ARTICLE

Two large excavators were used to demolish the villagers' homes

At around 4am on November 2, 2007, more than 300 mixed police forces with two mechanical excavators - led by Russey Keo Governor Mr. Khleang Huot - came under the cover of darkness to demolish houses belonging to 132 families living in Chong Chruoy village, Chruoy Changva commune, Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh.

The mixed forces blocked access to the eviction site and prevented human rights workers as well as media from monitoring and reporting on the eviction. During the forced eviction, the authorities confiscated the camera of an observing Member of Parliament, H.E Nou Sarath from the Sam Rainsy Party and two cameras belonging to a staff member of the Housing Rights Task Force, a coalition of NGOs focusing on urban eviction issues.

In addition to the 300 mixed police forces, approximately 70 construction workers were hired by the Governor to demolish the villagers' houses. Some villagers were allowed to dismantle their houses to salvage the materials while others not and watched helplessly as their homes were destroyed. There were also allegations by the villagers that the construction workers arbitrarily looted their houses during the demolition process.

On August 30, 2007 the Russey Keo authorities had issued a notice to villagers to remove their houses within 5 days however no action was ever taken on the nominated day. The notice had stated that the purpose for the removal was "in order to eliminate disorder in the society, to protect environment, sanitation and public health, and to promote the municipality's beauty."

Relocation Conditions

Some families were left with little after excavators broke down their former houseMann Chhoeun, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, stated that all the villagers would be relocated to Trapeang Anh Chanh village, Trapeang Krasaing commune, Dangkor district and that they will get a plot of vacant land in the size of 4 by 10 meters. The land located on the outskirts of the city is far from amenities such as schools, markets and health care. There is no electricity, running water or waste management systems.

Trapeang Anh Chanh village is becoming one of the 'dumping' grounds for the Phnom Penh municipality to relocate poor unwanted villagers. The villagers from Russey Keo now join other land evictees from Sambok Chap village, another land eviction site in the heart of Phnom Penh which was witness to a violent and destructive eviction in June 2006. Concerns have also been raised that the villager's at the relocation site are not receiving any official documentation to guarantee that they have ownership of the land.

On November 3, 2007 LICADHO provided the 132 families with some emergency materials such as rice, canned fish and tents.

LICADHO urges the Royal Government to conduct proper relocations with adequate compensation (for legitimate land owners), shelter, water supply and sanitation for villagers. LICADHO further deplores night time evictions which contravene international law¹.

As the land eviction situation in Cambodia rapidly descends out of control LICADHO urges the authorities to respect the Cambodia's 2001 Land Law and abide by international laws and standards. Until this is fully assured, LICADHO renews its call for the Royal Cambodian Government to order a halt to all land evictions.

(1) Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "Basic principles and guidelines on development-based evictions and displacement", http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/housing/docs/guidelines_en.pdf