Human and Land Rights

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) condemns the conviction of 13 women embroiled in a land dispute with CPP Senator Lao Meng Khin’s Shukaku Inc. The Boeung Kak residents were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail yesterday by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on charges of rebellion (article 504 of the Penal Code) and illegal occupation of land (article 34 of the Land Law). Five of them had their sentences suspended to two years, and another to one year. All were sent to Prey Sar prison immediately after sentencing. The women were arrested on 23 May as they were peacefully protesting against the destruction of their homes by Shukaku Inc. and attempting to rebuild them.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) condemns the arrest of 13 female residents of the Boeung Kak community yesterday as they were peacefully protesting against the destruction of their homes and attempting to rebuild them. This latest development illustrates the fact that Cambodian authorities deliberately let the situation deteriorate at Boeung Kak Lake. As the 13 women are sent to court, ADHOC calls on relevant authorities to drop any charges against them and seek fair resolution of this long-running dispute.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) strongly condemns the shooting dead of a 14-year old girl yesterday, relating to a long-standing land dispute in Kratie province. Heng Chentha was fatally wounded by armed forces in Broma village, Kampong Domrey commune, Chhlong district, as villagers were protesting in Snuol district against forced eviction from the homes and farmland they had occupied for years. Cambodian authorities claim that the disputed land is state-owned; however, evidence suggests that it may have been granted as a concession to Casotim, a Russian company which plans to set up a rubber plantation.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister Hun Sen that there will be a moratorium on the granting of Economic Land Concessions (ELCs). In an order dated 7 May 2012, the Prime Minister called on public authorities to “temporarily postpone” the granting of ELCs to private companies. Civil society organizations and international human rights bodies have been asking the Cambodian authorities for several years to stop granting new land concessions, to review existing ones, and to ensure respect for relevant laws and regulations, including the 2001 Land Law, Sub-Decree 146 on Economic Land Concessions, and various human rights standards. ADHOC hopes that this move by the government indicates that the demands of NGOs and human rights professionals are finally being met.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) strongly condemns the killing of Mr. Chut Wutty, President of Cambodia’s Natural Resources Conservation Group, on 26th April 2012. ADHOC also expresses deep concern about the lack of thorough investigation by the authorities into the case, demonstrating an apparent lack of impetus towards seeking justice. The Chief Prosecutor has refused to meet with ADHOC investigators and to make further inquiries into this case, and the police report is seen as highly contentious by NGOs and the family of the victim. […]

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) strongly condemns the killing of Mr. Chhut Vuthy, President of Cambodia’s Natural Resources Conservation Group and a well-known environmental activist. Mr. Chhut was killed today as he was investigating a case of illegal logging in Koh Kong province. ADHOC urges the Cambodian authorities to immediately launch an investigation into his death and arrest perpetrators.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned about illegitimate restrictions to the right to freedom of expression and illegal arrests of community representatives in relation to the ASEAN People’s Forum, happened last weekend in Phnom Penh. On 31 March 2012, two community leaders were prevented from participating in a workshop of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) and detained by the police without any legal justification.

The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) urges Cambodian authorities to release Mr. Oum Mean and Mr. Heng Eang, two human rights defenders who were arrested this morning in Rattanakiri province as they were assisting citizens to file a petition against land rights violations.

Although former Bavet City Governor Chhuk Bundith confessed that he was the gunman who shot three female workers on 20 February during a protest at Svay Rieng Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Provincial Prosecutor Hing Bunchea allowed him to go free after questioning yesterday. Given the seriousness of the crime and the risks of interference with the victims and witnesses, Cambodian authorities must immediately arrest Chhuk Bundith and place him in detention while investigating the case.

As Soum Chankea, the organisation’s Provincial Coordinator at its Banteay Meanchey office, was questioned by the Prosecutor yesterday, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) expresses deep concern about potential charges being brought against him. The Prosecutor has made no decision as of yet, but investigation into the case continues.

Early on 28 February 2012, communities living along two rivers affected by a mega hydro-electric dam project in Stung Treng province gathered to perform a religious ritual and peacefully protest against the project. The Lower Se​ San 2 Dam is planned to be built by Electricity of Vietnam on the Se San river. It will severely affect the livelihoods and lifestyle of communities living along the Se San and Srey Pork rivers, displace them from ancestral land, and flood thousands of hectares of forest and farmland.