CamboJA
Relatives of missing casino workers still lack compensation, DNA results
Several Cambodian families missing relatives who worked at a Poipet casino engulfed in a deadly fire in late December say weeks later they have still not received information or compensation from authorities and the casino’s owners. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/relatives-of-missing-casino-workers-still-lack-compensation-dna-results/
Prime minister claims access to information law will be approved after elections
Prime Minister Hun Sen urged the Information Ministry to finalize the long-delayed Law on Access to Information during a Saturday press gala in Phnom Penh. He claimed the draft law would be adopted in the next two years after the July national elections. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/prime-minister-claims-access-to-information-law-will-be-approved-after-elections/
Candlelight leaders decry persecution as Hun Sen threatens another lawsuit
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday threatened to sue the opposition Candlelight party after its leaders accused the ruling CPP of political persecution in the run-up to the July 23 national elections. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/candlelight-leaders-decry-persecution-as-hun-sen-threatens-another-lawsuit/
Government approves new economic land concession despite moratorium, conflict ensues
The government awarded a new Economic Land Concession (ELC) in March 2022 for the first time in nearly a decade and despite an existing moratorium on ELCs, government documents show. ...
Jack Brook and Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/government-approves-new-economic-land-concession-despite-moratorium-conflict-ensues/
Thai fugitive linked to casino fire received Cambodian citizenship, shares business ties with Tycoon Ly Yong Phat
Fugitive Thai politician Vatana Asavahame, linked to management of the Poipet casino devastated by a deadly fire last week, received Cambodian citizenship in a 2008 royal decree, according to documents viewed by CamboJA. ...
Jack Brook and Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/thai-fugitive-linked-to-casino-fire-received-cambodian-citizenship-shares-business-ties-with-tycoon-ly-yong-phat/
NEC set to reject opposition parties, NGOs’ key recommendations to improve elections
The National Election Committee (NEC) appears set to reject key recommendations from civil society and opposition political parties intended to improve fairness and transparency in the July national elections. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/nec-set-to-reject-opposition-parties-ngos-key-recommendations-to-improve-elections/
Acquisition of islands: Cambodian officials buy almost exclusive beaches in some islands in Koh Kong province
Rich in corals, sea creatures, and palm trees, Koh Sdach, located on the west and southwest coast of Cambodia, has long attracted tourists and investors with its beautiful white sand beaches. ...
Gerald Flynn, Andy Ball, and Vutha Srey
https://khmer.cambojanews.com/island-shopping-cambodian-officials-buy-up-the-cardamoms-coast/
Families seek clarity after displacement rumors related to the Kandal Stung mega-airport project
Some 200 villagers living in Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district and Takhmao town gathered at Kandal City Hall on Tuesday demanding to know whether they would be joining the hundreds of others who are being displaced by the new Phnom Penh International Airport. ...
In protected Prey Lang forest, communities pushed out but mining companies welcomed in
Kampong Thom’s Sandan district: Snang An village chief Sok Heng proudly displays a photo of his new home, constructed in July 2021, as his phone’s background image. But Late Cheng Mining Development, a gold mining firm with ties to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit, ...
Khuon Narim and Jack Brook
https://cambojanews.com/in-protected-prey-lang-forest-communities-pushed-out-but-mining-companies-welcomed-in/
Pounong indigenous people in Mondulkiri province complain to local authorities for failing to prevent forest crimes
Four forestry community representatives in Mondulkiri province have filed a complaint with local authorities against the provincial prosecutor’s office, accusing them of failing to prevent forest crime in a timely manner. ...
An indigenous Punong human rights defender describes struggle and experience
After going through countless obstacles, an indigenous Punong, Mr. Kreung Tola, who loves to protect the environment, forest and land tenure, have become a human rights defender at the human rights organization in a district. ...
Hay Setha
https://khmer.cambojanews.com/an-indigenous-man-became-human-rights-defender/
Nearly one million hectares of protected conservation area now eligible for privatization
More than 930,000 hectares of state public land inside protected conservation areas are now eligible for privatization, according to a November 30 sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. ...
Appeal court upholds Son Chhay defamation ruling, ups damages owed to CPP to $1 million
The Appeal Court on Wednesday upheld a lower court ruling finding Candlelight Party vice president, Son Chhay, guilty of defamation against the Cambodian People’s Party and ordered him to pay 4 billion riel ($1 million) in damages — an increase by a third of what ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/appeal-court-upholds-son-chhay-defamation-ruling-ups-damages-owed-to-cpp-to-1-million/
Rights groups file complaint against dutch MFI investor Oikocredit
Three NGOs filed a complaint Monday to a Dutch government watchdog accusing social investor Oikocredit of failing to conduct due diligence by investing in Cambodian microfinance institutions (MFIs) whose lending practices have been linked to rights abuses. ...
Jack Brook and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/rights-groups-file-complaint-against-dutch-mfi-investor-oikocredit/
Southeast Asia journalist organizations launch regional collaboration
Six Southeast Asian journalist organizations from five countries formed a regional partnership to combat increasing repression and deteriorating press freedom at a conference in Phnom Penh on Monday. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/southeast-asia-journalist-organizations-launch-regional-collaboration/
More than 300 families in Kampot province request authorities to grant land ownership after dispute with private company
More than 300 families in Chhouk district, Kampot province have requested authorities to provide them with land titles in which they have lived for more than 20 years. ...
People say that the historical and tourist area in Angkor Borei district may loss
Residents say that historical and tourist sites may be lost after a large-scale looting of Phnom Borei, while Angkor Borei district authorities have denied that the authorities have opened their hands to excavating Phnom Borei and sell it to private dealers as mentioned by citizens. ...
Kheang Sokmean
https://khmer.cambojanews.com/some-people-say-that-historical-and-tourist-area-may-face-loss-after-the-phnom-borey-quarry/
For arrested activists, thumbprints on police contracts are often the cost of freedom
In mid-August, Chhoeun Daravy and eight others found themselves negotiating with police over the wording of a handwritten contract. Officers initially wanted the agreement to say that the nine had “illegally” entered a “prohibited area” in the recently logged Phnom Tamao forest and flew a ...
Ngay Nai and Matt Surrusco
https://cambojanews.com/for-arrested-activists-thumbprints-on-police-contracts-are-often-the-cost-of-freedom/
With vague details, pro-government unions accuse labor groups of inciting members to form new union
Some 200 unions and federations have accused two prominent independent labor organizations of inciting its members to leave and establish a new union. The claim was denied by one of organizations, which said it has never trained members of any of the signatories — many ...
Khuon Narim and Phon Sotthyroth
https://cambojanews.com/with-vague-details-pro-government-unions-accuse-labor-groups-of-inciting-members-to-form-new-union/
Ahead of 2023 elections, press freedom continues to lag, CCHR says
Cambodia’s levels of freedom of expression, press and access to information remain low, and the work environment for journalists and human rights defenders is “increasingly dangerous,” the Cambodian Center for Human Rights said in a report released Thursday. ...
Phon Sotthyroth
https://cambojanews.com/ahead-of-2023-elections-press-freedom-continues-to-lag-cchr-says/
Experts urge agriculture investments as farmers face low rice prices
Ruon Thol plans to harvest his rice crop early next month. The farmer spent more than 6 million riel (about $1,500) this wet season to cultivate his four hectares of farmland in Battambang province’s Banan district. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/experts-urge-agriculture-investments-as-farmers-face-low-rice-prices/
At a Sihanoukville beach, stinky wastewater flows into the sea
Foul-smelling wastewater is draining into the sea at Sihanoukville’s O’Chheu Teal beach, leaving visitors plugging their noses and a local business owner and tourism official concerned that the stink will scare off tourists. ...
Sorn Sarath and Ou Leang Chhay
https://cambojanews.com/at-a-sihanoukville-beach-stinky-wastewater-flows-into-the-sea/
Supreme court upholds 2018 “Adhoc 5” bribery convictions
The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the 2018 bribery convictions of five current and former staffers of human rights group Adhoc, concluding the appeal process in a criminal case that critics have said failed to substantiate the charges. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/supreme-court-upholds-2018-adhoc-5-bribery-convictions/
Citizens from two districts in Tbong Khmum province have submitted a petition to the relevant authorities to help resolve a long-running land dispute
More than 200 people from Memot and Tambor districts, Tbong Khmum province have filed a petition at Tbong Khmum Provincial Hall and appealed to the Court of Appeal to intervene in the years-long land dispute which makes their lives more difficult. ...