Villagers Protested against Economic Land Concession in Koh Kong

Around 200 villagers, who were affected by a Chinese company in Koh Kong, were coming to Phnom Penh to seek intervention from Cambodian Government; especially from Prime Minister Hun Sen. However, they were ignored, banned and suppressed by some 40 joint armed forces. Finally those residents were pushed back to Botum Vortey Pagoda.

Police Banned Romeas Hek Villagers from Protesting

On May 24, 2010 about 200-300 villagers from a contested land area in Svay Rieng were banned on the way from aiming to protest in front of provincial court in order to demand the release of a representative Yea Yeng, who was arrested and sent to prison for illegally detaining people, including one military police officer and two Peam Chaeng Rubber company staff.

Land Victim Sentenced to One Year in Siem Reap Prison

Another villager was arrested by a group of 3 police officers on April 15, 2010 while he and his son came back from a local pagoda to give food to monks, accusing him of illegally detaining people, related to a land dispute in Chikraeng commune, Chikraeng district when local villagers came to protest at the provincial court to ask for the release of 12 people who were also detained connected to a violence on March 22, 2009.

Two Representatives Released under Judicial Investigation Conditions

Two villager representatives, Mr. You Tho and Kem Rithy, were released on bails on March 29, 2010 around 2:00 PM after people for those 11 affected villagers from 400 to 600 had subsequently protested in front of Kampong Speu Provincial Court since March 24, when they were arrested and pre-trial detained for 6 days.

Villager Representative Arrested over Land in Koh Kong

In relation to a chronic land conflict for years in Chroy commune, Sre Ambil district, Koh Kong, which cannot be solved, about 50 families were traveling by pickup to protest in front of Hun Sen’s mansion in Takmao town, Kandal province; but they were intercepted by 10 military police officers. One of the villagers was captured and brought back to Koh Kong.

Evictees Sent to Siem Reap Court for Questioning in Angkor Sugar Case

On November 30, 2009 Siem Reap Provincial Court summoned a villager in O’ Bat Moan, Kaun Kriel commune, Samrong district, Oddar Meachey for the accusation of allegedly logging forests in development area of Ly Yongphat Co, where 129 houses were burned and destroyed; and 214 families of the residents were violently evicted.

Villagers’ Life after the Eviction of Angkor Sugar

On October 14, 2009 some 50 families in O’Bat Moan were donated by Licadho with food, materials and others.

Mr. Chheng Sophors, Senior Human Rights Monitor for Licadho said the organization supported the victims, including 400 kilograms of un-milled rice, 40 tents, can fishes and noodles. In addition, the organization also provided them with a lawyer to defend this case.

Forced Evictions for Angkor Sugar (Ly Yongphat)

On October 9, 2009 joint workforce of police, military police and RCAF soldiers in Oddar Meanchey dismantled and burned 129 houses of 214 local families in O’ Bat Moan village, Kaun Kriel commune, Samrong city without warrants from court. This occurred since October 5, 2009. The villagers were accused of illegally living on the land, which belongs to Angkor Sugar company of a senator Ly Yongphat, and used as agricultural concession for development in 2007.