REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea : Garment workers of the South Korean owned Sang Woo Cambodia Co. Limited, go on strike

Im Sok leang (R), 19-year-old garment worker of the South Korean owned Sang Woo Cambodia Co. Limited, goes on strike as she stays in her rented house in Kompong Speu province, about 50 km away from Phnom Penh July 13, 2010. Around 20,000 garment workers went on strike in Cambodia on Tuesday, according to a trade union leader, who said they were demanding a bigger increase in the minimum wage than the 9 percent agreed by rival unions last week. On July 8 the government, employers in the sector and five largely pro-government unions agreed an increase in the minimum wage from Oct. 1 to $61 a month from $56 a month, including a $6. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Im Sok leang (R), 19-year-old garment worker of the South Korean owned Sang Woo Cambodia Co. Limited, goes on strike as she stays in her rented house in Kompong Speu province, about 50 km away from Phnom Penh July 13, 2010. Around 20,000 garment workers went on strike in Cambodia on Tuesday, according to a trade union leader, who said they were demanding a bigger increase in the minimum wage than the 9 percent agreed by rival unions last week. On July 8 the government, employers in the sector and five largely pro-government unions agreed an increase in the minimum wage from Oct. 1 to $61 a month from $56 a month, including a $6. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Im Sok leang (R), 19, Tay Tieng (C), 27, and Som Sam Oune, 21, garment workers of the South Korean owned Sang Woo Cambodia Co. Limited, go on strike as they stay at their rented house in Kompong Speu province, about 50 km away from Phnom Penh July 13, 2010. Around 20,000 garment workers went on strike in Cambodia on Tuesday, according to a trade union leader, who said they were demanding a bigger increase in the minimum wage than the 9 percent agreed by rival unions last week. On July 8 the government, employers in the sector and five largely pro-government unions agreed an increase in the minimum wage from Oct. 1 to $61 a month from $56 a month, including a $6. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Save the stripes

via khmer NZ

Tue, Jul 13 2010

Officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam are meeting in Bali to create a road map for tiger conservation

It’s a summit on a par with the Group of Eight, except that it’s about tigers. Officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam—which have the largest remaining tiger populations— are meeting in Bali to create a road map for tiger conservation, as a prelude to a heads of government summit in Russia in September.

Photo: Romeo Gacad/AFP
It isn’t a moment too soon—the global population of wild tigers is a paltry 3,200. Hopefully, other endangered species will get similar attention.

CAMBODIA: Late wage deal halts garment strikes

via Khmer NZ

By: Ngo Tuan | 13 July 2010

Garment workers in Cambodia have halted planned strike action after the government drafted out minimum wage terms.

A nationwide strike of garment workers was due to occur over the next three days, led by the local Free Trade Union (FTU).

However, the Cambodian government and five largely pro-government unions have reached an initial agreement for a minimum monthly wage of US$61.

"The Labor Advisory Committee decided on 8 July to increase the minimum wage from US$50 to US$61," Ken Loo, secretary general of Garment Manufacturer's Association in Cambodia (GMAC), which represents 230 factories employing about 200,000 people, told just-style.

"The existing US$6 cost of living allowance will be abolished at the same time. This increase will be effective 1 October 2010 through to 2014."

The final agreement is still being negotiated though, and the FTU's demands for a US$70 minimum wage has not been satisfied. The union is unhappy with the US$5 increase, and the four-year timeframe from 1 October this year.

The agreement was determined without the FTU, leading to claims it does not represent the majority of workers.

The FTU is requesting further negotiation in a bid to get a US$70 minimum wage, as well as focusing more on food, workplace seniority and overtime.

The garment industry is the backbone of the Cambodian economy, being the third-biggest currency earner behind agriculture and tourism.

In the first quarter of 2010, textile and garment exports reached $671m, representing an increase of 7.18% on last year as a result of strong recovery in exports to all its major markets.

Defamation case against Cambodian opposition politician sparks UN concern

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay

via Khmer NZ

13 July 2010 – United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay has voiced serious concern about the defamation proceedings against an opposition politician in Cambodia, saying they highlight an “alarming” erosion of fundamental freedoms in the South-East Asian nation.

Mu Sochua – who is a serving member of the Cambodian Parliament, a former women’s affairs minister and a prominent women’s rights defender – was convicted last August for defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen when she announced in April that she would sue him for derogatory comments he made about her.

The Prime Minister’s comments included a reference to the unbuttoning of Mu Sochua’s blouse and another reference of a sexual nature that led her to bring a defamation case against him.

Her case against the Prime Minister was dismissed, her parliamentary immunity lifted and she was then found guilty of defamation. Her conviction was upheld by the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court, despite the fact that no evidence proving either damage to reputation or malicious intent was presented during the case.

The court imposed a fine on Mu Sochua and awarded damages to the Prime Minister. She has until 16 July to pay the fine, which she has refused to do.

“We believe this highly politicized case appears to show an alarming erosion of both freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary in Cambodia,” Rupert Colville of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) told reporters in Geneva.

“Mu Sochua now stood on the verge of imprisonment for merely exercising her legal right to express her view that she was defamed and her intention to seek a legal remedy,” he noted.

“The criminal justice system was the bedrock of human rights protection. However, in this case it had become a blunt instrument to silence freedom of expression.”

OHCHR believes the use of offensive language towards women in the Prime Minister’s statement deserved a response from the courts, Mr. Colville added.

News Tracker: past stories on this issue

UN human rights expert urges strengthening of Cambodian justice system

UN Denounces Defamation Case Against Politician in Cambodia

VOA, Lisa Schlein | Geneva

13 July 2010

via Khmer NZ

UN says case against former minister Mu Sochua stems from derogatory comments made in April of last year by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen

Photo: AP
UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay (file)

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, is denouncing the defamation proceedings against a prominent opposition politician in Cambodia. Pillay said the court case against Mu Sochua shows an erosion of fundamental freedoms in Cambodia.

U.N. Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay called the case against Cambodian Parliament Member Mu Sochua highly politicized. She says it appears to show an alarming erosion of freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary in Cambodia.

Pillay noted that criminal law is still used to stifle freedom of speech in many countries, and that appears to be what is happening in this case.

In addition to serving in parliament, Mu Sochua is a former minister of women's affairs and a prominent women's rights defender.

Pillay's spokesman, Rupert Colville, says the case against Mu Sochua stems from derogatory comments made in April of last year by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"It included a reference, for example, to the unbuttoning of her blouse and another reference of a sexual nature, and it led to her bringing a defamation case against Hun Sen," Colville said. "On the 23rd of April, a couple of weeks later, during a news conference, Mu Sochua announced her intention to sue the Prime Minister for defamation on the basis of his remarks and she subsequently filed proceedings on 27 April last year."

In retaliation, Colville says, the Prime Minister sued Mu Sochua the next day on the basis that publicly announcing the intention to sue him was defamatory.

"Mu Sochua's case against Hun Sen was dismissed. Her parliamentary immunity was then lifted, and in August of last year, she was found guilty of defamation against the Prime Minister," Colville said. "The court imposed a fine and awarded damages to the prime minister. Her conviction was subsequently upheld by the Appeals Court in October last year, and the Supreme Court last month, in June. No evidence providing either damage to reputation or malicious intent was presented during the case against Mu Sochua."

Colville says the Supreme Court has given Mu Sochua until July 16 to pay the $4,000 fine imposed on her after her conviction. He says she refuses to pay and that Mu Sochua stands on the verge of imprisonment for exercising her legal right to express her view.

Bt10m put aside to fight Cambodia on Preah Vihear

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/

via Khmer NZ

By The Nation

Published on July 14, 2010

The Cabinet yesterday allocated Bt10 million for the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to use in the campaign against Cambodia's management plan on Preah Vihear's, which it will present at the World Heritage committee meeting in Brazil later this month.

The Hindu temple near the Thai-Cambodian border was listed in July 2008 as a World Heritage Site, but Thailand has been lobbying member countries to delay Phnom Penh's management plan owing to disputes in areas adjacent to the temple.

The Thai authorities want Cambodia's management plan to be delayed until the border dispute is settled, the government's deputy spokesman Marut Masayawanit said.

The Bt10 million will be spent by a delegation representing Thailand at the meeting, which runs from July 25 to August 3, he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti would lead the delegation and present Thailand's stance to the Unesco World Heritage committee.

"We want to delay the plan because we are still in a border dispute with Cambodia and we have not seen any documents for the management plan," Abhisit told reporters.

Thailand is concerned that Cambodia might use the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area near the temple as a buffer zone for the site.

Abhisit added that the committee's decision would not affect Thailand's boundary with Cambodia, but it was advisable that no decisions were made while the disputes remained.

According to a 1962 verdict from the International Court of Justice, the Preah Vihear temple is located in Cambodia, but Thailand claims that areas adjacent to the temple belong to Thailand. The two countries are still in the process of negotiation for boundary demarcation.

Siamese Crocodile Conservation in Cambodia

http://english.ntdtv.com/

via Khmer NZ

2010-07-13

Conservationists are trying to protect thirteen endangered baby Siamese crocodiles in Cambodia.

They will care for the crocodiles for about a year then release them into the wild.

Conservation group Fauna and Flora International, or FFI, says uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss has reduced the number of Siamese crocodiles to less than 250 in the wild.

Cambodia will flood most of the Areng River Valley, a critical breeding habitat for the crocodile, in order to build a hydroelectric dam.

FFI and the Cambodian government are working to develop a long-term survival strategy for the crocodiles.

[Adam Star, Fauna and Flora International]:

"They are an important species and Cambodia has what is believed to be the largest population left in the world. And the amount of care that has been given to this shows that the government is interested. I'm hoping though that we can make the right decisions in the future, that we can be able to move these crocodiles safely and others like them to safe areas where they will not be harmed by hydro dams."

It's a concern shared by others who work closely with the animals.

[Lon Deth, Conservationist]:

"I'm worried that when they build the hydro dam, the water level in this area will not be stable."

The FFI works to train locals to protect crocodiles from poachers and improve management of natural resources, for the benefit of future generations.

Siamese crocodiles are among the smaller species of freshwater crocodile, with males averaging almost 10 feet in length.

Peeping-Tom Pagoda Footage Goes Viral

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Tuesday, 13 July 2010

via Khmer NZ

Photo: AP
The images were allegedly secretly taken by Neth Kai, a 35-year-old monk at Srah Chak pagoda.

“We are sorry that this man who was formerly a monk did something repulsive to Cambodian society.”

Peeping-tom footage allegedly taken by an unscrupulous Buddhist monk is spreading across the county via cell phones in a widening phenomenon authorities are trying to curb.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Information made a public appeal to stop the spread of the videos, which depict women showering in a Phnom Penh pagoda.

The images were allegedly secretly taken by Neth Kai, a 35-year-old monk at Srah Chak pagoda. He was arrested June 26, following a police investigation prompted by a victim’s complaint.

Neth Kai has been defrocked and charged with producing and distributing pornography, which carries a jail sentence of up to a year.

Officials now say the images he took are moving from person to person via their cell phones and Bluetooth technology.

“The sharing of naked women [images] through technological equipment from one person to another continues,” Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith said. “However, there is an absolute prohibition from authorities.”

Khieu Kanharith urged the promotion of good acts by Cambodians to counter the alleged “bad act of the former Buddhist monk.”

In a statement, the Ministry of Information asks people to stop sharing and to erase the offending images, “to join in the promotion of the honor of the Cambodian women and our national prestige and to avoid being looked down on by foreigners.”

Ros Sopheap, director of the organization Gender and Development for Cambodia, said the distribution of the images could affect efforts to promote women’s rights and to prevent domestic violence.

Supreme Patriarch Non Nget criticized the former monk for his alleged behavior, but he was quick to add that it was not a reflection of monks in general.

“We are sorry that this man who was formerly a monk did something repulsive to Cambodian society,” he said.

Elixir Gaming Technologies to Report Second Quarter 2010 Results on August 5 and Host Conference Call and Webcast

via Khmer NZ

HONG KONG, Jul 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc. /quotes/comstock/14*!egt/quotes/nls/egt (EGT 0.24, -0.01, -2.00%) announced today that it will release its second quarter 2010 financial results on Thursday, August 5, 2010 and will host a conference call that same day at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The conference call number is 800/908-1487 or 212/231-2926; please call five minutes in advance to ensure that you are connected prior to the presentation. Interested parties may also access the live call on the Internet at www.EGT-Group.com (select "Investor Relations"); please allow 15 minutes to register and download and install any necessary software. Following its completion, a replay of the call can be accessed for thirty days on the Internet at www.elixirgaming.com.

About Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc.

Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc. /quotes/comstock/14*!egt/quotes/nls/egt (EGT 0.24, -0.01, -2.00%) is a leading provider of electronic gaming machines on a participation basis to the Pan-Asian gaming industry, with a strategic presence and focus on the Cambodia and Philippines markets. The Company secures long-term contracts to provide electronic gaming machines and related systems to premier hotels and other well-located gaming venues in Asia. The Company retains ownership of the gaming machines and systems and receives recurring daily fees based on an agreed upon percentage of the net gaming win per machine and provides on-site maintenance. Elixir Gaming also holds a casino license in Cambodia and will build and operate Dreamworld Casino and Resort, a casino hotel in the Takeo Province near the Vietnam border. Phase one of Dreamworld Casino and Resort is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2011. For more information please visit http://www.elixirgaming.com/ .

SOURCE: Elixir Gaming Technologies

Elixir Gaming

Traci Mangini

312/867-0848

tracimangini@elixirgaming.com

New Zealander Rower Returns To Cambodia For Duch Verdict

via Khmer NZ

Wednesday, 14 July, 2010

Rob Hamill will return to Cambodia at the end of July to hear the verdict in the trial of Comrade Duch, the Khmer Rouge commander of Tuol Sleng prison where Rob's brother, Kerry, was tortured and killed in late 1978.

Rob's presence at the Extraordinary Chamber of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) for the verdict on the 26th July comes almost a year after he testified there as a 'Civil Party' representative. Speaking as one of many that suffered losses at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, Rob gave testimony exactly 31 years after Kerry and Englishman John Dewhirst were snatched from their storm-blown yacht. A third sailor Canadian Stuart Glass was killed on the spot. Kerry and John were tortured for up to two months at 'Tuol Sleng' (also known as 'S21') and forced to falsely confess they were CIA spies, before being executed on the orders of Pol Pot. 14,000 Cambodians met a similar fate at the prison. Rob's statement, like that of the other Civil Parties, was intended to influence the sentencing of Duch.

Rob believes that the sentencing is crucial to Cambodia's recovery as a nation: "There is a saying in Cambodia, ' Transform the River of Blood into a River of Reconciliation'. Nearly two million Cambodians were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979," said Hamill. "I only hope that this verdict brings some sense of justice to those who have suffered so much and waited so long."

Rob's story is the subject of 'Brother Number One', a film produced by Annie Goldson, James Bellamy and Rob for BNO Productions/Pan Pacific Films. The documentary is intended for theatrical and broadcast release in New Zealand and worldwide, and is funded by NZ on Air, TV3, and the NZ Film Commission. Annie, an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland who has received multiple awards for her earlier films, is also directing, with Academy Award-winner Peter Gilbert and Kiwi Jake Bryant sharing the cinematographer credit. See www.brothernumberone.co.nz for further information.

The Extraordinary Chamber of the Courts of Cambodia is under joint Cambodian and UN jurisdiction. Former New Zealand Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright is one the two international judges who, along with three Cambodian judges, will decide Duch's fate. See http://www.eccc.gov.kh/english/ for more info.

Rob Hamill is widely known for winning the first-ever Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race in 1997 with the late Phil Stubbs. He currently works as a motivational speaker, as an organiser of 'The Great Race' international rowing event on the Waikato River. He has also been elected to the WEL Energy Trust and campaigns for environmental causes.

Japan gives fund to clean mines and UXOs in Cambodia

via Khmer NZ

Tuesday, 13 July 2010 14:01 DAP-NEWS

Under the framework of the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO's Projects, the Government of Japan provides US$928,217 to Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) on Tuesday to clean mines in Cambodia, the statement from Japanese embassy said.

it continued that the Grant Contract was signed today at the Embassy of Japan between Mr. KAWAMURA Hiroshi, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Mr. EIKI Watanabe, Resident Representative of JMAS to implement projects including.

“The Project for Supporting Mine Clearance in Battambang Province in Cambodia (US$928,217)” is to operate three de-mining teams in Kamrieng District and to deploy a de-mining machinery in Ratanak Mondul District, Battambang Province which is one of the most heavily mine affected provinces in Cambodia with the largest number of casualties,” it added.

it said that in Kamrieng District, villagers will participate in the community-based de-mining activity with the technical support from JMAS advisors and supervision by the staff from Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC). The de-mining machinery will be used for de-mining in the contaminated areas of Ratanak Mondul District.

“ It is estimated that the project will benefit about 20,000 villagers by alleviating the threat of mines in the areas and leading to community development once mines are cleared,” the statement from embassy said. it noted The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO's Projects started in Cambodia in 2002 to support activities by Japanese NGOs to help Cambodia's reconstruction and development efforts at the grassroots level.

Since 2002, the Government of Japan has provided over US$12.3 million for 54 projects by the Japanese NGOs, mainly in the field of primary education, health, and explosive ordnance disposal. The project by JMAS is the first one funded by this grant scheme in Japanese fiscal year 2010 (April 2010 - March 2011).

Mines and UXOs in Cambodia, last year, killed and injured 256 people. Heng Ratana, general director of Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) said that the fund is useful to contribute to cleaning mine and help local people for community development from clearance.