Boeng Kak Women Meet US Ambassador for Women’s Affairs
Five women from the Boeng Kak lake community met with the U.S. ambassador-at-large for women’s affairs on Saturday in Siem Reap City, asking the U.S. to intervene in their case and put pressure on the Cambodian government to stop violence against women. Meeting on the sidelines of the U.S.-Asean Business Forum, the women pleaded with Ambassador-at-Large Melanne Verveer for the U.S.’ help reclaiming their land, as well as clearing the names of 13 women convicted of crimes following a protest against the Boeng Kak lake evictions on May 24. “[Ms. Verveer] was very personally moved by the story and said she is going to personally deliver their petition to [U.S. Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton,” said SRP lawmaker Mu Sochua, who organized and attended the meeting. …
