The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 538
“Mr. Yash Ghai, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Human Rights in Cambodia, finished his official visit on the evening of 10 December 2007, and he will release his final report on the situation of human rights, political rights, and land grabbing in Cambodia early in the coming year 2008. The report will be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council during the meeting to be held in Geneva in March 2008.
“Mr. Yash Ghai said in a press conference on the afternoon of 10 December at the United Nations Development Program office that land grabbing and the eviction of people were sometimes carried out under the excuse that this is to open the way for development. Actually, it makes the poor become poorer, while the rich become richer.
“He continued to say that the legal system seems to be a tool for the rich and powerful, while the poor are getting poorer, because the courts shows no will and no position against cheating tricks and bribery.
“Mr. Yash Ghai added that these issues are not only of concern for the Cambodian people but also for the international community, which has to play a most critical role for this country. It is not enough to just say that ‘We should not interfere.’ ‘Interference’ happens already through the support for various development projects and by many financial support actions from the government budget itself. The UN and the international community are obliged to ensure that the government system which they support does not violate specific standards recognized by the international community.
“Mr. Yash Ghai noted also points on the positive side again, because he saw that the long awaited Penal Procedures Code and the Civil Procedures Code were finally in place, and the implementation of the new procedures would provide the Cambodian courts with the chance to implement international justice standards in accordance with Cambodia’s obligations.
“Mr. Yash Ghai used to be blamed by Mr. Hun Sen, the power addicted Prime Minister, that Mr. Yash Ghai did not fully reflect the facts of Cambodia, and Mr. Hun Sen called Mr. Yash Ghai therefore a long-term tourist and a god without virtues. Moreover, Mr. Hun Sen proposed to the UN Secretary-General to fire Mr. Yash Ghai from his present position.
“For the time during this visit, Mr. Yash Ghai had requested to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and with the Minister of Interior Mr. Sar Kheng, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mr. Chan Sarun, the Minister of Justice Mr. Ang Vong Vathana, the Co-Chairpersons of the Legal and Judicial Reform Councils, as well as Mr. Om Yentieng, an advisor to Mr. Hun Sen and Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of the Government. But none of these proposed meeting happened during Mr. Yash Ghai’s visit.
“Mr. Yash Ghai stated that it is difficult to assume that the government’s criticism against him would get wider support, as the government refused all opportunities to express their own opinion. However, Mr. Yash Ghai still intends to meet with the government to discuss the human rights situation in Cambodia in an impartial spirit.
“During his stays in Cambodia, Mr. Yash Ghai had met with civil society representatives, some non-ruling political party leaders, and Cambodian and international professional judges who are members of the Khmer Rouge tribunal, and he met also many diplomats.
“Mr. Yash Ghai added that his efforts to meet with high-ranking government officials were made in order to study more deeply some issues relating to the eviction of people from their houses, and relating to land disputes, in particularly the cases concerning the claimed land grabbings from whole communities.
“Last week, Mr. Yash Ghai traveled to Ratanakiri province after he had received information about the conflicts happening in that province. He met with victims of land grabbing, and human rights activists and lawyers. He also paid a visit to prisoners in the provincial prison in Banlung to study the condition of prisoners detained, and the resources provided to manage the prison.
“In the morning of 10 December 2007, Mr. Yash Ghai participated in a gathering at Dey Krahom to encourage hundreds of families of this community and of the Group 78 community in Sangkat Tonle Bassak, both communities are threatened to be evicted from their houses.
“Mr. Yash Ghai expressed his strong concern when he saw the living situation of the people in those areas. Even in fairly central places of Phnom Penh, people have fear because they will be evicted by the authorities. He requested the government to take a reasonable attitude towards the people residing in those areas, so that their living rights and legal rights will be protected.” Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3334, 11.12.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Chakraval, Vol.15, #2737, 11.12.2007
- If Samdech Krom Preah [Norodom Ranariddh] Agrees to Quit Politics Before the 2008 Election, He Will Get a Honorary Position [in the Royal Palace – say analysts]
- Some Present Day Journalists Start to Create a Business of Transporting Wood Illegally for More Income
- There Are Still Businesspeople Transporting Wood from Kratie to Lumberyards in Phnom Penh
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1515, 11.12.2007
- Cambodia and the Swiss Federation Plant Rumduol Trees [flowering plant with very aromatic flowers that bloom at night] to Mark the 50th Anniversary of Friendly Relations
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6215, 11.12.2007
- India Provides [$35.2 million] Loan: $15 Million for Irrigation Systems, $15 Million for Hydroelectricity, and $5.2 Million for Buying Water Pumps
- Six Men Arrested by Police and Sent to Court on Accusation of Killing Another Man on Accusation of Sorcery [Rolea B’ier, Kompong Chhnang]
- First Direct Flight from Europe to Cambodia [a Finnair flight lands at Phnom Penh International Airport]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3334, 11.12.2007
- UN Special Envoy Criticizes that Land Grabbing Makes Citizens Poorer
- Yash Ghai [the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia]: Creation of Khmer Rouge Court Is for Respect of Human Rights in Cambodia
- Khmer Rouge Tribunal May Spend Nine Years and Needs More Funds
- Government Has No Will to Reduce Gasoline Prices, and to Fight Corruption
- Former Funcinpec Deputy Governor [Tuo Thean Teu] Arrested in Land Disputes [Banteay Meanchey]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4459, 11.12.2007
- Civil Society Organizations Collect One Million Thumbprints Demanding Government Adopt Anti-Corruption Law Soon
- Asian Development Bank Provides $20 Million Aid to Help Areas around Tonle Sap Lake [promotion of infrastructure and improved livelihood]
- Phnom Penh Municipal Cambodian People’s Party Plans to Compete for Six Seats [out of twelve seats] in 2008 General Election
- Oknha Thaong Sarat Orders Armed Forces to Demolish Houses of Five Families in Svay Rolum Commune [in land disputes – S’ang, Kandal]
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #32, 11.12.2007
- Civil Society Focuses on Land Issue, Corruption, and Human Trafficking… on International Human Rights Day
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