Court of Appeal hears from Group 78

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com

Written by May Titthara
Thursday, 04 June 2009

FOUR residents of the embattled Group 78 community presented evidence Wednesday at the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal as part of their attempt to overturn an April 20 eviction notice that gave them until May 5 to accept a City Hall compensation package and vacate their homes.

"We were asked to show our evidence by the judge, and they said they would inform us of their decision two weeks from now," said community representative Lim Sambo.

He said the evidence demonstrated that the residents were not living on a public road or on land belonging to Sour Srun Enterprises, a local developer.

An injunction against the eviction notice filed by residents was rejected on May 18 by Judge Duch Kimsan.

Yin Savat, a lawyer for the Community for Legal Education Centre, said, "The residents showed the judge the reason that they are trying to cancel the eviction notice."

He added: "It's the explanation stage. The notice is illegal and a violation of the Cambodian Constitution and the Land Law."