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Statement | Dey Krahorm Community Representative under Threat of Arrest
27 September 2007
LICADHO is concerned that Phnom Penh police may seek to arrest a representative of the Dey Krahorm community on unjustified allegations of stealing or damaging a mobile phone.
The community representative, a woman, was involved in an incident with a 7NG company security guard during a news media conference by the Dey Krahorm community this morning. The security guard approached the woman, who was standing several meters away from the media conference, and attempted to photograph her with his mobile phone. The woman brushed the security guard's hand away, trying to prevent him from photographing her, and the phone fell to the floor. The security guard then left the area, without picking up his telephone, and made a complaint to local police that the woman had stolen his phone. The phone was later given to the police by Dey Krahorm community members.
Article | Art exhibition by children in Cambodian prisons
21 September 2007
From September 15 to 17, 2007, an art-exhibition entitled "Experience and Dreams, Drawings by Children in Prison", was hosted at the Cambodian National Cultural Centre in Phnom Penh. The exhibition put on display a collection of expressive drawings by children detained in prison that illustrated prison conditions, their personal impressions of the justice system and their thoughts and future dreams.
Report | Women's Rights Pilot Project 2007
21 September 2007
The LICADHO Women's Rights Office (based in Phnom Penh) developed and implemented the Pilot Project in eight villages in Ang Snoul District, Kandal Province from December 2005 - May 2007. The project was designed to promote ownership of women's rights by equipping women in these communities with the practical knowledge, strategies and resources for them to prevent and seek redress for domestic violence, rape and trafficking violations.
Media Album | Sihanoukville Development: Violent Eviction
16 September 2007
On the morning of 20 April 2007, a mixed group of some 150 Royal Cambodian Armed Forces personnel, military police, and civilian police armed with guns, electric batons, shields and tear gas forcibly evicted the Spean Ches community, 105 families, in Mittapheap District, Sihanoukville.
Statement | Excessive force used in Dey Krahorm eviction
30 August 2007
The Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF) condemns the manner and tactics used by the military police and 7NG in yesterday's eviction of homes at Deykrahorm, or Red Earth village in, Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh yesterday.
In particular, we reject the use of "construction workers" armed with crowbars and hatchets to disperse the villagers, the use of force in handcuffing individuals and decision by the police to not protect a villager when a 7NG employee physically assaulted her.
Mr. Pa Socheatvong, the Phnom Penh deputy governor's description of the incident as a "small non-violent confrontation" (Cambodia Daily, August 30, 2007) is misleading and incorrect. Photographic and video evidence clearly show an excessive use of force by the police.
Article | Children in Cambodia suffer from the worst forms child labor
29 August 2007
Although Cambodia has seen rapid economic growth in recent years, it is still one of the poorest countries in the world with most of its citizens living in poverty. The reality of poverty is that it is indiscriminate and affects not only adults but also children. This sadly forces many young children to engage in domestic and manual labor to support their families, with a large proportion working under severe conditions.
Statement | Respect children - don't abuse them
26 August 2007
LICADHO is organizing a march against child trafficking and sexual abuse in Sihanoukville. The march, themed: "Let's work together to combat child trafficking
and sexual exploitation", aims to spread awareness about these forms of abuse and the
devastating effects they have on children.
Article | Women and children in Cambodian prisons receive much needed donations
31 July 2007
During the wet season in Cambodia, many people suffer from the notorious dengue virus, a virus which is carried by mosquitoes that thrive in the waters that collect during the wet season. For many people, escaping the virus means vigilantly covering up and closing windows or doors; however for women and children living literally behind prison bars, this is very difficult to do. Thanks to an extremely generous donation from the Women's International Group (WIG), LICADHO was able to distribute blankets and mosquito nets to 664 minor prisoners, pregnant women and children living in 14 Cambodian prisons.
Article | Attitudes towards violence against women in Cambodia slowly changing
31 July 2007
"Before, a husband would beat his wife and children, now he just insults them..." chilling yet sobering words from a woman surveyed by LICADHO's Women's Rights Office (WRO) following the end of its pilot project in Kandal Province, which aimed to educate the community on violence against women issues.
Article | Three Cambodian villagers convicted after having their land grabbed
27 July 2007
At a time when the incidence of land grabbing is becoming more frequent in Cambodia and impunity for this crime is increasing for individuals with connections, wealth and power, three villagers are suffering from the results of such an unjust system. Initially, these villagers had been victims of a land grabbing dispute, however by the time their trial was over, they had been handed a six-month suspended prison sentence, lost their farming land, and had been ordered to pay a fine of 1.5 million Riel (USD $375). These villagers have now lost the ability to provide for their families and to even pay the exorbitant fine, now that their land has been unjustly taken from them.
Article | Nine residents found guilty of assaulting Cambodian police during land eviction
10 July 2007
On the morning of April 20, 2007, 13 residents from Village 6 in Sihanoukville's Mittapheap district were arrested after they tried to defend their homes against the onslaught of 150 police attempting to evict them and 105 other families. On Tuesday July 3, 2007, the 13 appeared before the Sihanoukville Municipal Court for their trial; the next day five were acquitted and nine were convicted (one in absentia).
Briefing | Illegal Forced Eviction of 105 Families in Sihanoukville Fact Sheet
9 July 2007
On the morning of 20 April 2007, a mixed group of some 150 Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) personnel, military police, and civilian police armed with guns, electric batons, shields and tear gas forcibly evicted the Spean Ches community, 105 families, from Village 6 in Sihanoukville's Mittapheap District.
In the course of the raid, the security forces burned down 60 houses and completely demolished the remaining houses using heavy machinery. The evicted families were not permitted to remove possessions from their homes before they were destroyed and lost-inter alia- important documents which would have been essential in defending their case before the court. In the ensuing clashes between the authorities and the villagers two police officers and one military police officer, as well as a number of villagers, were injured. Thirteen villagers were arrested and later charged with "wrongful damage to property" (Article 52 UNTAC Law1)- charges which relate to the alleged destruction of police equipment used in the raid- and "battery with injury" (Article 41 UNTAC Law).
Briefing | Illegal Sale of Land and Transfer of Title in Kompong Chhnang Fact Sheet
9 July 2007
In 1980, two families settled on plots of residential and farming land in Deum Popel village, Thmo Eth Commune, Kompong Tralach district, Kompong Chhnang province. Both families have lived and farmed continuously on the plots since that time as legally required for the right to land ownership in Cambodia. The families are now facing a criminal complaint for use of violence against another party who has also claimed ownership of the same land.
The trial was originally set for Monday July 9, 2:00 PM at the Kompong Chhnang provincial court. However, due to the absence of a key local official who was to testify for the prosecution that day, the trial was postponed to July 23rd, 7:30 AM.
Statement | More action needed as Anti-Torture Laws ignored
26 June 2007
For more than a decade Cambodia has failed to honor its obligations to prevent and punish the use of torture, and strong action is needed to tackle the widespread practice, according to LICADHO.
"Torture is committed every day in Cambodia, and most torturers are not punished in any way," LICADHO president Kek Galabru said on June 26, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. "Cambodia is blatantly violating its obligations under international and domestic laws, and it is time that the government, police and courts took real action to stop the barbaric practice of torture."
Cambodia ratified the UN Convention Against Torture in 1992 but has failed to properly implement it. Early this year, the government also signed on to an additional international human rights treaty, the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, which contains further obligations to prevent torture.
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Article | Foreign nationals detained for appealing for Born Samnang and Sok Sam Ouen's release
21 June 2007
Eight foreign nationals were detained by Cambodian immigration police on Tuesday, June 19th, for more than nine hours after gathering to publicly appeal for justice for Born Samnang and Sok Sam Ouen. These two men, who are currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, are widely believed to have been wrongly convicted of murdering trade union leader Chea Vichea in January 2004.
Media Album | LICADHO's Medical Team: Emergency Response
21 June 2007
In addition to prison health program, LICADHO's doctors are often called for emergencies during land evictions and to relocation sites.
Briefing | Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun: Innocent Prisoners Awaiting Justice 2007
19 June 2007
The assassination of trade unionist Chea Vichea and the convictions of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun represent the most glaring example of impunity and miscarriage of justice in Cambodia today. There is overwhelming evidence that the two convicted men, now serving 20-year prison terms, were deliberately targeted as scapegoats for the murder. Cambodia's justice system has not only failed them, but has actively perpetrated the injustice against them. This case highlights the grave deficiencies of Cambodia's judiciary - particularly its lack of independence and impartiality - and casts undeniable doubt upon the government's stated commitment to rule of law. The release of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun from prison is essential if the justice system is ever to have any credibility.
Article | Phnom Penh Police detain residents photographing land eviction
15 June 2007
Five residents of Phnom Penh's Dangkor district were detained on the morning of June 7, 2007 after they photographed police while facing a land eviction. The residents were taking photographs of the police while they were executing orders from a letter claimed to be issued by the National Police Chief, Hok Lundy following a complaint made by the alleged land owner Ms Tei Vavanny.
Article | LICADHO celebrates Children's Day 2007 with juvenile prisoners in Cambodia
10 June 2007
All around the world one day of the year marks the celebration of the next generation - children. For many children around the world their childhood is a time of innocence and play, carefree of the world's troubles. Yet in Cambodia for many children, their childhood has been taken over by poverty and life's struggles and for the unlucky few of about 600 their childhood is spent behind bars.
To remember these children and to bring the festivities to them LICADHO celebrated 1 June, International Children's Rights Day at eight locations throughout Cambodia and in nine prisons that currently house minor prisoners, children living with their mothers in prison and pregnant women.
Statement | International Children's Day 2007: Child abuse in public and behind closed doors
31 May 2007
September 2006, ten girls aged between 14 and 17 years were persuaded by a fellow villager in Kompong Cham province to travel to Phnom Penh after they were promised jobs as domestic workers. However after arriving in Phnom Penh they were promptly taken to a local market where they were openly sold for 50,000 riel each. Fortunately this "auction" was witnessed by an LICADHO staff who obtained information from one of the victims and proceeded to work with LICADHO colleagues and other NGOs to ensure that all girls were found and returned safely to their families in the provinces.
Celebrating International Children's Day this year, LICADHO is promoting the theme of "Working Together to Combat Trafficking, Exploitation and Abuse of Children". Activities have been planned which highlight and promote children's rights, in particular, trafficking, the rights of children in prison and children involved in the worst forms of child labour.