Jarai Man Exiled After He Opposes Land Deal

17 May 2013
The Phnom Penh Post
Ethnic minorities and indigenous people / Forests and forestry / Human rights / Land / Land tenure and land titling / Social development
Adhoc / Adhoc provincial co-ordinator / Chhay Thy / community forest / Disputed Land / ethnic Jarai / ethnic Jarai minority / ethnic Jarai villagers / ethnic minorities / Forest / indigenous people / O’Yadav district / Ratanakiri / Ratanakkiri Province / Rocham Vin / Romas Svang / Ten Village / villagers / Ya Tung Commune / Ya Tung Commune Chief

Commune authorities in Ratanakkiri province’s O’Yadav district have allegedly banished a local resident for persisting with a lawsuit that accuses them of selling 500 hectares of community forest to two Cambodian developers for $300,000.

Romas Svang, who is a member of the ethnic Jarai minority, filed the suit in 2011. The 45-year-old said most villagers living near the forest received $200 to $300 for allowing developers to use the area. …

Ya Tung commune chief Rocham Vin said 199 families had agreed to sell the land, and received the money.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013051765682/National/jarai-man-exiled-after-he-opposes-land-deal.html