The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 18 local NGOs, is very concerned about acts of violence against the Leu market vendors of Slor Kram commune committed by Siem Riep Provincial authorities from 9 to 10 July 2001. These acts of violence, in Siem Reap district, Siem Reap Province, were resulted from the Provincial authorities violating an agreement supported by the government, and signed between the vendors and the construction company two years ago.

Prior to the protests, Provincial authorities called for vendor representatives to negotiate. Protests by hundreds of vendors began after authorities pressured vendor representatives to agree, against their will, to a new market construction project set at a higher price. The use of such undue power was in clear violation of the procedures for negotiation.

At least fourteen vendors were beaten and injured, handcuffed and arrested by the Gendarmeries under the direct orders of Mr.Brak Chantheurn, the Siem Reap Provincial Gendarmerie commander. All arrested were later released. The vendors of Leu market have complained to Phnom Penh authorities, but no settlement has been reached. In the meantime, Provincial authorities have destroyed over 200 stalls belonging to the Leu market vendors.

The CHRAC makes the following five-part appeal to the government in regard to this matter and any future related matters:

1. Authorities must stop using violence regarding such case to crack down on the vendors in the future;

2. Any final decisions made by authorities regarding the construction or operation of markets must be investigated prior to finality in order to ensure that, if the rights or property of the people are involved in the decision, these rights are protected;

3. The government and the courts must resolve this case in accordance with the law;

4. If any individual party opposes to the destruction of any market or construction at the hands of the public authorities, the dispute must be heard in court before any destruction can or may take place;

5. Any and all damage to vendors must be investigated by the appropriate authorities and compensated accordingly by the responsible party.

6. Authorities must resolve the dispute without taking any argument that the case involved in a political party;

7. Both parties in the dispute must be called to negotiate by Sam dech Prime Minister Hun Sen as requested by vendors.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Executive Director of CDP and Chairperson of the CHRAC, Tel:012901199
▪ Mr. Yi Kosal Vathanak, Adhoc monitoring officer and Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Investigation of the CHRAC, Tel:012927591

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