Asia-Pacific News
Rights groups call for end to forced evictions in Cambodia
Jan 24, 2012, 9:01 GMT
Phnom Penh - Five international rights groups called Tuesday for Cambodia to end forced land evictions and deemed such action 'a blot on the country's reputation.'
Amnesty International, Witness, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights and Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development sent a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen urging action.
'As the chair of ASEAN for 2012, Cambodia should abide by its legal obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,' the letter said, referring to the Association of South-East Asian Nations.
'One of the most dangerous places for an ordinary Cambodian to be is living on a piece of land that a rich man and his government cronies want,' said Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division.
The correspondence follows the violent eviction of the Borei Keila community in Phnom Penh on January 3. Around 100 police clashed with residents as hundreds of families were evicted and their homes bulldozed.
A government spokesman said Tuesday he was not aware of the letter. Additional spokesmen could not be reached.
The country's tenure system has been weak since the Khmer Rouge regime of 1975-79 abolished property rights.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
