[NOTICE: The AHRC have developed a new automatic letter-sending system using the “button” below. However, in this appeal, we could not include e-mail addresses of most of the Cambodian authorities. We encourage you to send your appeal letters via fax or post to those people. Fax numbers and postal addresses of the Cambodian authorities are attached below with this appeal. Thank you.]
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Right Commission has learned that in mid November 2006, four private businessmen hired several workers to cut the forest and build a fence around 130 hectares of state land in Kauk Sam Ream region, Kraing Mor village, Tang Krasaing commune, Teok Pos district, Kompong Chnang province where 149 families usually cultivate for their daily lives and maintain a sustainable environment. The Tang Krasaing commune authority allegedly sold the land to the four private businessmen.
According to the information we have received, the four businessmen named Houn Bunthuern, Mao Thuern, Nut Tha and Tang by accompanying from an unidentified police officer had allegedly gone to measure and demarcate the land in order to divide it into plot for themselves. The four businessmen had also hired some workers to clear the forest land and build the fence around the 130 hectares of land. The Tang Krasaing commune chief, Hong Pich allegedly seemed to ignore this matter. The villagers submitted their complaint but have not seen any action yet.
The acts of the four businessmen are seriously against the Cambodian 2001 land law which stated that public property shall not be invaded or sold by any person or any authority. The same law has also convicted and fined anyone who breaks this law. According to the 2001 land law on article 259, anyone infringing against public property shall be fined from five million (5, 000, 000) Reil to fifty million (50,000, 000) Reil and/or imprisoned from (1) to five years.
The AHRC urges the Kompong Chnang provincial governor to take immediately action against the four businessmen who invaded the public property as well as the community land and also conduct a proper investigation into the Tang Krasaing commune chief, who is allegedly involved with the public land grabbing.
We are concerned that it could be a bad example and would weaken the country’s laws if the enforcement of law has been absent. We urge the Cambodian government to take immediately measures to halt the activities of the businessmen and bring them before court. The AHRC also urges the Cambodian government to give priority to the poor people in order to reduce poverty, poor conditions and to restore respect for human rights in the country.
SUGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter to the relevant authorities mentioned below urging them to immediately remedy the situation and investigate the Tang Krasaing commune chief and the four businessmen mentioned above so that the action may be taken against the alleged perpetrators.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _________,
CAMBODIA: Four private businessmen allegedly grabbed the 130 hectares of public land in Tang Krasaing commune, Teok Pos district, Kompong Chnang province
Name of the victims: 149 families who live in in Kauk Sam Ream region, Kraing Mor village, Tang Krasaing commune, Teok Pos district, Kompong Chnang province
Alleged perpetrators:
1- Houn Bunthuern, private businessman
2- Mao Thuern, private businessman
3- Nut Tha, private businessman
4- Tang, private businessman
5- An unidentified police officer
Date of incident: Mid November, 2006
Place of incident: Kauk Sam Ream region, Kraing Mor village, Tang Krasaing commune, Teok Pos district, Kompong Chnang province.
I am writing to express my deep concern that in the mid November 2006, four private businessmen hired several worker to cut the forest and built a fence around 130 hectares of state land in Kauk Sam Ream region, Kraing Mor village, Tang Krasaing commune, Teok Pos district, Kompong Chnang province where 149 families usually cultivate for their daily lives and maintain a sustainable environment. The Tang Krasaing commune authority allegedly sold the land to the four private businessmen.
According to the information I have received, the four businessmen named Houn Bunthuern, Mao Thuern, Nut Tha and Tang accompanied with an unidentified police officer allegedly went to measure and demarcate the land in order to divide it into each plot for themselves. The four businessmen had also hired some workers to clear that forest land and build the fence around the 130 hectares of land. The Tang Krasaing commune chief, Hong Pich allegedly seemed to ignore this matter even after the villagers submitted their complaint. No action has been taken yet.
It has come to my knowledge that the acts of the four businessmen are seriously against the Cambodian 2001 land law which stated that public property shall not be invaded or sold by any person or any authority. The same law has also convicted and fined to anyone who contravenes this law. According to the 2001 land law on article 259, an infringement against public property shall be fined from five million (5, 000, 000) Reil and fifty million (50,000, 000) Reil and/or imprisoned from (1) to five years.
I would like to urgently request the Kompong Chnang provincial governor to take immediately action against the four businessmen who invaded the public property as well as the community land and also conduct a proper investigation into the Tang Krasaing commune chief who is allegedly involved with the public land grabbing.
I am concerned that it could be a bad example and will weaken the country’s laws if the enforcement of law is absent. We urge the Cambodian government to take immediately measures to halt the activities of the businessmen and bring them before court. I also urge the Cambodian government to give priority to the poor people in order to reduce poverty, poor conditions and restore respect for human rights in the country.
Sincerely yours,
……………………………………
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER TO:
1. Mr. Samdech Hun Sen
Prime Minister
Cabinet of the Prime Minister
No. 38, Russian Federation Street
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA
Tel: +855-23-21 98 98
Fax: +855-23-36 06 66
E-mail: cabinet1b@camnet.com.kh
2. Mr. Sar Kheng
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Interior
275 Norodom Blvd.
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA
Fax/phone : +855 23 72 19 05/72 60 52/72 11 90
E-mail: info@interior.gov.kh or moi@interior.gov.kh
3. Mr. Ang Vong Vathna
Minster of Justice
No 240, Sothearos Blvd.
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA
Fax: + 855 23 36 41 19/21 66 22
E-mail: moj@cambodia.gov.kh
4. Mr. Henro Raken
Prosecutor General
Court of Appeal
No. 14, Boulevard Sothearos
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA
Tel: +855 23 21 84 60
5. Mr. Touch Marim
Kompong Chnang provincial
Governor
Kompong Chnang Municipality Hall
Kompong Chnang province,
CAMBODIA
6. Mr. Ath Them
Kompong Chnang
Police Commissioner
Kompong Chnang Province,
CAMBODIA
7. Mr. Sun Soung
Kompong Chnang province justice
Kompong Chnang province,
CAMBODIA
8. Ms Margo Picken
Director
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights – Cambodia
N¢X 10, Street 302
Sangkat Boeng Keng Kang I
Khan Chamcar Mon
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA
Tel: +855-23-987 671 / 987 672, 993 590 / 993 591 or +855 23 216 342
Fax: +855-23-212 579, 213 587
9. Prof. Yash Ghai
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia
Attn: Ms. Afarin Shahidzadeh
Room 3-080
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 91 79214
Fax: +41 22 91 79018 (ATTENTION: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE CAMBODIA)
10. Ms Leila Zerrougui
Chairperson
Working Group on arbitrary detention
Attn: Mr. Miguel de la Lama
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTENTION: WORKING GROUP ARBITRARY DETENTION)
11. Mr. Leandro Despouy
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
Attn: Sonia Cronin
Room: 3-060
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9160
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR INDEPENDENCE JUDGES & LAWYERS)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
