Phnom Penh, May 06, 2013— At around 8.00am today more than 100 protesters from Boeung Kak Lake, Borey Keila and airport communities evicted from their homes assembled in front of the Ministry of Justice to demonstrate against violations to their housing rights and to file a petition asking for the release Ms. Yorm Bopha, a community activist imprisoned for more than 8 months so far on spurious charges.
The petition was signed by at least 17 representatives of Boeung Kak Lake protesters, including Ms. Tep Vanny- a leading activist for land and housing rights.
To begin with, all the protesters were blocked by the security police of the Ministry of Justice and the gate were firm shut, not allowing them to submit the petition and the protesters were told the Ministry top officers were busy and could not receive petition.
A 62 year-old women protester said: “please don’t shut the gate and please don’t hate the villagers”. Another women protester sarcastically shouted: “we, the children have nothing to eat that’s why we come to get help from our parents but our parents locked the door and turn us out. So we need to find other people for help”.
Tired of being ignored by officials, some protesters wanted to climb the fence and offer the petition to officers inside the building. Facing potential pressures, the Ministry allowed 3 of the protesters to go inside and meet them.
No concrete promises were made but the petition was officially accepted. The protesters decided to hold a religious ceremony, reciting the dharma. They then conducted a cursing ceremony by breaking clay pots containing chilies, salt, fried corn and fake US dollars. They also burnt down a replica of the Ministry of Justice.
Before going back home a tired women said “we are nowadays like the floating smoke which travels everywhere without a real goal and always changes direction because of the wind”.
“No land, the man is nothing” commented rights groups.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Nay Vanda, Deputy Head of Monitoring Section: 012599106 (Khmer; English)
Mr. Neil Loughlin, Technical Assistant: 092 648 318; loughlin.adhoc@gmail.com (English)
