Saturday, 10 May 2008

Impoverished Face Homelessness: HRP

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
09 May 2008

Khmer audio aired May 09 (593KB) - Download

The Human Rights Party on Friday issued a strong condemnation of rapidly rising land prices, which threatens to push out many Phnom Penh residents.

Land in Phnom Penh costs between $1,000 to $2,000 per square meter, and houses can cost up to $90,000, the party said in a statement.

Keo Remy, vice president of the party, said the government should construct affordable housing to help insulate residents from the high prices.

Children of government workers and those who work in restaurants and hotels or as motorcycle taxi drivers, unable to afford a house or apartment, were all facing “homelessness,” he said.

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith called the statement “unfair.”

“The HRP does not know the real situation, but the people know the situation more clearly than HRP,” he said.

Adhoc rights investigator Ny Chkrya said he “completely” supported the idea of housing.

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