The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 21 NGO members, is concerned about the eviction of 168 families who have been living in Preah Monivong Hospital.

CHRAC observed that the Ministry of Interior sent its forces of more than 200 personnel equipped with arms, tear-gas guns, electric shock batons and shields to surround and force people to move from their houses to a new location situated in Ang Snuol district, Kandal province, more than 30 km away from Phnom Penh. The armed forces prevented people from entering or leaving the area to communicate with each other, and disconnected water and electricity. In particular, they prohibited human rights monitors and journalists from monitoring the eviction process.

According to confirmation from the people relocated, in the beginning of 2005, the Ministry of Interior signed a 99 year contract to lease the location of Preah Monivong Hospital and the Department of Drug Control to the Royal Group company, and that this was the main cause for the two efforts to evict the people from their residences. The people have consistently demanded an appropriate resolution but these have not been successful. On 5 June 2006, General Directorate of National Police of Ministry of Interior issued a Notification Letter No. 121 s>C>N to implement the eviction with the final ultimatum date of 5 July 2006.

CHRAC acknowledges that this eviction is discriminating against the poor people and civil servants who have been living at the location of Preah Monivong Hospital since 1988. Furthermore, some police families were also forced to leave following the order made by the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry threatened to use administrative measures such as removing police from the positions or arrest if they resisted leaving. This forced eviction strongly violates their fundamental housing rights.

CHRAC believes that the government's development plan is to help the poor, however those who live in this area have not yet benefited from any such development.

CHRAC, therefore, wishes to appeal to the Government, in particular the Ministry of Interior and Phnom Penh Municipality to:
- Immediately suspend the forced eviction of Preah Monivong community as said in the Notification Letter issued by the Ministry of Interior No. 121 s>C>N dated 5 June 2006;
- Pay appropriate and acceptable compensation to the people prior to them being forced to move from their current houses;
- Avoid using violent measures on all people when implementing this and other development plans.

Mr. Mr. Thun Saray, Chairperson of CHRAC, President of ADHOC Tel: 016 880 509
Dr. Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO Tel: 012 940 645
Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Executive Director of CDP Tel: 012 901 199The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 21 NGO members, is concerned about the eviction of 168 families who have been living in Preah Monivong Hospital.
CHRAC observed that the Ministry of Interior sent its forces of more than 200 personnel equipped with arms, tear-gas guns, electric shock batons and shields to surround and force people to move from their houses to a new location situated in Ang Snuol district, Kandal province, more than 30 km away from Phnom Penh. The armed forces prevented people from entering or leaving the area to communicate with each other, and disconnected water and electricity. In particular, they prohibited human rights monitors and journalists from monitoring the eviction process.
According to confirmation from the people relocated, in the beginning of 2005, the Ministry of Interior signed a 99 year contract to lease the location of Preah Monivong Hospital and the Department of Drug Control to the Royal Group company, and that this was the main cause for the two efforts to evict the people from their residences. The people have consistently demanded an appropriate resolution but these have not been successful. On 5 June 2006, General Directorate of National Police of Ministry of Interior issued a Notification Letter No. 121 s>C>N to implement the eviction with the final ultimatum date of 5 July 2006.
CHRAC acknowledges that this eviction is discriminating against the poor people and civil servants who have been living at the location of Preah Monivong Hospital since 1988. Furthermore, some police families were also forced to leave following the order made by the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry threatened to use administrative measures such as removing police from the positions or arrest if they resisted leaving. This forced eviction strongly violates their fundamental housing rights.
CHRAC believes that the government's development plan is to help the poor, however those who live in this area have not yet benefited from any such development.
CHRAC, therefore, wishes to appeal to the Government, in particular the Ministry of Interior and Phnom Penh Municipality to:
- Immediately suspend the forced eviction of Preah Monivong community as said in the Notification Letter issued by the Ministry of Interior No. 121 s>C>N dated 5 June 2006;
- Pay appropriate and acceptable compensation to the people prior to them being forced to move from their current houses;
- Avoid using violent measures on all people when implementing this and other development plans.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Mr. Mr. Thun Saray, Chairperson of CHRAC, President of ADHOC Tel: 016 880 509
▪ Dr. Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO Tel: 012 940 645
▪ Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Executive Director of CDP Tel: 012 901 199

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