CamboJA
UN estimates 100,000 trafficked into Cambodian scam operations, officials ask “Where are they?”
At least 100,000 people have been forced to carry out online scams in Cambodia, according to a UN Human Rights report released Tuesday, but Cambodian government officials say they want to see more evidence for the estimate. ...
Seoung Nimol and Leila Goldstein
https://cambojanews.com/un-estimates-100000-trafficked-into-cambodian-scam-operations-officials-ask-where-are-they/
Meta rejects recommendation to suspend Hun Sen for inciting violence
Meta rejected the recommendation of its Oversight Board to suspend former Prime Minister Hun Sen from the company’s platforms for inciting violence. Cambodian government officials celebrated the announcement and said Meta’s representatives are permitted to resume their work in the country. ...
Seoung Nimol and Leila Goldstein
https://cambojanews.com/meta-rejects-recommendation-to-suspend-hun-sen-for-inciting-violence/
WMC upset over release of fraudster who stole more than $200,000
The Women’s Media Center of Cambodia (WMC) held a press conference on Monday afternoon to voice their outrage over the release of Sambun Yany, a former chief finance officer briefly imprisoned for stealing more than $200,000 of the organization’s funds. ...
Phon Sothyroth
https://cambojanews.com/wmc-upset-over-release-of-fraudster-who-stole-more-than-200000/
An overview of new ministry leaders and their family and business ties
The single National Assembly vote on Tuesday which solidified Hun Manet’s position as prime minister also ushered in sweeping changes across Cambodia’s top minister roles. ...
CamboJA Staff
https://cambojanews.com/an-overview-of-new-ministry-leaders-and-their-family-and-business-ties/
Government gives 9,968 hectares in Botum Sakor National Park to Royal Group
Tycoon Kith Meng’s Royal Group company received 9,968 hectares inside Botum Sakor National park in Koh Kong province, according to a January 25 sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and published earlier this month. ...
Runn Sreydeth and Phon Sothyroth
https://cambojanews.com/government-gives-9968-hectares-in-botum-sakor-national-park-to-royal-group/
New gov’t more than doubles secretary and undersecretary of state positions in ministries
The newly formed government has 1,422 secretaries or undersecretaries of state — a 121.8% increase from the previous government, which had only 641 officials in those positions. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/new-govt-more-than-doubles-secretary-and-undersecretary-of-state-positions-in-ministries/
New Prime Minister Hun Manet vows to keep peace as his father steps down
After 38 years in power, Hun Sen finally stepped down from the prime minister role, leaving the top job to his eldest son Hun Manet this week but retaining significant powers. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/new-prime-minister-hun-manet-vows-to-keep-peace-as-his-father-steps-down/
Boeng Tamok activist flees to Thailand, seeking refugee status
Fearing arrest, well known land rights activist Prak Sophea fled to Thailand last week and applied for refugee status over the weekend, she told CamboJA. ...
Phon Sothyroth
https://cambojanews.com/boeng-tamok-activist-flees-to-thailand-seeking-refugee-status/
Two Kraol indigenous people accused of encroaching on Ministry Land fail to appear in court
The Kratie Provincial Court summoned two Kraol indigenous people from Srae Chis commune to appear in court for questioning this week for allegedly illegally encroaching on protected areas, but the two villagers did not show up. ...
Seoung Nimol and Hel Komsan
https://cambojanews.com/two-kraol-indigenous-people-accused-of-encroaching-on-ministry-land-fail-to-appear-in-court/
Appeals court hears challenge to 2014 convictions from garment workers protest
The Court of Appeals held a hearing Thursday in a case dating back to 2014, when ten men were convicted of charges related to violence at demonstrations during a nationwide garment workers strike. The court’s verdict on the appeal is scheduled to be announced on ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/appeals-court-hears-challenge-to-2014-convictions-from-garment-workers-protest/
First day of Candlelight leader Thach Setha trial cut short due to his “bad mood”
A Phnom Penh Municipal Court judge decided to end the first day of the trial of Candlelight Party Vice President Thach Setha, charged for allegedly writing bad checks, early because of Setha’s “bad mood.” ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/first-day-of-candlelight-leader-thach-setha-trial-cut-short-due-to-his-bad-mood/
Environment Ministry asks Kraol indigenous people to apologize for burning down building
Two weeks after the Kraol indigenous community set fire to an Environment Ministry station in Kratie, the ministry invited local authorities and indigenous people to a meeting on Wednesday and requested that the indigenous community apologize. Only one indigenous person invited attended. ...
Seoung Nimol and Hel Komsan
https://cambojanews.com/environment-ministry-asks-kraol-indigenous-people-to-apologize-for-burning-down-building/
Indigenous communities concerned new environment code undermines their rights
The Environment and Natural Resources Code officially passed into law last month, but the term “indigenous” has been removed from key sections, leaving indigenous communities concerned that the code undermines their rights. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/indigenous-communities-concerned-new-environment-code-undermines-their-rights/
Government orders $500,000 fines, relocation, for company polluting Sangke river
After waste from a Battambang-based industrial company polluted the Sangke river, the Environment Ministry imposed fines of around half a million dollars and order the company to relocate 10 kilometers away in a letter issued Thursday. ...
Sovann Sreypich and Runn Sreydeth
https://cambojanews.com/government-orders-500000-fines-relocation-for-company-polluting-sangke-river/
After bus company reneges on promises, a desperate union resumes protests
After the bus company Giant Ibis Transport delayed concluding negotiations with 30 laid off union employees, the workers continued protests at the company’s Sen Sok district station in Phnom Penh on Monday. ...
Eung Sea
https://cambojanews.com/after-bus-company-reneges-on-promises-a-desperate-union-resumes-protests/
Burning of Environment Ministry station caps off years-long feud
The scorched remains of an Environment Ministry station still lay strewn about after more than 300 farmers burned it down two weeks ago. Even the outhouse was reduced to rubble in the culmination of a multi-year conflict between local communities and ministry officials. ...
Andrew Califf, Seoung Nimol, and Eung Sea
https://cambojanews.com/burning-of-environment-ministry-station-caps-off-years-long-feud/
Government orders $500,000 fines, relocation, for company polluting Sangke river
After waste from a Battambang-based industrial company polluted the Sangke river, the Environment Ministry imposed fines of around half a million dollars and order the company to relocate 10 kilometers away in a letter issued Thursday. ...
Sovann Sreypich and Runn Sreydeth
https://cambojanews.com/government-orders-500000-fines-relocation-for-company-polluting-sangke-river/
Cambodian police contradict Indonesian officials, claim repatriated Indonesians are not victims
The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh repatriated 41 Indonesian citizens in the last month from online scam operations, it announced Monday, but Cambodian police officials say that these people were not victims. ...
Phon Sothyroth and Leila Goldstein
https://cambojanews.com/cambodian-police-contradict-indonesian-officials-claim-repatriated-indonesians-are-not-victims/
Government reclassifying biodiversity corridors into protected areas
At least 15 protected areas have expanded to integrate adjacent biodiversity corridors, according to government sub-decrees issued in July and released sporadically over the course of the week. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/government-reclassifying-biodiversity-corridors-into-protected-areas/
More indebted farmers suffering from arrested tycoon’s alleged land fraud file complaints
Around 100 families from Kandal, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Cham provinces filed complaints to the Phnom Penh municipal court on Wednesday against tycoon Hy Kimhong, who was arrested earlier this week in an alleged land fraud scheme. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/more-indebted-farmers-suffering-from-arrested-tycoons-alleged-land-fraud-file-complaints/
World Bank project advances despite occupying indigenous burial grounds
Indigenous Bunong people from Roya Leu village offered rice wine and pork to a shrine, asking forest spirits to protect their land from the World Bank. ...
Andrew Califf, Sovann Sreypich, and Eung Sea
https://cambojanews.com/world-bank-project-advances-despite-occupying-indigenous-burial-grounds/
Pharmaceutical company contaminates Sangke River, Battambang authorities say
A pharmaceutical company leaked chemicals into the Sangke River, contaminating water used by community members and killing fish, according to Battambang provincial authorities. ...
Sovann Sreypich and Eung Sea
https://cambojanews.com/pharmaceutical-company-contaminates-sangke-river-battambang-authorities-say/
UN calls Cambodian election “Distorted,” Hun Sen downplays international criticism
Cambodia’s electoral process was “distorted” due to the ban on the Candlelight Party and ruling elites harassing opponents, UN experts said in a statement released Wednesday. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/un-calls-cambodian-election-distorted-hun-sen-downplays-international-criticism/
National road 76 Mondulkiri – Phnom Penh collapsed after heavy rain
National Road 76 Mondulkiri – Phnom Penh has been temporarily closed since Tuesday after heavy rains and flash floods caused the road to collapse. All vehicles traveling from Mondulkiri to Phnom Penh must now go through Kratie, Stung Treng and Ratanakiri, according to the Mondulkiri ...
Seoung Nimol and Phon Sothyroth
https://cambojanews.com/national-road-76-mondulkiri-phnom-penh-collapsed-after-heavy-rain/