2011 has seen a sharp increase in the number of economic land concessions granted by the Cambodian Government to private companies. Some protected areas have also been expropriated or transferred from state public land to state private property. In 2011, the Royal Government issued 123 Sub-Decrees to grant economic land concessions to private companies, amounting to a total area of 751,882 hectares.
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) strongly condemns the shooting dead of a 14-year old girl yesterday, relating to a long-standing land dispute in Kratie province. Heng Chentha was fatally wounded by armed forces in Broma village, Kampong Domrey commune, Chhlong district, as villagers were protesting in Snuol district against forced eviction from the homes and farmland they had occupied for years. Cambodian authorities claim that the disputed land is state-owned; however, evidence suggests that it may have been granted as a concession to Casotim, a Russian company which plans to set up a rubber plantation.
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister Hun Sen that there will be a moratorium on the granting of Economic Land Concessions (ELCs). In an order dated 7 May 2012, the Prime Minister called on public authorities to “temporarily postpone” the granting of ELCs to private companies. Civil society organizations and international human rights bodies have been asking the Cambodian authorities for several years to stop granting new land concessions, to review existing ones, and to ensure respect for relevant laws and regulations, including the 2001 Land Law, Sub-Decree 146 on Economic Land Concessions, and various human rights standards. ADHOC hopes that this move by the government indicates that the demands of NGOs and human rights professionals are finally being met.
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) strongly condemns the killing of Mr. Chut Wutty, President of Cambodia’s Natural Resources Conservation Group, on 26th April 2012. ADHOC also expresses deep concern about the lack of thorough investigation by the authorities into the case, demonstrating an apparent lack of impetus towards seeking justice. The Chief Prosecutor has refused to meet with ADHOC investigators and to make further inquiries into this case, and the police report is seen as highly contentious by NGOs and the family of the victim. [...]
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) strongly condemns the killing of Mr. Chhut Vuthy, President of Cambodia’s Natural Resources Conservation Group and a well-known environmental activist. Mr. Chhut was killed today as he was investigating a case of illegal logging in Koh Kong province. ADHOC urges the Cambodian authorities to immediately launch an investigation into his death and arrest perpetrators.
It is pleasure for me to welcome you today to this very important event on human rights and democracy organised by Adhoc with the support of the European Union. This event is important not only because of the upcoming commune council elections scheduled for 03 June 2012 but also because democracy is more than about elections. Democracy is an every day challenge, democracy is about constant interaction between the different stakeholders of any society. Democracy is about confronting ideas and constructive dialogue. It is why today we have members of the National Assembly, Senate, political parties, and members of local authorities present to discuss with the Civil Society their contribution to democracy and the promotion human rights.
The Delegation of European Union to Cambodia has worked closely with our NGO partner, Adhoc, to organise this event. In collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia and civil society partners the EU has regularly supported similar events over the last years as part of our contribution to Cambodia’s efforts to build a democratic society. And we will continue to do so ! Partnership, constructive dialogue and mutual respect between key actors – Government, Political Parties and Civil Society
The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned about illegitimate restrictions to the right to freedom of expression and illegal arrests of community representatives in relation to the ASEAN People’s Forum, happened last weekend in Phnom Penh. On 31 March 2012, two community leaders were prevented from participating in a workshop of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) and detained by the police without any legal justification.
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