Friday, 10 December 2010
Three more border markers erected
12/09/2010
Another three border markers between Vietnam and Cambodia were installed on December 8 at Position 54 in Dak Song District of Central Highland Dak Nong province.Since 2007, sixteen-boundary markers have been rected in eight other positions.
Twenty-six markers are to be installed at 14 locations on the 130km between Vietnam’s Dak Nong province and Cambodia’s eastern Mondulkiri province, according to plan.
All are made of granite, 1.7m high each. The national marker programme aims to ensure the security and sovereignty of each country and help reduce poverty and eliminate hunger in the two provinces.
VNS/VOVNews
A better life for the beer girls in Cambodia
via CAAI
By Elaine Moore
Published: December 9 2010
Every night, in one of Cambodia’s many open air restaurants, beer girls walk between tables of customers, topping up glasses and adding the huge chunks of ice Cambodians insist is dropped in their beer.
Every night, in one of Cambodia’s many open air restaurants, beer girls walk between tables of customers, topping up glasses and adding the huge chunks of ice Cambodians insist is dropped in their beer.
In their short red dresses, decorated with the logo of the brand they sell, the girls are easy to pick out in the near-darkness of the open-air restaurants, and many are invited to sit at the tables and talk. The chat may be over-familiar but it is, on the whole, respectful.
Treatment of beer promotion girls in Cambodia has markedly improved in recent years as a result of a successful partnership between the government, local non-government organisations, funded in part by the UN, and The Beer Selling Industry Cambodia, which represents Heineken and Carlsberg among others.
Beer girls are not sex workers, but their youth and line of work made them a regular target for unwanted advances, even abuse. The successful co-operation between rights groups and companies to provide training and other initiatives such as a harassment reporting hotline, have had a pronounced effect on the girls’ working lives.
Those involved hope the model of businesses taking advice from rights groups and improving the protection of their workers will be replicated.
At a time when cracks in the relationship between Cambodia’s government and the international development community working in the country are frequently in the local news, such schemes are an effective way to show that public and private sector aims can be compatible.
There are already several projects underway. LG Electronics recently announced a three-year partnership to support work by the UN World Food Programme in Cambodia to aid road links between markets and schools, and the World Health Organisation is supporting its national counterpart in working with the private sector to make anti-malarial drugs affordable to all Cambodians.
Private sector partnerships are an essential element of development in Cambodia, declares MP Joseph, chief technical advisor for the International Labour Organization. “They may be more difficult to establish and sustain in the early stages of development and growth of a country. But very soon, as is happening in Cambodia, development strategies need to bring in the private sector.”
Such strategies have been employed to work with foreign and local business owners in Cambodia as part of the ILO “better factories” campaign to improve working conditions for garment factory workers.
Relationships have also been forged with local companies in a scheme to help end child labour. Private micro-finance institutions such as Amret have been approached to help educate families in how they can replace income lost when a child returns to school.
In return, Mr Chea Phalarim, general manager at Amret, said working with the ILO had increased the organisation’s client base, bringing it into contact with eligible customers in remote locations. The benefits, he says, work both ways.
Aid remains crucial to Cambodia’s economy. Despite the global economic downturn and criticism from human rights groups, aid provision is expected to increase from $990m in 2009 to $1.1bn this year.
But foreign direct investment is also on the rise. Chinese and Korean investors are back after a hiatus caused by the global financial downturn, and are ready to fund large projects without governance strings attached.
In May 2010, at the inaugaration of the Cambodia-China Prek Kdam Friendship Bridge, funded largely by a loan from China, the Cambodian prime minister thanked the Chinese for lending money “without setting complicated conditions” – an implied dig at the requirements made by aid donors.
In 2008 China became the largest foreign investor in Cambodia, with more than $8bn invested, and bilateral trade between the two countries rose by more than a third in this first half of 2010 compared to the previous year.
Government tetchiness towards the development community, meanwhile, has been palpable. Prime minister Hun Sen, who has held power since 1993, has previously dismissed UN rights staff as nothing more than long term tourists.
This year he has asked the UN to limit the work done by the international tribunal trying former members of the Khmer Rouge regime and accused Christophe Peschoux, the country director of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, of being a spokesperson for the opposition party. In March, Cambodian foreign minister Hor Namhong criticised UN country head Douglas Broderick after he asked for more time to review a new anti-corruption law.
The situation for UN staff working in Cambodia is very different to that of the 1990s, when Security Council members expressed fear for the lives of staff. The country is stable, peaceful, and for many a pleasant place to live. Those working in the development sector are expected to be sensitive to the politics of their work and all UN staff receive an orientation session to provide them with an overview of Cambodia.
Nevertheless public attacks on work by certain agencies can make working lives difficult. One former staff member of the international tribunal said government disapprobation didn’t help the morale of staff already engaged in a difficult job.
Previous attacks on NGOs, and the expulsion of some organisations from the country, have demanded caution and diplomacy from international development organisations.
UN agencies in the country play down the friction, but few staff members would allow themselves to be quoted on the topic. Representatives say that open door policies are employed and that meetings are held when situations arise that might concern staff.
Outside the UN Human Rights office in Phnom Penh, focus of multiple threats of closure from the government, a group of Buddhist monks sits in the shade, waiting to collect information to take back to their pagodas. Inside, in an office stacked with reports, deputy country representative James Heenan insists that work continues as normal.
“Human rights work regularly involves the burden of working in difficult environments and being subject to pressure from many quarters. It’s part of the job.”
Vietnam now keeping a keen eye on Cambodian market
09/12/2010
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese travel firms have just realized that for a long time, they have missed a very potential market – Cambodia. And they are now trying to correct their mistakes.
Statistics show that the number of Cambodian tourists to Vietnam has been increasing steadily recently. In the first 11 months of the year, 4.6 million of international tourists arrived in Vietnam, an increase of 36.5 percent (1.23 million) in comparison with the same period of the last year. These include 234,000 tourists from Cambodia, a sharp increase of 99.9 percent.Cambodian market remains unexploited for Vietnamese firms
Pham Thi Thu Hang, an executive of Lua Viet travel firm, who is in charge of the v klCambodian market, said that most Cambodian people come to Vietnam to receive healthcare services because healthcare services in Vietnam prove to be better and cheaper. Others visit some tourism sites in Vietnam. However, it seems that Vietnamese travel firms have not paid much attention to the clients from the neighboring country, because most of the tourists are popular clients. In general, tourists came to Vietnam early in the morning and then returned to Cambodia later on the same day.
The most favorite tourism site for Cambodian people are Dam Sen and Suoi Tien in HCM City. The volume of foreign currencies travel firms expect to collect from Cambodian tourists is not high. Currently, some travel firms are targeting these clients, but they have been providing services quietly and the quality of service remains modest.
Hang said that the Hospital of the Medical University is a hospital that receives most of Cambodian patients. A lot of tourism guide points have been set up around the area that show Cambodian people how to register for healthcare service, give consultancy about hotel rooms and show popular shopping places.
As for higher income Cambodian people, the top choices for tourism destinations are Da Lat and Nha Trang. However, even these clients do not spend much money, and they are not picky. Sometimes they do not need Vietnamese tour guides.
According to Nguyen Van My, Director of Lua Viet Company, to date, Vietnam has had no tour guide who can speak Khmer, even though the number of Cambodian tourists to Vietnam has been increasing. Besides, My thinks that travel firms which are providing tours to Cambodian tourists, still do not have exact appraisal about the clients. Many travel firms set the tour fee at $150 per person while the tour fee for Vietnamese people to travel Cambodia is $200 per person. My said that the low fees for tours has decreased the quality of service. Therefore, many Cambodians now tend to arrange tours themselves and do not buy tours with travel firms. There are also many high income Cambodians who know Vietnam very well and can speak Vietnamese, and therefore, they do not need tour guides.
Travel firms urged to change mindset about Cambodian market
“I cannot imagine that the number of Cambodian tourists is increasing so sharply. I have decided to survey the market and plan to target the market,” said Tran Van Long, General Director of Viet Travel Firm. “This will be a market with great potential if you know how to exploit it”.
Currently, his firm only provides a few tours a month to Cambodian clients. Long admitted that he had not paid attention to Cambodian market because he thought Cambodian people did not travel a lot.
According to Nguyen Quy Phuong, Deputy Director of the Travel Department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), 200,000 Cambodian tourists is not high if compared with the 30-40 million of tourists traveling within ASEAN countries. Phuong also provided the information that 12 million Malaysian people come to Singapore every year, which means that the number of Cambodian tourists coming Vietnam remains modest, and that Vietnam needs to make efforts to develop the market.
Meanwhile, My said that with 200,000 Cambodian tourists a year, if well organized, Vietnam can collect hundreds of millions of dollars from the tourists.
Source: Saigon tiep thi
Building Projects Worth US$428 Million Identified In Laos, Cambodia
via CAAI
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- A recent business delegation of local construction companies to Cambodia and Laos identified US$428 million of building and infrastructure projects in both the countries, a statement from Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said on Thursday.
It said the Specialised Marketing Mission, which was in Phnom Penh and Vientiane from November 28 to December 2, focused on construction and related services.
The mission was led by MATRADE, in collaboration with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and the Master Builders Association of Malaysia.
"Infrastructure, hydropower and construction projects were identified to be among the most promising business opportunities in both countries," said MATRADE's Chief Executive Officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin.
He said both the Cambodian and Laotian Government were keen to work with foreign and local companies to develop their countries' infrastructure needs through Public Private Partnership programmes.
Citing the example of the US$2 billion Greater Mekong Subregion projects in Cambodia and the US$5.2 billion hydro power sector plan in Laos over the next five years, he said both countries were projecting positive economic growth and vibrant outlook for their development plans.
Lessons from Cambodia
Last updated 05:00 10/12/2010
via CAAI
VILLAGE CARE: Silverdale nurse Bev Hopper with a baby at a small Cambodian village, where she and a team of five nurses taught basic health hygiene.
NEW ZEALAND has the "most amazing" healthcare, a Silverdale nurse says after her recent teaching trip to Cambodia, and we should stop griping about it.
"We have the most amazing healthcare in the world. After seeing what the people in Cambodia have to go through just to get medical help, I just want New Zealanders to know how very very lucky we are," North Shore Hospital orthopaedic nurse Bev Hopper says.
Ms Hopper was in the North Harbour News August 20 issue after she was selected by the New Zealand Orthopaedic Nurses Association to travel to Cambodia with a team of five nurses to teach "all things orthopaedic" at Sihanouk Hospital, a centre which provides free medical treatment to poor and disadvantaged Cambodians.
Ms Hopper says Cambodians "travel for miles around, sometimes taking days" just to reach Sihanouk Hospital, and wait at the outpatients clinic – a marquee with plastic chairs – for hours before they are seen by a doctor.
"But they waited patiently. They'd wait for the whole day, and when evening comes and a doctor is still not able to see them, they would just sleep on the ground or under a tree, and come back the next day," she says.
"So I just want to tell New Zealanders not to complain when they have to wait hours at the doctor's surgery," she says.
She found teaching a group of student nurses on placement duties at both Sihanouk and International University, a private hospital, an interesting experience.
"Over in International University, we taught students good hand hygiene and gloving and gowning. The students were so intent on learning. It was so much fun with an interpreter, although a 30-minute lecture ended up taking three times as long," she says.
Ms Hopper was later told the students learn their anatomy and physiology in French, have their lectures in English and sit their exams in Khymer.
She and the other five nurses spent two weeks at Sihanouk Hospital before travelling to Siem Reap to teach basic health care in the villages and orphanages.
Visit http://www.nursenet.co.nz/ to read Bev Hopper's blog on Cambodia.
President of Cuban Parliament Meets with Cambodian Counterpart
via CAAI
HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 9 (acn) The president of the Cuban National Assembly (Parliament), Ricardo Alarcon, met on Wednesday in Havana with his Cambodian counterpart, Heng Samrin, who is on his fourth official visit to the Caribbean island.
According to Granma newspaper, the visitor thanked the Cuban Government and the Communist Party for their warm welcome and expressed his interest in strengthening bilateral ties.
His stay in Havana coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Cambodia.
Alarcon said friendship bonds between the two nations are very strong and praised the efforts made by the Cambodian people in favor of their independence.
Heng Samrin is heading a Cambodian delegation visiting Cuban health and education institutions.
Japan's Kuboya takes early lead at Cambodian Open
SIEM REAP (Cambodia): Japan's Kenichi Kuboya opened his campaign strongly by posting a flawless seven-under-par 65 to take the first round lead at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on Thursday.
Thailand's Atiwit Janewattananond, who made history by becoming the youngest player at 14 years and 71 days to make the cut at the Asian Tour season-opener in February, carded a 66 for second place.
Bangladesh's Siddikur, who goes by one name, and defending champion Marcus Both of Australia scored matching 67s to share third place at the $300,000 event.
Kuboya, who teed off in the front-nine in the morning, posted his first birdie on the par-four fourth before adding successive birdies on the eighth and ninth holes to reach the halfway mark in 33.
He birdied holes 10, 12, 16 and 17 after the turn, giving the Japanese a one-shot cushion going into the second round.
"I like this golf course as it really suits my game. Although the winds were picking up mid-way through my round, I still putted really well and I believed that gave me the confidence to do so well today," said Kuboya.
Meanwhile Atiwit, who turned professional at the King's Cup just a fortnight ago, got off to an encouraging start but said he was planning to adopt a defensive approach for his second round at the Phokeethra Country Club.
"I feel that I'm not hitting the ball long enough. As such, I don't plan to go on the offensive and attack the pins as some of these shots may cost me dearly," said the young Thai, who posted seven birdies.
"I hope to continue what I've done today and hopefully it'll be another good round tomorrow," added Atiwit, whose only blemish to his card was a bogey on the par-four 10th.
Siddikur continued to make good on his promise to spearhead the rise of golf in Bangladesh with another inspired performance.
Starting on the back-nine, Siddikur posted three birdies on holes 12, 13 and 17 to reach the turn in 33. He continued his birdie blitz on the par-five second and fourth hole to return home comfortably in 67.
"Playing conditions were perfect today and I couldn't have asked for a better start," said Siddikur.
Another strong favourite, Both put up a stout defence of his title, enjoying a blemish-free round, marking his card with birdies on the fourth, eighth, ninth, 10th and 12th holes.
"You tend to feel a little bit of pressure especially when you're the defending champion," said the 31-year-old Australian.
"But once I got the first tee shot somewhere in the middle of the fairway, I got more relaxed and did not feel that anxious any more."
Cambodian PM warns Prince to lose advisory role if joins politics
via CAAI
December 09, 2010
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen warned Thursday that Prince Norodom Ranariddh will lose his role as president of the supreme advisory council to King Norodom Sihamoni if he joins politics.
Delivering speech at inauguration of University of Battambang on Thursday, Hun Sen said he will inform the King to write off the prince's position from his advisory role in the next few days, if he decides to join politics as planned.
The prince wrote a letter to Hun Sen last month saying that he will return to politics to lead "Norodom Ranariddh Party"for the 2013 general election.
"Taking this opportunity, I would like to inform Samdech Decho (Hun Sen) that I am happy to go back and lead Norodom Ranariddh Party in 2013 in order to reunite royalists and Sihanoukists so that we can further cooperate with your Royal Government in the fifth term which will then comply by the principle of national reconciliation and unity...," the prince said in the letter.
Hun Sen said that the prince has his own choice between an" advisor to the king or politics".
The prince announced in October 2008 his complete resignation from politics.
The Norodom Ranariddh Party was established in 2007 after the prince was toppled from the president of the royalist FUNCINEC Party in 2006.
Hun Sen warned that Prince Ranariddh's re-entry into politics will cause ambiguity among royal family, the king and the former king whether they are also involved in politics.
He said once the prince joins politics, the prince might suggest he is the son of former King Norodom Sihahouk and is the elder brother of the present King Norodom Sihamoni.
Source: Xinhua
Cambodia's Future After The 'Killing Fields'
A still from Lauren Shaw's documentary "Angkor's Children." Credit Lauren Shaw
A still from Lauren Shaw's documentary "Angkor's Children." Credit Lauren Shaw
Photographer Lauren Shaw. Credit courtesy photo
Belmont film maker Lauren Shaw explores the post genocide generation of Cambodians in her documentary "Angkor's Children."
By Len Abram
via CAAI
From 1975 until it was overthrown in 1979, the infamous Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot ruled Cambodia, murdering more than two million fellow Cambodians in a reign of internal terror not seen in modern history. The expression "the killing fields" represents what most people think of Cambodia.
This great loss of life changed the Cambodian demographics: 51 percent of the country today is under 25, and large numbers of the survivors fled to the United States as refugees, many settling in the Boston area.
Belmont resident Lauren Shaw, an associate professor in Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College, teaches photography in Boston. She was visiting Vietnam in 2007 when she decided to take a side-trip to Cambodia, the site of one of the world's great architectural wonders, Angkor Wat.
In contrast to Vietnam, she saw a country that was trying to rebuild after the horrors of genocide. It became apparent that Cambodia was a place she felt compelled to help.
Belmont Patch reached Shaw, who is preparing for another trip in December to Cambodia to work on her latest film, "Angkor's Children."
See the trailer for "Angkor's Children" by going to the link below:
http://bit.ly/eIUWnK
Patch: Your first documentary is about providing clean water to Cambodians, by contributing to the construction of wells. How did you first get involved in this village development project?
Shaw: "A Drop in the Bucket" is a documentary about the need for safe water throughout the rural areas of Cambodia. Without good health and education, this country cannot move forward.
Water is essential for providing good health, something we Americans take for granted. In Cambodia, a well costs $350.
Change has to begin somewhere. My documentary explores how safe water improves the lives of villagers and ultimately the general population. My wish is that "A Drop in the Bucket" raises public awareness and becomes a call to action.
Q: A significant Cambodian immigrant population is in the Boston area. Are they aware of your work about their native land?
A: In Lowell especially, I know of many Cambodian immigrants. And that's in addition to many Cambodian children adopted by American families after the Pol Pot regime. I have not shown this film in Lowell, but have made connections within the community, many of whom have never visited Cambodia. They share a deep love for their country, however, and their hope for its future.
Q: How will your second film "Anghor's Children" differ from your first?
A: "Angkor's Children" is about the post-genocide generation of young Cambodians. As noted, 50 per cent of the population is under 21. The seeds of the Angkor Empire of the 12th century lie in the Cambodian youth of today, which is moving beyond "the killing fields" to the aspirations of a new generation.
It is a story told by Cambodians, of energy, hope, and unexpected turns as they recapture the ancient, and embrace the modern, to create their future.
I intend to focus on three Cambodians as they pursue their dreams. One of them, a young woman, who earned her living picking trash, is now is a leading member of the Battambang circus. Chai a former boy/soldiers is an engineer, who is working to revise ancient, water reservoirs so that more villages will have access to water. Boomer, a deportee from the US, uses hip-hop to teach gang members in the city how to get off the street and live constructive lives. They are determined individuals in their ambitions, not unlike kids anywhere, except for their tragic national past.
When I get to Cambodia, I will determine if we have chosen the best stories to represent our theme of Cambodian renewal through this new generation.
Q: What is the LEF Foundation?
A: It's a private family foundation that funds the work of independent film and video artists in the region. The Foundation hopes to advance recognition and support for local filmmakers, both locally and nationally.
The Foundation awarded our film $5,000 toward the pre-productions of "Anghor's Children," of which we have shot 47 hours of film. Following my trip in December to Cambodia, I have applied for a sabbatical semester to complete the film in Cambodia.
Q: What do you think we Americans can learn from Cambodians and their tragic national experience?
A. We see a people of great courage, tenacity and resilience. "Anghor's Children" demonstrates those characteristics through the lives of young people, trying to find a place for themselves, against heavy odds. Their struggle is challenging and hard.
"Angkor's Children" will tell the world they are more than just a country of tears; they are a country of dreams.
For more information on Lauren Shaw's films, please visit
Cambodian rights group warns new law could criminalize free speech
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/
via CAAI
via CAAI
Dec 9, 2010
Phnom Penh - A leading rights group warned Thursday that Cambodia's new penal code, which is to be enacted this week, could be used to criminalize freedom of expression.
Speaking ahead of Friday's International Human Rights Day, Licadho director Naly Pilorge said the law contained a number of clauses that could result in fines and imprisonment for people speaking out.
'Unfortunately, with the new penal code taking effect on December 10, we may see two or three steps backward for 2011,' she said.
Pilorge said that from Friday, comments like those made this year by UN human rights head Navi Pillay, who criticized Cambodian court judgements against the leader of the opposition and a senior member of his party, could see the person making them jailed for up to six months.
In a brief accompanying report, Licadho said it was concerned the 'courts will stretch this provision to include literally anything the judiciary does and thus criminalize all criticism of the judiciary.'
'The scope of these provisions is breathtaking,' Licadho president Pung Chhiv Kek said.
The organization identified nine sections in the law that it said could pose 'a serious threat' to people's right to speak out.
Among them was the 'vague and highly subjective' definition of contempt, which carries a jail term of up to six days.
'Taken to the extreme, the article essentially criminalizes all acts which hurt the feelings of public officials,' it said, adding that the provision could be used in land evictions to detain community activists or people who insult police when their land is taken from them.
This year, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to Cambodia Surya Subedi noted that the judiciary was failing in key areas. Such comments could now see him jailed if repeated under the new laws, Licadho said.
The Cambodian government has been criticized in recent years for its thin-skinned approach to dealing with its critics and repeated efforts to clamp down on its detractors in politics, civil society and the media.
Thai and Cambodian Drug Dealers Caught
via CAAI
On Wednesday evening, the Banglamung Police, led by Superintendent Pol. Col. Somneuk Jangaid, Deputy Superintendent In Charge of Investigations, Pol. Lt. Col. Pramote Ngampradit, and Deputy Superintendent In Charge of Suppressions, Pol. Lt. Col. Supachat Piammanat, hosted a Press Conference to publicize the Arrest of 3 Drugs Dealers. Mr. Weera aged 21 from Pisanulok province, was caught with 4,000 tablets of Yah Bah, and Mr. Par, aged 23 from Cambodia and Mr. Anucha aged 20 from Banglamung, were caught with 70 tablets of Yah Bah and 2.3 grams of Yah Ice.
The police were informed that Mr. Weera was dealing at the intersection of Soi Khao Talo and Soi Khao Noi, and driving in a Silver – bronze Toyota Vios. The undercover cops waited until the Vios appeared and parked, then identified themselves and searched the vehicle.
4,000 Yah Bah tablets were found in a bag, and so Mr. weera confessed that he was a drug dealer and about to make delivery. He had been imprisoned 2 years ago for the same offence.
In the other arrest, two offenders were caught at the police checkpoint in the soi behind “Nong Yai temple”, opposite Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Mr. Anucha from Thailand and Mr. Par from Cambodia were on a motorcycle driving past the checkpoint, and acting suspiciously. The police ordered them to stop, but they tried to escape.
But They were stopped and searched, and 70 tablets of Yah Bah and 2.3 grams of Yah Ice were found on them. They confessed that they were on their way to deliver these drugs to their clients. All 3 offenders were charged with “Class 1 Narcotic Drugs Possession for Sale”, and sent for legal proceedings.
HwangDBS Opens Branches In Cambodia
via CAAI
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- HwangDBS (Malaysia) Bhd has opened its second commercial bank branch in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a third to be inaugurated on Dec 29.
In a statement, HwangDBS Commercial Bank PLC Director Hwang Lip Teik said, as an assurance to Cambodia, the issued and paid-up statutory capital has been increased to US$37.5 million.
"Significant infrastructure investments in the two new branches has also been incurred.
"Additionally, we will continue investing in human capital development to ensure our staff are trained to international standards and according to industry best practices," he added.
Senior vice president of HwangDBS Commercial Bank PLC, Han Peng Kwang said: "Our strategy will be to focus on reaching out to the under-served sectors and areas within Phnom Penh.
"We are the only bank in Cambodia that offers specific loans to dentists and we believe there are still many areas with tremendous potential that can be tapped into."
He also identified sectors that would be immediate beneficiaries of the increased prosperity and population growth.
They are property, construction, technology and communications, retail, financial and professional services, commodities as well as manufacturing.
"Cambodia has the advantage of a very young, vibrant and enthusiastic population. At a median age of 23, this group will be a critical component in the rapid urbanisation of the country," Han said.
Cambodia's Diamond Bridge Reopens after Stampede Kills over 353 People
http://english.ntdtv.com/
via CAAI
The mayor of Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, led a blessing ceremony to reopen the Diamond Bridge on Wednesday. It comes two weeks after a stampede during a water festival at the bridge killed over 350 people and injured at least 700.
Buddhist monks held a religious ceremony hoping to cleanse the bridge from any bad omens before it was reopened.
[Kep Chutema, Mayor, Phnom Penh]:
"We are doing this blessing ceremony in our traditional way, the same kind as at weddings and all kinds of Buddhist ceremonies. So we chose this auspicious day to reopen this Diamond Bridge to the public again."
Cambodians started using the bridge again once it was opened.
[Suong Ly, Phnom Penh Resident]:
"I feel normal. I took my three children on the bridge and it's normal. There was nothing to be scared of."
But others worried another incident could still happen.
[Sles Sy, Worker on Diamond Island]:
"I am happy that this bridge is opened again. And I think it's good if people only travel in a one-way system, but it would cause problems again if they allow people to use it the same way as they did during the water festival."
City authorities and the Diamond Island Company have agreed to build two more bridges, making them one-way only to prevent another disaster.
The Diamond Bridge stampede is one of the biggest tragedies for Cambodia since the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, in which 1.7 million people were killed.
Donors, UN Weak Against Tribunal 'Interference': Court Monitor
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Washington, DC Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Photo: AP
Cambodian villagers tour the Tuol Sleng genocide museum, former Khmer Rouge S-23 prison, in Phnom Penh.
"So donors must “make it clear to the government of Cambodia that they are not going to be able to tolerate ongoing interference in decision-making at the court.”
A US-based monitoring group for the Khmer Rouge tribunal says the UN-backed court is suffering under the weak positions of international donors in the face of government opposition to further indictments.
The international prosecution for the hybrid court has said more indictments of Khmer Rouge cadre should be pursued, something Prime Minister Hun Sen and Cambodian judges object to on grounds of national stability.
The tribunal has successfully completed the trial for torture chief Duch and is at work on its second case, to try four leaders in custody for atrocity crimes.
With two cases—003 and 004—now in the office of the investigating judges, it remains a question how much farther it will go. And a number of senior government officials within the ruling Cambodian People's Party have failed to respond to court summonses for testimony.
In a December report, OSJI says donors can push harder for wider indictments and great participation by leaders.
Donor countries “can make it clear to the government that they are not going to continue to support the court unless the government allows Cambodian staff to move ahead fully with the investigation into Case 003 and unless witnesses that are summoned by the court are allowed to appear,” said Heather Ryan, who monitors the court for OSJI in Phnom Penh.
OSJI says statements by Hun Sen and a lack of cooperation from officials under him are tantamount to tampering at the tribunal.
So donors must “make it clear to the government of Cambodia that they are not going to be able to tolerate ongoing interference in decision-making at the court,” Ryan said.
Hun Sen also warned UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who visited Cambodia in October, that he did not want to see further indictments at the court. In response, Ban said the issues were a matter for the court and beyond the purview of his office.
OSJI called that response inadequate. But a diplomat based in New York told VOA Khmer that donors have been briefed about the court's activities and the meeting between Ban and Hun Sen. Asked whether the donors will push for more cases, the diplomat said: “It's up to the court, and the donors can't interfere. Judicial independence should be respected.”
Meanwhile, donors are still wrestling with the question of how to fund the completion of the court, which could leave unfinished cases in the hands of the national courts, a move tribunal observers say could undermine international standards of justice.
The New York diplomat said negotiations over more indictments and the court's completion strategy are ongoing.
Human Rights Day a Reminder of Deficiencies: Advocates
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Phnom Penh Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Photo: AP
An unidentified Cambodian woman raises her fist and cheers during the celebration of International Human Rights Day rally in the capital Phnom Penh, Monday, Dec. 10. 2007.
“Cambodian people are suffering from a lack of basic rights: rights to property, housing rights, rights of access to education and freedom of expression.”
Cambodia's human rights situation remains in troubled condition, observers said Thursday, as they prepared to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The UN declaration, which has become a guidepost for international policy and of Cambodian law, states that every human being has the right to dignity and protection from cruel or degrading treatment.
The declaration played a major part in the formation of Cambodia's modern government, following a UN-brokered peace and election following decades of unrest. It is celebrated worldwide every Dec. 10 as Human Rights Day.
“The human rights situation is still critical,” said Suon Sareth, secretary-general of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee. “In terms of inspiration of laws, it was great, but in application, the respect for human rights still has numerous problems because of the authorities.”
The rights group Licadho said in a statement Thursday that Cambodians remain victimized by the exploitation of land and resources, restrictions on freedoms of association and assembly and violations of their labor rights. At least 25 people are in jail in six provinces in land disputes, Licadho said.
“Cambodian people are suffering from a lack of basic rights: rights to property, housing rights, rights of access to education and freedom of expression,” the minority opposition Human Rights Party said.
The party blamed “the authorities and powerful persons” for rights deficiencies across the country. It also cited impunity, where “the responsible are not arrested,” as damaging to the country's rights environment.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan said other governments compared to the current administration had worse rights records. “We have done much and improved,” he said.
Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement Thursday hundreds of millions of people worldwide faced rights abuses in education, minority affairs, health, death and poverty.
“On this Human Rights Day, I call on governments to acknowledge that criticism is not a crime and to release all those people who have been detained for peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms to defend democratic principles and human rights,” she said.
Anti-Corruption Group Accuses Officials of Marriage Graft
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Phnom Penh Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Photo: AP
Administrators across the country charge as much as $20 for documents required for marriage, which should officially only cost less than $0.30, San Chey said.
“If I did not pay, I had no right to marry,” he said. “So I had to pay.”
A watchdog group that took tax collectors to task for overcharging on vehicle registration has now set its sights on marriage certification.
Administrators across the country charge as much as $20 for documents required for marriage, which should officially only cost less than $0.30, San Chey, a project coordinator for the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific, said Thursday.
Earlier this year, the Affiliated Network brought complaints against Finance Ministry tax collectors, leading to a recommendation by the newly formed Anti-Corruption Unit that offenders be demoted and administratively punished.
Speaking at a Phnom Penh gathering to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, San Chey said commune officials were overcharging people in direct contravention to a government subdecree on marriage.
In Cambodia, a person needs a letter to prove he or she is not already married and a letter stating they are permitted to marry. Once married, they receive a certificate. Officials are overcharging for the whole process, San Chey said.
“The people must pay between $10 and $20 to commune officials for marriage certification, while the official price is up to 1,200 riel for the marriage paperwork process,” San Chey said.
Chhoeun Chem, a resident of Phnom Penh's Meanchey district, Stung Meanchey commune, said he was charged $20 for the process just last month.
“If I did not pay, I had no right to marry,” he said. “So I had to pay.”
However, Kim Khem Mony, the Stung Meanchey official in charge of marriage certification, said his staff has never overcharged for the process.
“We charge only 1,200 riel, as stated in the subdecree,” he said. “But people always pay $20 to a broker or middleman to help them with their marriage licenses.”
San Chey advised people to get receipts from the authorities when they are fined or pay for public services. Public officials should not hesitate in providing one, he said.
“This can push for more transparency for income management and can reduce people's illegal payments to prevent a big part of corruption,” he said.
Despite Growth, China's Influence Lags: Analysts
Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Washington, DC Thursday, 09 December 2010
via CAAI
Photo: AP
Recently, China has invested $610 million to Cambodia, and both countries have agreed to 23 cooperative projects from now until 2015.
“In general, people—not leaders—people in any country may not welcome China more than the United States.”
The United States is struggling under a flagging economy, and China has continued to grow economically and to spread its influence abroad. But Cambodian rights leaders and opposition politicians say that while China may continue to expand its reach, it is not yet in a position to challenge the global role of the US.
“In general, people—not leaders—people in any country may not welcome China more than the United States,” Kem Sokha, president of the minority opposition Human Rights Party, said.
Chinese operations in Cambodia, for example, can be secretive, whether in infrastructure, dams, power, mining or other arenas, and so they lack assurances for the general public, he said.
“Because there is no transparency, because when China starts, it only deals with leaders, which is not transparent with people, then the people who are victims of economic exploitation are not happy,” he said. That means they will demand greater rights, he said, “especially in economic equity and political equity and social equity too.” In China, “this does not exist,” he said.
However, Cheam Yiep, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said that China's growth and the US's continued struggle for economic recovery, mean that China can become one of the world's superpowers.
“So China, as a superpower country and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, can cause rain and thunder gradually against US influence in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the world,” he said.
China has made great economic strides since the collapse of the Soviet Union, posting double-digit growth and improving the income of its citizens, he said. That growth is spreading from the cities to rural areas, which will eventually “allow people to live with equal standards,” he said. “That's an important principle.”
Responding to criticism of China's human rights record and lack of democracy, Cheam Yiep said the country's population of 1.3 billion people, four times that of the US, means it must have good administration.
Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, disagrees.
China has failed to fulfill many tasks for its citizens, he said, and it does not participate in world development, which damages its influence on the international stage.
“China needs to invest more time and resources before China can be a model the world needs to listen to,” he said. “Having influence to change the international political situation at this time is impossible.”
China cannot compete with the US technologically, and many of its citizens struggle with poverty, he said. “China is indeed rising, but I don't see it moving fast, so I don't anticipate China becoming a pole superpower...for at least 20 more years.”
Still, he said, Cambodia must pay attention to movements of world power, especially with the US recession and China's growth.
A changing global power structure will necessitate changing international policies, he said.
Sam Rainsy, the leader of the main opposition party, said China would need 20 or 30 years to reach the level of the US.
“So the US still leads,” he said. The US GDP per capita remains high compared to China with its large population, he said. And China must deal with inflation that can create unease and a gap in living standards among its people.
“The majority of the population, which is still living under poverty, can be a social problem, a political problem for China, especially the Communist Party,” he said. “One says 'communist,' but China is not communist anymore, so they must take action to balance on some level and not allow a large gap between the rich and poor.”
For Ou Virak, the question is whether continued growth will mean people demand more of the Chinese government.
“When its own citizens have enough rice to eat, will its people begin to make claims for freedom, or not?” he asked. “The answer is that the world has shown that whenever there is fast economic growth, then there is the beginning of demands for freedom. And can China resist, and manage such economic growth as today for the next 10 years, or not? The answer, we do not know.”
Sam Rainsy said one key to China's growth—and Vietnam's as well—is changes in leadership, despite its system of government, that bring fresh ideas and change.
Cambodia remains stagnant, he said, because its leaders “cling to power.”
“They do not want to have a change, because whenever there is a change, it is revelatory,” he said. Change can uncover secrets once the newcomer takes power, he said, and in Cambodia, that would mean revealing government corruption. “So they must maintain the same leaders for 20 or 30 years.”
Government spokesman Phay Siphan said Vietnam and China demonstrate that one-party systems can bring prosperity.
“Change is not a big element to success in the people's interest,” he said. “The people's interests are in peace, political stability and the generation of opportunity.”
Asiana donates 'bags of love' to Cambodian children
via CAAI
By Lee Hyo-sik
Asiana Airlines, one of Korea’s two flagship carriers, has been involved in a wide range of corporate social responsibility activities in developing countries over the years to help the world become a better place for everyone to live.
This year is no exception. The company has set up street lights in Cambodia, installed water tanks in China and built houses for the underprivileged in Vietnam.
Ahead of the year-end holiday, airline employees have prepared something special for students in Cambodia. Rather than hold a typical year-end party that often involves drinking alcohol, 366 ground crew members and service personnel at Incheon International Airport decided to purchase and donate 586 school bags to children from poor families in the southeastern Asian nation.
After raising 13 million won in donations over the past month, a group of airline employees flew to Cambodia Thursday to visit Kdei Run Elementary School located in the farming area of the country and delivered backpacks and other school supplies.
``Instead of spending money to throw a year-end celebration party in Korea, it is so much more meaningful to buy school supplies and give them to students here. I felt something special when I saw the innocent smiles on their faces,’’ said Lee Seung-hoon, one of Asiana employees who visited Cambodia.
Lee said he and other workers would like to continue to get involved in diverse corporate social responsibility activities in the future to help make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged in Korea and in other countries.
``I cannot wait to show my colleagues back home the footage that I filmed here, including the donation ceremony. I would like to share this special feeling with them,’’ he said.
Asiana Airlines plans to expand the scope of its corporate social responsibility in the future to reach across the globe.
``We would like to perform good deeds in places where we maintain a business presence. We will systematically organize corporate social responsibility activities to more effectively help the unfortunate in the developing world,’’ an Asiana spokesman said.
He said the company will actively support goodwill projects voluntarily organized by employees.
In August, the company installed solar-powered street lights on the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Road near Angkor Wat, Cambodia, in cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency. The airliner set up 16 street lights and plans to add up to 10 each year through 2015.
In July, company employees built and donated water tanks in the drought-stricken inland of China by investing 60 million won. Asiana Airlines also constructed and donated homes to poor families in Vietnam in June, in cooperation with UNICEF.
Cambodian rights group warns new law could criminalize free speech
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/
via CAAI
Dec 9, 2010
Phnom Penh - A leading rights group warned Thursday that Cambodia's new penal code, which is to be enacted this week, could be used to criminalize freedom of expression.
Speaking ahead of Friday's International Human Rights Day, Licadho director Naly Pilorge said the law contained a number of clauses that could result in fines and imprisonment for people speaking out.
'Unfortunately, with the new penal code taking effect on December 10, we may see two or three steps backward for 2011,' she said.
Pilorge said that from Friday, comments like those made this year by UN human rights head Navi Pillay, who criticized Cambodian court judgements against the leader of the opposition and a senior member of his party, could see the person making them jailed for up to six months.
In a brief accompanying report, Licadho said it was concerned the 'courts will stretch this provision to include literally anything the judiciary does and thus criminalize all criticism of the judiciary.'
'The scope of these provisions is breathtaking,' Licadho president Pung Chhiv Kek said.
The organization identified nine sections in the law that it said could pose 'a serious threat' to people's right to speak out.
Among them was the 'vague and highly subjective' definition of contempt, which carries a jail term of up to six days.
'Taken to the extreme, the article essentially criminalizes all acts which hurt the feelings of public officials,' it said, adding that the provision could be used in land evictions to detain community activists or people who insult police when their land is taken from them.
This year, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to Cambodia Surya Subedi noted that the judiciary was failing in key areas. Such comments could now see him jailed if repeated under the new laws, Licadho said.
The Cambodian government has been criticized in recent years for its thin-skinned approach to dealing with its critics and repeated efforts to clamp down on its detractors in politics, civil society and the media.
Boppin’ Babies support Cambodian orphans
by Jose Abad
via CAAI
Boppin’ Babies music groups for babies and toddlers is offering school holiday programs in January 2011 at Chermside to raise funds for Sunshine Children’s Villages in Cambodia.
The 30 minute sessions for children under four years of age include singing, moving to music, playing instruments and musical play on Tuesday 11th, Thursday 13th, Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th January 2011.
The sessions will run each day at the River of Life Church Hall at 240 Hamilton Road (corner Hamilton and Pfingst Street) Chermside and cost just $10 per family payable on the day for children under four years of age, their siblings and carers.
Director Vicky Abad said Boppin’ Babies is a socially inclusive program that encourages closeness in families through music sharing and bonding.
“Australian children and families are very fortunate to have access to music programs like ours which promote early childhood development and nurture relationships between parents and their babies,” Ms Abad said.
“Many children in Cambodia often don’t have parents let alone access to music in the home environment.
“Our Christmas school holiday program will celebrate the role of parents and carers while helping to raise funds for two orphanages in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh which support hundreds of orphaned and disadvantaged Cambodian children,” she said.
The Christmas school holiday sessions will run at 9:15am, 10:15am, 11am and 3pm. Spaces are limited and bookings are essential.
For further information contact Vicky Abad on 0430 591 532, email info@boppinbabies.com.au or visit www.boppinbabies.com.au
To learn more about Sunrise Children’s Villages or to donate visit www.scv.org.au
Enrolments are currently open for Term 1 Boppin’ Babies sessions commencing on Monday 31st January.
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