60,000 Evicted in 2011 Alone; Majority From Phnom Penh

Nearly 60,000 people were forcibly evicted from their homes last year alone, often being moved to inadequate relocation sites where they face unemployment and rising debt levels, according to a report by rights group Adhoc released yesterday. A total of 59,904 people from 127 communities were forcibly evicted, the report says, adding that 30,009 people from 81 communities were evicted in Phnom Penh alone. The report also says that another 733 communities across 11 provinces are currently facing eviction. ... Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema said that hardship in the aftermath of an eviction was to be expected. ..