៅសង្គ្រោះបន្ទាន់នៅឯមន្ទីរពេទ្យកាល់ម៉ែត។ កាលពីព្រឹកថ្ងៃអាទិត្យបន្ទាប់ពីមានអាការល្អប្រសើរឡើងវិញ លោក សុភ័ណ្ឌ បានអះអាងថា នគរបាលម្នាក់ ក្នុងចំណោម ៦នាក់ ដែលបានចោមវាយសំពងលើរូបលោក បានផ្ដាច់យកខ្សែកមាសទម្ងន់ ៥ ជី របស់លោក មុនពេលពួកគេវាយឲ្យសន្លប់។ លោកបានថ្លែងថា៖ «ខ្ញុំមិនដឹងថា តើគេ[នគរបាល]នោះជានរណា ឬឈ្មោះអ្វីទេ ព្រោះគ្នាច្រើន។ ខ្ញុំគិតថា ទង្វើពួកគេមិនខុសពីចោរប្លន់នោះទេ»។ អ្នកស្រីឈួន លីចេង អាយុ៣២ ឆ្នាំ ដែលផ្ទះរបស់គាត់ត្រូវបានគេវាយកម្ទេចចោលដែរនោះបាននិយាយថា ក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូអ៊ីន និងអាជ្ញាធរបានឃុបឃិតគ្នា បំផ្លាញលំនៅដ្ឋានរបស់អ្នកស្រី ដោយពុំបានជូនដំណឹងជាមុន។ អ្នកស្រីបានថ្លែងថា៖ «ខ្ញុំកំពុងអង្គុយលក់ដូរ ស្រាប់តែគេយកគ្រឿងចក្រ [អេស្កា] ពីរគ្រឿងមកឈូសកម្ទេចតែម្ដង។ ខ្ញុំស្ទើរតែត្រូវដំថ្ម និងដែកដំបូលផ្ទះ ធ្លាក់សង្កត់ស្លាប់ ប្រសិនបើគ្មានអ្នកមកអូសដៃខ្ញុំចេញទេនោះ។ សកម្មភាពរបស់ពួកគេ សាហាវព្រៃផ្សៃបំផុត»។ អ្នកស្រីហេង មុំ អាយុ ៥៤ ឆ្នាំ ដែលកាលពីថ្ងៃសុក្រ ផ្ទះរបស់គាត់ ត្រូវបានគេវាយកម្ទេចដំបូងដែរនោះ បាននិយាយទាំងទឹកភ្នែករលីងរលោងថា ពួកគេហៅគាត់ទៅចរចា ដោយឲ្យតម្លៃផ្ទះរបស់គាត់ចំនួន ៨០ ០០០ ដុល្លារនិងបានគំរាមបូមខ្សាច់កប់ពន្លិច និងវាយកម្ទេចចោលប្រសិនបើគាត់មិនព្រមទទួលយកតម្លៃនេះ។ អ្នកស្រីបានថ្លែងថា៖ «ខ្ញុំបានបដិសេធ នូវតម្លៃដែលពួកគេបានផ្ដល់ឲ្យ ហើយពួកគេធ្វើមកលើគ្រួសាររបស់ខ្ញុំ ដូចអ្វីដែលពួកគេបានគំរាមនោះមែន»។ លោកអំ សំអាត ប្រធានក្រុមស៊ើបអង្កេត នៃអង្គការសិទ្ធិមនុស្សលីកាដូ បានថ្កោលទោសចំពោះក្រុមសមត្ថកិច្ច ដែលបានប្រើហិង្សាទៅលើប្រជាពលរដ្ឋក្នុងតំបន់បឹងកក់ថា ជាការរំលោភធ្ងន់ធ្ងរទៅលើសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស។ លោកបានថ្លែងថា៖ «យើងពិតជាមានការសោកស្ដាយយ៉ាងក្រៃលែង នៅពេលដែលឃើញក្រុមកម្លាំងសមត្ថកិច្ច បានប្រើអំពើហិង្សាយ៉ាងឃោរឃៅ ទៅលើប្រជាពលរដ្ឋបែបនេះ»។ លោកបានអំពាវនាវ ស្នើឲ្យមានការស៊ើបអង្កេតជាថ្មីជុំវិញករណីនេះ និងទាមទារឲ្យមានការដាក់ទោសទណ្ឌទៅលើបុគ្គល ដែលបានប្រើហិង្សាទៅលើប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ។ មិនមែនមានតែសង្គមស៊ីវិលទេសមត្ថកិច្ច និងមន្ត្រីរាជការមួយចំនួន ដែលបានឃើញហេតុការណ៍នោះផ្ទាល់ភ្នែក បានសម្តែងនូវក្តីអាណិតអាសូរដល់ពលរដ្ឋបឹងកក់ ហើយបានរិះគន់មន្ត្រី និងកងកម្លាំងសមត្ថកិច្ច ដែលបានប្រើអំពើហិង្សាទាំងនោះថា៖ «ខ្វះសីលធម៌ និងខ្វះការអប់រំអំពីច្បាប់ សិទ្ធិ តួនាទី និងកាតព្វកិច្ចរបស់កងកម្លាំង»។ កាលពីថ្ងៃទី ១១ ខែសីហា ឆ្នាំ២០១១ លោកនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រីហ៊ុន សែន បានចេញនូវអនុក្រឹត្យថ្មីមួយ ដោយសម្រេចកាត់ដីចំនួន១២,៤៤ហិកតា សម្រាប់ផ្ដល់ជាប្រទានកម្ម ជូនអ្នកភូមិបឹងកក់ដែលនៅសេសសល់ពីការបណ្ដេញចេញ ដើម្បីបញ្ចប់វិវាទដីធ្លីរវាងប្រជាពលរដ្ឋនៅក្នុងតំបន់បឹងកក់ និងក្រុមហ៊ុនស៊ូកាគូអ៊ីន ដែលបានអូសបន្លាយប្រមាណជា ៥ ឆ្នាំមកហើយនេះ ។ លោកសៀ ភារម្យ ប្រធានអង្គការបេសកកម្មសិទ្ធិលំនៅដ្ឋាន បានសម្ដែងនូវក្តីព្រួយបារម្ភយ៉ាងខ្លាំង អំពីជម្លោះជាថ្មី ដែលកើតឡើងដោយសារតែអាជ្ញាធររាជធានីភ្នំពេញ បកស្រាយអត្ថន័យ និងខ្លឹមសាររបស់អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ១៨៣ មិនបានត្រឹមត្រូវ ដែលនាំឲ្យប្រជាពលរដ្ឋចំនួនជិត ១០០ គ្រួសារ មិនត្រូវបានគេផ្ដល់ប័ណ្ណកម្មសិទ្ធិដីធ្លី ដែលផ្ដល់ដោយអនុក្រឹត្យថ្មីនេះ។ លោកបានថ្លែងថា៖ «អាជ្ញាធររាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ទំនងជាមានចេតនា បកស្រាយខ្លឹមសារនៃអនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ១៨៣ ឲ្យខុសពីអត្ថន័យដើម ដើម្បីកាត់យកចំណែកដី១២,៤៤ ហិកតា ពីប្រជាពលរដ្ឋទៅឲ្យក្រុមហ៊ុន»។ លោកពេជ្រ ចាន់ធា អាយុ ៤៤ឆ្នាំ ជាមន្ត្រីរាជការម្នាក់ រស់នៅភូមិ ២៣ សង្កាត់ស្រះចក បានរិះគន់ខ្លាំងៗ បន្ទាប់ពីឃើញការឈូសកម្ទេចផ្ទះ និងការវាយដំយ៉ាងហិង្សា កាលពីថ្ងៃសុក្រនោះថា រដ្ឋាភិបាល កំពុងមានមោទនភាព និងកំពុងតែអភិវឌ្ឍប្រទេសឲ្យទៅជាព្រះរាជាណាចក្រអច្ឆរិយ ប៉ុន្តែមន្ត្រីរដ្ឋាភិបាលមួយចំនួន កំពុងធ្វើទុក្ខបុកម្នេញប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ និងកំពុងកែប្រែជីវភាពប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ «ពីការរស់នៅមានទីជម្រកល្អរឹងមាំមានសុវត្ថិភាព និងមានមុខរបរសមរម្យ ទៅជារស់នៅក្រោមដំបូលតង់ និងដោយភាពស្រេកឃ្លាន»។ លោកអភិបាលរាជធានី កែប ជុតិមា លោកទូច ណារ៉ុថ ស្នងការនិងលោកឡាវ វ៉ាន់ អគ្គនាយករងក្រុមហ៊ុន ស៊ូកាគូអ៊ីន មិនអាចទំនាក់ទំនងសុំការអត្ថាធិប្បាយបានទេ កាលពីម្សិលមិញ៕  | ||||||
| Road block jams link to Kratie Posted: 19 Sep 2011 06:55 AM PDT
Monday, 19 September 2011 15:02 May Titthara The Phnom Penh Post About 500 villagers from six districts in Kratie's Snoul district protested on National Road 7 yesterday, in a bid to find a solution to their land dispute with two Vietnamese rubber companies. Cars, trucks and buses were gridlocked from 8:00am to 12:00 pm along National Road 7 – the main road to Kratie – near Svay Chreah commune, one of the communities affected by government land concessions granted to two Vietnamese rubber companies. "If we do not block the road, the authorities will not find a resolution for us," said villager Khiev Kong. "If they do not find a solution for us, we will block the road forever, because they have cheated us." Villagers cleared the road after the Kratie deputy provincial governor agreed to a meeting between the rubber companies, Phnom Penh authorities and villagers to negotiate a resolution, Khiev Kong said. A total of 984 families in Svay Chreah commune have requested 5,600 hectares be set aside for their use after a land concession of 8,000 hectares was granted to Dau Thieng (Kratie) Rubber Development Co Ltd and 8,975 hectares was given to Dau Thieng Cambodia Rubber Development Co Ltd in December. "I don't know how to find land for these villagers, because the companies have already received the economic land concessions," said Iv Sophum, Snoul district governor, adding the promised meeting between villagers, authorities and the companies would be held tomorrow. This is the eighteenth time Svay Chreah villagers have blocked the road seeking intervention in the land dispute, said Ouch Leng, head of rights group Adhoc's land program. "They block the road because their situation is hopeless and the government has not found a resolution for them," Ouch Leng said. Last month, Prime Minister Hun Sen warned private companies involved in land disputes that concessions could be withdrawn if resolutions were not found. Both companies concerned were unavailable for comment.  | ||||||
| SRP activist charged over protest Posted: 19 Sep 2011 06:50 AM PDT  Monday, 19 September 2011 15:01 Meas Sokchea The Phnom Penh Post A Sam Rainsy Party activist was charged yesterday with initiating the destruction of private property after he led a protest of Kandal villagers in Phnom Penh's Freedom Park last month. The protest was sparked by a land dispute between 114 families from Kandal's Kien Svay district and Kratie provincial council member Prak Savuth which has been ongoing since 2010. After arriving at Kandal police station on Friday for questioning about the August protest, Korki Thom commune deputy chief Moek Chea was arrested and detained, his lawyer Choung Choungy said. "The court does not defend the people's interest – it detains the representative of the people," said Choung Choungy, adding he had already appealed the charges. The SRP now plans to write a letter to the Supreme Council of Magistracy asking it to take legal action against Kandal Provincial Court Judge Lim Sokuntha for issuing a court warrant without reason, party lawmaker Chan Cheng said. But police were only following court orders in enforcing an arrest warrant, said Kandal provincial police Chief Eav Chamroeun. Prak Savuth and Judge Lim Sokhuntha could not be reached for comment.  |
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