Woman reenacts model's murder

Friday, 26 October 2012 Kim Sarom and Shane Worrell, From The Phnom Penh Post

Suspect Sun Kimheng (L) re-enacts the killing of Spy model Lim Srey Pich with a volunteer yesterday, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2012 in Phnom Penh. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post

Less than a month ago, Lim Srey Pich was celebrating her 19th birthday in style after winning a modelling competition that was set to make her the face of Spy Wine Cooler on television and in magazines.

Yesterday, a woman police say has confessed to the murder was re-enacting how she allegedly lured the diminutive teenager to her house on Tuesday and strangled her with a length of wire before disposing of her body.

The daughter of a wealthy car dealer, Srey Pich, also known as Lim Yurimey, was found dead in a canal in Kampong Speu’s Kong Pisei district early Wednesday after going missing the day before.

Deputy municipal police chief Chuon Narin said that within hours of Srey Pich’s disappearance her parents began receiving text messages from their daughter’s mobile demanding ransom money.

US museum takes Khmer Rouge notes

Friday, 26 October 2012 Joe Freeman

Youk Chhang (L), director of the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, American journalist Elizabeth Becker (C) and a delegation from the United States Holocaust Museum visit a Khmer Rouge era crime site in Kampong Chhnang province on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. Photograph: DC-CAM/Socheat Nhean

A delegate from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is wrapping up a fact-finding mission to Cambodia to create a display about the genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge and the ongoing war crimes tribunal to bring the regime’s most senior leaders to justice.

Adding Cambodia-specific information would be a first for the museum, placing the crimes that took place between 1975 and 1979 amid a vast exhibition whose primary documents, footage and interactive materials focus primarily on the mass extermination of millions of Jews at the hands of Nazis during World War II.

Michael Abramowitz, director of genocide prevention efforts at the museum, said that including Cambodia would build on displays already in place highlighting crimes against humanity in other countries in the wake of the Holocaust, such as Rwanda and Bosnia.

We should be united

Friday, 26 October 2012 Princes Soma Norodom, From The Phnom Penh Post

The future of the country’s royal institution has been in the minds of Cambodians as they mourn the loss of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk. Not only has this topic been addressed by the locals, but by the international forum.

I have been asked about the future of the monarchy by several international media outlets including CNN, AsianAffairs.com and the German press agency.

As a journalist, in a country with little freedom of the press, it’s a skill to disseminate the facts without jeopardizing your career.

During the memorial ceremony for His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk on October 17, 2012, I witnessed that unity was weak among the Royal Family members and a division within the current government.

Asian Development Bank may back disputed dam

Friday, 26 October 2012 David Boyle, From The Phnom Penh Post

The Asian Development Bank is considering providing funds to a controversial 400 megawatt dam project in Laos that could have adverse impacts on the Mekong River in downstream Cambodia. 

Conservation group International Rivers wants the Lao government to pull the plug on the $1 billion Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam because the firms developing it have not publicly released impact assessments and a resettlement plan, in violation of the country’s laws.

Christine Genalin Uy, an investment specialist at the ADB’s private sector operations department, said yesterday the bank was considering a funding request for the project on the proviso that these requirements were met.

Families ink deal to save canal homes

Friday, 26 October 2012 Chhay Channyda, From Phnom Penh Post

Eight of 12 families protesting against a forced eviction in Phnom Penh’s Nirouth commune have thumb-printed an agreement yesterday that save their houses from being demolished in the course of clearing the obstructed Prek Barang canal, residents said.

Deputy Meanchey district governor Heak Chanleang penned the agreement, saying he would “leave all 12 families living in the same condition, but residents must help authorities clear rubbish under their houses and make it easy for the excavator to get in the canal”, a feat made possible by an agreement by residents to remove the back portions of their homes to make way for the barge carrying the excavator.

Sun Heng, 45, who was the first to thumbprint the pact, said she believed the agreement would hold, but said: “If our houses are affected, we will protest.”

The remaining families, however, said their neighbours had been cheated. “Why do people quickly believe the authorities when they know the barge cannot get access until we remove our houses?” Sok Phearin, 32, asked.

Missing girl feared trafficked

Friday, 26 October 2012 Rosa Ellen and Buth Reaksmey Kongkea, From The Phnom Penh Post

Meas Bopha (L) speaks to the Post yesterday, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2012, about her missing 15-year-old daughter, Meas Bophea, (R). Photograph supplied

Meas Bopha, 47, sits in an outdoor pagoda over a lotus-filled pond on her property in Kampong Speu, home to 10 of her 12 children, and wipes back tears as she talks about her missing teenage daughter, Bophea, who vanished one morning last week.

The day she disappeared, Bophea, 15, woke up at 4am and prepared fried fish and rice porridge for the family’s breakfast. Her younger sister recalls waking up and seeing her, but the teenager told her to go back to sleep.  

Bophea once asked her mother about working in a factory to help her out. 

PM urges migrant protection

Friday, 26 October 2012 Vong Sokheng, From The Phnom Penh Post

Prime Minister Hun Sen during a speech in Phnom Penh, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2012. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post

Some 285 million workers will migrate for employment when ASEAN countries open their borders to each other in 2015, Prime Minister Hun Sen predicted yesterday, as he urged speedier regional legislative action to ensure they could travel safely. 

At an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council meeting, the premier warned that some countries’ legislative barriers could prevent ASEAN from producing the necessary legal frameworks by the 2015 deadline.

Politics ‘behind journo deaths’

Friday, 26 October 2012 May Titthara, The Phnom Penh Post

The body of journalist Hang Serei Oudom is examined by investigators in Ratanakkiri province. His corpse, which police said bore wounds probably inflicted by an axe, was found in the trunk of his car. Photograph supplied

Twelve journalists have been killed in Cambodia since 1993, according to a report from the rights group Adhoc, which believes much of the bloodshed was politically motivated.

The body count was included in a round-up of abuses against the media in a report the group released on Wednesday.

In addition to the slayings, the tally included the names of 17 journalists who received death threats, 12 who have been imprisoned and one injured in what the group deemed revenge for his work. 

More Lao dam deals inked

Thursday, 25 October 2012 David Boyle and Shane Worrell

Villagers stand on the banks of the Mekong in Xayaburi province, Laos, near the building site of a controversial dam. Photograph: International Rivers

Laos has contracted firms to build and operate another significant hydropower plant on the Mekong River system, adding to the existing furore over potential effects on downstream countries such as Cambodia from the controversial Xayaburi dam.

The contracts, reportedly worth $1 billion, are for a series of three dams making up the Xe-Namnoy plant on two tributaries of the Se Kong River, which flows into the Mekong from the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos – just some 100 kilometres from Cambodia.

Because of this close proximity, communities on the Cambodian-Lao border would feel particularly acute downstream affects; however, since no impact assessments of the project had been made public, this was hard to measure, conservation group International Rivers warned yesterday. 

Palace visits may start on Friday

Thursday, 25 October 2012 May Titthara, From Phnom Penh Post

A girl is carried after fainting during the final day of official mourning for the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, in Phnom Penh. Photograph: Alexander Crook/Phnom Penh Post.

Mourners who have spent days waiting outside the Royal Palace to big farewell to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk could be granted entry to see his body as soon as tomorrow, an official said yesterday.

As it emerged that 233 people were hospitalised after fainting outside the palace in a week of official mourning that ended on Tuesday, Nhek Bun Chhay, deputy leader of the royal committee co-ordinating Sihanouk’s funeral, said members of the public were free to apply for entry to the palace.

Lightning death toll hits 100

Thursday, 25 October 2012 Khoun Leakhana, From The Phnom Penh Post

Lightning from the window of the Phnom Penh centre. Photograph: Meng Kimlong/Phnom Penh Post

Lightning strikes in Cambodia have killed 100 people and wounded at least 70 in the first 10 months of the year, according to the National Disaster Management Committee. 

The figure is, so far, lower than last year, according to Keo Vy, deputy information directors of the disaster committee. 

In 2011, 165 people were killed by lightning and 122 injured, Vy said. 

He also noted that 32 cattle have been claimed by strikes this year, the same figure as all of 2011. 

Deported home in disgrace

Thursday, 25 October 2012 Mom Kunthear, From The Phnom Penh Post

Chinese national Wang Xiao Jiao (R), ex-manager at Top World garment factory, is escorted by police at Phnom Penh Municipal Court. She was deported back to China Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post


A Chinese woman found guilty of intentionally causing damage after tearing up photos of the late King Father was deported yesterday morning – a mere two days after the crime occurred. 

Wang Zia Chao, 43, who on Tuesday was given a suspended one-year prison sentence, left for China on a 7:45 am flight and will not be permitted to return, Phnom Penh municipal police  chief Choun Sovann said.   

Workers at the Top World factory, where Zia Chao was employed as a manager, returned to work yesterday, added Sovann. 

More than 1,000 workers launched a strike Monday morning after Zia Chao ripped up two photos of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk belonging to a worker. 

Abducted girl's body discovered in canal

Thursday, 25 October 2012 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea, From The Phnom Penh Post

The body of 19-year-old Ly Srey Pich, who had been abducted and held for ransom since Monday, was found strangled and dumped in a canal in Kong Pisei district’s Ang Popel commune in Kampong Speu province yesterday.

Garment workers at a nearby factory in Lovear village spotted the young woman’s body floating in the water 6:30 am yesterday, as they were arriving to work.

According to police, Srey Pich, also known as Srey Mey, disappeared two days ago, when her family reported her missing from her home in Tuol Kork district’s Phsar Doeum Kor commune.

មហាជន​ផ្អើល​មើល​ដុំ​ពពក​​​មាន​ទ្រង់ទ្រាយ​ដូច​ព្រះភក្ត្រ​សម្ដេច​ឪ

Wednesday, 24 October 2012 ម៉ៃ ទិត្យថារ៉ា និង សូ វិសាល​, From The Phnom Penh Post

ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ ទ្រង់ព្រះកន្សែង​ពេល​យាង​ចេញ​ពី​ព្រះបរមរាជ​វាំង​ស្វាគមន៍ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​រាប់សែន​នាក់​ដែលបាន​មកចូល​រួម​រំលែក​មរណទុក្ខ​នៃព្រះបរមសពសម្ដេច​ឪ​ ពីម្សិលមិញ។ រូបថត មិនា

ភ្នំពេញៈ មាន​ការ​ផ្អើល​ទះ​ដៃ​ហ៊ោ​កញ្ជ្រៀវ​យ៉ាង​កង​រំពង មើល​អព្ភូត​ហេតុ​ដុំ​ពពក ដែល​ដូច​ព្រះ​ភក្ត្រ​សម្តេច​ឪ នរោត្តម សីហនុ នៅ​ខាង​មុខ​ព្រះ​បរមរាជ​វាំង កាល​ពី​ម៉ោង​ប្រមាណ​ជា ៦ និង​ ២០​ នាទី យប់​មិញ ខណៈ​ដែល​មាន​ព្រះ​សង្ឃ​ប្រមាណ​ជាង​ ១ ម៉ឺន​អង្គ និង​សាធារណជន​មិន​តិច​ជាង ១០ ម៉ឺន​នាក់​ បាន​សូត្រ​ធម៌ តាំង​សមាធិ និង​គោរព​ព្រះវិញ្ញាណក្ខន្ធ​សម្តេច​ឪ​ដែល​ជា​ថ្ងៃ​កាន់​ព្រះ​រាជ​មរណទុក្ខ ចុង​ក្រោយ​ទៅ​តាម​កាល​កំណត់​របស់​រាជរដ្ឋាភិបាល។

លោក ឡាច ពៅ ជំនួយ​ការ​ថត​រូប នៅ​ទីភ្នាក់ងារ​ព័ត៌មាន​រ៉យទ័រ ដែល​ស្ថិត​នៅ​ក្នុង​ហេតុការណ៍​នោះ បាន​អះអាង​ថា មនុស្ស​ស្ទើរ​តែ​ទាំង​អស់​ នៅ​មុខ​ព្រះ​បរម​រាជវាំង បាន​ផ្អើល​មើល​ដុំ​ពពក ដែល​មាន​រូប ដូចព្រះ​ភក្រ្ត សម្តេច​ឪ​កាល​ពី​យប់​មិញ​។ លោក​បន្ត​ថា​៖«​នៅ​ពេល​មាន​ការ​ស្រែក​ហ៊ោ កញ្ជ្រៀវ​ឲ្យ​មើល​ទៅ​លើ​មេឃ ខ្ញុំ​មើល​ទៅ​ឃើញ​ដុំ​ពពក មាន​រូប​ដូច​សម្តេច​ឪ អ៊ីចឹង​។ វា​ជា​រឿង​ដែល​មិន​គួរ​ឲ្យ​ជឿ ប៉ុន្តែ​ខ្ញុំ​ជឿ នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​ខ្ញុំ​មើល​ឃើញ​គឺ​ដូច​សម្តេច​ឪ​មែន»។​ លោក ឡាច ពៅ បាន​ឲ្យ​ដឹង​ទៀត​ថា ដុំ​ពពក​ ដែល​មាន​រូប​ព្រះឆាយា​ល័ក្ខណ៍​សម្តេច​ឪ​នេះ គឺ​មាន​រយៈ​ពេល​ខ្លី​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ​បន្ទាប់​មក​ក៏​រលាយ​បាត់​ទៅ​វិញ។

10000 monks to pray

By Long Kimhean

Hot news, today, 6000 or 10000 monks to pray in front of Rayal Palace at 4.00 PM. People have a great deal of respect and love for the king Father, so he is at the forefront of their minds.

Sihanouk’s 'face in the moon'

Monday, 22 October 2012 Shane Worrell, From Phnom Penh Post

Cambodians across the country rushed from their houses last night in the hope of catching a glimpse of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s face in the moon.

Word spread fast that the revered former monarch, who passed away last Monday, could supposedly be seen on the crescent-shaped moon’s surface.

Residents, including some in the capital, rushed to see if it was true, holding up incense to the sky or clasping their hands together in a manner of prayer.

“I clearly saw the image of the late king,” Nun Pichsudeny, a resident of the capital’s Meanchey district, said.

“If you look up towards the dark side and concentrate, you can clearly see the smile of the King Father.

Would-be illegal workers hauled in

Monday, 22 October 2012 Sen David, From The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian migrant workers flocked to Thailand, seeking for job through Poipet gate. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post

More than 200 undocumented workers were briefly detained over the weekend in three busts as they sought to cross into Thailand for jobs. 

The workers were detained by Poipet police after they were caught near the border town’s casino late on Friday night. 

But, said Poipet police chief Om Sophal, the brokers behind the mass illegal border crossing escaped the raid, due to the overwhelming crowd.

“They were lured by brokers to gather at a meeting place near the casino’s side… but they were detained immediately. 

They were all going to jobs in Thailand after the Pchum Ben festival finished,” he said.

The workers, most of whom were from Banteay Meanchey, were given information on illegal migration and an educational message before being released, he said.

‘Threats’ made over farmland

Monday, 22 October 2012 Chhay Channyda, From Phnom Penh Post

About 200 families in Koh Kong province’s Botum Sakor district were threatened with legal action yesterday by the district governor, who told them their 100-hectare plantation had been earmarked for development by a Chinese firm, a village representative alleged.

Meas Sen, 58, said  residents had been farming the area – in the villages of Chi Tres and Pray in Andong Teuk commune – for more than 10 years without complaint until last Friday, when a Chinese man came to the village and told them the land had been granted to a Chinese company last year.

Two days later, Botum Sakor district governor Orn Phirak told Meas Sen the villagers must stop farming the land or face court.

Accused brokers may face prison for sex trafficking

Monday, 22 October 2012 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea, From Phnom Penh Post

Three alleged human traffickers were sent to Svay Rieng Provincial Court last Thursday based on complaints submitted earlier this month by Sar Sokheng, 24, and Mom Mara, 32, said anti-human trafficking police chief Neth Sareun.

More than 30 other women remain in Malaysia as sex workers in massage shops after being deceived by the suspects’ promises of beauty salon jobs in Kuala Lumpur, the women alleged.

The suspects, Neang Ham, 65, his wife, Nouv Yoeu, 62, and Pav Samphors, 25, face charges of illegal recruitment and human trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation, Sareun said.

Window closing on Asean Human Rights Declaration

Monday, 22 October 2012 Shane Worrell, From The Phnom Penh Post

Time is running out to rid the proposed ASEAN Human Rights Declaration of clauses that would restrict peoples’ rights rather than protect and enhance them, civil society groups said yesterday.

Nay Vanda, deputy head of the monitoring section of rights group Adhoc, said civil society groups needed more opportunities to consult with leaders on the wording of the declaration, which senior ministers are expected to introduce during the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh from November 18 to 20.

“Many terms and articles, like ‘public morality’ and ‘national and regional particularity’, are really concerning,” Vanda said after a press briefing to coincide with this week’s third anniversary of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the body that has developed the declaration. 

Thai photo gaffe prompts exercise in damage control

Monday, 22 October 2012 Abby Seiff, From Phnom Penh Post

As picture of a Thai reporter stepping near an image of the late King Father continue to speed across the internet, Cambodian and Thai officials have been scrambling to contain the fallout of a minor gaffe that has threatened to explode into a diplomatic incident.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday to stress that there had been no malicious intention, a government spokesman said yesterday, while officials in both countries have urged public restraint in recent days.

“The Thai prime minister talked to my prime minister,” said Council of ministers spokesman Phay Siphan.

“What we foster the most is good relations between Cambodia and Thailand. We shall not allow anyone to frame this as a problem between the two nations.”

ពលរដ្ឋ​ផ្អើល​មើល​រូប​សម្តេច​ឪ​ក្នុង​ព្រះ​ខែ

Monday, 22 October 2012 ខៀវ ភិរម្យ​ From Phnom Penh Post

ព្រះចន្ទដែល​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​នាំគ្នាផ្អើល​មើ​លថាមាន​ព្រះឆាយាល័ក្ខណ៍សម្ដេច​ឪ កាលពី​យប់មិញ​។ រូប អាំ វ៉ាលីនដា

ភ្នំពេញៈ ភាព​ភ្ញាក់ផ្អើល​របស់​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​បាន​កើត​ឡើង​ផ្ទួនៗ​គ្នា ក្រោយ​ដែល​ព្រះ​មហាវីរក្សត្រ សម្តេច​ព្រះ​បាទ ន​រោត្តម សីហនុ ទ្រង់​សោយទិវង្គត ហើយ​កាល​ពី​យប់​មិញ​នេះ អ្នក​រស់​នៅ​រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ​ជាច្រើន​បាន​ទូរស័ព្ទ​ផ្ទួន​ៗ គ្នា​មក ភ្នំពេញ ប៉ុស្តិ៍ ដោយ​បាន​អះអាង​ថា បាន​មើល​ឃើញ​ព្រះឆាយា​ល័ក្ខណ៍​សម្តេច​ឪ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ព្រះខែ ថ្ងៃ៦ កើត​ ភាគ​ច្រើន​ដូច​រូប​ក្នុង​ក្រដាស​ប្រាក់​១ម៉ឺន​រៀល​។
កញ្ញា នួន ពេជ្រស៊ូដានី អ្នក​រស់​នៅ​ម្តុំ​បុរី​សឡា សង្កាត់​ស្ទឹងមានជ័យ រៀប​រាប់​ប្រាប់​ភ្នំពេញ​ប៉ុស្តិ៍​ថា នាង​បាន​​មើល​ឃើញ​រូប​សម្តេច​ឪ ក្នុង​ចំណិត​ព្រះ​ខែ បន្ទាប់​ពី​អ្នក​ភូមិ​ផ្អើល​មើល​ឈូ​ឆរ​នៅ​លើ​ដង​ផ្លូវ។​
ពេជ្រ ស៊ូដានី និយាយ​ថា ៖ «​ខ្ញុំ​មើល​ឃើញ​ច្បាស់​ជា​រូប​សម្តេច​ឪ ទ្រង់​ព្រះ​ភក្ត្រ​ពណ៌​ស ដូច​ក្នុង​រូប​ដង្ហែ​ព្រះ​បរមសព។ ព្រះភក្ត្រ​ព្រះ​អង្គ​ញញឹម​សម្លឹង​មក​កាន់​ភព​ផែន​ដី​»។  កញ្ញា​បន្ត​ថា៖ ​«ដើម្បី​មើល​ឃើញ​រូប​នេះ ត្រូវ​សម្លឹង​ក្នុង​អារម្មណ៍​យូរ​បន្តិច។ ដំបូង​ត្រូវ​ឈរ​ឲ្យ​ចំ​សម្លឹង​ទៅ​ព្រះ​ខែ នឹង​ឃើញ​លោក​ខែ​ព្រែក យើង​ត្រូវ​សម្លឹង​ទៅ​ចំណិត​រាង​ខ្មៅ​ ដំបូង​នឹង​ឃើញ​ស្នាម​ញញឹម​ព្រះអង្គ សម្លឹង​មួយ​សន្ទុះ​ទៀត​នឹង​ឃើញ ព្រះ​នេត្រ និង​ព្រះ​កាយ​ព្រះអង្គ មួយ​កំណាត់​ដូច​រូប​ដាក់​ដង្ហែ​ព្រះ​បរមសព​មក​អ៊ី​ចឹង​»។

ឥស្សរ​ជន​ខ្មែរ​ចង់​ឲ្យ​លើក​លែង​ទោស​អ្នក​ទោស​នយោបាយ​ដើម្បី​ផ្សះផ្សា​ជាតិ

Monday, 22 October 2012 ម៉ៃ ទិត្យថារ៉ា From The Phnom Penh Post

លោក ម៉ម សូណង់ដូ​ ប្រធាន​វិទ្យុ​សំបុកឃ្មុំ និង​ប្រធាន​​សមាគមអ្នកប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ​ នៅឯសាលាដំបូង​រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ នាពេលកន្លងមក។ ជីវ័ន

ភ្នំពេញៈ ទីប្រឹក្សា​អម​ព្រះ​រាជ​ខុទ្ទកាល័យ ព្រះ​មហាក្សត្រ និង​ក្រុម​អ្នក​វិភាគ​នយោបាយ បាន​អំពាវ​នាវ​ដល់​រាជ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ឲ្យ​ធ្វើ​ការ​លើក​លែង​ទោស អ្នក​ទោស​នយោបាយ នៅ​ខណៈ​ដែល​ប្រជាជាតិ​ខ្មែរ​ទាំង​មូល កំពុង​ចូល​រួម​កាន់​មរណ​ទុក្ខ​យ៉ាង​ក្រៀម​ក្រំ ចំពោះ​ព្រះ​បរម​សព​ព្រះ​មហាវីរ​ក្សត្រ សម្តេច​ឪ នរោត្តម​សីហនុ ដើម្បី​ជា​ការ​ផ្សះផ្សា និង​បង្រួប​បង្រួម​ជាតិ ស្រប​ទៅ​នឹង​អ្វី​ដែល​សម្តេច​ឪ តែង​តែ​ធ្វើ កាល​ពី​ព្រះ​អង្គ​នៅ​មាន​ព្រះ​ជន្ម។ ការ​អំពាវ​នាវ​នេះ បាន​ធ្វើ​ឡើង​ស្រប​ពេល​ដែល​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​បាន​បញ្ជូន​ត្រឡប់​ទៅ​វិញ នូវ​លិខិត​មួយ​ច្បាប់ ​របស់​លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ដែល​បាន​ស្នើ​សុំ​ឲ្យ​លោក​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​ជួយ​អន្តរាគមន៍​ឲ្យ​រូប​លោក អាច​វិល​ត្រឡប់​មក​ចូល​រួម​កាន់​ទុក្ខ​ព្រះ​បរមសព​ព្រះ​មហា​វីរក្សត្រ។ ព្រះ​អង្គ​ម្ចាស់ ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ ធម្មិកោ ទីប្រឹក្សា អម​ព្រះរាជ​ខុទ្ទកា​ល័យ ព្រះ​មហា​ក្សត្រ និង​ជា​អតីត​លេខា​ផ្ទាល់ របស់​ព្រះ​មហា​វីរ​ក្សត្រ​មាន​បន្ទូល​ថា រដ្ឋា​ភិបាល​គួរ​ណា​តែ​ឆក់​ឱកាស​ដ៏​ក្រៀមក្រំ​នេះ​ដើម្បី​លើក​លែង ទោស​ដល់​អ្នក​ទោស​នយោបាយ ដើម្បី​ជា​ការ​ផ្សះ​ផ្សា​និង​បង្រួប​បង្រួម​ជាតិ។ ព្រះ​អង្គ​ម្ចាស់​មាន​បន្ទូល​ថា៖ «តាម​ការ​យល់​ឃើញ​របស់​ខ្ញុំគឺ​គ្មាន​ឱកាស​ណា​ល្អ​ជាង​ឱកាស​នេះ​ទេ។ ប្រសិន​បើ​រាជ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល សម្រេច​ធ្វើ​ការ​លើក​លែង​ទោស ដល់​អ្នក​នយោ​បាយ នៅ​ក្នុង​ឱកាស​នេះ គឺ​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​ចម្រើន​ជាតិ​ច្រើន​ជាង​ខាត»។
ព្រះអង្គម្ចាស់​មាន បន្ទូល​ទៀត​ថា ការ​លើកលែង​ទោស​អ្នក​នយោបាយ វា​ពុំ​មែន​ជា​រឿង​អ្វី​ថ្មី ដែល​គួរ​ឲ្យ​ភ្ញាក់​ផ្អើល​នោះ​ទេ។ ព្រះ​អង្គ​ម្ចាស់ មាន​បន្ទូល​ទៀត​ថា៖ «នេះ​ជា​ឱកាស​ដែល​ធ្វើ​ការ​ផ្សះ​ផ្សា និង​បង្រួប​បង្រួម​ជាតិ ដូច្នេះ​ឱកាស​នេះ គឺជា​ឱកាស​មហា​ឧឡារិក ដែល​ប្រជារាស្ត្រ​ខ្មែរ​ទូទាំង​ប្រទេស​កំពុង​កាន់​ទុក្ខ​ព្រះ​វិញ្ញាណ​ក្ខន្ធ របស់​ព្រះ​ករុណា​ព្រះ​មហា​វីរក្សត្រ»។

Palace aides push pardons

Monday, 22 October 2012 May Titthara and David Boyle, From The Phnom Penh Post

Beehive Radio director Mam Sonando (C) is hustled into a van to be taken to Prey Sar prison after being sentenced to a 20-year jail term, Monday, Oct.1, 2012. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post
Palace insiders have begun hinting that a royal amnesty for political prisoners may be forthcoming in homage to the passing of Cambodia’s beloved former monarch King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Son Soubert, an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, yesterday hinted that the king would likely acquiesce to a plea for such an amnesty made by the late King Father’s former adviser Prince Thomico Sisowath late last week.

“I cannot talk on behalf of the king, but I’m sure on this case he would be willing to comply with that and willing to sign the amnesty,” he said, adding that all political prisoners should have a chance to pay their final respects to the King Father.

សហគមន៍​ព្រៃឈើ​ត្រពាំងរូង ខេត្តកំពង់ធំ ត្រូវបាន​វាស់វែង​ជា​តំបន់​ព្រៃឈើ​ការពារ

កូឡាប CEN ថ្ងៃទី៩ តុលា ២០១២

ខេត្តកំពង់ធំ​: ​គម្រោង​គ្រប់គ្រង​ព្រៃឈើប្រកបដោយ​និរន្ត​ភាព និង​ការលើកកម្ពស់​របរ​ចិញ្ចឹមជីវិត នៅ​ជនបទ ត្រូវបាន​បង្កើតឡើងតាមរយៈ​សហគមន៍​ព្រៃឈើ ផ្តួចផ្តើម​អំពី​កាត់បន្ថយ​ការបញ្ចេញ​ឧស្ម័ន​ដែល​បណ្តាលមកពី​ការបាត់បង់ និង​រេច​រឹល (REDD) ព្រៃឈើ នៅ​កម្ពុជា​។ គម្រោង​នោះ បាន​ដើរតួនាទី​យ៉ាងសំខាន់ក្នុងការ​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​អាកាសធាតុ​ពិភពលោកមាន​លំនឹង តាមរយៈ​ការ​ស្រូប​កាបូន ក្នុងការ​ដោះស្រាយ​បញ្ហា​ប្រែ​ប្រួ​ល​អាកាសធាតុ​។ ការគ្រប់គ្រង និង​ការអភិរក្ស​ប្រកបដោយ​និរន្ត​ភាព​នូវ​ព្រៃឈើ ត្រូវបាន​មន្ត្រី​ជំនាញ និង​ម្ចាស់ជំនួយចុះ​វាស់វែង កំណត់​ដែន​ព្រៃ​ការពារ ដែលមាន​ទំហំ​ជិត ១.០០០ ហិកតា នៅ​សហគមន៍​ព្រៃឈើត្រពាំងរូង ក្នុង​ខេត្តកំពង់ធំ​។​

​គម្រោង​អភិរក្ស​ព្រៃឈើ​នោះ ត្រូវបាន​ឧបត្ថម្ភ​ឡើង​ក្រោម​ជំនួយ​របស់​សហភាព​អឺរ៉ុប ក្នុង​កិច្ចប្រជុំ​រវាង​លោក ហ្ស​ង ហ្វ្រ​ង់​ស័​រ កូ​តាំង (Jean-Francois CAUTAIN) ឯកអគ្គរដ្ឋទូត ប្រធាន​ប្រតិភូ​នៃ​សហភាព​អឺរ៉ុប ប្រចាំ​ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ​កម្ពុជា និង​ក្រុម​អ្នកសារព័ត៌មាន​ជាមួយ​ក្រុម​សហគមន៍​ព្រៃឈើ​ត្រពាំងរូង ស្ថិតនៅ​ឃុំ​ជ័យ មាន​ចម្ងាយ​ប្រហែល​១៦ គីឡូម៉ែត្រ ខាងជើង​ក្រុង​កំពង់ធំ ខេត្តកំពង់ធំ កាលពី​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងែ​ទី​៨ ខែតុលា ឆ្នាំ​២០១២ និង​មានការ​ចូលរួម​ពី​រដ្ឋបាល​ព្រៃឈើ​សង្កាត់​/​ខណ្ឌ កំពង់ធំ និង​ពី​ពលរដ្ឋ​សហគមន៍​ជាច្រើន​នាក់​ផងដែរ​។​

ក្នុង​ទិវា​សិទ្ធិ​លំនៅដ្ឋាន​ពលរដ្ឋ​រងគ្រោះ​ទាមទារ​ឲ្យ​បញ្ឈប់​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ចេញ

ឆាយ ច័ន្ទនីដា ភ្នំពេញប៉ុស្តិ៍ ថ្ងៃទី៩​​ តុលា​ ២០១២

ក្រុម​ប្រជា​ពល​រដ្ឋ​រង​គ្រោះ​ស្រែក​ទាម​ទារ​ឲ្យ​បញ្ឈប់​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ប្រជា​ពល​រដ្ឋ​ក្រី​ក្រ​​ចេញ​ពី​ទី​ក្រុង​។ រូបថត ហុង មិនា

ភ្នំពេញៈ នៅ​ក្នុង​ទិវា​សិទ្ធិ​លំនៅដ្ឋាន​ពិភពលោក ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​ប្រារព្ធ​ធ្វើ​ឡើង​ កាល​ពី​ម្សិល​មិញ តំណាង​ពលរដ្ឋ​រងគ្រោះ​ដោយ​សារ​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ចេញ ដោយ​បង្ខំ ប្រមាណ ៤០០ នាក់ មក​ពី​សហគមន៍​ចំនួន​ ៤០​ ក្នុង​រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ និង​សកម្មជន​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស បាន​ដាក់​ញតិ្ត​ជូន​រដ្ឋសភា​ ដើម្បី​ទាមទារ​ឲ្យ​ស្ថាប័ន​ជាតិ​កំពូល​មួយ​នេះ ធ្វើ​អន្ត​រាគមន៍ ទៅ​រដ្ឋាភិបាល ឲ្យ​បញ្ឈប់​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ចេញ​ទាំង​បំពាន ដែល​បាន​រុញ​ច្រាន​ពលរដ្ឋ​ដែល​ក្រីក្រ​ស្រាប់ ឲ្យ​កាន់​តែ​ធ្លាក់​ចូល​ជ្រៅ ទៅ​ក្នុង​រណ្តៅ​នៃ​ភាព​ក្រីក្រ​ថែម​ទៀត​។

ពលរដ្ឋ និង​សកម្មជន​សិទ្ធិ​ដីធ្លី ដែល​ចូលរួម​ក្នុង​ទិវា ដែល​ប្រារព្ធ​នៅ​អតី​តតំបន់​ដី​ក្រហម​ក្នុង​សង្កាត់​ទន្លេ​បាសាក់​ ខណ្ឌ​ចំការ​មន នា​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃ​ចន្ទ​ម្សិលមិញ បាន​ពាក់​អាវ​យឺត​ពណ៌ខ្មៅ សរសេរ​ថា «តំបន់​គ្មាន​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ចេញ» និង​ពាក់​មួក​ធ្វើ​ពី​ក្រដាស​រឹង​ពណ៌​ស រូប​ផ្ទះ ដោយ​ខ្លះ​សរសេរ​សុំ​ឲ្យ​ដោះ​លែង​ចំពោះ​សកម្មជន​សិទ្ធិ​ដីធ្លី​លោក​ស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា​ មក​ពី​សហគមន៍​បឹងកក់ និង​ខ្លះ​សុំ​ឲ្យ​បញ្ឈប់​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ចេញ​។ ការ​ប្រារព្ធ​ទិវា​នេះ ក៏​ធ្វើ​ឡើង ដើម្បី​រំឭក​ដល់​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ចេញ​ទាំង​បង្ខំ ពី​សហគមន៍​នានា ក្នុង​ក្រុង​ភ្នំពេញ​កន្លង​មក មាន​ដូច​ជា​សហគមន៍​ដី​ក្រហម ក្រុម​ ៧៨​ សហគមន៍​ផ្លូវ​រថ​ភ្លើង​ សហគមន៍​បឹងកក់ សហគមន៍​បុរី​កីឡា ដោយ​មិនមាន​នូវ​ការ​ផ្តល់​សំណង​សមរម្យ។

អ្នក​គាំទ្រ​ទូល​សុំ​ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ ឲ្យ​ជួយ​ដោះ​លែង​លោក ម៉ម សូណង់ដូ

មាស សុខ​ជា ភ្នំពេញប៉ុស្តិ៍ ថ្ងៃទី៩ តុលា ២០១២

ក្រុម​អ្នក​គាំ​ទ្រ​​ ទាម​ទារ​ឲ្យ​ដោះ​លែង​លោក​ម៉ម សូណង់​ដូ។ រូបថត ជីវ័ន

ភ្នំពេញៈ សមាជិក​សមាគម​អ្នក ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ​ប្រមាណ ១០០ នាក់ បាន​យក​ញត្តិ ភ្ជាប់​ជា​មួយ​ស្នាម​មេ​ដៃ ប្រជា​ពលរដ្ឋ​ជាង ១៤ ម៉ឺន​នាក់ ដាក់​ថ្វាយ​ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ​នរោត្តម សីហមុនី និង​សម្តេចឪ នរោត្តម សីហនុ ដើម្បី​ទូល​សុំ​ឲ្យ​ក្សត្រ​ទាំង​ពីរ​ព្រះ​អង្គ ជួយ​ព្រះរាជ​អន្តរាគមន៍ ដោះ​លែង​លោក ម៉ម សូណង់ដូ ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​តុលាការ​ក្រុង​ភ្នំពេញ​ កាត់​ទោស​ឲ្យ​ជាប់​ពន្ធនាគារ ២០ ឆ្នាំ។

លោក​ស្រី ហួន ផាន់ណារី អគ្គលេខាធិការ​រង​នៃ​សមាគម​អ្នក​ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ បាន​ថ្លែង​នៅ​មុខ​ព្រះ​បរមរាជវាំង បន្ទាប់​ពី​ដាក់​ញត្តិ កាល​ពី​ម្សិលមិញ​ថា៖ «​ប្រទេស​របស់​យើង​មាន​ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ។ យើង​សង្ឃឹម​ថា ព្រះ​មហាក្សត្រ នឹង​ជួយ​អន្តរាគមន៍​ដោះ​លែង​គាត់។ នេះ​មិន​មែន​ជា​សំណើ​សុំ​លើក​លែង​ទោស​ទេ តែ​ជា​សំណើ​សុំ​ដោះ​លែង ព្រោះ​គាត់​មិន​បាន​ធ្វើ​អ្វី​ខុស​ឡើយ»។ លោក​ស្រី បាន​បន្ថែម​ថា បន្ទាប់​ពី​បាន​ប្រមូល​ផ្តុំ​នៅ​មុខ​ព្រះ​បុរមរាជវាំង​អស់​កន្លះ​ម៉ោង មក លោក​ស្រី ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​អនុញ្ញាត​ឲ្យ​ចូល​ក្នុង​បរិវេណ​ព្រះ​បរមរាជវាំង ហើយ​មន្រ្តី​រាជវាំង​ពីរ-បី​នាក់ បាន​មក​ជួប​លោក​ស្រី ហើយ​ម្នាក់​ក្នុង​ចំណោម​ពួក​គេ គឺ​លោក ឡាំង ចំណាប់ បាន​ទទួល​យក​ញត្តិ និង​ស្នាម​មេដៃ​ពី​លោក​ស្រី ដោយ​សន្យា​ថា គាត់​នឹង​យក​ស្នាម​មេដៃ និង​ញត្តិ​ទាំង​នេះ ថ្វាយ​ព្រះ​មហាក្សត្រ។

ពលរដ្ឋ​មាន​ជម្លោះ​ដី​នៅ​ព្រះ​វិហារ​មក​តវ៉ា​ជាថ្មី​ឲ្យ​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​ជួយ

ផាក់ ស៊ាងលី​ ភ្នំពេញប៉ុស្តិ៍ ថ្ងៃទី៩ តុលា ២០១២

ប្រ​ជា​ពល​រដ្ឋ​​នៅ​​ខេត្ត​ព្រះ​វិហារ​មក​តវ៉ា​ឲ្យ​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​ជួយ​ដោះ​ស្រាយ​ជម្លោះដី​ធ្លី កាល​ពី​ខែ​មិថុនា​​​។ រូបថត លីណា

ព្រះវិហារៈ ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​មក​ពី​ខេត្ត​ព្រះវិហារ​ប្រមាណ​១៧០​នាក់ ថា​នឹង​ធ្វើ​ការ​ប្រមូល​ផ្តុំ​គ្នា​នៅ​ក្នុង​រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ​នៅ​ព្រឹក ថ្ងៃ​អង្គារ​នេះ ដើម្បី​សុំ​អន្តរាគមន៍​ពី​លោក​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន ជា​ថ្មី​ម្តង​ទៀត ឲ្យ​ជួយ​ដោះ​ស្រាយ​ជម្លោះ​ដីធ្លី​ដ៏​រ៉ាំរ៉ៃ ជាមួយ​នឹង​អង្គការ​វ៉ាយ​អេដស៍​និង​អាជ្ញាធរ។

លោក ឡោ ចាន់ អ្នក​សម្រប​សម្រួល​សមាគម​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស​អាដ​ហុក​ខេត្ត​ព្រះ​វិហារ​បាន ឲ្យ​ដឹង​ថា ពលរដ្ឋ​ដែល​មាន​ជម្លោះ​ដីធ្លី​ទាំង​អស់​បំបែក​គ្នា​ធ្វើ​ដំណើរ​មក កាន់​រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ តាំង​តែ​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​ទី៧ ខែតុលា​មក​ម្ល៉េះ​ហើយ​នឹង​ធ្វើ​ការ​ជួប​ជុំ​គ្នា​តវ៉ា​និង​ស្វែង​រក​យុត្តិធម៌​ពី​រដ្ឋាភិបាល​ជា​ថ្មី​ម្តង​ទៀត នៅ​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃ​អង្គារ​នេះ។

គ្រួសារ​រង​គ្រោះ​ពី​គម្រោង​ស្តារ​ផ្លូវ​ដែក​ប្តឹង​ពី​ការ​រំលោភ​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស

Rosa Ellen​​ ភ្នំពេញប៉ូស្តិ៍ ថ្ងៃទី៩ តុលា ២០១២

ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ដែល​កំពុង​រស់​នៅ​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ដែក​​​នាពេល​កន្លង​មក​។ ពួក​គេ​ប្រឈម​នឹង​ការបណ្ដេញ​ចេញ​។ ភ្នំពេញ ប៉ុស្ដិ៍

ភ្នំពេញៈ ពលរដ្ឋ​ចំនួន​៣០​គ្រួសារ ដែល​រងគ្រោះ​ពី​គម្រោង​ស្តារ​ផ្លូវ​ដែក​នៅ​កម្ពុជា បាន​ដាក់​បណ្តឹង​ទៅ​អង្គការ​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស​របស់​អូស្រ្តាលី ដោយ​បាន​ចោទ​ប្រកាន់​ថា មាន​ការ​រំលោភ​បំពាន​សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស​កើត​ចេញ​ពី​គម្រោង​ស្តារ​ផ្លូវ​ដែក ដែល​ផ្តល់​មូលនិធិ មួយ​ផ្នែក​ដោយ AusAid។

បណ្តឹង​ទៅ​គណៈ​កម្មការ សិទ្ធិ​មនុស្ស​អូស្រ្តាលី​ (AHRC) ត្រូវ​បាន​ធ្វើ​ឡើង តំណាង​ឲ្យ​គ្រួសារ​ទាំង​នេះ ដោយ​អង្គការ Equitable Cambodia និង​អង្គការ Inclusive Development International ដែល​ថា រដ្ឋាភិបាល​អូស្រ្តាលី​បរាជ័យ​មិន​បាន​លើក​ស្ទួយ​កាតព្វ​កិច្ច​សិទ្ធិ មនុស្ស​អន្តរជាតិ​របស់​ខ្លួន ខណៈ​មាន​ការ​ទាមទារ​ឲ្យ​ដោះ​ស្រាយ​ជា​បន្ទាន់ ចំពោះ​ការ​បណ្តេញ​ប្រជាជន​ចេញ​ពី​លំនៅ​ដ្ឋាន​ដោយ​សារតែ​ការ​គាំ​ពារ​គម្រោង​កម្ពុជា​មួយ​នេះ។

ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ជាង​៤ពាន់​គ្រួសារ បាន​រង​ការ​ប៉ះ​ពាល់​ពី​គម្រោង​ស្តារ​ផ្លូវ​ដែក​នេះ ហើយ​យ៉ាង​ហោច​មាន​១២០០​គ្រួសារ​បាន​តម្រូវ​ឲ្យ​ទៅ​រស់​នៅ​កន្លែង​ថ្មី ដើម្បី​បើក​ផ្លូវ​សម្រាប់​គម្រោង​ស្តារ​ផ្លូវ​ដែក​នេះ ដែល​ជា​ការ​អភិវឌ្ឍ​រួម​គ្នា​រវាង​ក្រុម​ហ៊ុន Toll Holdings របស់​អូស្រ្តាលី និង​ក្រុម​ហ៊ុន Royal Group របស់​កម្ពុជា។

Habitat Day marked by capital’s evictees

Chhay Channyda, the Phnom Penh Post, Oct. 9 2012

Land rights activists wearing hats that look like houses protest in Phnom Penh Monday, Oct. 8, 2012. Photograph: Hong Menea/Phnom Penh Post

Evictees wearing small model houses on their heads to symbolise their struggles marched to the National Assembly yesterday to ask authorities to intervene to stop more forced evictions.

About 400 representatives of 40 communities across the capital joined human rights activists at the former Dey Krahorm eviction site on Chamkarmon district’s Tonle Sap commune yesterday as part of a World Habitat Day event.

World Habitat Day was celebrated internationally on October 1, but many of the activists who attended yesterday had spent that day supporting Beehive Radio director Mam Sonando as he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for masterminding a so-called secessionist plot in Kratie province.

Three killed in land mine explosion

Kim Sarom and Rachel Will, The Phnom Penh Post, Oct. 9 2012

An anti-tank mine killed three and injured three others in the second mine explosion in Battambang province in a week.

The blast occurred on Sunday in Battambang’s Samlot district when a group of farmers tried to push a tractor out of the mud, according to Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre.

“There were two small tractors. The first passed the area, and the second became stuck in mud,” he said. “[The victims] attempted to push the small tractor out, building pressure and causing the explosion.”

Preah Vihear protesters plan rally at PM’s house

Phak Seangly, The Phnom Penh Post, Oct. 9 2012

About 170 villagers involved in a Preah Vihear land dispute plan to protest in front of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house this morning after mobilising under the radar to prevent authorities from blocking the attempt, a villager representative said yesterday.

Responding to previous attempts by authorities to prevent protesters travelling to Phnom Penh from Preah Vihear’s Choam Ksan district – site of a long-running dispute with now defunct NGO Drugs and Aids Research and Prevention Organisation – villagers in the past few days have trickled into the capital in small groups, Sat Savoeun said.

“We will get up early in the morning to gather at Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house, so that we are not blocked by authorities,” he said.

Tags: Cambodia, Development, Human Rights, Land Concession, Land Dispute, Preah Vihear

Backers ask King to set Sonando free

Meas Sokchea, The Phnom Penh Post, Oct. 9 2012

Members of the Association of Democrats, the group led by jailed activist and Beehive Radio owner Mam Sonando, rallied in front of the Royal Palace yesterday to deliver petitions appealing for his release.

Huon Phannary, the deputy secretary-general of the association, said yesterday that nearly 100 people gathered to present the request through a palace official.

The petitions, addressed to King Norodom Sihamoni and King Father Norodom Sihanouk, were said to contain more than 140,000 thumbprints.

The petition asks for the royals to intervene in a case that saw the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentence Sonando last week to 20 years in prison for his masterminding of a so-called secessionist plot.

“Our country has a King. We hope that the King will help intervene to release him. This is the request of his supporters,” Phannary said.

Royal pardons are not uncommon, though they tend to steer clear of highly sensitive political cases, said Prince Sisowath Thomico, King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s personal secretary.

“So, the King will not interfere in this case,” Thomico said.

Tags: Cambodia, Development, Human Rights, Land Dispute, Phnom Penh

Verdict in Chut Wutty case delayed

May Titthara, The Phnom Penh Post, Oct. 9 2012

An expected verdict in the unintentional murder case of the man accused of shooting slain environmentalist Chut Wutty’s killer was delayed at Koh Kong Provincial Court yesterday because the presiding judge was ill.

Neang Boratino, Koh Kong provincial coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said a verdict in the case against Ran Boroth, a former employee of the logging firm Timbergreen accused of killing military police officer In Rattana while trying to disarm him, was now scheduled for October 22.

Villagers continue to fight for their land

May Titthara, The Phnom Penh Post, Oct. 9 2012

Seoung Yarat, an ethnic Tampuon village representative, looks out over land that he claims has been taken from his community by the company DM Group in Lumphat district, Ratanakkiri province. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

Four years after they began fighting the well-connected concessionaire DM Group, members of the ethnic Tampuon who remain in Svay Sor village are exhausted.


While the DM Group has seen its complaints against villagers and activists routinely heard at court, those filed by the affected families remain stalled or are ignored.

“If I’d given $10,000 to the court, my case would’ve been processed to trial,” Seoung Yarat, 50, said with disgust.

Yarat, a village representative, has been fighting two battles against the DM Group – one on behalf of 60 families who allege the rubber company has illegally encroached upon 260 hectares of their farmland, the other to seek justice after being shot in the leg by a police officer moonlighting as a security guard, who fired on him during a 2009 protest.

Criticism directed at UN, not at judge

Friday, 05 October 2012 Andrew Ianuzzi, From The Phnom Penh Post

I have been informed – rightly, I believe – that my comment in Wednesday’s Phnom Penh Post could be construed as a personal criticism of Mark Harmon.

I assure you, and your readers, that it is not. I have never met Judge Harmon.  By all accounts, he is an accomplished jurist of the highest integrity.

My criticism lies with the United Nations, which – in my opinion – is using the post of International Co-Investigating Judge, rather than the man himself, as a fig leaf to mask the unfortunate realities at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

As I have said to one of your journalists in the past, whether you put Kofi Annan or Donald Duck in the pos-ition, it won’t make a lick of difference.

The Prime Minister has announced his position on cases 003 and 004, and that, as we know, will remain the final word on the matter.

Andrew Ianuzzi
International Co-defence Lawyer, ECCC

Workers strike stretch into weekend

Friday, 05 October 2012 Mom Kunthear, From The Phnom Penh Post

More than 600 workers from Kandal province’s Tae Young Co factory yesterday continued to strike, insisting on the return of 16 dismissed workers.

Yesterday’s strikes came a day after the Kandal Provincial Court delayed questioning eight of the fired workers over charges that they incited an
illegal strike in June.

Union member Un Bunkea, one of the sacked workers whom the Ang Snuol district factory is suing for $60,000 in compensation, said yesterday that the eight fired union members appeared at the court on time but were told that their questioning had been suspended.

“I do not know when we will be summonsed again, but the workers are continuing their strike to demand that the factory drop the case and that all 16 people who were sacked return,” he said.

Boeung Kak motodop returns to work

Friday, 05 October 2012 Shane Worrell and Phak Seangly, From The Phnom Penh Post

Motodop Nget Chet, photographed yesterday, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post

A motodop at the centre of the high-profile case against imprisoned Boeung Kak lake villager Yorm Bopha has returned to work after receiving treatment for head injuries, he said yesterday.

Supporters of Nget Chet, 28, said during demonstrations last month that the motodop had been nearly brain damaged during an axe attack he blames on Bopha, 29, a well-known land activist.

Chet told the Post yesterday he had resumed his moto-taxi duties.

Appeal Court upholds terrorism convictions

Friday, 05 October 2012 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea and Stuart White, From Phnom Penh Post

The Court of Appeal yesterday upheld the convictions of two men from Bangladesh and a third from Nepal who were convicted in 2011 and each sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of having planned a terrorist plot against three foreign embassies in Phnom Penh. 

Presiding judge Chay Chandaravann said Bangladeshi nationals Rafiqul Eslami, 44, Miah Muhammed Huymayan Kabir, 65, and Nepalese national DP Paudel, 47, would remain in prison, where they have been since their arrest in April 2010 after the US, Australian and British embassies reportedly received terrorist threats in the form of letters bearing what appeared to be the men’s signatures.

Hun Sen lambasts rights rapporteur

Friday, 05 October 2012 Meas Sokchea and Abby Seiff, From The Phnom Penh Post

Prime Minister Hun Sen lashed out at the UN’s human rights envoy to Cambodia yesterday, saying Surya Subedi’s latest report skewed too heavily toward the opposition and suggested his talents might be better employed elsewhere.

“He [should] go to help his country rather than help in Khmer country. He considers himself a law professor. Why doesn’t he go help his country with writing the constitution?” Hun Sen said during a graduation speech at Phnom Penh’s National Institution for Education.

While the premier never mentioned the Nepalese national and Leeds University law professor by name, he made repeated reference to the rapporteur’s recent stinging reports, which were presented at the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva last month.

On the edge of eviction in Phnom Penh

Thursday, 04 October 2012 Shane Worrell and Mom Kunthear, The Phnom Penh Post

Impoverished villagers look out from their home Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Andong village, where 19 families believe they will soon be forced off their land. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post

A group of families in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district gathered in their sludge-filled street yesterday, fearing authorities were moving in to evict them – for a second time.

Many of the Andong village residents had taken the day off work; if anyone was coming to knock down their houses, they were going to be there.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Horm Hoy, 33, said. “We’re worried the authorities will come and destroy our homes because the deadline was today.”

Nineteen families along Hoy’s street received letters from district authorities two weeks ago, which they say order them to tear down their houses and vacate their land – without compensation – to make way for a road and water piping.

According to the villagers, they had until yesterday to comply or face the force of the authorities. Fellow villager Nuon Tom, 43, says the letter has caused her a lot of stress.

Reporting on Sonando Case Shows Differences in Local Media

By Kate Bartlett and Kaing Menghun - October 3, 2012 , From Cambodia Daily

The 20-year jail sentence for independent radio station owner Mam Sonando made headlines around the world yesterday, but coverage of Mr. Sonando’s case was markedly different in local Khmer-language media, particularly national TV where not a mention was made.

While the three major Khmer-language daily newspapers—Rasmei Kampuchea, Koh Santepheap, and Kampuchea Thmey Daily—ran front page stories on the sentencing, only one, Rasmei Kampuchea, quoted sources critical of the sentence.

Neither Koh Santepheap nor Kampuchea Thmey Daily mentioned any of the criticisms by national and international human rights groups. Kampuchea Thmey Daily took a more editorialized approach in its description of the so-called anti-government “secessionist” group that Mr. Sonando is supposed to have lead with co-defendant Bun Ratha, who received a 30-year jail term in absentia and remains at large.

Mass Eviction Looms Ahead Of East Asia Summit

By Aun Pheap and Joshua Wilwohl - October 4, 2012, From Cambodia Daily

Hundreds of families living near Phnom Penh International Airport are facing imminent eviction from their homes as security preparations begin for world leaders who will attend next month’s Asean and East Asia summits.

A total of 387 families living on 6.3 hectares of land to the east of the airport have been told to leave their homes to make way for a security road, a longer runway and so-called “buffer zones” for planes carrying international delegations, including U.S. President Barack Obama, said Sok Suthoeun, chief of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).

“We need to extend the runway, and we plan to build a security road for international delegates visiting Cambodia to attend the summits next month. We hope that President Barack Obama will also come, as he was invited to attend,” he said.

Donors Criticize Sonando Sentence

By Zsombor Peter - October 3, 2012, From Cambodia Daily

Three of Cambodia’s most important foreign donors have now condemned the 20-year jail term handed down to independent radio station owner Mam Sonando for alleged insurrection activities—a verdict branded as politically motivated by many local and international human rights groups.Despite the tough words from the normally very diplomatic donors, none have suggested that aid will be cut nor other sanctions threatened despite what many see as a steady decline in freedom of association, of speech and mounting use of state violence against peaceful protests.

German Ambassador Wolfgang Moser yesterday called the verdict “a pity” before deferring to a statement issued on Monday from European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, who said the conviction raised “severe doubts” about the Cambodian court’s independence.

អ្នក​មាន​ជម្លោះ​ដី​ធ្លី​​នៅ​ភ្នំពេញ​ដាក់​ទ្រុង​ខ្លួន​ឯង​ជំរុញ​ឲ្យ​ក្រសួង​យុត្តិ​ធម៌​បញ្ចប់​ជម្លោះ​

ញឹម សុខន និង អ៊ឹង ប៊ុនថន VOD ថ្ងៃទី​៣ តុលា ២០១២

ពល​​រដ្ឋ​ដែល​មាន​ជម្លោះដី​ធ្លី ​នៅរាជ​ធានី​ភ្នំពេញ​​ បាន​ចូល​ក្នុង​​​ទ្រុង​ឈើ​ស្រែក​​រក​យុត្តិធម៌​​នៅមុ​ខក្រសួង​យុត្តិ​ធម៌​ ជំរុញ​ឲ្យ​​​ក្រសួង​​នេះ​ជួយ​​អ​​ន្ត​រា​គមន៍​​បញ្ចប់​​​ជម្លោះ​ដី​ធ្លី ​និង​ដោះ​​​​​​​​​​លែង​​​តំណា​​​​ង​​ពួក​គេ​​​ពីរ​​នា​ក់​ ​ពី​ពន្ធ​នា​គារ​​ឲ្យ​មាន​​សេរី​ភាព​​វិញ​។

យុទ្ធ​សាស្ត្រ​តស៊ូ​មតិ​​បែប​ថ្មី​នេះ ​​បាន​​ធ្វើ​​ឡើង​ ដោយ​សហ​គមន៍​នៅ​តំបន់​បឹង​​កក់​ និង​អតីត​​បុរី​កីឡា​​ប្រមាណ​ជា​៦០នាក់​​ នៅ​ព្រឹក​​ថ្ងៃ​​ពុធ​នេះ​។ ពួក​គេជាស្រ្តី​ និង​កុ​មារ បាន​​​លើក​រូ​​ប​​​ព្រះពុទ្ធ​ និង​​សម្ភារៈ​​មួយ​ចំនួន​ធ្វើពី​ឈើដាក់​​តាំង​​នៅមុខ​​ក្រសួង​​យុត្តិ​​​ធម៌​​ ដោយ​មាន​​មនុស្ស​​ស្រី​ពីរ​នាក់ ​​ចូល​​​ទៅក្នុង​​​ទ្រុង​នោះ។ រូប​ទាំង​នោះ ​រួម​មាន​ ជញ្ជីង​​​តំ​ណាង​​យុត្តិ​ធម៌ ​ផ្ទះ​តូច​មួយ​​តំណាង​​​លំនៅ​ឋាន​ និង​មាន​​​បិទ​​​រូប​​​ថ​​ត​​​​​​តំណាង​ពួកគេពីរ​នាក់ ​​ដែល​តុលាការ​កំពុង​ឃុំ​ខ្លួន​ ៖​”យុត្តិធម៌​ត្រូវ​តែ​មាន​សម្រាប់​អ្នក​ស្លូត​ត្រង់ ​និង​អ្នក​រងគ្រោះ​ដោយ​គ្មាន​​កំហុស​។​ អយុត្តិធម៌​ណាស់!! យើងជា​រាស្ត្រ​ខ្មែរ​ត្រូវ​ការ​សេ​រី​ភាព និង​ភាព​យុត្តិធម៌។​ យុត្តិ​ធម៌​ ​ត្រូវ​តែ​មាន​សម្រាប់​អ្នក​ក្រ”​។

One-year jail and deportation for French pedophiles

Wednesday, 03 October 2012 Sen David and Rachel Will, From The Phnom Penh Post

Two French nationals charged with purchasing child prostitutes were sentenced by Battambang Provincial Court yesterday to a partially suspended two-year sentence with deportation.

Judge Kim Ravy of Battambang Provincial Court ordered that French nationals Denis Page, 63, and Jean Vidon, 67, spend two years in prison, with one year suspended from the date of the original arrest in October.

The two were also ordered to pay both victims, aged 15 and 17, 4 million riel, or $1,000.

Prosecutor Hong Sambath said he will appeal as the sum isn’t suitable for what the victims endured.  

Families await second eviction in Phnom Penh's Andong village

Wednesday, 03 October 2012 Mom Kunthear and Shane Worrell, From The Phnom Penh Post

Families in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district face a tense morning as they prepare for the familiar sound of authorities moving in to evict them.

Nineteen families in Andong village were told in a letter from district authorities that today was the deadline for them to tear down their homes and make way for a road – without any compensation.

It would be the second time since 2006 the families have been evicted from their homes.

Villager Heng Pheng Chun said the 19 families had begged commune officials yesterday to let them stay.

“We told them we cannot move out because we do not have a place to stay,” he said. “They still told us to move to temporary shelter, but how can we find this shelter just like that?”

Criticism over Mam Sonando verdict keeps growing

Wednesday, 03 October 2012 May Titthara and Abby Seiff, From The Phnom Penh Post

Beehive Radio director Mam Sonando (L) flashes the peace sign after being hustled into a van following a sentencing hearing on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

Outrage over the Mam Sonando verdict continued to mount yesterday as some of Cambodia’s closest allies and biggest donors joined a growing chorus; even as the government dismissed such criticism as baseless interference.

The US Department of State said it was “deeply concerned” by the conviction of the independent broadcaster and urged Sonando’s immediate release. Stressing that it “deplored” the verdict, France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, called on Cambodia “to ensure that an appeal will be given to him to promptly review the matter in a fair and equitable manner”.

On Monday, Phnom Penh Municipal Court passed down a guilty verdict and sentenced the 71-year-old Sonando to 20 years in prison on charges of insurrection, an allegation that has been widely dismissed by rights groups as politically motivated.

Police chief says PM intervened in Tep Kolap case

Wednesday, 03 October 2012 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea, From The Phnom Penh Post

Tep Kolap (C) outside the Supreme Court on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

An outstannding court warrant for Phnom Penh International University rector Tep Kolap was dropped after the intervention of the premier and his wife, according to Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth.

“Tep Kolap’s case is now ended. She is free from the court’s accusations now. And her court warrant for questioning was also removed from the court,” he told the Post yesterday during a telephone interview.

“Samdech Prime Minister had promised that he will find justice for her. Police will also provide her safety and security,” he said.

On Monday, fleeing what she claims were would-be assassins, Kolap made her way to the premier’s house seeking refuge. After arriving there and meeting with bodyguards, she was then brought in to meet with Bun Rany, said Kolap and an official yesterday.

Workers’ ‘resignations’ disputed

Wednesday, 03 October 2012 Shane Worrell and Mom Kunthear, From The Phnom Penh Post

Employees of the First & Main plush toy manufacturer stand outside the factory following its closure last month, Sept. 2012. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post

Workers at shuttered plush-toy company First & Main claimed yesterday their bosses had forced them to thumbprint resignation letters they had not written, a plan they feared could deny them severance pay.

Mech Mom, a representative of the 357 workers at the US-owned factory, in the capital’s Sen Sok district, said about 30 had refused the final installment of their outstanding wages because of the demand.

“The company representative forced the workers to thumbprint resignation letters and took back their factory ID cards in exchange for the money,” she said, adding that only about 20 workers had written resignation letters.