Latest Videos
in partnership with LICADHO Canada and WITNESSUnderstanding Debtors' Rights - Abusive Practices and Legal ProtectionsPublished on 25 August 2022
If borrowers understand the abusive activities that are sometimes committed against debtors and their legal rights with regards to MFI debt, it can help them protect their rights and interests under the law.
Published on 1 August 2022
Online money lending networks are targeting Cambodian women on Facebook and Telegram, trapping them into growing debts and extorting them using naked photographs and videos. Social media companies and Cambodian authorities are failing to act, allowing these predatory groups to exploit women with impunity.
In the last year, LICADHO has provided services to three women who have been harassed by informal online lenders. Each with similar experiences, the women first borrowed sums as small as $50 to pay for daily expenses or medical care from groups advertising on Facebook, but ended up being blackmailed and extorted after sending naked photographs and videos in an attempt to escape the cycle of debt.
Published on 8 March 2022
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Women unionists have faced targeted harassment in an attempt to intimidate them into stopping their strike. LICADHO is releasing a video featuring several of these brave women to mark International Women’s Day.
Published on 17 October 2021
Land grabbing has affected more than 5,000 families in the last two years, showing no signs of slowing down during the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, arrests and jailing of land community members and activists has increased over the last two years, and as of October 2021, there are at least 21 land community members and activists who have been arrested, with 10 people imprisoned.
To celebrate Word Habitat Day, LICADHO is releasing a video about the impact of Covid-19 on community members and activists, and their ongoing struggle in exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms to fight for their land rights.
Published on 28 June 2021
A video featuring the voices and experiences of community members who face over-indebtedness due to microfinance and microloan debt. Difficulties include coerced land sales, child labour, migration, hunger, and other human rights violations. These borrowers have the right to relief.
Published on 9 April 2021
Understanding your rights as a borrower is important. Watch this video to learn about some of the negative consequences and unethical practices in Cambodia's microfinance and microloan sector.
Published on 8 March 2021
This #IWD2021, LICADHO is calling for immediate improvements to the grave conditions facing every woman and girl locked in Cambodia's dangerously overcrowded prisons.
Among these women are human rights defenders Chhoeun Daravy, Eng Malai, Long Kunthea and Phuon Keoraksmey. They have tirelessly stood up for the rights of others, but they have been put behind bars in an attempt to stifle their peaceful activism.
Published on 7 March 2021
Mother Nature Cambodia activist Phuon Keoraksmey was arrested in September for her peaceful work protecting Cambodia’s natural resources from private greed.
At first, it was hard for Keoraksmey’s mother to support her daughter’s daring activism. Now, she says, she couldn’t be prouder.
Published on 7 March 2021
Arrested in September 2020 for planning a one-woman protest to call for the preservation of Phnom Penh’s largest lake, Long Kunthea has been locked in prison for more than 180 days.
Kunthea’s cell is constantly filled with smoke from other detainees. Every day, she struggles even to breathe.
Published on 6 March 2021
Last September, Khmer Thavrak youth group member Eng Malai was arrested after attending a non-violent protest demanding justice for Rong Chhun after the union leader’s imprisonment.
In prison, Malai faces a daily struggle with disease, injury and stress.
Published on 6 March 2021
In August last year, youth activist Chhoeun Daravy was dragged into a van by plainclothes security after taking part in a peaceful demonstration calling for imprisoned unionist Rong Chhun’s release.
Since her arrest, Daravy has shaved her hair and is boycotting some meals to protest her unjust imprisonment.
Published on 10 December 2020
Too often, women and children who are raped by a family member are being denied both the safety that they need and the justice that they are entitled to.
"The police told me not to tell anyone. I said, 'This happened, and you want to keep it a secret too?'"
More than a year after Seiha* reported being raped by her grandfather, he has still not been arrested for his crimes. And Seiha is far from alone.
Published on 20 October 2020
Every year, communities all over the world come together to celebrate World Habitat Day and the right to shelter. For many Cambodians, the right to adequate housing remains unfulfilled. Land conflicts with large corporations rob families of their farmland. Lack of essential infrastructure such as roads, schools and health centres keep communities from accessing the basic services they need to live secure and dignified lives. Year after year, these communities have joined together in peaceful demonstrations to call on authorities to ensure that these fundamental rights to life and livelihood are respected.
Published on 5 May 2020
For many families in Cambodia’s northwest, migrant work is the only way they can manage their rising microfinance debts. In this video, men and women from the Thai border share their fears of what will happen when they can no longer pay back their loans.
Published on 9 December 2019
To mark the international campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (25 November - 10 December), LICADHO is highlighting pregnant women and mother and children incarcerated in Cambodian prisons. Over the 16 days, we will profile women who will share their stories of pregnancy, motherhood and of survival in the Cambodian prison system.
Life is extremely harsh for people incarcerated in Cambodia’s prisons. Violations of basic human rights such as denial of access to food, clean water, time outside cells and legal representation occur on a mass scale and the realities of prison life are such that if prisoners do not have money to pay for these basic necessities, then they will go without.
Published on 2 December 2019
To mark the international campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (25 November - 10 December), LICADHO is highlighting pregnant women and mother and children incarcerated in Cambodian prisons. Over the 16 days, we will profile women who will share their stories of pregnancy, motherhood and of survival in the Cambodian prison system.
Life is extremely harsh for people incarcerated in Cambodia’s prisons. Violations of basic human rights such as denial of access to food, clean water, time outside cells and legal representation occur on a mass scale and the realities of prison life are such that if prisoners do not have money to pay for these basic necessities, then they will go without.
Published on 25 November 2019
To mark the international campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (25 November - 10 December), LICADHO is highlighting pregnant women and mother and children incarcerated in Cambodian prisons. Over the 16 days, we will profile women who will share their stories of pregnancy, motherhood and of survival in the Cambodian prison system.
Life is extremely harsh for people incarcerated in Cambodia’s prisons. Violations of basic
human rights such as denial of access to food, clean water, time outside cells and legal
representation occur on a mass scale and the realities of prison life are such that if prisoners
do not have money to pay for these basic necessities, then they will go without.
Published on 19 August 2019
Farmers often take microfinance debt, but then struggle to repay it due to falling crop prices or crop failures. Selling their land is sometimes the only way they can repay their microfinance loans.
Published on 13 August 2019
Many Cambodians have had family members migrate to pay off microfinance debts. A report by the IOM in 2016 found that more than 40% of Cambodians who migrated abroad did so to pay debts. End debt-driven migration.
Published on 8 August 2019
The average size of a microloan in Cambodia is now the highest in the world. Many farmers are trapped in a cycle of debt, forced to get larger and larger loans to survive. Watch the video below to learn one man's story.
Published on 7 August 2019
More than 2 million Cambodians currently have a loan with a microfinance institution, or MFI. Levels of debt have skyrocketed in recent years, leading to a number of human rights abuses, including coerced land sales, child labour, debt-driven migration, and bonded labour, according to a joint report from the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) and Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT).
Collateral Damage: Land Losses and Abuses in Cambodia’s Microfinance Sector details the size and scope of Cambodia’s MFI sector and seeks to highlight the human rights abuses that researchers discovered. The research spans 10 communes in 4 provinces as well as Phnom Penh and features seven detailed case studies of abuses, chosen from the 28 MFI clients who suffered human rights abuses that were interviewed by researchers.
Published on 8 March 2019
Women activists continue to lead the struggle for human and environmental rights in Cambodia. To celebrate International Women's Rights Day, take a moment and listen to four Cambodian women describe their experiences as land, labour and environmental activists.
Published on 12 February 2019
Cambodia's human rights situation continued to deteriorate in 2018, with the ongoing closure of democratic and civil society space as well as the silencing of government critics and independent media.
Published on 26 January 2019Dey Krahorm Community Demands Justice a Decade after Brutal Eviction
Published on 24 January 2019
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the brutal forced eviction of the Dey Krahorm community in central Phnom Penh. LICADHO shares this community-made video and continues to stand in solidarity with them in their calls for justice and an end to forced evictions.
On 24 January 2009, Dey Krahorm residents attempting to stop bulldozers destroying their homes were beaten back by 7NG construction workers and security guards, backed up by more than 300 riot police armed with electric cattle prods, batons, tear gas, water cannons and firearms. At least 18 were injured, some of them seriously.
Published on 10 December 2018
This video, part of the campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, highlights the determination and resilience of Cambodia’s Women human rights defenders, who stand up to state violence aimed at silencing them.
Published on 2 January 2018
Borei Keila community in Phnom Penh marks the sixth anniversary of the violent destruction of their homes and forced eviction on 3 January 2012 to make way for a high rise housing development. The community is still seeking fair compensation and re-location on the site of their former homes.
Published on 28 March 2016
In this video, LICADHO’s medical team pays tribute to Volker Jantzen, of Swiss NGO Dynamic Share, who died in January 2016 after a long illness.
Since 2013, support from Dynamic Share has been invaluable for LICADHO’s work providing medical care to victims of human rights abuses in prisons, at relocation sites, to human rights defenders and on-the ground during protests and demonstrations. From all of us at LICADHO, we want to express our gratitude to the generous support Mr. Jantzen, through Dynamic Share, has provided to Cambodia.
Published on 6 February 2016
This video clip shows thugs wearing helmets and wielding sticks and hammers savagely beating bus drivers and their supporters as they protested in Phnom Penh on February 6, 2016.
The protest, which concerned the firing of 45 drivers from Capitol Tours Bus Company in December 2015, was attacked by CCDA members who claimed that the protest was disrupting their business. Anti-demonstration police stood by while the savage beating took place, later breaking up the protest and arresting one bus driver and one supporter. No CCDA thugs were arrested.
Published on 20 November 2015
Today marks the 26th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The Cambodian government ratified the CRC on October 15, 1992, thus guaranteeing the protection and promotion of the four main baskets of rights of children in Cambodia: “the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.”
In the spirit of the CRC, the Child Protection Group (CPG) network, with support from LICADHO, is releasing a storybook video: “The Last Day of Lang Reng.” This fictional work voices the concerns of young Cambodians regarding the rapid deforestation and environmental destruction they see taking place across their country.
Published on 4 July 2015
The CPP, Cambodia’s ruling party, has announced its intention to hold an extraordinary session of the National Assembly on July 10th, during which members of parliament will vote on whether to pass the Law on Associations and NGOs (LANGO). For the past three months Cambodian civil society has been voicing its opposition to the law and between June 28 and 30, numerous grassroots groups, networks and NGOs conducted a spirited 3-day campaign to protest against the LANGO and also the draft Trade Union Law. Both laws have been widely criticised in Cambodia and abroad for the threat they represent to Cambodian civil society. This music video shows some of the campaign events at which activists and civil society members sang and danced to a classic Cambodian pop song “I Don’t Accept It”. The lyrics were specially rewritten by Cambodian youths and Boeung Kak activists to express their rejection of the laws and to assert their right to gather and express themselves freely.
Published on 24 June 2015
In March 2003, the Cambodian government unveiled a potentially progressive land policy with the aim of transferring land to landless and poor Cambodians – Social Land Concessions (SLCs). LICADHO recently investigated a $13 million SLC project, called LASED, that was implemented by the Cambodian government with support from the World Bank and the German development agency GIZ. In direct contrast with the rosy conclusions reported by both agencies, LICADHO found that the project largely failed to benefit rural poor Cambodians.
Published on 1 June 2015
In the lead-up to June 1st, International Children’s Day, LICADHO is releasing a music video, “The Bird of First June,” advocating respect for the four baskets of children’s rights, as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): the right to survival, the right to protection, the right to development, and the right to participation. The video was conceptualized by youth Child Protection Group members in Phnom Penh, and the song was sung over a popular local soundtrack. The youth were inspired to make the video to raise awareness amongst children of their basic rights, and to encourage adults to take care of children.
Published on 21 November 2014
Sunday is International Day to End Impunity. ‘Freedom of Assembly in Cambodia’ is a 3.5 minute music video made up of footage from the past 14 months showing both state-sponsored abuses committed with impunity, and the resilience of Cambodian activists in the face of oppression.
Published on 20 November 2014
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Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). On October 15, 1992, the Cambodian government ratified the CRC, thus pledging to protect and promote four fundamental rights of children everywhere: “the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life”.
On this day, LICADHO releases a video of Seng Sokhim, a 16 year old girl who actively promotes and protects the rights of children in her community in Bak Keng commune, Phnom Penh. Sokhim is part of LICADHO's Child Protection Groups (CPGs) network that operates on the grassroots level to empower children, youths, and adults to be children's rights advocates.
Published on 21 October 2014
On October 20, 2014, security guards in Phnom Penh were once again captured senselessly beating peaceful land protesters. About 80 villagers from Preah Vihear province had come to Phnom Penh to ask for assistance from national institutions, to help resolve their land dispute which has affected over 200 families. However, shortly after noon, the villagers were violently dispersed by the guards while military police and police officers stood by near the Prime Minister's home.
The violence left a total of 18 people injured. Several of them, including an 18 year-old boy, suffered head wounds.
Published on 6 October 2014
Today as communities all over the world stand in solidarity for World Habitat Day, some 600 community members gathered at the National Assembly to demand 'development for all' and an end to forced evictions across Cambodia. This video highlights the ongoing land dispute between the Borei Keila community in Phnom Penh and local development company, Phanimex.
Published on 10 June 2014
In the lead-up to World Day Against Child Labour, LICADHO is releasing a two-part digital photo essay series highlighting linkages between child labour and issues such as poverty, school drop-out rates and land eviction. The second video looks into the life of Kompieng , 16, who dropped out of school and started doing odd jobs to help support her family.
Published on 9 June 2014
In the lead-up to World Day Against Child Labour, LICADHO is releasing a two-part digital photo essay series highlighting linkages between child labour and issues such as poverty, school drop-out rates and land eviction. The first video looks into the life of Prum Dina, 14, who when she was 12 dropped out of school to work at a shoe factory.
Published on 1 April 2014
Between January 2000 and March 2014, LICADHO documented more than 500,000 Cambodians affected by state-involved land conflicts in investigations covering roughly half the country. After 13 years, land grabbing shows little sign of slowing down and the first few months of 2014 have seen continued destruction of homes, forest and livelihoods.
Published on 14 February 2014
At about 7am this morning, the road leading to Borei Keila was blocked and riot police, military police and security guards were deployed to remove the families from the building. Six people were seriously injured in the ensuing clashes, including one 7-month-pregnant woman.
Published on 21 January 2014
On the evening of January 19, 2014, civil society groups gathered nearby the Royal Palace to call for the release of the 23 workers and rights defenders arrested earlier this month, and for an increase in the minimum wage. Security guards and police interfered with the peaceful assembly and one association leader was detained overnight.
Published on 7 January 2014
Year 2014 has opened to a sustained campaign of violence and arrests in Cambodia. This video looks back at events which occurred on January 2,3, and 4, 2014.
Published on 9 December 2013
Starting December 1st, civil society groups and monks started long marches on five national roads to highlight the need for justice and peace in the country. The groups will converge into Phnom Penh on December 10, International Human Rights Day, and deliver to the National Assembly hand-written petitions by citizens across the country.
Published on 13 November 2013
Early on the morning of November 12, 2013, a violent clash between striking garment workers and armed forces, followed by two additional clashes between the growing number of armed forces and a crowd of citizens, resulted in the death of one bystander and at least nine injured in Phnom Penh's Meanchey district.
Published on 4 September 2013
Today marks one year of detention since the arrest of Boeung Kak activist and prisoner of conscience Yorm Bopha. This video tells her story, from her strong stance in support of detained community members to her arrest and groundless conviction.
Published on 30 May 2013
This morning near Phnom Penh city hall, authorities called in three fire trucks, which used high-pressure water from their hoses to disperse peaceful protesters from the Boeung Kak, Borei Keila and airport communities. Firefighters also targeted some community members who came to rescue colleagues who had fallen down due to the impact of the water. This video was taken at the scene.
Published on 22 May 2013
This year's Mothers Day coincided with the 250th day of imprisonment Yorm Bopha, a key Boeung Kak lake representative. The video highlight some of her activism and call for her release.
Published on 13 March 2013
On the morning of March 13, 2013, a group of military police and police officers, accompanied by district security guards, stormed a peaceful protest by the Boeung Kak Lake community. In what turned out to be the most violent crackdown against this community, five citizens were left injured, including broken teeths and bones.
Published on 19 December 2012
From December 8th to December 17th, more than 42,000 Cambodians across the country celebrated "International Human Rights Day". Events were held to highlight land, labor, and human rights with the unifying slogan "We All Need Justice & Freedom!". The final event took place in Phnom Penh the morning of December 17th, when organizers & volunteers danced to a land-rights themed rendition of "Gangnam-style" in front of the National Assembly wearing t shirts which had been endorsed by over 11, 000 Cambodians. Participants also presented over 40,000 signatures calling for an end to evictions in Cambodia coordinated by Amnesty International volunteers living in France, Germany, New Zealand & South Korea.
Published on 22 July 2012
This documentary takes a look at the recent campaign to free the 15 imprisoned Boeung Kak lake activists. The fifteen were arrested in late May 2012 during and after a peaceful protest highlighting a long-standing land dispute with Shukaku Inc. company, owned by a Cambodian ruling party senator.
One of the released activists presented this video at the fifth annual Summer Institute in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Singapore in July 2012.
Published on 11 July 2012
Rong Panha of the Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU) was beaten in front of Wat Botum after a group of 20 CATU workers had marched from Phnom Penh's Freedom Park to a public park nearby the Prime Minister's home to present a petition to his cabinet. The workers are employed by Tai Yang Enterprises, which supplies international clothing giants Levi Strauss, Gap and Old Navy, among others.
Published on 21 June 2012
Focusing on the Boeung Kak lake and the Borei Keila cases, this video explores the impact of land grabbing on poor Cambodians and exposes the risks facing housing rights activists. It was shown at the UN Sustainable Development Conference in Rio in June 2012.
Published on 24 May 2012
Venerable Loun Sovath was forcibly taken away by religious authorities while the monk was supporting a peaceful gathering of Boeung Kak lake villagers in front of the Phnom Penh court. Venerable Sovath was driven to Wat Botum, where he was questioned over his activism by religious leaders.
The group had gathered to support 13 lake representatives who - hours after the monk's removal - were unjustly given prison sentences of 2 and a half years each, some suspended.
Published on 22 May 2012
Some 18 displaced families from the Boeung Kak area arrived at the sand-filled lake accompanied by fellow residents. One family tried to erect wooden poles. Police arrived almost immediately, confiscating the residents' tools and preventing them from going forward.
Unable to continue with their original plan, the Boeung Kak residents staged a peaceful demonstration, complete with singing and speeches. Shortly before noon, when only a small group of women were still singing, mixed forces moved in and began pushing the singers, provoking a confrontation. The group dispersed, but 13 of the women -- including a 72-year-old women pictured in this video -- were chased down by the authorities and arrested.
Published on 28 February 2012
In mid-November 2011, approximately 300 villagers from four provinces surrounding Prey Lang forest marched through the endangered woods for more than a week. They were patrolling the forest to protect it from further illegal logging and deforestation, and to protest the escalating threat posed by economic land concessions and other exploitation.
Published on 21 January 2012
On January 18, 2012, military personnel acting as security guards for TTY Co. Ltd opened fire on a group of villagers who had gathered to prevent clearing of their farmland by company's excavators in Kratie's Snuol district.
Four villagers were injured by bullets. None of the authorities present during the shooting proceeded to arrest the perpetrators.
Published on 12 January 2012
On January 3, 2012, the well-connected Phan Imex Corporation proceeded, with the help of armed state forces, to destroy the homes of some 300 Borei Keila families. This forced eviction was in violation of a legal agreement between the corporation and the Borei Keila residents that entitled all families living in the area to obtain on-site apartments.
Published on 24 November 2011
On November 22, 2011, Boeung Kak Lake resident Chea Dara leaped to her death from a bridge in Phnom Penh. She was actively involved in the lake residents' struggle against their wrongful eviction from the site. Although a deal was reached earlier this year to resettle most of the remaining families, Chea Dara's family was arbitrarily excluded. After years of fighting for justice, she lost hope. This video commemorates her life.
Published on 20 October 2011
Through Cambodia's infamous Boeung Kak Lake land grab, this LICADHO video takes a look at three incidents showing the impacts on women within communities affected by forced evictions. These abuses are perpetrated in the name of "development".
Published on 17 September 2011
Yesterday witnessed the most violent forced eviction of Boeung Kak lake residents to date. Early in the afternoon, a hundred “anti-riot†intervention police officers and Daun Penh district security guards positioned themselves nearby homes of lake residents. Two excavators, protected by the armed group, proceeded in destroying homes of families arbitrarily disqualified from the 12.44 hectares of land given to the remaining lake families.
Later in the afternoon, as the excavators were on the move to destroy more houses, lake activist Suong Sophorn was savagely assaulted by a mob of intervention police officers who left him for dead after kicking and beating him with bricks and batons.
Published on 13 June 2011
On April 26, Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Non Nget banned Venerable Sovath from all pagodas in Phnom Penh on the grounds that these actions "[had] caused villagers to think badly about Buddhism." This was the latest threat by Buddhist authorities against Venerable Long Sovath, a monk who decided to actively defend the rights of Cambodians.
Since 2009, Venerable Sovath has supported communities forcibly evicted from their land. In the video, he explains that his actions are in line with Buddhist teachings that advocate helping and saving people's lives. Buddha, he says, would also go where there is misery.
Published on 21 April 2011
More than 100 Boeung Kak villagers gathered at Phnom Penh municipal cabinet, demanding a resolution to their land dispute. A group of armed anti-riot police forces used violence against villagers, arresting 11 people including women and two children.
Published on 6 February 2011
This LICADHO production offers a glimpse into community activism to resist land evictions throughout Cambodia The video was shown during the land grabbing workshop leading up to the World Social Forum in Dakar, Senegal in February 2011.
The Khmer language version of this video was put together after the Senegal workshop. Its content differs a little and is targeted at grassroots activists.
Published on 15 December 2010
Venerable Loun Sovath has many hats: he is a monk, a human rights defender and a representative for the disenfranchised Chikreng community in Siem Reap province.
Sovath has acted at great risk to his personal safety, struggling to find justice for the victims of the Chi Kreng land grab.
Venerable Sovath was threatened very often, like many other human rights defenders, dispite his robes. In fact, he may face an even greater threat, given his willingness to speak out, appear in the media, and openly document abuse perpetrated by the authorities.
Published on 3 November 2010
The incident took place during a protest in front of the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital on the morning of October 28, 2010, where a group of fifty protesters gathered to seek intervention by the UN Secretary-General into the ongoing Boeung Kak land grab in Phnom Penh. ;Around 10:15AM, as the UN Secretary-General was visiting the Hospital with government officials, a mixed group of armed anti-riot police and administrative police officers launched a violent assault on standing protesters, pushing people to the ground, beating some with walkie-talkies and shocking others with electric batons.
During the incident, Suong Sophorn, an activist who lives in the Boeung Kak Lake area, was arrested and viciously beaten, resulting in a severe bleeding wound to the head. The police dragged him away as he felt unconscious and was further beaten by officers. Sophorn is one among the Cambodians who were protesting the forced eviction of the Boeung Kak Lake community, and was appealing for a meeting with the Secretary-General.
Published on 1 July 2010
A land dispute in Chi Kreng district of Siem Reap province, turned ugly when four villagers were wounded when members of a joint force - including police, military police, border police and soldiers - opened fire on a crowd of farmers in Anlong Samnor commune on Sunday, March 22.
Over a year later, not a single officer has been prosecuted for the violence committed on that day. However, nine villagers are facing trial in July 2010 on spurious charges of attempted killing in relation to the March 2009 shooting incident.
Published on 2 April 2010
On 26 March 2010, more than 600 - entangled in a land dispute with Okhna Ly Yong Phat's sugar plantation - villagers gathered on National Road 4, blocking the road for almost two hours, and demanded the release of their two representatives, Khem Vuth and You Tho, who had been arrested two days earlier. This led to heavy traffic congestion and prompted the deputy provincial governor, court officials and provincial police commissioner to talk with villagers. After lengthy negotiations, the villagers agreed to move and discuss the matter at the provincial court.
On 29 March 2010 Mr. You and Mr. Vuthy were released on bail and placed under surveillance.
Published on 14 October 2009
On September 30, 2009, more than 30 villagers fought with military police outside Takeo Provincial Court in an attempt to prevent authorities from detaining a community representative from being arrested on groundless disinformation charges.
After several hours of questioning by Takeo Provincial Court Director and Investigating Judge Tith Sothy, Sib Sen and Ny San were charged with disinformation and wrongful damage of property, which stemmed from a 2008 incident where they had removed a fence built by the mosque leaders to cover village land after declaring that it belonged to the community. No reasons were given by court which subsequently released Sib Sen on bail but arrested and detained Ny San.
Published on 9 September 2009
In the past 5 years LICADHO has documented cases of land grabbing that have affected more than a quarter of a million Cambodians. The rampant land grabbing has seriously undermined the development of Cambodia, depriving entire communities of their livelihoods and dignity.
This video was shown on September 10, 2009, during the US Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing on Cambodia.
Published on 4 August 2009
Police used intimidation and violence against MP Mu Sochua and SRP supporters, as well as journalists and other independent observers, following the announcement of the Sochua's verdict on Tuesday August 4. As Sochua, party president Sam Rainsy, SRP National Assemby MPs and supporters proceeded to march along the streets back to the party headquarters from the court, police attempted to violently disperse the impromptu march.
Anti-riot police repeatedly tried to drag participants away from the peaceful march, and several marchers were pushed or fell to the ground. Police also beat or kicked several other marchers. Police officers repeatedly directed cars, motorcycles and even a bus to drive through the marchers, in an obvious attempt to create a traffic accident which could have led to serious injury or worse.
Two men were arrested during one of the police's attempts to violently disperse the crowd of marchers; one of the men, as he was being led away by police, was kicked in the groin by a policeman.
Published on 17 July 2009
The small community know as Group 78 located in the riverside area of Phnom Penh have live on their land since 1983. Over the years, Group 78 families were served with a number of eviction notices by local authorities while witnessing two violent forced eviction that took place in the same area, namely Dey Krahorm and Sambok Chap. The 3-years-long coercion campaign of Group 78 residents to leave their homes and land, culminating in this morning's final eviction of the area.
At 4 am this morning [July 17, 2009], dozens of armed police took up positions around Group 78 in order to enforce a municipal order that they dismantle their homes or be forcibly removed. This followed 53 families yesterday "agreeing" to the authorities' demand that they accept an offer of $8,000 compensation or their homes would be forcibly destroyed. Negotiations this morning with the remaining 7 families who had not "agreed" led to a final offer to them of up to $20,000 in compensation which they all accepted, except for one family whose home was destroyed against their will.
As the sun rose on Friday July 17, 2009, dawn bore witness to the heart wrenching sight of the homes of the Group 78 community being dismantled piece by piece.
Published on 30 April 2009
Over 30 families living with HIV/AIDS in the "green shed" at the Borei Keila social land concession are facing the prospect of eviction. The families living in the temporary "green shed" have been waiting for new apartments to be allocated to them for the past 2 years, but they are now faced with the prospect of being evicted to the Toul Sambo relocation site 20km outside of Phnom Penh. At Toul Sambo there is inadeuqate housing, no clean water and is far from any markets, schools, employment opportunities and most importantly medical facilities.
Learn more about Borei Keila from our partner WITNESS.
Published on 19 February 2009
750 ethnic minority families in Kratie Province, Cambodia are embroiled in a land dispute over farming land, that the provincial authorities say they have leased to a private company for a rubber plantation. In October 2008 the bulldozers came into clear the land and the villagers were there to stop them.
(Music courtesy of the Messengers Band)
Published on 27 January 2009
This video is a compilation of footage captured by human rights monitors on January 24, 2009 during the violent eviction at Dey Krahorm. Video footage courtesy of Platapus, LICADHO, LICADHO Canada, Bridges Across Borders, and Karl Bille.
Published on 11 December 2008
In February 2007 the Municipality of Phnom Penh entered into a 99-year lease agreement for US$79 million for 133 hectares, including Boeung Kok lake and surrounding land, with a private developer, Shukaku Inc, owned by a ruling party senator. According to the government, the company will turn the area into "pleasant, trade, and service places for domestic and international tourists," including by filling in 90% of the lake.
On 26 August 2008 a company began filling the lake, which has worsened flooding and caused the destruction of some houses. The development will lead to the eviction of almost 4,000 families, despite many of the affected families having strong legal claims to the land under the Land Law.
Published on 10 December 2008
10 December 2008, marked International Human Rights Day and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To celebrate the day various events were held throughout the country under the theme "We All Need Freedom and Justice".
Published on 16 October 2008Innocent Prisoners in Cambodia Mark 1,700 Days Behind Bars
Published on 25 September 2008
September 23, 2008 marked the 1,700th day that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun have spent in prison for a crime they did not commit. Over 70 family, friends and supporters gathered outside of PJ prison in a show of solidarity to release balloons to mark the 1,700th day in prison for the two men.
