ARTICLE

The heavy machinery tearing down houses at Dey Krahorm, while police and 7NG workers look on

In the early morning hours of Saturday January 24, 2009 approximately 500 demolition workers escorted by 300 mixed police in full riot gear surrounded the community of Dey Krahorm. Their mission, to forcibly evict the approximately 400 families that were living on the disputed land in the heart of Phnom Penh.

At 6am the police armed with electric and steel batons, wooden sticks, tear gas, water cannons and guns moved towards the remaining Dey Khrahorm families who had erected barricades and stood defiantly in front of their houses. The police were able to brake through the villagers' lines and disburse them with the use of tear gas, water cannons and rubber projectiles.

In a matter of hours the demolition workers completely destroyed the remaining houses and market stalls located in the community, in many cases bulldozing the personal belongings and documents of the residents into the ground, before the families were able to rescue them.
At least 18 people were injured included 5 seriously during the forced eviction.

Testimonies of the Dey Krahorm villagers

"After they destroyed [our home], we only had the clothes on our body. We were brought by truck to Damnak Trayoeng [relocation site]. They dumped us in the field with no shelter. Some of us poor villagers do not have any money, not even 100 Riel (USD$0.02).

Some organizations wanted to donate the materials but the company [7NG] said that there was no need to interfere with their business - they can deal with it. In fact, yesterday the company [7NG] gave gifts but some people did not receive anything and in offensive language they said that they did not give to people who opposed [7NG]. They only gave to other people and their relatives in front of the TV cameras while the people were saying thank you. I am suffering and feel very miserable. All of you can go to the relocation site and you will see."

"I have been cruelly beaten up like an animal and kicked like a ball. The injuries on my body are the evidence. My wife is seven months pregnant. Now, we have no house and no possessions.

This land [concession] which was granted by Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2003, the Phnom Penh municipal also came and told us that the Prime Minister Hun Sen had granted the land to us, it is gold, it is diamond, do not get cheated by the company, do not get the diamond exchanged with stone. Now, the Phnom Penh municipal went back on their word and cooperated with the 7NG company getting excavators to dismantle villagers' houses and properties. They assaulted us, I myself am the evidence. They sprayed tear gas, we were prevented from putting our belongings on the truck instead the excavators destroyed them. It was even more cruel than Pol Pot."

"Yesterday, [at the relocation site] I asked for one rice card from the distributor, they said that I am rubbish and that I was to be thrown away. "You cannot come here today or tomorrow if you still come I won't give rice to you". I knelt in front of them, to please give me one rice card.I don't have rice to eat, my house has been completely demolished my house, and my belongings were damaged and my children dropped out from school.

Why do they harm residents like me? They dumped me in the field, in the sun, no roof, no tarpaulin, and no water, no nothing