The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 23 local NGOs, expresses its grave concern at the local authorities’ failure to resolve a community land and forest dispute in Kbal Romeas commune, Sesan District, Stung Treng Province. CHRAC is particularly concerned by threats to arrest villagers involved in advocating to protect their land.

On the morning of March 10, 2007, approximately 300 indigenous people from the villages of Chrop, Sre Sranok, and Kbal Romeas in Kbal Romeas commune peacefully rallied in front of Bopeakta Yaram pagoda located in Chrop Village to call for an urgent resolution to the dispute. Community land used by the indigenous people has been grabbed and cleared by four companies (Sopheak Nika Investment Agro-Industrial Co. Ltd, Sal Sophea Peanich Co. Ltd, Siv Guick Co. Ltd, and Phou Mardy Co. Ltd) which have been given government concessions to plant trees in the area. The dispute was caused by unclear marking of the boundaries of the concessions.

CHRAC investigators monitoring this land dispute believe the authorities of Stung Treng province have failed to address the concerns of the indigenous villagers, instead supporting the concession companies. Furthermore, there were threats by local authorities and soldiers employed as security guards for the concession companies to arrest villagers before and after the peaceful gathering which would seriously violate the villagers’ right to peaceful assemble to express their grievances.

CHRAC appeals to the Royal Government to stop granting economic land concessions which violate the land rights of Cambodian citizens, especially those of indigenous people. Article 28 of the Land Law clearly states that: “No authority outside of the community may acquire any rights to immovable properties belonging to an indigenous community.” In addition, CHRAC requests that the Stung Treng authorities immediately take action to ensure the Kbal Romeas dispute is resolved in a peaceful, non-violent manner by preventing the concessions companies from taking land of the indigenous communities, stopping any attempt to arrest any villager, and clearly outlining the land boundaries.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Mr. Thun Saray Chairman of CHRAC/President of ADHOC Tel: 016 880 509
▪ Mr. Ouch Leng Senior monitor of LICADHO Tel: 011 256 053
▪ Mr. Kong Pisey Acting director of CDP Tel: 012 945 725
▪ Ms. Nay Dina Executive director of KID Tel: 011 924 286
▪ Mr. Chiv Youmeng President of KYA Tel: 012 772 271

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