Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Cambodia Trains Social Workers to Curb Reliance on Foreign Aid

By KIT GILLET

Published: June 18, 2013

The New York Time

PHNOM PENH — Soeurng Sambath grew up as the youngest of seven siblings in an impoverished farming village at a time when Cambodia was emerging from decades of civil war, genocide and bloodshed.

During Khmer Rouge rule from 1975 to 1979, an estimated 1.7 million people were killed or died from starvation, disease or hard labor, including many among the educated classes. Years of conflict followed, even after the Khmer Rouge was removed from power.

“People in Cambodia in the 1970s and ’80s lived in darkness,” said Mr. Soeurng, 22. “For my generation, we have a chance to push our country forward.”

Mr. Soeurng, who expects to graduate this summer from a pioneering social work program, hopes to be a part of that change.

CNRP looks to members for backing

Last Updated on 18 June 2013

By Cheang Sokha

P Penh Post

Opposition lawmakers Mu Sochua (left) and Son Chhay speak at a press conference in Phnom Penh in February. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post

The Cambodia National Rescue Party has initiated a large-scale campaign to rally their supporters by collecting thumbprints for a petition to be submitted to the National Assembly demanding the reinstatement of sacked lawmakers, party officials said yesterday.

Their announcement came as opposition lawmakers submitted a letter to the Constitutional Council yesterday morning appealing for the reinstatement of their parliamentary positions and asking the council to rule the June 5 expulsion of 29 MPs illegal.

Previously, the party has argued that the move was unconstitutional while legal analysts have said it does not comply with the “spirit” of certain laws that the representatives have been accused of breaking.

‘Welcome to the gutter’

Last Updated on 18 June 2013

By Stuart White

P Penh Post

In june 1998, during the lead-up to contentious national elections, the body of Funcinpec activist Thong Sophal was found in a dry canal bed in Kandal province.

His fingers and left ear were missing, and the flesh on his legs had been flayed off, leaving only bone, according to numerous international media and NGO reports.

Sophal appeared to have ultimately died from at least one heavy blow to the head. Police at the time ruled the death – the fourth royalist killings so far that month – a suicide.

Fifteen years later, as Cambodia enters a new election cycle, there have been no reports of political killings, much less torture on the level of that was undergone by Thong Sophal. However, with a whirlwind of controversies besetting the leadership of the newly formed Cambodia National Rescue Party, it’s beginning to look like Cambodian politics have found another, more sophisticated method of execution – character assassination.

“I think that the resort[ing] to violence has backfired, and undermined the credibility of the ruling party, and there has been a lot of pressure from inside and outside to end this kind of violence,” political analyst Lao Mong Hay said. “And now we come to a stage of arousing public disagreements … against the opposition, and also legal action.”

US envoy speaks up on ouster

Last Updated on 18 June 2013

By Kevin Ponniah

P Penh Post

US Ambassador to Cambodia William E Todd (right) visits Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province in November. Photo by AFP

US Ambassador William E Todd yesterday waded into the debate over the June 5 expulsion of 29 lawmakers from the National Assembly, despite senior government officials warning foreign observers and diplomats to stay out of the issue last week.

Todd, in a personal weekly column published in English and Khmer on local news websites, responded to a reader’s question about why the United States had questioned Cambodia’s democratic process.

“We believe the action taken by the National Assembly limits the space for competing political parties in Cambodia, is contrary to the spirit of democracy, and risks tarnishing Cambodia’s image on the world stage,” he wrote.

Thai and Cambodian rulers agree to civility

Last Updated on 18 June 2013

By Vong Sokheng

P Penh Post

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong (right) enters a meeting with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh yesterday. Photograph: Pha Lina/Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to maintain stability and peace along the contentious border near Preah Vihear temple, regardless of the decision to be issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) come October, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said yesterday.

The statements were made following a sidelines meeting between Namhong and Irina Bokova, Director General of the UNESCO at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I thanked UNESCO for listing Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site and for providing a lot of support for culture and education, particularly for sending experts for monitoring and the restoration of Preah Vihear Temple,” Namhong told reporters yesterday.

Police block Beoung Kak protesters

Last Updated on 18 June 2013

By Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Shane Worrell

P Penh Post

Song Srey Leap, a Boeung Kak Lake community resident and activist, attempts to push past a barricade of police officers blocking a street in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district yesterday. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

More than 100 police and security guards, including riot squad members, were deployed to the capital’s Boeung Kak lake community yesterday to block a protest that, at times, involved only three shouting women.

About 50 members of the Boeung Kak community tried to march from Village 22 in the capital’s Daun Penh district to the Council of Ministers to demand authorities overturn fellow Boeung Kak activist Yorm Bopha’s guilty verdict and resolve their years-long land dispute.

បក្សប្រឆាំងប្រកាសចូលរួមបោះឆ្នោតតែនឹងមិនទទួលស្គាល់លទ្ធផល

ជាទូទៅក្រោយពីការបោះឆ្នោតម្ដងៗ ដូចជាការបោះឆ្នោតជ្រើសរើសក្រុមប្រឹក្សាឃុំ សង្កាត់ និងបោះឆ្នោតជ្រើសតាំងតំណាងរាស្ត្រកន្លងមក គណបក្សប្រឆាំងតែងតែច្រានចោលលទ្ធផលបោះឆ្នោត ដោយចោទប្រកាន់អំពីភាពមិនប្រក្រតីនៅក្នុងដំណើរការបោះឆ្នោត និងការប្រកួតប្រជែងមិនមានតម្លាភាព។

ដោយ ទីន ហ្សាការីយ៉ា
2013-06-17

RFA

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋបោះឆ្នោតជ្រើសរើសក្រុមប្រឹក្សាឃុំ-សង្កាត់ កាលពីថ្ងៃទី៣ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ២០១២។

RFA/Sok Serey

ចំណែកការបោះឆ្នោតជាតិលើកនេះ ជំហរបក្សប្រឆាំងក៏មិនខុសលើកមុនៗដែរ មេដឹកនាំបក្សប្រឆាំងបានប្រកាសថា ខ្លួននឹងចូលរួមបោះឆ្នោត តែនឹងមិនទទួលស្គាល់លទ្ធផលឆ្នោតនោះទេ។
ការប្រកួតប្រជែងស្មើភាពគ្នា និងឯករាជភាពរបស់គណៈកម្មាធិការជាតិរៀបចំបោះឆ្នោតជាប្រធានបទដ៏ សំខាន់ ដែលខាងគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិទាមទារចង់បាននៅមុនពេលបោះឆ្នោតនេះ ដើម្បីឲ្យលទ្ធផលបោះឆ្នោតឈានទៅទទួលយកបានគ្រប់គណបក្សទាំងអស់។
តម្លាភាពក្នុងការប្រកួតប្រជែង និងប្រជាពលរដ្ឋមានសិទ្ធិស្មើគ្នា គ្មានការគំរាមកំហែងនៅពេលបោះឆ្នោតនោះ ជាការឆ្លុះបញ្ចាំងអំពីការប្រកួតប្រជែងប្រកបដោយសុក្រឹតភាពនៅ ក្នុងសង្គមប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ។

Hun Sen's family includes (back R-L) Hun Sen's daughter-in-law Chay Lin, Hun Sen's son-in-law Dy Vichea and his wife Hun Mana, Hun Sen's son Hun Manet and his wife (unidentified), Hun Sen's son-in-law Sok Puthivuth and his wife Hun Maly and Hun Sen's son Hun Manith and his wife (unidentified). (Front L-R) Somchai's wife Yaowapa Wongsawasdi and Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany.

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer

17 June 2013

WASHINGTON DC - An updated biography of Prime Minister Hun Sen written by two Canadian historians seeks to describe the changing perceptions of the Cambodian leader through the eyes of Western and Asian countries.

“Strongman: The Extraordinary Life of Hun Sen: From Pagoda Boy to Prime Minister of Cambodia,” by Harish and Julie Mehta, includes interviews with Hun Sen, his wife, family members and associates and is an update to their 1999 biography.

More than 9 million people are registered for the July 28 elections

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer

18 June 2013

WASHINGTON DC- Election observers say politicians should be describing their parties’ platforms to Cambodian voters, not attacking one another personally, in the run-up to next month’s general elections.

Ruling Cambodian People’s Party and opposition officials have begun engaging in public attacks on one another, as the country heads toward the official campaign period in July.

Koul Panha, head of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, told VOA Khmer that voters expect to hear about policies, not personal affairs and negative attacks, something the politicians are not so far delivering. Issues like poverty, income, corruption and development are getting lost in the fray, he said.

Factsheet: Yorm Bopha, Cambodian land rights activist

Cambodian Center for Human Rights , International Freedom of Expression Exchange 17 June 2013

*Yorm Bopha supporters submit petition to the King calling for Bopha’s release, 29 March 2013.*

June 2013

Who is Yorm Bopha?
Yorm Bopha is a 29-year-old mother of one who has been actively involved in her community's struggle against forced eviction related to a high profile land conflict at Boeng Kak that has raged since 2007. When thirteen of her fellow land rights activists (the “Boeng Kak 13”) were arrested, charged, convicted and imprisoned on 24 May 2012 as a result of a peaceful land rights demonstration, Bopha emerged at the forefront of a campaign for the women's release.

What is she charged with and who supports her?
Bopha is currently serving a two-year prison sentence after being found guilty on a bogus charge of assault. The charge was upheld on appeal on 14 June 2013 when the original sentence of three years was reduced to two. Yorm Bopha has 15 months left to serve in prison. "Considering the blatant lack of evidence to convict Bopha, it is widely believed that she was targeted as a result of her activism and outspokenness, especially during the campaign for the release of the Boenk Kak 13," says the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), which has campaigned for her release. CCHR

អ្នកឃ្លាំមើលព្រំដែនស្នើឲ្យរដ្ឋាភិបាលពិចារណាការបាត់បង់ទឹកដីនិងកោះខ្លះ

តំណាងក្រុមប្រឹក្សាឃ្លាំមើលកម្ពុជា ដាក់លិខិតជូនលោកនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន ពិចារណាចំពោះពាក្យថា កម្ពុជាមិនអាចយកទឹកដី និងកោះរបស់ខ្មែរដែលបានបាត់បង់ទៅឲ្យប្រទេសជិតខាងមកកម្ពុជា វិញបានទេ។

ដោយ ដែន អយុធ្យា
2013-06-17

RFA

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

១៧-មិថុនា-២០១៣៖ តំណាងក្រុមប្រឹក្សាឃ្លាំមើលកម្ពុជា លោក រ៉ុង ឈុន លើកសៀវភៅភូមិវិទ្យាថ្នាក់ទី៧ សម័យសាធារណរដ្ឋប្រជាមានិតកម្ពុជា ដែលមាននិយាយអំពីកោះត្រល់ ក្នុងសន្និសីទកាសែត នារាជធានីភ្នំពេញ។

RFA/Den Ayuthyea

អ្នកឃ្លាំមើលព្រំដែនបានស្នើឲ្យប្រមុខដឹកនាំពិចារណាចំពោះការ បាត់បង់ទឹកដី និងកោះមួយចំនួនដែលក្រុមប្រឹក្សាឃ្លាំមើលក្នុងស្រុកមួយនេះអះអាង ថា បាត់បង់ដោយសារការឈ្លានពានរបស់ប្រទេសជិតខាងជាថ្មី។
លិខិតផ្ញើជូនលោកនាយករដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន របស់ក្រុមប្រឹក្សាឃ្លាំមើលកម្ពុជា ចុះថ្ងៃទី១៧ ខែមិថុនា មានខ្លឹមសារថា កន្លងមកប្រមុខរាជរដ្ឋាភិបាលតែងបានលើកឡើងថា កម្ពុជាមិនអាចយកទឹកដី និងកោះរបស់ខ្មែរដែលបាត់ពីប្រទេសថៃ និងវៀតណាម មកវិញបានទេ ព្រោះការបាត់បង់ទឹកដី និងកោះទាំងនោះ បានបាត់តាំងពីយូរលង់មកហើយ។
លិខិតដដែលបានអះអាងថា ការពិត ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា នៅតែមានសិទ្ធិពេញលេញក្នុងការទាមទារទឹកដី និងកោះពីការឈ្លានពានមកវិញបានគ្រប់ពេល ទោះបីការបាត់បង់នោះអូសបន្លាយពេលយូរក៏ដោយ ក៏មិនផុតអាជ្ញាយុកាលនោះទេ ហើយថា ទឹកដី និងកោះទើបតែបាត់បង់ក្នុងចន្លោះទសវត្ស១៩៨០ ទៅទសវត្ស២០១០ ដែលប្រទេសជិតខាងឈ្លានពានចូលក្នុងអធិបតេយ្យភាពបូរណភាពទឹកដីនៃ កម្ពុជា ជាបន្តបន្ទាប់ ដូចជាករណីកោះត្រល់ ដែលទើបបាត់បង់ក្នុងពេលថ្មីៗជាដើម។

The Bamboo Train of Cambodia

Lasers reveal Angkor city four times bigger than previously believed

Last Updated on 17 June 2013

By Justine Drennan and Alistair Walsh

P Penh Post

Archaeologist Damian Evans compares mapping techniques captured by aerial laser technology ‘lidar’ to ruins at the Beng Mealea complex in Siem Reap province in May. Photograph: Scott Howes/Phnom Penh Post

Siem Reap province

More than one million people visit the famous temples around Siem Reap each year, but it took a remote sensing laser survey to discover traces of a vast urban network surrounding the Angkor and Koh Ker temple complexes and a previously unknown ancient city on nearby Phnom Kulen.

Using a laser scanner strapped to a helicopter, the researchers were able penetrate the vegetation that had long blocked a view of the ground.

The results of that April 2012 aerial survey and subsequent on-the-ground fieldwork, which are to be published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, may well change history as we know it.

Rainsy avoids Sokha issues in talk to youth

Last Updated on 17 June 2013

By Meas Sokchea

P Penh Post

Self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy spoke via video conference to party supporters from Paris at the Cambodia National Rescue Party headquarters Phnom Penh yesterday. Photograph: Vireak Mai/Phnom Penh Post

Making his first public remarks since members of his party were sued for defamation, publicly hounded for child support and accused of attempting to pay for sex with a minor, Cambodia National Rescue Party president Sam Rainsy touted his Facebook popularity yesterday at a pro-opposition youth rally.

Though he took pains to mention that his profile on the social networking site had garnered more support in three months than Prime Minister Hun Sen’s had in three years, Rainsy at no point mentioned the ongoing controversies surrounding his party, neither in remarks via Skype to the youths, nor in a private teleconference with embattled acting party president Kem Sokha, a CNRP spokesman said.

Yorm Bopha verdict upheld

Last Updated on 17 June 2013

By Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Shane Worrell

P Penh Post

Yorm Bopha, 29, exits Phnom Penh’s Court of Appeal on Friday. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

Rights groups have continued condemning the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold a guilty verdict against Boeung Kak land-rights activist Yorm Bopha, saying that “weak” evidence and “inconsistent” testimony failed to link her to an axe and screwdriver attack on two motodops.

The 29-year-old mother will remain in prison, possibly until September next year, after judges rejected her appeal on Friday, but suspended one year of her three-year sentence.

Amnesty International’s Cambodia researcher, Rupert Abbott, who was in court for the case, called for Bopha’s immediate release.

“There was inconsistency in testimony and really weak evidence. To suggest she was involved seems really far-fetched,” he said yesterday.

Abbott said the presumption of innocence had been missing from the trial, suggesting “outside influences are at work again”.

Coup claims brought to Royal Palace

Last Updated on 17 June 2013

By Cheang Sokha

P Penh Post

Marshal Lon Nol’s soldiers surrender their arms during the Khmer Rouge’s takeover of Phnom Penh in April 1975. Photo by AFP

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Saturday that Queen Mother Norodom Monineath wanted to meet with an opposition leader after said leader allegedly claimed the 1970 ouster of the then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk was not a coup.

But in a rare distancing, a palace official downplayed the incident, stressing that the Queen Mother had no desire for any action to be taken against Sam Rainsy Party president Kong Korm.

Villagers say chief withheld voter IDs

Last Updated on 17 June 2013
By Phak Seangly
P Penh Post

Villagers in Ratanakkiri province’s Bakeo district worked with a rights group to file complaints against a village chief on Friday. Photo supplied

Villagers in Ratanakkiri province and rights group Adhoc will file a complaint with provincial police today after a local authority allegedly denied 200 residents identification cards, preventing them from voting in next month’s election.

Adhoc and seven representatives of the aggrieved residents of Bakeo Chas village in Bakeo district’s Laminh commune sent the complaint to the village chief on Friday, Adhoc provincial coordinator Chhay Thy said.

“Without ID, they are not allowed to vote, so I will forward the letter to provincial police this Monday,” Thy said.

Bandith trial ends with prosecutor accusing two

Last Updated on 17 June 2013

By May Titthara and Kevin Ponniah

P Penh Post

The final day of former Bavet town governor Chhouk Bandith’s trial on Friday saw heated argument between lawyers and witnesses over who was responsible for shootings that injured three garment factory workers at a demonstration last year.

More than 20 witnesses testified during the three days of hearings, with a former deputy commune police chief telling the Svay Rieng court on Thursday that he saw his former boss shoot at workers.

Svay Rieng Provincial Court Judge Leang Sour said a verdict will be announced on June 25.

កម្ពុជានៅតែមិនទាន់មានច្បាប់ធានាឯករាជ្យរបស់តុលាការ

រដ្ឋធម្មនុញ្ញកម្ពុជា មាត្រា ១៣៥ថ្មី កំណត់ឲ្យស្ថាប័នពាក់ព័ន្ធរៀបចំច្បាប់ស្ដីពីសហលក្ខន្តិកៈចៅក្រម និងព្រះរាជអាជ្ញា និងច្បាប់ស្ដីពីការរៀបចំនឹងប្រព្រឹត្តទៅនៃអង្គតុលាការ។ ប៉ុន្តែមកទល់បច្ចុប្បន្ន ច្បាប់នេះមិនទាន់ត្រូវបានបង្កើតឲ្យមាននៅឡើយទេ។

ដោយ ដែន អយុធ្យា
2013-06-16

RFA

ក្បួនដង្ហែរបស់បណ្ដាញសហគមន៍ទូទាំងប្រទេស ជិត ១ពាន់នាក់ ទាមទារឲ្យតុលាការកាត់ក្ដីដោយយុត្តិធម៌ នៅរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ នៅថ្ងៃទី១២ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ២០១៣។

RFA/Van Vichar

សង្គមស៊ីវិលនិងអ្នកនយោបាយមួយចំនួនយល់ថា មូលហេតុដែលនាំឲ្យកម្ពុជា យឺតយ៉ាវក្នុងការតាក់តែងច្បាប់នេះ ដោយសារតែស្ថាប័នយុត្តិធម៌ និងក្រុមអ្នកដែលមានតួនាទីចូលរួមតាក់តែងច្បាប់នេះឡើង ស្ថិតក្រោយសម្ពាធនយោបាយ ឬនៅក្រោមឥទ្ធិពលអ្នកមានលុយមានអំណាចនោះ។ បញ្ហាទាំងនេះក៏ជាដើមហេតុដែលនាំឲ្យតុលាការមិនឯករាជ្យ។
មួយឆ្នាំចុងក្រោយនេះ សំណុំរឿងក្តីលោក ម៉ម សូណង់ដូ សំណុំរឿងលោក ឈូក បណ្ឌិត សំណុំរឿងសកម្មជនដីធ្លីតំបន់បឹងកក់ អ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា សុទ្ធតែជាព្រនង់ដែលសង្គមស៊ីវិលជាតិ និងអន្តរជាតិ សំពងតុលាការកម្ពុជា ក្រោមហេតុផលថា តុលាការក្នុងស្រុកកំពុងក្លាយជាឧបករណ៍នយោបាយ និងបម្រើផលប្រយោជន៍ឲ្យក្រុមអភិជន។

ក្រុមអ្នកស្រាវជ្រាវរកឃើញទីតាំងអតីតរាជវាំងបុរាណនៅភ្នំគូលែន

ដោយ ហង្ស សាវយុត
2013-06-16

RFA

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

រណ្ដៅកំណាយដែលអង្គការមូលនិធិអភិវឌ្ឍន៍បូរាណវិទ្យា (ADF) បានជីកដើម្បីស្រាវជ្រាវ នៅជិតភូមិអន្លង់ធំ លើខ្នងភ្នំគូលែន ខេត្តសៀមរាប កាលពីថ្ងៃទី៥ កុម្ភៈ ឆ្នាំ២០១៣។

RFA/Hang Savyouth

មន្ត្រីអាជ្ញាធរអប្សរាទទួលបន្ទុកការពារប្រាសាទបូរាណ និងក្រុមអ្នកធ្វើកំណាយបូរាណវិទ្យាបានអះអាងស្របគ្នាថា គេទើបតែរកឃើញទីតាំងអតីតព្រះបរមរាជវាំងសម័យបូរាណនៃរាជធានី មហិន្ទ្របព៌ត ដែលមានអាយុកាលជាង ១២០០ឆ្នាំហើយ។ ទីតាំងអតីតរាជវាំងបូរាណនោះ នៅកប់ក្រោមដី ដោយមានព្រៃក្រាស់ដុះគ្របនៅលើខ្នងភ្នំគូលែន។
អគ្គនាយកអាជ្ញាធរអប្សរា គឺលោក ប៊ុន ណារិទ្ធិ។ លោកបានមានប្រសាសន៍នៅរសៀលថ្ងៃអាទិត្យ ទី១៦ ខែមិថុនា ថា កាលពី ៤-៥ខែមុន ក្រុមអ្នកបូរាណវិទ្យាមកពីស្ថាប័នប្រមាណ ៧-៨ ដែលធ្លាប់

Ancient Hidden City Found in Cambodia is 350 Years Younger Than Angkor Wat [VIDEO]

By James A. Foley

Jun 15, 2013 10:35 PM EDT

Nature World News

Newly found ruins in Cambodia are from a city that predates Angkor Wat by 350 years

A lost Cambodian city that predates the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex by centuries has been discovered in the jungles along a mountainside in the country's northwest. (Pictured: Angkor Wat) (Photo : Wikimedia Commons )

A lost Cambodian city that predates the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex by centuries has been discovered in the jungles along a mountainside in the country's northwest.
Previously undocumented evidence of temples, ancient canals and rivers, dikes and roads were found by combining the latest in data gathering technology with Indiana Jones-style archeology. The find amounts to a hidden city that predates the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex by 350 years.

AFP failed to probe BHP bribery claims

Date

June 17, 2013

Nick McKenzie, Richard Baker

SMH

Exclusive

The AFP declined to state why it closed its file on BHP in late 2011, 16 months after the case was referred to it by US officials. Photo: Tim Wimborne

Federal police made a ''critical decision'' not to investigate criminal allegations that Australians working for BHP Billiton had bribed officials in Cambodia, China and Western Australia and instead handballed the case to the corporate regulator, which also ran no probe.

Confidential documents reveal how the AFP and ASIC, with the knowledge of federal officials, mishandled one of the nation's highest-profile corporate graft cases after US officials referred it to their Australian counterparts in May 2010.

US anti-corruption investigators have been probing BHP Billiton since 2009 - an inquiry that is likely to result in the company receiving a massive fine. But they had told the federal police the bribery allegations were ''a matter for Australian authorities''.

· Documents dealing with allegations BHP engaged in bribery, corruption (11mb)

A source close to the US investigation called the AFP's initial decision not to take up the inquiry ''inexplicable'', given BHP Billiton is headquartered in Melbourne and had allegedly broken Australian criminal laws.

Preserving Democracy and Saving Lives

Published: 16-Jun-13 09:27AM | By William E. Todd

Via The Cambodia Herald

William E. Todd

Thank you all for your excellent questions! I couldn’t pick just one this week, so I’m going to tackle two.

We have received plenty of feedback – mostly positive, some not – on the U.S. Department of State’s announcement expressing concerns about the expulsion of opposition lawmakers from the National Assembly. The statement noted that the expulsion by the Permanent Committee of the Cambodian National Assembly, made up entirely of members of the ruling party, “starkly contradicts the spirit of a healthy democratic process.” One reader asked, “Given that Cambodia is a sovereign nation, why does the United States question its democratic process?”

In brief, we believe the action taken by the National Assembly limits the space for competing political parties in Cambodia, is contrary to the spirit of democracy, and risks tarnishing Cambodia’s image on the world stage. It is also troubling to see

យុវជនចូលរួមស្ដាប់គោលនយោបាយគណបក្ស

បណ្ដាញអង្គការមិនមែនរដ្ឋាភិបាល ដែលធ្វើការលើកកម្ពស់ការយល់ដឹងយុវជន បានរៀបចំវេទិកាមួយឲ្យយុវជនជួបជាមួយតំណាងគណបក្សនយោបាយ។ វេទិកានេះបានធ្វើឡើងនៅថ្ងៃទី១៥ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ២០១៣ នៅរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ។

ដោយ ខែ សុណង
2013-06-15

RFA

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

និស្សិតមកពីសាកលវិទ្យាល័យចំនួន២០ ចូលរួមស្ដាប់គោលនយោបាយរបស់គណបក្សនយោបាយ ដែលមានអាសនៈក្នុងរដ្ឋសភានៅមុនការបោះឆ្នោតជិតមកដល់ នាសណ្ឋាគារអ៊ីមភើរៀល (Imperial Hotel) នៅថ្ងៃទី១៥ ខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ២០១៣។

RFA/Khe Sonorng

វេទិកានេះមានគោលបំណងផ្ដល់ឱកាសដល់និស្សិត និងយុវជនកម្ពុជា ផ្សារភ្ជាប់ទំនាក់ទំនងជាមួយរដ្ឋាភិបាល មន្ត្រីរាជការ ស្ថាប័នឯកជន សង្គមស៊ីវិល និងអ្នកជំនាញឯកទេសក្នុងការពិភាក្សាអំពីបញ្ហាប្រឈមរបស់យុវជន និងធ្វើការរួមគ្នាដើម្បីរកដំណោះស្រាយ។
និស្សិតជាង ៣០០នាក់ មកពីសាកលវិទ្យាល័យចំនួន២០ បានចូលរួមស្ដាប់គោលនយោបាយរបស់គណបក្សនយោបាយ ដែលមានអាសនៈក្នុងរដ្ឋសភានៅមុនការបោះឆ្នោតជិតមកដល់។
ប្រធានអង្គការកម្មវិធីអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ធនធានយុវជន លោក ជាង សុខា មានប្រសាសន៍ថ្ងៃទី១៥ មិថុនា ថា យុវជនបានដើរតួនាទីសំខាន់ដែលធ្វើសកម្មភាពក្នុងការផ្លាស់ប្ដូរ សង្គម។ ប៉ុន្តែគួរឲ្យសោកស្ដាយ ដែលយុវជននៅខ្វះព័ត៌មានពីការវិវឌ្ឍន៍នៃប្រទេសជាតិ ជាពិសេសទាក់ទងនឹងការបោះឆ្នោត។ លោកថា វេទិកានេះធ្វើយ៉ាងណាដើម្បីឲ្យយុវជនទទួលបានព័ត៌មានពីគោលនយោបាយ របស់គណបក្សនីមួយៗ ក្នុងពេលដែលគោលនយោបាយរបស់គណបក្សទាំង៨ មិនស្ថិតក្នុងដៃយុវជននៅឡើយនោះ។

បក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិរកវិធីការពារការរំខានពីសំណាក់សកម្មជនបក្សកាន់អំណាច

មន្ត្រីជាន់ខ្ពស់គណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ បានបើកកិច្ចប្រជុំមួយនៅល្ងាចថ្ងៃសុក្រ ទី១៤ ខែមិថុនា ដើម្បីពិភាក្សាពីលទ្ធភាពទប់ទល់នូវរាល់ការរំខានទៅលើគណបក្សខ្លួន ពីសំណាក់គណបក្សគ្រប់គ្រងអំណាច។ មន្ត្រីគណបក្សប្រឆាំងបានចាត់ទុកការរំខាននៅពេលនេះថា នឹងអាចធ្វើអោយមានបរិយាកាសមិនល្អនៅក្នុងរយៈពេលឃោសនាបោះឆ្នោត។

ដោយ សុ ជីវី
2013-06-15

RFA

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

អ្នកនាំពាក្យគណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី លោក យឹម សុវណ្ណ (ឆ្វេង) ធ្វើសន្និសីទកាសែត ស្ដីពីកំណែទម្រង់ គ.ជ.ប នៅគណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី កាលពីថ្ងៃទី២០ ខែកញ្ញា ឆ្នាំ២០១២។

RFA/Sok Serey

មន្ត្រីគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ ព្រមានថានឹងប្រើប្រាស់វិធានការតបតចំពោះការរំខានសកម្មភាពតាម មូលដ្ឋាន និងការវាយប្រហារផ្ទួនៗទៅលើថ្នាក់ដឹកនាំគណបក្សនេះ ដែលអាចជាចលនាមហាជន សកម្មភាពការទូត និងការកៀងគរចលនាអន្តរជាតិ រួមនឹងការពិចារណាថាត្រូវបន្ត ឬដកខ្លួនពីការបោះឆ្នោតអាណត្តិទី៥។
អ្នកនាំពាក្យគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ លោក យឹម សុវណ្ណ មានប្រសាសន៍ថា គណបក្សប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា ដែលកំពុងដឹកនាំរដ្ឋាភិបាលបច្ចុប្បន្នបានរំខានជាញឹកញាប់ដល់ សកម្មភាពចុះមូលដ្ឋានរបស់មន្ត្រីគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ ការទម្លាក់ស្លាក និងការវាយប្រហារក្រោមរូបភាពជាច្រើនទៀតទៅលើមេដឹកនាំគណបក្សនេះ។ លោក យឹម សុវណ្ណ បន្តថា ប្រសិនបើសកម្មភាពបែបនេះនៅតែបន្តនោះ ការឃោសនាបោះឆ្នោតដែលនឹងចូលមកដល់ក្នុងពេលដ៏ខ្លីខាងមុខនេះ គណបក្សនឹងមានវិធានការតបត។

ភាពលម្អៀងរបស់អាជ្ញាធរជាប្រភពនៃការរើសអើងនយោបាយ [Political bias shown by authorities]

សុក្រ 14 មិថុនា 2013

RFI

អាជ្ញាធរប៉ូលិស ចាំបំបែក និងចាប់ខ្លួន ប្រជាជនប្រមូលផ្តុំធ្វើបាតុកម្ម

©វណ្ណារ៉ា

ដោយ ប៉ែន បូណា

ខណៈដែលការបោះឆ្នោតកាន់តែខិតចូលមកដល់ សកម្មភាពនយោបាយក៏ចាប់ផ្តើមកម្រើកយ៉ាងខ្លាំង។ ជារឿយៗ ជម្លោះបានផ្ទុះឡើងរវាងគណបក្សនយោបាយជាមួយអាជ្ញាធរដែនដីដែលបណ្តាល មកពីការរើសអើងខាងនយោបាយ។ ការរារាំងសកម្មភាពនយោបាយពីសំណាក់អាជ្ញាធរនៅតែជាបច្ចុប្បន្នភាព ក្តៅមួយនៅឡើយ ទោះបីជាមានការថយចុះបើធៀបនឹងការបោះឆ្នោតមុនៗក៏ដោយ។ នេះបណ្តាល មកពីភាពលម្អៀងរបស់អាជ្ញាធរមានសមត្ថកិច្ចចំពោះបក្សនយោបាយ។ ដូច្នេះ គន្លឹះសំខាន់សម្រាប់បំបាត់ការរើសអើងនយោបាយគឺការពង្រឹងអព្យាក្រឹតភាព របស់អាជ្ញាធរមូលដ្ឋាន។

នៅកម្ពុជា ការរើសអើងនយោបាយក្នុងចំណោមអ្នកដែលមាននិន្នាការផ្សេងគ្នានៅតែជា រឿងគួរឲ្យចាប់អារម្មណ៍មួយ។ ប៉ុន្តែ អ្វីដែលគួរឲ្យកត់សម្គាល់ជាងនេះទៅទៀតនោះគឺ ការរើសអើងពីសំណាក់អាជ្ញាធរមូលដ្ឋានតែម្តង។ ជាទូទៅ សកម្មភាពនយោបាយក្រៅពីបក្សកាន់អំណាច ជាពិសេសសកម្មភាពរបស់បក្សប្រឆាំងតែម្តងប្រព្រឹត្តទៅក្រោមក្រសែភ្នែក ដ៏តឹងរ៉ឹងរបស់អាជ្ញាធរ។ តឹងរ៉ឹងពីព្រោះតែពួកគេព្រួយបារម្ភខ្លាចបាត់បង់ប្រជាប្រិយភាពចំពោះ មុខប្រជាពលរដ្ឋដែលនាំឲ្យថ្នាក់លើស្តីបន្ទោស។ ការព្រួយបារម្ភនេះហើយ ដែលបណ្តាលឲ្យអាជ្ញាធរខ្លះបានរារាំង ឬរំខាន ពិធីជួបជុំរបស់គណបក្សផ្សេងនៅក្នុងមូលដ្ឋានរបស់ខ្លួន។

CNRP Mulls Future Amid Campaign ‘Disruptions’

By Kuch Naren and Lauren Crothers - June 15, 2013

The Cambodia Daily

Senior members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) met Friday night to discuss whether their party should continue to contest the July 28 election or withdraw in the wake of a series of “disruptions” over the past week, a party spokesman said.
“We have suffered a number of disruptions everywhere when we host forums,” said former HRP lawmaker and CNRP spokesman Yem Ponhearith.
“We deserve a fair contest, but we cannot access the media since it is controlled [by the ruling party]. So, only senior leaders in the party will attend the meeting to decide whether or not to contest the national election,” he said.
When asked about the meeting prior to its commencement on Friday evening, self-exiled CNRP president Sam Rainsy said by email that the party was “at a turning point.”
“The recent expulsion of all opposition National Assembly members from Parliament is an institutional coup d’etat. Cambodia is heading toward political instability,” Mr. Rainsy said.

Kiwi doctor targets blindness in Cambodia

Kiwi doctor targets Cambodian blind

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 8:34a.m.

Source:www.3news.co.nz

More than half the world's blind live in the Asia-Pacific region (Reuters)

A New Zealand eye specialist hopes to prevent blindness in children in Cambodia through an initiative that trains local doctors.

Dr Justin Mora, from Auckland, says three-quarters of blindness worldwide is preventable if detected early.

He is one of 12 surgeons from Australasia who will be involved in setting up a paediatric opthalmology service training local doctors.

"In poor countries when these problems are not looked at the child will often simply go blind," Dr Mora said.

"We want to help the surgeons to set up screening tests which can diagnose visual problems early on, offering more hope of retaining or improving sight."

Lost medieval city found in Cambodia

15 Jun 2013

Bangkok Post

A lost medieval city that thrived on a mist-shrouded Cambodian mountain 1,200 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists using revolutionary airborne laser technology, a report said.

Tourists visit Angkor Wat temple during sunrise in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on July 14, 2012. A lost medieval city that thrived on a mist-shrouded mountain 1,200 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists in the Siem Reap region.

In what it called a world exclusive, the Sydney Morning Herald said the city, Mahendraparvata, included temples hidden by jungle for centuries, many of which have not been looted.
A journalist and photographer from the newspaper accompanied the "Indiana Jones-style" expedition, led by a French-born archaeologist, through landmine-strewn jungle in the Siem Reap region where Angkor Wat, the largest Hindi temple complex in the world, is located.
The expedition used an instrument called Lidar -- light detection and ranging data -- which was strapped to a helicopter that criss-crossed a mountain north of Angkor Wat for seven days, providing data that matched years of ground research by archaeologists.

In an interview with VOA Khmer, Sam Rainsy said he wanted to finish the book ahead of the July 28 elections

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer

15 June 2013

PHNOM PENH - Opposition leader Sam Rainsy has a new book out, one that he says chronicles his ideas for the development of democracy in Cambodia. In an interview with VOA Khmer, Sam Rainsy said he wanted to finish the book ahead of the July 28 elections.

The book—“We Didn’t Start the Fire: My Struggle for Democracy in Cambodia”—is in part an autobiography of the former government minister who became the leading opponent of the ruling party. But he says it is also a road map for a way forward.

Sam Rainsy said the book was a way to “restate my stance in defending the nation and improving human rights and freedom for Cambodians.”

“Since I was young, I had the idea to make the country progress, and not allow foreign countries to swallow our nation or allow our nation to be eliminated, or inundated,” he said.

Postcards from CambodiaWatch-Australia

The riverside view, Phnom Penh.

គ.ជ.ប. ស្នើប្រព័ន្ធផ្សព្វផ្សាយក្នុងស្រុក លក់ម៉ោងដល់គណបក្សទាំងអស់ឱ្យស្នើភាពគ្នា

ថ្ងៃ សុក្រ 14 មិថុនា 2013

RFI

ទូរទស្សន៍បារាំងកំណត់ម៉ោងស្មើគ្នាឱ្យបេក្ខជនប្រធានាធិបតីធ្វើការតស៊ូមតិ

REUTERS/Franck Fife/Pool

ដោយ ស៊ុន មេសា
ខណៈដែលការឃោសនាបោះឆ្នោតអាណត្តិទី៥ នៅសល់តែជាងមួយសប្តាហ៍ទៀតតែប៉ុណ្ណោះ គណៈកម្មាធិការជាតិរៀបចំការបោះឆ្នោត(គ.ជ.ប) នៅព្រឹកថ្ងៃសុក្រទី១៤ មិថុនា បានអំពាវនាវឱ្យស្ថានីយ៍វិទ្យុទូរទស្សន៍ទូទាំងប្រទេស ធ្វើការលក់ម៉ោងដល់គ្រប់គណបក្សនយោបាយទាំងអស់ឱ្យបានស្មើភាពគ្នា និងមិនរើសអើងចំពោះគណបក្សណាមួយឡើយ។

Lost horizons: mediaeval city uncovered

Date June 15, 2013

Lindsay Murdoch

The Sydney Morning Herald

WORLD EXCLUSIVE

Hidden city

Archaeologists in the Siem Reap region using new maps acquired using LIDAR have discovered an entire Angkor city where previously only a few isolated temples were known to be.

Archaeologists using revolutionary airborne laser technology have discovered a lost mediaeval city that thrived on a mist-shrouded Cambodian mountain 1200 years ago.
The stunning discovery of the city, Mahendraparvata, includes temples hidden by jungle for centuries - temples that archaeologists believe have never been looted.
An instrument called Lidar strapped to a helicopter which criss-crossed a mountain north of the Angkor Wat complex provided data that matched years of ground research by archaeologists. The research revealed the city that founded the Angkor Empire in 802AD.

City quest: Damien Evans, centre, leads a team of archaeologists to the Thom Dab temple. Photo: Nick Moir

The University of Sydney's archaeology research centre in Cambodia brought the Lidar instrument to Cambodia and played a key role in the discovery that is set to revolutionise archaeology across the world.
Archaeologists and exploration and mapping experts have uncovered more than two dozen previously unrecorded temples and evidence of ancient canals, dykes and roads using satellite navigation co-ordinates gathered from the instrument's data.
Fairfax Media recorded the discovery of the first five temples after pushing through landmine-strewn jungle, swollen rivers and bogs with the expedition on a mountain called Phnom Kulen, 40 kilometres north of Angkor Wat in north-western Cambodia.

Chum Mey, right, a former S-21 prison survivor, sits in a pickup truck before joining a rally demanding Kem Sokha, vice president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), to apologize for allegedly saying that exhibits at a Khmer Rouge-era genocide museum in Phnom Penh were faked, in front of the party's office, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, June 9, 2013. Cambodia's main opposition party denounced the large demonstration in the capital Sunday, which they said was staged by supporters of Prime Minister Hun Sen to intimidate rivals ahead of July elections. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer

15 June 2013

PHNOM PENH - Four former prisoners of the infamous Khmer Rouge prison Tuol Sleng have filed a lawsuit against senior opposition lawmaker, alleging defamation and accusing him of denying Khmer Rouge atrocities.

The four former prisoners, including outspoken survivor Chhum Mey, are suing Kem Sokha, vice president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, for $1,000, which they say they will use for a Buddhist ceremony for the victims of Tuol Sleng.

Critics say the lawsuit appears to be political.

“The goal of the complaint may be aimed at decreasing the popularity of the opposition,” said Hang Puthea, executive director for the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections, a monitoring group.

អ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា ត្រូវបន្ធូរបន្ថយទោសមួយឆ្នាំ

ប្រធានអង្គជំនុំជម្រះសាលាឧទ្ធរណ៍ លោក តាំង ស៊ុនឡាយ បានប្រកាសសាលដីកាបន្ធូរបន្ថយទោសអ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា ១ឆ្នាំ គឺអ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា នៅជាប់ទោស ២ឆ្នាំ និងពិន័យជាប្រាក់ចំនួន ២០លានរៀល ឲ្យជនរងគ្រោះពីរនាក់ជាអ្នករត់ម៉ូតូឌុប។ ចៅក្រមចោទពីបទហិង្សាមានស្ថានទម្ងន់ទោសនៃក្រមព្រហ្មទណ្ឌ។

ដោយ ទីន ហ្សាការីយ៉ា
2013-06-14

RFA

សកម្មជនដីធ្លីនៅតំបន់បឹងកក់ លោកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា នាសាលាឧទ្ធរណ៍ នៅថ្ងៃទី៥ មិថុនា ឆ្នាំ២០១៣។

RFA/Quoc Viet

ការប្រកាសសាលដីកានេះ ធ្វើឡើងបន្ទាប់ពីសាលាឧទ្ធរណ៍បានបើកសវនាការជំនុំជម្រះតាំងពី ម៉ោង ២រសៀល ថ្ងៃទី១៤ មិថុនា នេះ ហើយសាលាឧទ្ធរណ៍បានប្រកាសសាលដីកានៅវេលាម៉ោង ៧យប់នេះ ឲ្យអ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា ឲ្យជាប់ទោសចំនួន ២ឆ្នាំ និងពិន័យជាប្រាក់ ២០លានរៀល។
អ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា ជាប់ពន្ធនាគារជិតមួយឆ្នាំហើយគិតពីថ្ងៃចាប់ខ្លួនមកទល់ពេលនេះ។ អ្នកស្រីត្រូវជាប់ឃុំឃាំងជាងមួយឆ្នាំទៀត។
ទោះជាយ៉ាងនេះក្ដី មេធាវីរបស់អ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា លោក ចាន់ សុជាតិ ជាមេធាវីនៃមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលអប់រំច្បាប់សម្រាប់សហគមន៍ មានប្រសាសន៍ថា ទោះបីជាសាលាឧទ្ធរណ៍បានបន្ធូរបន្ថយទោសកូនក្ដីរបស់លោកចំនួន ១ឆ្នាំក្ដី ប៉ុន្តែការសម្រេចនេះនៅតែមានភាពមិនប្រក្រតី ពីព្រោះថាតុលាការគ្មានភស្តុតាងណាមួយជាក់លាក់ដើម្បីដាក់ទោសកូន ក្ដីរបស់លោក គឺអ្នកស្រី យ៉ោម បុប្ផា ទេ។

អង្គការឃ្លាំមើលសិទ្ធិមនុស្សរិះគន់យុទ្ធនាការវាស់ដីថាមិនមានតម្លាភាព

អង្គការឃ្លាំមើលសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស (Human Rights Watch) បានចោទប្រកាន់យុទ្ធនាការវាស់វែងដីជូនប្រជាពលរដ្ឋរបស់លោកនាយករដ្ឋ មន្ត្រី ហ៊ុន សែន ថាអាចធ្វើឲ្យប្រជាពលរដ្ឋរាប់សែនគ្រួសារបាត់បង់ដីធ្លី ដោយសារយុទ្ធនាការនេះមិនមានតម្លាភាព និងខ្វះការទទួលខុសត្រូវ ហើយសុំឲ្យកែទម្រង់ ឬក៏រំលាយចោលតែម្ដង។

ដោយ វោហារ ជាតិ
2013-06-14

RFA

ស្ដាប់ ឬ ទាញយកសំឡេង

យុវជនស្ម័គ្រចិត្ត ជួបជុំគ្នានៅសាលកោះពេជ្រ រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ មុនចេញដំណើរទៅតាមគោលដៅវាស់ដីរៀងខ្លួន កាលពីថ្ងៃទី១៩ ខែមេសា ឆ្នាំ២០១៣។

RFA/Ouk Savborey

ក៏ប៉ុន្តែ មន្ត្រីរដ្ឋាភិបាលបានប្រតិកម្មឆ្លើយតបវិញថា អ្នកសរសេររបាយការណ៍នោះមិនយល់ពីបច្ចុប្បន្នភាពកម្ពុជា។
របាយការណ៍របស់អង្គការឃ្លាំមើលសិទ្ធិមនុស្ស ប្រចាំតំបន់អាស៊ី ចុះថ្ងៃទី១២ មិថុនា បានរិះគន់យុទ្ធនាការកម្មវិធីវាស់ដីជូនប្រជាពលរដ្ឋរបស់លោកនាយក រដ្ឋមន្ត្រីកម្ពុជា ថាបង្កប់ទៅដោយអាថ៌កំបាំង អំពើពុករលួយ គំរាមកំហែង នយោបាយ និងនាំឲ្យមន្ត្រីខិលខូច និងឈ្មួញទុច្ចរិត ឆ្លៀតឱកាសយកលេសយុទ្ធនាការនេះបន្លំរំលោភយកដីពីប្រជាពលរដ្ឋដោយ ស្របច្បាប់កាន់តែច្រើនឡើងថែមទៀត។ ជាពិសេស សហគមន៍ជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចជាច្រើន បានបាត់ដីសហគមន៍ដែលជាដីប្រពៃណី ដូចជាដីសហគមន៍សម្រាប់ធ្វើពិធីសក្ការបូជា ដីផ្នូរសម្រាប់កប់សពជាដើម។

Hun Sen does not care about winning prettily

Pawn in the power game

IN A country with a history of political violence, it appears that actual bloodshed has been limited. But otherwise the campaign for Cambodia’s general election on July 28th is as ugly as ever. The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) will win again, shoring up the rule of one of Asia’s longest-serving strongmen, Hun Sen, prime minister since 1985. But the CPP’s majority may be cut and Mr Hun Sen and his party seem rather het up.
On June 9th the CPP backed a 30,000-strong march across the country in protest at comments by Kem Sokha, a leader of the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP). He had claimed the horrors of Tuol Sleng, a Khmer Rouge torture centre, now a museum, were a fiction invented by the Vietnamese. Mr Kem Sokha argued that the Khmer Rouge would not have simply forgotten to destroy the prison before their defeat in 1979 by Vietnamese invaders (who installed the CPP government).

HRW urges Cambodia’s donors to put pressure on land titling campaign

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:58 AM

Author: Thin Lei Win

A woman cries during a protest near Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's house in Phnom Penh, on April 22, 2013. The residents of Boeung Kak Lake have been embroiled in a long-running land dispute with a real estate development firm in the capital. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - As Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen suspends a controversial land titling campaign ahead of national elections, Human Rights Watch urged Cambodia’s donors to insist that the secretive scheme - which amounted to land grabs by the powerful - be reformed or discontinued.
The one-year-old programme lacks transparency and accountability and could leave thousands dispossessed from their land, and is conducted in a bullying manner, the New York-based rights group said in a statement.
Villagers who were trying to prove their land was illegally confiscated were threatened with arrest, and others were refused help because they were deemed to support the political opposition, HRW said. Some communities were forced to give up their shared territories.
“Some have received benefits, but the campaign has failed to institutionalise respect for rights,” Phil Robertson, deputy director of HRW’s Asia division, told Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Welcome Message

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

By KIT GILLET

Published: June 18, 2013

The New York Time

Monday, 17 June 2013

Sunday, 16 June 2013

Saturday, 15 June 2013

Lindsay Murdoch

The Sydney Morning Herald

Hidden city

Hun Sen does not care about winning prettily

Friday, 14 June 2013