Shockwaves of Cambodian temple dispute linger
ABC Radio Australia
Updated April 30, 2009 12:03:29
A serious clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers near the Preah Vihear temple on the northern Cambodian border in early April resulted in the Thai Army shelling and destroying a civilian market and homes adjacent to the temple.
No civilians were hurt in the shelling but a Cambodian NGO has filed a 9 million US dollar claim against the Thai government on behalf of the 900 affected villagers. And a human rights NGO says Thailand's shelling of the market was a breach of the Geneva Conventions.
Presenter: Robert Carmichael
Speakers: Moeung Sonn, director of the Khmer Civilization Foundation; Rupert Abbott lawyer and director at the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights
Listen: Windows Media
CARMICHAEL: The 900-year-old temple of Preah Vihear on the northern border of Cambodia is one of the country's most treasured possessions. Preah Vihear is also contentious - Thailand lost an international court case over ownership of the temple back in 1962. But demarcation of the 800-kilometre long border between the two nations still hasn't been agreed - and that includes the area around the Preah Vihear temple, which sits squarely on the contested border.
Over the past year tensions have risen and subsided as troops from both countries faced off there. In early April fighting broke out at Preah Vihear, and several Thai soldiers were killed and injured - the precise number isn't clear. But what is clear is that three rockets - seemingly fired by the Thai army - hit the local market where 260 families lived. The market and their homes were completely destroyed. The temple also suffered some damage. Moeung Sonn runs a local NGO called the Khmer Civilization Foundation. On behalf of the villagers, Moeung Sonn sent a compensation claim to the Thai government for nine million US dollars. He hasn't yet had a response from Bangkok.
Photographs on the wall of Moeung Sonn's office in Phnom Penh show the remains of the market - there isn't much, just a wreckage of scorched corrugated iron.
SONN: This area is protected by UNESCO.
CARMICHAEL: Because it is a World Heritage Site
SONN: Yes, World Heritage. So no reason Thais destroy this area.
CARMICHAEL: Moeung Sonn says the traders at the market had spent substantial sums building up their stocks ahead of the Cambodian New Year in mid-April when many Cambodians visit the temple. But before they could come, the market was shelled and the traders lost everything. Thus the claim.
So does Moeung Sonn think the villagers will get compensation from the Thai government?
SONN: I think the Thais will pay. I think the Cambodian government don't drop this matter because these rockets came from Thailand. And so no reason why [Thailand] don't pay to Cambodian villagers.
CARMICHAEL: But compensation is only one aspect of the shelling. British lawyer Rupert Abbott is a director at the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, a local NGO. Later this week his organisation will release a report on the incident and the applicability of international law to what happened.
Mr Abbott's report indicates that the Thai army's action did break international law.
ABBOTT: We do believe based on our investigations that Thailand has breached international humanitarian law. It's breached the Geneva Conventions. There were no soldiers in the village, it wasn't being used for military use - there were no weapons, no hardware, playing no military role. And it seemed that it was deliberately attacked. The three rockets fired all hit the market. It was then sprayed with machinegun fire when the civilians tried to put out the fire.
CARMICHAEL: Mr Abbott acknowledges that the Thai government might disagree with his report's findings, since it is based solely on Cambodian accounts.
ABBOTT: I am absolutely sure as you suggest that Thailand will dispute this account. We've been interviewing Cambodian villagers, and that's why a neutral organization like ASEAN needs to investigate this and get the Thai side of events.
CARMICHAEL: It isn't clear what Thailand thinks of all this since the spokesperson from the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was unavailable for comment. But as far as the Cambodian government is concerned, says information minister Khieu Kanharith, the market had no military value - he believes the shelling was deliberate and a gross violation of international law. But he says bilateral talks are a better way to solve the issue than involving ASEAN.
As for compensation, Khieu Kanharith says Phnom Penh is in favour of Thailand making payments to the villagers. And although he hasn't heard anything yet from Bangkok, he expects some gesture will be forthcoming. In the meantime, and with the rainy season fast approaching, Phnom Penh has provided housing materials for the 900 affected people allowing them to rebuild their homes at a new site 20 kilometres away. The government will also rebuild the market.
Observers have pointed out that the situation around the Preah Vihear temple often worsens when Thai political tensions rise - and Thai politics are still far from stable. It remains to be seen whether the events of early April mark the low point between Cambodia and Thailand over the border at the 900-year-old temple.
30 April, 2009
Vietnam: Apparel exports to Japan up 20 percent despite recession
Apparel exports to Japan up 20 percent despite recession
Thanhnien news
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:42:10 Vietnam (GMT+07)
Despite the recession in Japan, Vietnamese textile exporters find it a steady market with volumes and prices remaining quite high since the beginning of this year.
Japan, Vietnam’s third-largest textile export market, received shipments worth US$210 million in the first quarter, a 20-percent year-on-year increase, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas).
Exports last year were worth $820 million and Vietnam expects that to increase 20 percent this year.
Saigon 3 Garment said it is busy getting 800,000 denim and khaki trousers ready for shipping to Japan.
The company’s Chairman, Pham Xuan Hong, said the country accounted for 65 percent of the company’s total exports of $25 million this year.
“Japan is the only market that does not cut orders or prices,” he said.
Other garment and textile firms like Viet Tien, Nha Be and Phong Phu have also continued to get orders from Japanese buyers.
“Unlike other export markets, Japan is stable once [garment and textile] manufacturers win its trust,” Phan Van Kiet, deputy general director of Viet Tien Garment Joint-Stock Corp., said.
Japan now accounts for 33 percent of the company’s exports, outpacing the US and the EU, he said.
Luu Van Thanh, director of bag and suitcase maker Hoang Kim Garment Company, said the firm is receiving more and more orders from Japan, many from new customers.
The Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said it has signed an agreement with Japan’s Mitsui Group to supply its products.
Le Quoc An, chairman of Vitas, had said earlier this month that textile firms should take advantage of the global difficulty to boost exports to Japan.
As a result of the economic crisis, Japanese people have cut spending and prefer lower-priced apparels from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam to higher-priced Chinese ones, he explained.
Source: TN, Agencies
Thanhnien news
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:42:10 Vietnam (GMT+07)
Despite the recession in Japan, Vietnamese textile exporters find it a steady market with volumes and prices remaining quite high since the beginning of this year.
Japan, Vietnam’s third-largest textile export market, received shipments worth US$210 million in the first quarter, a 20-percent year-on-year increase, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas).
Exports last year were worth $820 million and Vietnam expects that to increase 20 percent this year.
Saigon 3 Garment said it is busy getting 800,000 denim and khaki trousers ready for shipping to Japan.
The company’s Chairman, Pham Xuan Hong, said the country accounted for 65 percent of the company’s total exports of $25 million this year.
“Japan is the only market that does not cut orders or prices,” he said.
Other garment and textile firms like Viet Tien, Nha Be and Phong Phu have also continued to get orders from Japanese buyers.
“Unlike other export markets, Japan is stable once [garment and textile] manufacturers win its trust,” Phan Van Kiet, deputy general director of Viet Tien Garment Joint-Stock Corp., said.
Japan now accounts for 33 percent of the company’s exports, outpacing the US and the EU, he said.
Luu Van Thanh, director of bag and suitcase maker Hoang Kim Garment Company, said the firm is receiving more and more orders from Japan, many from new customers.
The Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said it has signed an agreement with Japan’s Mitsui Group to supply its products.
Le Quoc An, chairman of Vitas, had said earlier this month that textile firms should take advantage of the global difficulty to boost exports to Japan.
As a result of the economic crisis, Japanese people have cut spending and prefer lower-priced apparels from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam to higher-priced Chinese ones, he explained.
Source: TN, Agencies
Poverty behind bars, as experienced by victims of evictions in Cambodia
Poverty behind bars, as experienced by victims of evictions in Cambodia
Cambodia Ka-set
By Duong Sokha
16-12-2008
Cramped, overpopulated cells; malnutrition, lack of healthcare services. Prison conditions in Cambodia are appalling. The famous Prey Sar penal institution, located seven miles away from the capital, houses some 2,500 prisoners and operates at more than double capacity – it was originally designed to house no more than 1,200 inmates. Some prisoners find themselves incarcerated because their only crime was to be poor and try and resist forced eviction.
Evicted people: victims on several levels
2008 is coming to an end and more than 10,000 prisoners are currently crammed in Cambodian cells, and among them, more than 600 under-18 inmates and more than 400 foreign detainees. Malnourished and left to look after themselves without any healthcare available on the premises, they are not even allowed to have access to drinking water. Some of these prisoners are poor people who have committed the sole crime of refusing to leave their home. They are being sued on charges of “destruction of other people's property, aggravated assault or infringement of private property rights”, when all they did was showing opposition in front of police forces when their community suffered forced evictions meant to clean up towns of squats and other urban areas said to be anarchical.
Over the past few years, forced evictions have grown in numbers and have been qualified by local and international Human rights NGOs as frequent Human rights violations and represent the most serious plague in the country today. Thousands of families are regularly evicted from their homes to give way to property developers or multinational companies. Massive commercial centres, huge office towers or imposing casinos are built and only benefit a small minority of people in the country, since Cambodia is still classified as one of the world's poorest countries.
Hem Chum, a 47 years-old journalist working at the fortnightly newspaper “The Cry of Justice”, a rather confidential publication, spent two years in prison after being charged for the “destruction of other people's personal property”. In fact, this Cambodian citizen was simply the victim of one out of the many other forced evictions carried out in the country. He was condemned for having stood in the way during a forcible operation of eviction carried out in June 2006 in the district of Chambok Chap, in the heart of Phnom Penh. The compensation offered to the evicted people by the company who bought their grounds – a small piece of land in the village of Andong, about 13 miles away from Phnom Penh in the middle of nowhere – was unacceptable to him.
“I was sent behind bars for two years but I am innocent”, he claimed, still shocked by the whole experience. The only thing I did was to defend my land and decide to follow through on my cause. I ended up in a 16m² cell with no less than ten detainees inside it. There was no ventilation, we suffocated in there and we were so packed together that I could only sleep sideways.
“Gravel in our bowl of rice”
The Cambodian government set to 1,500 riels (0,38 dollar) the daily expenses (food, water, electricity, clothing, medicine...) for one prisoner. A prisoner typically receives 0,55 kg of rice per day. “This is not enough”, Hem Chun insisted. “We must top up our ration with what our family send us. There was a period of time when we even found gravel in our rice. Healthcare was limited to Paracetamol. Once, I suffered from acute sinusitis and asked to get treatment outside of the prison, unsuccessfully”. In 2007, 60 cases of death among prisoners have been reported. Between January and September 2008, the figures amount to 37 people, according to the report issued by the Cambodian Prisons Department in September 2008.
The land question was at the heart of the December 10th Human Rights Day celebrated by a coalition of 19 local NGOs. The march they organised in the centre of Phnom Penh was attended by 2,000 members of the civil society, diplomats, monks, students and victims of evictions. All of them sported a “Human rights: our rights” tee-shirt. Under the close surveillance of the authorities, they called with insistence for the liberation of the people who are still in prison and urged the government to stop the evictions and arrests linked with land conflicts.
Some fifty people are still said to be behind bars for having defended their home during land disputes.
Rights still flouted
Kek Galabru, president of the Cambodian league for the promotion and protection of Human rights (LICADHO) did not hesitate to criticise the dreadful conditions that prisoners have to endure. “In order to know if a country respects Human rights or not, you only have to take a look at their prisons. If prisoners' rights are not taken into consideration, this means that the country is not willing to respect Human rights”, the campaigner detailed.
Samkol Sokhan, deputy director general of the General Prisons Department at the Ministry of Interior, has for his part a different perspective on things. “This is the maximum that the state can ever do. Even our prison warders only earn between 160,000 and 200,000 riels (US$40 to US$50) per month. I often advise our civil servants to look after detainees and make sure their rights are respected”, the official said, pointing out that the Ministries of Interior and Health were working together on the question of medicine. He added that a new correctional facility should soon be opened in the province of Pursat, with a view to regulate overpopulation in cells. The Ministry of Interior is still waiting for the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture on that matter - the latter owns the 960-hectare piece of land - and will then launch building works.
This article was published on the Tribune des droits humains website on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, 2008.
Cambodia Ka-set
By Duong Sokha
16-12-2008
Cramped, overpopulated cells; malnutrition, lack of healthcare services. Prison conditions in Cambodia are appalling. The famous Prey Sar penal institution, located seven miles away from the capital, houses some 2,500 prisoners and operates at more than double capacity – it was originally designed to house no more than 1,200 inmates. Some prisoners find themselves incarcerated because their only crime was to be poor and try and resist forced eviction.
Evicted people: victims on several levels
2008 is coming to an end and more than 10,000 prisoners are currently crammed in Cambodian cells, and among them, more than 600 under-18 inmates and more than 400 foreign detainees. Malnourished and left to look after themselves without any healthcare available on the premises, they are not even allowed to have access to drinking water. Some of these prisoners are poor people who have committed the sole crime of refusing to leave their home. They are being sued on charges of “destruction of other people's property, aggravated assault or infringement of private property rights”, when all they did was showing opposition in front of police forces when their community suffered forced evictions meant to clean up towns of squats and other urban areas said to be anarchical.
Over the past few years, forced evictions have grown in numbers and have been qualified by local and international Human rights NGOs as frequent Human rights violations and represent the most serious plague in the country today. Thousands of families are regularly evicted from their homes to give way to property developers or multinational companies. Massive commercial centres, huge office towers or imposing casinos are built and only benefit a small minority of people in the country, since Cambodia is still classified as one of the world's poorest countries.
Hem Chum, a 47 years-old journalist working at the fortnightly newspaper “The Cry of Justice”, a rather confidential publication, spent two years in prison after being charged for the “destruction of other people's personal property”. In fact, this Cambodian citizen was simply the victim of one out of the many other forced evictions carried out in the country. He was condemned for having stood in the way during a forcible operation of eviction carried out in June 2006 in the district of Chambok Chap, in the heart of Phnom Penh. The compensation offered to the evicted people by the company who bought their grounds – a small piece of land in the village of Andong, about 13 miles away from Phnom Penh in the middle of nowhere – was unacceptable to him.
“I was sent behind bars for two years but I am innocent”, he claimed, still shocked by the whole experience. The only thing I did was to defend my land and decide to follow through on my cause. I ended up in a 16m² cell with no less than ten detainees inside it. There was no ventilation, we suffocated in there and we were so packed together that I could only sleep sideways.
“Gravel in our bowl of rice”
The Cambodian government set to 1,500 riels (0,38 dollar) the daily expenses (food, water, electricity, clothing, medicine...) for one prisoner. A prisoner typically receives 0,55 kg of rice per day. “This is not enough”, Hem Chun insisted. “We must top up our ration with what our family send us. There was a period of time when we even found gravel in our rice. Healthcare was limited to Paracetamol. Once, I suffered from acute sinusitis and asked to get treatment outside of the prison, unsuccessfully”. In 2007, 60 cases of death among prisoners have been reported. Between January and September 2008, the figures amount to 37 people, according to the report issued by the Cambodian Prisons Department in September 2008.
The land question was at the heart of the December 10th Human Rights Day celebrated by a coalition of 19 local NGOs. The march they organised in the centre of Phnom Penh was attended by 2,000 members of the civil society, diplomats, monks, students and victims of evictions. All of them sported a “Human rights: our rights” tee-shirt. Under the close surveillance of the authorities, they called with insistence for the liberation of the people who are still in prison and urged the government to stop the evictions and arrests linked with land conflicts.
Some fifty people are still said to be behind bars for having defended their home during land disputes.
Rights still flouted
Kek Galabru, president of the Cambodian league for the promotion and protection of Human rights (LICADHO) did not hesitate to criticise the dreadful conditions that prisoners have to endure. “In order to know if a country respects Human rights or not, you only have to take a look at their prisons. If prisoners' rights are not taken into consideration, this means that the country is not willing to respect Human rights”, the campaigner detailed.
Samkol Sokhan, deputy director general of the General Prisons Department at the Ministry of Interior, has for his part a different perspective on things. “This is the maximum that the state can ever do. Even our prison warders only earn between 160,000 and 200,000 riels (US$40 to US$50) per month. I often advise our civil servants to look after detainees and make sure their rights are respected”, the official said, pointing out that the Ministries of Interior and Health were working together on the question of medicine. He added that a new correctional facility should soon be opened in the province of Pursat, with a view to regulate overpopulation in cells. The Ministry of Interior is still waiting for the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture on that matter - the latter owns the 960-hectare piece of land - and will then launch building works.
This article was published on the Tribune des droits humains website on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, 2008.
Cambodia: Rice-milling capacity rises
Rice-milling capacity rises
CSR Asia
Vol.5 Week 17
Cambodia's largest rice association says a government loan has permitted an equipment upgrade leading to increased production of processed rice. That could mean more exports of processed rice, and ultimately, higher incomes for farmers. Phou Puy, president of the Federation of Cambodian Rice Miller Associations (CRMA), said the organisation had purchased 1 million tonnes of paddy, or unprocessed rice, since November 2008 compared to 400,000 tonnes of paddy bought and stored in all of 2008. Cambodia's rice industry has suffered from a lack of processing capacity, which has led many farmers to export unprocessed paddy illegally. Vietnam reported that about 1 million tonnes of paddy was smuggled across the border last year. (The Phnom Penh Post, April 21)
CSR Asia
Vol.5 Week 17
Cambodia's largest rice association says a government loan has permitted an equipment upgrade leading to increased production of processed rice. That could mean more exports of processed rice, and ultimately, higher incomes for farmers. Phou Puy, president of the Federation of Cambodian Rice Miller Associations (CRMA), said the organisation had purchased 1 million tonnes of paddy, or unprocessed rice, since November 2008 compared to 400,000 tonnes of paddy bought and stored in all of 2008. Cambodia's rice industry has suffered from a lack of processing capacity, which has led many farmers to export unprocessed paddy illegally. Vietnam reported that about 1 million tonnes of paddy was smuggled across the border last year. (The Phnom Penh Post, April 21)
Cambodia: Medtecs boosts face mask output on flu fears
Medtecs boosts face mask output on flu fears
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 9:21PM UTC
By Neil Chatterjee and Eveline Danubrata
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Medical product manufacturer Medtecs International is ramping up production of face masks and disposable gowns, and could boost output five-fold if demand spikes on swine flu fears.
"Psychological panic is still there - that will create demand," CEO Clement Yang told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. "During SARS, sales in those items went up four to five times," he said, adding that Medtecs could meet such demand.
Medtecs' Singapore shares have more than doubled this week, amid a threat of a pandemic from a new swine flu strain that has killed up to 159 people in Mexico and that could provide a windfall for some healthcare companies [ID:nFLU].
Yang said he thought the share price rally, to S$0.11 on Wednesday from S$0.05 last week, was justified.
Medtecs, which has factories in the Philippines, China, Vietnam and Cambodia and a market cap of $30 million, exports 70 percent of its products to the United States. Most revenue comes from making hospital linen and healthcare items, with global competition from Johnson & Johnson and 3M Co .
"Today if the situation gets worse, and Western governments get moving, demand will be enormous," Yang said.
U.S. demand for disposable medical items rose 20 percent during SARS, which killed more than 800 people around the world in 2003, he added.
Costs would rise given the need to boost production quickly and, going on precedent, the firm could lift prices by 50 percent and improve margins, Yang said.
Analysts at DMG Research on Tuesday picked out Medtecs and glove maker Riverstone as firms in Singapore that could see increased demand from the new flu outbreak.
Some analysts have cautioned that the boost to sales for such healthcare firms could be muted since many governments have already built stockpiles because of the previous avian flu risk.
"Most developing countries are not prepared," Yang said.
The firm has funding to double capacity at its plant in Cambodia by the end of the year. It sees 20 percent annual growth in its hospital services business, which makes up 15 percent of revenues and has higher margins than manufacturing, Yang said.
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 9:21PM UTC
By Neil Chatterjee and Eveline Danubrata
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Medical product manufacturer Medtecs International is ramping up production of face masks and disposable gowns, and could boost output five-fold if demand spikes on swine flu fears.
"Psychological panic is still there - that will create demand," CEO Clement Yang told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. "During SARS, sales in those items went up four to five times," he said, adding that Medtecs could meet such demand.
Medtecs' Singapore shares have more than doubled this week, amid a threat of a pandemic from a new swine flu strain that has killed up to 159 people in Mexico and that could provide a windfall for some healthcare companies [ID:nFLU].
Yang said he thought the share price rally, to S$0.11 on Wednesday from S$0.05 last week, was justified.
Medtecs, which has factories in the Philippines, China, Vietnam and Cambodia and a market cap of $30 million, exports 70 percent of its products to the United States. Most revenue comes from making hospital linen and healthcare items, with global competition from Johnson & Johnson and 3M Co .
"Today if the situation gets worse, and Western governments get moving, demand will be enormous," Yang said.
U.S. demand for disposable medical items rose 20 percent during SARS, which killed more than 800 people around the world in 2003, he added.
Costs would rise given the need to boost production quickly and, going on precedent, the firm could lift prices by 50 percent and improve margins, Yang said.
Analysts at DMG Research on Tuesday picked out Medtecs and glove maker Riverstone as firms in Singapore that could see increased demand from the new flu outbreak.
Some analysts have cautioned that the boost to sales for such healthcare firms could be muted since many governments have already built stockpiles because of the previous avian flu risk.
"Most developing countries are not prepared," Yang said.
The firm has funding to double capacity at its plant in Cambodia by the end of the year. It sees 20 percent annual growth in its hospital services business, which makes up 15 percent of revenues and has higher margins than manufacturing, Yang said.
29 April, 2009
Again, border talks end with no agreement
Cambodian, Thai border talks end with no agreement
Channel News Asia
Posted: 29 April 2009
SIEM REAP, Cambodia: Cambodian and Thai defence ministers on Wednesday concluded border talks but said they could not agree to pull back troops from a tense territorial dispute near an ancient temple.
At least seven Thai and Cambodian troops have been killed in recent months in sporadic clashes between the neighbouring countries on disputed land around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple.
Cambodian defence minister Tea Banh and his Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwan began this week's talks by playing a round of golf in the northwestern tourist hub of Siem Reap on Tuesday.
The pair hailed progress by border negotiators from both countries, but Thailand's Prawit told reporters after talks finished on Wednesday that troops would remain in place until the border was demarcated.
"The issue of troop pullback... from the area near Preah Vihear temple depends on the negotiation related to border demarcation that has not been agreed yet," Prawit told reporters in a joint press conference.
Tea Banh added that both countries were using all means possible to resolve the border dispute.
Troops from the two countries have been in a border standoff since tensions flared last July when the cliff-top temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status.
Ownership of the temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962, but the two countries are in dispute over five square kilometres (two square miles) of land around it that has yet to be officially demarcated.
- AFP/so
Channel News Asia
Posted: 29 April 2009
SIEM REAP, Cambodia: Cambodian and Thai defence ministers on Wednesday concluded border talks but said they could not agree to pull back troops from a tense territorial dispute near an ancient temple.
At least seven Thai and Cambodian troops have been killed in recent months in sporadic clashes between the neighbouring countries on disputed land around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple.
Cambodian defence minister Tea Banh and his Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwan began this week's talks by playing a round of golf in the northwestern tourist hub of Siem Reap on Tuesday.
The pair hailed progress by border negotiators from both countries, but Thailand's Prawit told reporters after talks finished on Wednesday that troops would remain in place until the border was demarcated.
"The issue of troop pullback... from the area near Preah Vihear temple depends on the negotiation related to border demarcation that has not been agreed yet," Prawit told reporters in a joint press conference.
Tea Banh added that both countries were using all means possible to resolve the border dispute.
Troops from the two countries have been in a border standoff since tensions flared last July when the cliff-top temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status.
Ownership of the temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962, but the two countries are in dispute over five square kilometres (two square miles) of land around it that has yet to be officially demarcated.
- AFP/so
the 6th Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC)
Thai Defence Minister leads military chiefs to Cambodian border session
BANGKOK, April 28 (TNA) - Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan on Tuesday led Thailand’s military chiefs to participate the 6th Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) in Siam Reap through Wednesday.
Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara and the Royal Thai Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs accompanied the defence minister to also attend the meeting.
Gen. Prawit said before leaving for Cambodia that 17 general border issues relating to the two countries would be raised at the meeting including trade and public health.
Channels to lead to the peaceful everyday living on the part of the peoples of both countries will be discussed at the meeting, he said.
However, the defence minister said, the border disputes themselves are not be on the agenda of the bilateral talks on Tuesday and Wednesday as there is another Thai-Cambodian joint committee to tackle the problem.
"If there is any problem, I can make direct telephone call to Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh," he said.
He added that the talks on the two countries’ border disputes will continue as the two countries still have different maps on the disputed area.
Gen. Prawit also added that he is not assigned to discuss with the Cambodian delegation regarding the status of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who reportedly holds a Cambodian passport.
The issue was the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said, adding that, the defence ministry would find the ways for the two countries' people to live peacefully and support cross-border trade at the border checkpoints. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 14:39:04 28 April 2009 (GMT+7:00)
BANGKOK, April 28 (TNA) - Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan on Tuesday led Thailand’s military chiefs to participate the 6th Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) in Siam Reap through Wednesday.
Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara and the Royal Thai Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs accompanied the defence minister to also attend the meeting.
Gen. Prawit said before leaving for Cambodia that 17 general border issues relating to the two countries would be raised at the meeting including trade and public health.
Channels to lead to the peaceful everyday living on the part of the peoples of both countries will be discussed at the meeting, he said.
However, the defence minister said, the border disputes themselves are not be on the agenda of the bilateral talks on Tuesday and Wednesday as there is another Thai-Cambodian joint committee to tackle the problem.
"If there is any problem, I can make direct telephone call to Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh," he said.
He added that the talks on the two countries’ border disputes will continue as the two countries still have different maps on the disputed area.
Gen. Prawit also added that he is not assigned to discuss with the Cambodian delegation regarding the status of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who reportedly holds a Cambodian passport.
The issue was the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said, adding that, the defence ministry would find the ways for the two countries' people to live peacefully and support cross-border trade at the border checkpoints. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 14:39:04 28 April 2009 (GMT+7:00)
Ministers' playing golf before talks
April 28, 2009
Ministers' 'golf diplomacy'
Cambodian and Thai defence ministers on Tuesday teed off in a spot of golf diplomacy ahead of talks aimed at resolving a deadly territorial dispute. --PHOTO: AFPPHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN and Thai defence ministers on Tuesday teed off in a spot of golf diplomacy ahead of talks aimed at resolving a deadly territorial dispute, officials said.
Cambodia's defence minister Tea Banh and his Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwan played a round in the northwestern tourist hub of Siem Reap with other military officials ahead of their Wednesday border negotiations.
'We are playing golf with the Thai delegation now,' General Neang Phat told AFP by telephone, declining to give more details about the planned discussions.
Var Kimhong, the chairman of Cambodia's border committee, said the meeting would focus on general matters surrounding their long-running border feud.
'We will talk about the border issue,' said Var Kimhong, who will also attend the meeting.
Military officials from the two countries also golfed together in Siem Reap last October after four Thai and Cambodian soldiers were killed in fighting on disputed land around 11th-century Preah Vihear temple.
However that did not defuse tensions enough to prevent further border gunbattles, which killed three Thai soldiers early this month.
Troops from the two countries have been in a border standoff since tensions flared last July, when the cliff-top temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status.
Ownership of the temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962 but the two countries are in dispute over five square kilometres of land around the temple which has yet to be officially demarcated. -- AFP
The Trouble With the 'Genocide' Label
The Trouble With the 'Genocide' Label
The Current Discussion: Today is "Genocide Remembrance Day "in the Armenian community, a particularly strained time of year for Turkey and Armenia. What's a realistic first step forward toward reconciliation for each of these countries?
By Salil Tripathi
Turkey and Armenia have begun the slow, tentative waltz of rebuilding relations, after President Obama spoke in Istanbul, but did not use the G-word.
That was perhaps a wise decision, notwithstanding the strong emotive reason that propelled many to call a spade a spade, a machete a machete, and a genocide a genocide, leading to the Congressional Resolution. The truth is that ultimately only communities themselves can make the decision to leave the past behind. International leaders - even one as gifted as Barack Obama - can only play a limited role. (Sudan's conflict didn't stop when Colin Powell called the killings in Darfur a genocide, and few countries joined him in condemning the Sudanese leadership.)
This is a peculiar period in the world annals of our coming to terms with genocide. Cambodia is trying to account for genocide and killing fields by indicting Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch. India's ruling party withdrew a candidate for Parliament, partially in response to a shoe-throwing incident. (Credible human rights groups allege that the candidate was involved in the 1984 Sikh massacre, after two Sikh bodyguards assassinated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.) Tamils in Britain accuse the Sri Lankan army of committing genocide in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh's newly-elected government sets its sights on bringing to justice those accountable for the Pakistani Army's widespread killings of Bangladeshis in 1971.
And then there is Rwanda. This month is the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. In a recent issue of Paris Review, the French writer Jean Hatzfeld recalls the uneasy aftermath of dealing with released prisoners who had at one time massacred a community's loved ones. Hatzfeld's books - The Machete Season (2005), Life Laid Bare (2007), and The Antelope's Strategy (2009) -- are required reading for anyone who wants to understand the psyche of the perpetrator and the victim, of what makes a killer, and, as Hannah Arendt observed in the context of Eichmann, the banality of evil.
The fixation with the word 'genocide' comes from its emotive power. Among human rights abuses, genocide is arguably the worst, which is why governments fight tooth and nail to prevent others from calling their heinous acts as genocidal. The definition, developed after we discovered the horrors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, is written bearing in mind the Nazi atrocities against the Jewish community. Those abuses made every preceding abuse seem less significant. With the definition was so precisely drafted, what were we to call Stalin's purges - or even Pol Pot's bloody rule - where a single ethnic group wasn't targeted, and where the masterminds of those genocides did not always get around to implementing policies that would prevent future generations from being born? These were mass killings, massacres, crimes against humanity. But they weren't quite like the Holocaust - just as the Holocaust wasn't quite like what happened in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.
Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity are extremely powerful terms, which is why governments resent such characterization. The sad consequence is that diplomats then perform the delicate dance of defining the term more precisely, and argue whether a particularly horrendous abuse was genocide. Lost, amidst all this, are human impulses - of ethics, morality, revenge, justice, redemption, and compassion.
What happened in Turkey nearly a century ago - as indeed in Rwanda, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Sudan - must never happen again. And yet Obama and other world leaders can only nudge governments to do the right thing. Ultimately communities and nations must develop the confidence and face the past, apologize where necessary, and forgive as appropriate. That requires a moral core, not legalism alone. The law helps and is of course necessary. But genocide is wrong not because the law says so, but because it is against our conscience.
The Current Discussion: Today is "Genocide Remembrance Day "in the Armenian community, a particularly strained time of year for Turkey and Armenia. What's a realistic first step forward toward reconciliation for each of these countries?
By Salil Tripathi
Turkey and Armenia have begun the slow, tentative waltz of rebuilding relations, after President Obama spoke in Istanbul, but did not use the G-word.
That was perhaps a wise decision, notwithstanding the strong emotive reason that propelled many to call a spade a spade, a machete a machete, and a genocide a genocide, leading to the Congressional Resolution. The truth is that ultimately only communities themselves can make the decision to leave the past behind. International leaders - even one as gifted as Barack Obama - can only play a limited role. (Sudan's conflict didn't stop when Colin Powell called the killings in Darfur a genocide, and few countries joined him in condemning the Sudanese leadership.)
This is a peculiar period in the world annals of our coming to terms with genocide. Cambodia is trying to account for genocide and killing fields by indicting Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch. India's ruling party withdrew a candidate for Parliament, partially in response to a shoe-throwing incident. (Credible human rights groups allege that the candidate was involved in the 1984 Sikh massacre, after two Sikh bodyguards assassinated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.) Tamils in Britain accuse the Sri Lankan army of committing genocide in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh's newly-elected government sets its sights on bringing to justice those accountable for the Pakistani Army's widespread killings of Bangladeshis in 1971.
And then there is Rwanda. This month is the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. In a recent issue of Paris Review, the French writer Jean Hatzfeld recalls the uneasy aftermath of dealing with released prisoners who had at one time massacred a community's loved ones. Hatzfeld's books - The Machete Season (2005), Life Laid Bare (2007), and The Antelope's Strategy (2009) -- are required reading for anyone who wants to understand the psyche of the perpetrator and the victim, of what makes a killer, and, as Hannah Arendt observed in the context of Eichmann, the banality of evil.
The fixation with the word 'genocide' comes from its emotive power. Among human rights abuses, genocide is arguably the worst, which is why governments fight tooth and nail to prevent others from calling their heinous acts as genocidal. The definition, developed after we discovered the horrors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, is written bearing in mind the Nazi atrocities against the Jewish community. Those abuses made every preceding abuse seem less significant. With the definition was so precisely drafted, what were we to call Stalin's purges - or even Pol Pot's bloody rule - where a single ethnic group wasn't targeted, and where the masterminds of those genocides did not always get around to implementing policies that would prevent future generations from being born? These were mass killings, massacres, crimes against humanity. But they weren't quite like the Holocaust - just as the Holocaust wasn't quite like what happened in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.
Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity are extremely powerful terms, which is why governments resent such characterization. The sad consequence is that diplomats then perform the delicate dance of defining the term more precisely, and argue whether a particularly horrendous abuse was genocide. Lost, amidst all this, are human impulses - of ethics, morality, revenge, justice, redemption, and compassion.
What happened in Turkey nearly a century ago - as indeed in Rwanda, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Sudan - must never happen again. And yet Obama and other world leaders can only nudge governments to do the right thing. Ultimately communities and nations must develop the confidence and face the past, apologize where necessary, and forgive as appropriate. That requires a moral core, not legalism alone. The law helps and is of course necessary. But genocide is wrong not because the law says so, but because it is against our conscience.
28 April, 2009
Cambodia Labour Court to Be Established?
The Phnom Penh Post
Written by Kay Kimsong and Sam Rith
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Prime Minister Hun Sen is set to announce he supports demands by unions to establish court as protests planned for Intl Labour Day
Photo by: Tracey Shelton
Workers protesting outside a garment factory in Takhmao. Labour unions say about 3,000 workers will show up for a May 1 demonstration at the National Assembly. PRIME Minister Hun Sen said the government would be willing to cooperate with union workers and NGOs to establish a labour court, a demand that unions have been making for years, according to a transcript of a message that is to be read aloud on television station TVK on Friday, International Labour Day.
"A labour court should be created by all relevant parties, including the government, unions and relevant NGOs," the message reads.
The message, dated April 20, does not specify a deadline by which Hun Sen wants a labour court to be established. It does include a call for a working group that would bring together "relevant parties" to reach an agreement on the make-up and jurisdiction of such a court.
The establishment of a labour court is one of the demands that union leaders plan to list in a petition to be filed at both the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly during a demonstration on May 1.
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU), told the Post on Monday that he expected 3,000 garment and construction workers to attend the demonstration, adding that he had no plans to ask the government for permission to convene it.
But Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Pa Socheatvong said City Hall would not allow the gathering to take place unless union representatives obtain approval.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have no objection to the meeting or to a parade of workers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Workers who want to express their ideas in public on [May 1] need to do so in accordance with the law, meaning they need to get permission from the Phnom Penh Municipality in advance," he said.
He added, "We have no objection to the meeting or to a parade of workers in public on International Labour Day, but they have to ask for permission first."
Sok Sovandeith, president of the Cambodia National Federation of Building and Wood Workers, said he would participate in Friday's demonstration in order to push for the establishment of a labour court and to encourage the government to provide assistance to workers who have lost their jobs.
He said the establishment of a labour court was of particular importance for construction workers.
"Being construction workers, we always lose when we challenge employers in civil court," he said.
He said some 30,000 out of 100,000 construction workers nationwide had lost their jobs since the onset of the downturn.
Chea Mony said he also planned to speak about the effects of the downturn, and how it had exposed workers to unfair treatment at the hands of employers. He said he would also address the proposed amendments to Articles 67 and 73 of the 1997 Labour Law, which govern contract durations.
Union leaders have repeatedly spoken out against the amendments, which they say would allow for the indefinite extension of temporary employment contracts.
Other unions expected to participate in the demonstration include the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association and the Cambodian Labour Confederation. Demonstrators said they will gather at Wat Botum at 8:30am that morning and - in addition to the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly - will visit the site near Wat Lanka where labour leader Chea Vichea was assassinated in 2004.
Also on May 1, the pro-government Cambodian Union Federation will lead a group of 3,200 garment workers to Universal Apparel, a garment factory in Dangkor district. Chuon Mom Thol, the head of the union, said the purpose of the gathering was twofold: to discourage workers from striking and to make sure they have a "fun time".
Written by Kay Kimsong and Sam Rith
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Prime Minister Hun Sen is set to announce he supports demands by unions to establish court as protests planned for Intl Labour Day
Photo by: Tracey SheltonWorkers protesting outside a garment factory in Takhmao. Labour unions say about 3,000 workers will show up for a May 1 demonstration at the National Assembly. PRIME Minister Hun Sen said the government would be willing to cooperate with union workers and NGOs to establish a labour court, a demand that unions have been making for years, according to a transcript of a message that is to be read aloud on television station TVK on Friday, International Labour Day.
"A labour court should be created by all relevant parties, including the government, unions and relevant NGOs," the message reads.
The message, dated April 20, does not specify a deadline by which Hun Sen wants a labour court to be established. It does include a call for a working group that would bring together "relevant parties" to reach an agreement on the make-up and jurisdiction of such a court.
The establishment of a labour court is one of the demands that union leaders plan to list in a petition to be filed at both the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly during a demonstration on May 1.
Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU), told the Post on Monday that he expected 3,000 garment and construction workers to attend the demonstration, adding that he had no plans to ask the government for permission to convene it.
But Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Pa Socheatvong said City Hall would not allow the gathering to take place unless union representatives obtain approval.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have no objection to the meeting or to a parade of workers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Workers who want to express their ideas in public on [May 1] need to do so in accordance with the law, meaning they need to get permission from the Phnom Penh Municipality in advance," he said.
He added, "We have no objection to the meeting or to a parade of workers in public on International Labour Day, but they have to ask for permission first."
Sok Sovandeith, president of the Cambodia National Federation of Building and Wood Workers, said he would participate in Friday's demonstration in order to push for the establishment of a labour court and to encourage the government to provide assistance to workers who have lost their jobs.
He said the establishment of a labour court was of particular importance for construction workers.
"Being construction workers, we always lose when we challenge employers in civil court," he said.
He said some 30,000 out of 100,000 construction workers nationwide had lost their jobs since the onset of the downturn.
Chea Mony said he also planned to speak about the effects of the downturn, and how it had exposed workers to unfair treatment at the hands of employers. He said he would also address the proposed amendments to Articles 67 and 73 of the 1997 Labour Law, which govern contract durations.
Union leaders have repeatedly spoken out against the amendments, which they say would allow for the indefinite extension of temporary employment contracts.
Other unions expected to participate in the demonstration include the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association and the Cambodian Labour Confederation. Demonstrators said they will gather at Wat Botum at 8:30am that morning and - in addition to the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly - will visit the site near Wat Lanka where labour leader Chea Vichea was assassinated in 2004.
Also on May 1, the pro-government Cambodian Union Federation will lead a group of 3,200 garment workers to Universal Apparel, a garment factory in Dangkor district. Chuon Mom Thol, the head of the union, said the purpose of the gathering was twofold: to discourage workers from striking and to make sure they have a "fun time".
Pailin villagers 'forced' to join army, rights group claims
Pailin villagers 'forced' to join army, rights group claims
The Phnom Penh Post
Written by Mom Kunthear and Chhran Chamroeun
Monday, 27 April 2009
Families in Pailin claim more than 30 villagers who moved to Preah Vihear for construction jobs were ‘forced’ into military service
OUT OF TOUCH
Neth Yoeun, 48, the father of a 17-year-old boy who left Pailin to go to Preah Vihear, said he had not been in touch with his son and did not know where he was. “He has never contacted me,” he said, adding that he wanted the military police to invervene. MORE than 30 villagers from Pailin province were "forced" into joining the army in Preah Vihear province after having been told to move there to take construction jobs, said Cambodian rights group Adhoc.
The villagers were said to have been encouraged by the chief of Baysey village, Him Heoun, to travel on April 20 to Preah Vihear province, where he said they would be able to find employment as construction workers.
Him Heoun "announced to all the villagers last week that they should work in Preah Vihear and he will give them land on which they could live and farm," said Chhoun Makara, Adhoc's provincial coordinator in Pailin. "There are many people who volunteered to go with him, and when they arrived, they were forced into the army."
Chhoun Makara said the case was brought to his attention by the families of the men and women who travelled to Preah Vihear. He said he did not know how exactly the men were "forced" into military service, as he had not yet been in touch with the appropriate officials.
Nong Vanny, bureaucratic chief of research for the Military Police, told the Post on Sunday that he had received a complaint on Friday from parents who claimed that their two sons - aged 14 and 17 - "were cheated by the village chief to work as construction workers but then were forced to be soldiers at Preah Vihear".
He said he had not yet been able to verify the parents' claims.
Attempts to reach Him Heoun were unsuccessful on Sunday.
The Phnom Penh Post
Written by Mom Kunthear and Chhran Chamroeun
Monday, 27 April 2009
Families in Pailin claim more than 30 villagers who moved to Preah Vihear for construction jobs were ‘forced’ into military service
OUT OF TOUCH
Neth Yoeun, 48, the father of a 17-year-old boy who left Pailin to go to Preah Vihear, said he had not been in touch with his son and did not know where he was. “He has never contacted me,” he said, adding that he wanted the military police to invervene. MORE than 30 villagers from Pailin province were "forced" into joining the army in Preah Vihear province after having been told to move there to take construction jobs, said Cambodian rights group Adhoc.
The villagers were said to have been encouraged by the chief of Baysey village, Him Heoun, to travel on April 20 to Preah Vihear province, where he said they would be able to find employment as construction workers.
Him Heoun "announced to all the villagers last week that they should work in Preah Vihear and he will give them land on which they could live and farm," said Chhoun Makara, Adhoc's provincial coordinator in Pailin. "There are many people who volunteered to go with him, and when they arrived, they were forced into the army."
Chhoun Makara said the case was brought to his attention by the families of the men and women who travelled to Preah Vihear. He said he did not know how exactly the men were "forced" into military service, as he had not yet been in touch with the appropriate officials.
Nong Vanny, bureaucratic chief of research for the Military Police, told the Post on Sunday that he had received a complaint on Friday from parents who claimed that their two sons - aged 14 and 17 - "were cheated by the village chief to work as construction workers but then were forced to be soldiers at Preah Vihear".
He said he had not yet been able to verify the parents' claims.
Attempts to reach Him Heoun were unsuccessful on Sunday.
Thais to seek reduction in soldiers at Preah Vihear
Thais to seek reduction in soldiers at Preah Vihear
By: WASSANA NANUAM and MANOP THIP-OSOD
Published: 28/04/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Thailand will propose a further cut in troop numbers in the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple in talks starting today with Cambodian military leaders.
Second Army chief Wibulsak Neepal said the move was needed to reduce the risk of clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the 4.6 sq km area claimed by the two countries.
"The reduction should be done step by step, starting at Wat Kaew Khiri Sikha Sawara before expanding to other areas in the overlapping zone," Lt Gen Wibulsak said.
Thailand will ask Cambodia to stop the building of a road to the 11th century temple as it passes through land where sovereignty has not been settled.
An army source said Thailand had about 2,000 soldiers in the disputed area and Cambodia had up to 4,000 troops. Thailand claims the area is part of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Cambodia insists it belongs to Preah Vihear province.
The issue will be discussed at the two-day General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Siem Reap. The Thai side is led by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh leads the Cambodian delegation. All Thai armed forces leaders and the supreme commander will accompany Gen Prawit to the meeting.
Thailand will seek cooperation from Cambodia in keeping an eye out for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after reports he had been staying in Koh Kong and Phnom Penh.
Thai intelligence reports claim Thaksin flew in his private jet to Phnom Penh and stayed at the home of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The former premier also led Arab businessmen to explore business opportunities in Koh Kong.
The GBC meeting was earlier postponed due to border clashes and the need for parliament's approval on the framework for the military leaders to hold discussions with their Cambodian counterparts.
The MPs and senators yesterday approved the framework for negotiations with 295 parliament members supporting it and two opposing.
A parliamentary source said the framework covered three main areas: border demarcation, security cooperation along the border with Cambodia and other collaboration such as tourism, trade and health.
The source said the meeting was concerned about the delay in settling the disputed area and overlapping waters in the Gulf of Thailand because they were linked to political problems in Thailand.
By: WASSANA NANUAM and MANOP THIP-OSOD
Published: 28/04/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Thailand will propose a further cut in troop numbers in the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple in talks starting today with Cambodian military leaders.
Second Army chief Wibulsak Neepal said the move was needed to reduce the risk of clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the 4.6 sq km area claimed by the two countries.
"The reduction should be done step by step, starting at Wat Kaew Khiri Sikha Sawara before expanding to other areas in the overlapping zone," Lt Gen Wibulsak said.
Thailand will ask Cambodia to stop the building of a road to the 11th century temple as it passes through land where sovereignty has not been settled.
An army source said Thailand had about 2,000 soldiers in the disputed area and Cambodia had up to 4,000 troops. Thailand claims the area is part of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Cambodia insists it belongs to Preah Vihear province.
The issue will be discussed at the two-day General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Siem Reap. The Thai side is led by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh leads the Cambodian delegation. All Thai armed forces leaders and the supreme commander will accompany Gen Prawit to the meeting.
Thailand will seek cooperation from Cambodia in keeping an eye out for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after reports he had been staying in Koh Kong and Phnom Penh.
Thai intelligence reports claim Thaksin flew in his private jet to Phnom Penh and stayed at the home of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The former premier also led Arab businessmen to explore business opportunities in Koh Kong.
The GBC meeting was earlier postponed due to border clashes and the need for parliament's approval on the framework for the military leaders to hold discussions with their Cambodian counterparts.
The MPs and senators yesterday approved the framework for negotiations with 295 parliament members supporting it and two opposing.
A parliamentary source said the framework covered three main areas: border demarcation, security cooperation along the border with Cambodia and other collaboration such as tourism, trade and health.
The source said the meeting was concerned about the delay in settling the disputed area and overlapping waters in the Gulf of Thailand because they were linked to political problems in Thailand.
Crackdown in Siem Reap
Crackdown in Siem Reap
Written by Vincent MacIsaac
Monday, 27 April 2009
The rule of law goes by the board for Cambodia's land sharks
Video footage of an allegedly unprovoked attack by police on unarmed farmers in Siem Reap last month has sparked outrage in Cambodia because of what it showed and because the reaction from the national government sent another strong signal that state officials and those connected to them can violate laws with impunity, human rights groups say.
"Unless action is taken to defuse the tense land situation in the country, sadly there will likely be more shootings such as occurred in Chi Kreng [district, Siem Reap]," said Kek Galabru, president of to the Cambodian League for the Promotion of Human Rights (Licadho).
"Real action must be taken to address Cambodia's land crisis and to ensure that authorities do use violence against innocent villagers who are merely trying hold on their land," she said.
According to the monitoring department of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc) the number of forced evictions in Cambodia is rising and land disputes are becoming more violent despite the free fall in land prices that began in the middle of last year and more frequent and fiery warnings from Prime Minister Hun Sen that any state officials involved in illegal land deals, no matter how high their rank, will be severely punished.
Moreover, the border conflict with Thailand and the subsequent build up of troops on the Cambodian side has increased land grabbing by the military as well as illegal logging in protected forests along the border, environmentalists and human rights investigators warn.
The Siem Reap farmers are the victims of both land grabbing and state-sanctioned violence, human rights groups say. At the root of the incident is a five-year dispute that escalated last December when two community leaders and one journalist were arrested following a court complaint from two businessmen who the farmers allege illegally obtained and then resold titles to 92 hectares of land they had been farming since, in some cases, 1982. In January farmers surrounded the provincial courthouse for 17 days to demand the release of the three.
It escalated further last month when a joint task force of about 100 police and military personnel opened fire on the farmers. The video of the crackdown almost never made it out of the rural pagoda where it was first shown, according to Buddhist monk Sovath Loun, who transmitted it to human rights groups in Phnom Penh via cell phone.
Sovath Loun, whose older brother and nephew were shot and wounded during the March 22 crackdown, said that at one point during his negotiations with district police over the incident, he was warned that if he didn't turn over his videos and photographs, the military might storm his pagoda in Chi Kreng district to seize them. The pagoda is located about 30 kilometers from Angkor Wat, the country's top tourist destination.
One video, which the monk obtained from a farmer who hid his video-equipped cellphone under his hat, suggests that the signal to begin shooting came from the deputy district police chief, and clearly identifies another officer who allegedly wounded two farmers after he opened fire with his AK47, according to the Cambodian League for the Promotion of Human Rights (Licadho). www.licadho-cambodia.org
The footage contradicts government claims that the police were acting in self defense, the league says, and it is calling for the prosecution of those who shot four farmers as well as the release of nine others subsequently jailed on charges of assault and attempted theft (of the rice they had planted).
"This was extremely serious violence against villagers committed by government armed forces, and it demands a strong response by the government. The police and other officials who committed this violence must be punished," Licadho said.
The province's governor, Mr. Sou Phirin, pledged to personally resolve the dispute following the protest at the provincial court, but his attempt at reconciliation aggravated it. He proposed that the businessmen be given the rice and farmers who had planted it be compensated by being paid for their seeds, according to the Adhoc report, which also said the governor's attempt at reconciling the two sides was marred by open hostility towards the farmers and their lawyer, whom he cursed at during the negotiations.
When the farmers declined the governor's solution, the police and military were called in to enforce it, human rights investigators say. The video from the farmer shows a stand-off in which the farmers refuse to leave the land, despite the presence of about 100 police and soldiers. The shooting started at about 9.30am, according to farmers who later fled to Phnom Penh.
Sovath Loun's videos and scores of photographs include the aftermath as well as extremely graphic footage and photos from the hospital, including close ups of gaping wounds and doctors trying to treat them, as well as bleeding farmers beaten unconscious and tied together in rows. His videos and photos provide an extremely rare and detailed look into what many have been warning for years is, among other things, a grave threat to stability in Cambodia: the government's alleged complicity in allowing, and in some cases assisting, those in positions of power to steal land from the poor.
The 30-year-old monk first showed the videos to about 20 monks, nuns and laypersons at Vat Sleng Pagoda a week after the crackdown. The day after the first of several police officers paid a visit. The low-ranking officer had been instructed by the district chief of police to find out how many VCDs had been made and to take them, Sovath Loun said. "I asked the officer, ‘what law did I break?"
He broke the silence that ensued by enquiring further, "Do you want to borrow it or do you want to take it?"
"If you want to borrow it you can, but if you want to take it you can't," he continued. If the officer was devout he would be aware it would be a severe transgression to lie to a monk, while if he was merely superstitious he could be frightened into believing that a lie to a venerable monk in pagoda might be an invitation to bad luck for him and his family, he said.
The officer opted to relay the choice to his superiors. Over the next few days more officers and district officials visited him at the pagoda and the hospital where he was tending his brother and nephew. They told him to stop taking photos, turn over his VCD and sign a letter pledging not to disseminate the images, Sovath Loun said. He replied by telling them they could have the VCD if they signed a letter promising to resolve the land dispute and bring those who shot the farmers to justice.
During a second visit by police to his pagoda an officer warned him that if he kept the VCD he might have to deal with the military. Sovath Loun quoted the officer as saying: "The military might attack the pagoda to seize it."
On the third visit the monk turned over his VCD, but by this time he had already distributed about 100 copies throughout surrounding villages and widely transmitted the video of the crackdown taken by the farmer via his cell phone. This video ended up at human rights organizations based in Phnom Penh and on the internet (http://hub.witness.org/en/upload/shooting-chi-kreng-siem-reap-v2).
On April 2, Sovath Loun left his pagoda for Phnom Penh. "My heart was too heavy to remain in Siem Reap. I came here to try to regain my peace of mind," he explained at Ounalum Pagoda. The pagoda, which was founded in 1443, is the headquarters of the Cambodian Buddhism and has been experiencing a steady rebirth following its desecration by the Khmer Rouge.
Sovath Loun said his attempt to regain his peace of mind at the pagoda became more difficult after an advisor to the Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia's Buddhists, a layman and official from the Ministry of Cults and Religion, arrived at the pagoda on April 10 in a silver Lexus and told him to order the about 100 farmers from his district who had sought refuge with him to return to Siem Reap on April 10.
He described the ultimatum as being inspired by politics rather than the teachings of Buddha. "The order came from the government," he said.
During their 30 minute conversation, he tried to explain to the advisor that his claim that the farmers were "disturbing the pagoda" was illusory. "I kept telling him that no monks had complained while the farmers stayed at the pagoda. Instead, we gave them food and blessings. We felt great sorrow for them."
The government advisor, whom the monk described as "aggressive", could not be swayed, and after he drove off in his silver Lexus Sovath Loun had to tell the panicked farmers to leave the pagoda and return to Siem Reap. By midafternoon all but four had left. Monks paid for those who could not afford tickets, he said.
The four who remain in Phnom Penh, identified by Siem Reap police as leaders of the group, are in hiding at a "safe house". They fear they will either be shot or arrested if they return to their villages, one said by telephone. Police are searching house to house in their villages for them, Chan Soveth, an investigator with Adhoc said. The disputed farmland is now under guard by armed police and soldiers, he added.
"There is no truth in [state-run] media," Sovath Loun said, explaining his motivation for compiling and disseminating the videos. "Soldiers and police have guns for protecting people not shooting them," he added before beginning his evening meditation on April 12.
Within a week, however, he had also left the pagoda, according to venerable monk Thaich Chhorn, who kept a written diary of the protests by the Siem Reap farmers in Phnom Penh . Thaich Chhorn said Sovath Loun, who is also a painter, left the pagoda to paint murals on the inner walls of another one in the countryside.
Written by Vincent MacIsaac
Monday, 27 April 2009
The rule of law goes by the board for Cambodia's land sharks
Video footage of an allegedly unprovoked attack by police on unarmed farmers in Siem Reap last month has sparked outrage in Cambodia because of what it showed and because the reaction from the national government sent another strong signal that state officials and those connected to them can violate laws with impunity, human rights groups say.
"Unless action is taken to defuse the tense land situation in the country, sadly there will likely be more shootings such as occurred in Chi Kreng [district, Siem Reap]," said Kek Galabru, president of to the Cambodian League for the Promotion of Human Rights (Licadho).
"Real action must be taken to address Cambodia's land crisis and to ensure that authorities do use violence against innocent villagers who are merely trying hold on their land," she said.
According to the monitoring department of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc) the number of forced evictions in Cambodia is rising and land disputes are becoming more violent despite the free fall in land prices that began in the middle of last year and more frequent and fiery warnings from Prime Minister Hun Sen that any state officials involved in illegal land deals, no matter how high their rank, will be severely punished.
Moreover, the border conflict with Thailand and the subsequent build up of troops on the Cambodian side has increased land grabbing by the military as well as illegal logging in protected forests along the border, environmentalists and human rights investigators warn.
The Siem Reap farmers are the victims of both land grabbing and state-sanctioned violence, human rights groups say. At the root of the incident is a five-year dispute that escalated last December when two community leaders and one journalist were arrested following a court complaint from two businessmen who the farmers allege illegally obtained and then resold titles to 92 hectares of land they had been farming since, in some cases, 1982. In January farmers surrounded the provincial courthouse for 17 days to demand the release of the three.
It escalated further last month when a joint task force of about 100 police and military personnel opened fire on the farmers. The video of the crackdown almost never made it out of the rural pagoda where it was first shown, according to Buddhist monk Sovath Loun, who transmitted it to human rights groups in Phnom Penh via cell phone.
Sovath Loun, whose older brother and nephew were shot and wounded during the March 22 crackdown, said that at one point during his negotiations with district police over the incident, he was warned that if he didn't turn over his videos and photographs, the military might storm his pagoda in Chi Kreng district to seize them. The pagoda is located about 30 kilometers from Angkor Wat, the country's top tourist destination.
One video, which the monk obtained from a farmer who hid his video-equipped cellphone under his hat, suggests that the signal to begin shooting came from the deputy district police chief, and clearly identifies another officer who allegedly wounded two farmers after he opened fire with his AK47, according to the Cambodian League for the Promotion of Human Rights (Licadho). www.licadho-cambodia.org
The footage contradicts government claims that the police were acting in self defense, the league says, and it is calling for the prosecution of those who shot four farmers as well as the release of nine others subsequently jailed on charges of assault and attempted theft (of the rice they had planted).
"This was extremely serious violence against villagers committed by government armed forces, and it demands a strong response by the government. The police and other officials who committed this violence must be punished," Licadho said.
The province's governor, Mr. Sou Phirin, pledged to personally resolve the dispute following the protest at the provincial court, but his attempt at reconciliation aggravated it. He proposed that the businessmen be given the rice and farmers who had planted it be compensated by being paid for their seeds, according to the Adhoc report, which also said the governor's attempt at reconciling the two sides was marred by open hostility towards the farmers and their lawyer, whom he cursed at during the negotiations.
When the farmers declined the governor's solution, the police and military were called in to enforce it, human rights investigators say. The video from the farmer shows a stand-off in which the farmers refuse to leave the land, despite the presence of about 100 police and soldiers. The shooting started at about 9.30am, according to farmers who later fled to Phnom Penh.
Sovath Loun's videos and scores of photographs include the aftermath as well as extremely graphic footage and photos from the hospital, including close ups of gaping wounds and doctors trying to treat them, as well as bleeding farmers beaten unconscious and tied together in rows. His videos and photos provide an extremely rare and detailed look into what many have been warning for years is, among other things, a grave threat to stability in Cambodia: the government's alleged complicity in allowing, and in some cases assisting, those in positions of power to steal land from the poor.
The 30-year-old monk first showed the videos to about 20 monks, nuns and laypersons at Vat Sleng Pagoda a week after the crackdown. The day after the first of several police officers paid a visit. The low-ranking officer had been instructed by the district chief of police to find out how many VCDs had been made and to take them, Sovath Loun said. "I asked the officer, ‘what law did I break?"
He broke the silence that ensued by enquiring further, "Do you want to borrow it or do you want to take it?"
"If you want to borrow it you can, but if you want to take it you can't," he continued. If the officer was devout he would be aware it would be a severe transgression to lie to a monk, while if he was merely superstitious he could be frightened into believing that a lie to a venerable monk in pagoda might be an invitation to bad luck for him and his family, he said.
The officer opted to relay the choice to his superiors. Over the next few days more officers and district officials visited him at the pagoda and the hospital where he was tending his brother and nephew. They told him to stop taking photos, turn over his VCD and sign a letter pledging not to disseminate the images, Sovath Loun said. He replied by telling them they could have the VCD if they signed a letter promising to resolve the land dispute and bring those who shot the farmers to justice.
During a second visit by police to his pagoda an officer warned him that if he kept the VCD he might have to deal with the military. Sovath Loun quoted the officer as saying: "The military might attack the pagoda to seize it."
On the third visit the monk turned over his VCD, but by this time he had already distributed about 100 copies throughout surrounding villages and widely transmitted the video of the crackdown taken by the farmer via his cell phone. This video ended up at human rights organizations based in Phnom Penh and on the internet (http://hub.witness.org/en/upload/shooting-chi-kreng-siem-reap-v2).
On April 2, Sovath Loun left his pagoda for Phnom Penh. "My heart was too heavy to remain in Siem Reap. I came here to try to regain my peace of mind," he explained at Ounalum Pagoda. The pagoda, which was founded in 1443, is the headquarters of the Cambodian Buddhism and has been experiencing a steady rebirth following its desecration by the Khmer Rouge.
Sovath Loun said his attempt to regain his peace of mind at the pagoda became more difficult after an advisor to the Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia's Buddhists, a layman and official from the Ministry of Cults and Religion, arrived at the pagoda on April 10 in a silver Lexus and told him to order the about 100 farmers from his district who had sought refuge with him to return to Siem Reap on April 10.
He described the ultimatum as being inspired by politics rather than the teachings of Buddha. "The order came from the government," he said.
During their 30 minute conversation, he tried to explain to the advisor that his claim that the farmers were "disturbing the pagoda" was illusory. "I kept telling him that no monks had complained while the farmers stayed at the pagoda. Instead, we gave them food and blessings. We felt great sorrow for them."
The government advisor, whom the monk described as "aggressive", could not be swayed, and after he drove off in his silver Lexus Sovath Loun had to tell the panicked farmers to leave the pagoda and return to Siem Reap. By midafternoon all but four had left. Monks paid for those who could not afford tickets, he said.
The four who remain in Phnom Penh, identified by Siem Reap police as leaders of the group, are in hiding at a "safe house". They fear they will either be shot or arrested if they return to their villages, one said by telephone. Police are searching house to house in their villages for them, Chan Soveth, an investigator with Adhoc said. The disputed farmland is now under guard by armed police and soldiers, he added.
"There is no truth in [state-run] media," Sovath Loun said, explaining his motivation for compiling and disseminating the videos. "Soldiers and police have guns for protecting people not shooting them," he added before beginning his evening meditation on April 12.
Within a week, however, he had also left the pagoda, according to venerable monk Thaich Chhorn, who kept a written diary of the protests by the Siem Reap farmers in Phnom Penh . Thaich Chhorn said Sovath Loun, who is also a painter, left the pagoda to paint murals on the inner walls of another one in the countryside.
ACT Rapid Response Payment: Preah Vihear Border Conflict, Cambodia 27 Apr
ACT Rapid Response Payment: Preah Vihear Border Conflict, Cambodia 27 Apr
2009 15:45:00 GMT
Source: Action by Churches Together (ACT) - Switzerland
Elisabeth Gouel
Website: http://www.act-intl.org
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
Rapid Response Payment Request No. 7/2009
Funds Sent To: Church World Service - Cambodia
Amount Sent: US$ 22,453
Date: 27 April 2009
Details of Response
Emergency: Preah Vihear Border Conflict
Date of Emergency: 24 April 2009
Implementing Member: Church World Service Cambodia with implementing partner, Kumnit Thmey (KNTO)
DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY:
On 3rd April, fighting was re-ignited on the Thai-Cambodia border near the mountain-top Preah Vihear Temple, which is escalating to other areas in the north of Cambodia. The temple and the 800 km. (500 mile) shared border have been the source of a long-standing dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.
Over 500 families have been displaced with numbers rising, reports ACT member Church World Service's Cambodia office. According to the Cambodian provincial authorities, over 520 displaced families (1,660 individuals) are currently taking shelter in a camp in Sa-Em village, about 20 kilometers from Preah Vihear. These displaced persons include 277 families from Prasat village whose houses were burned to the ground, and another 243 families from Kor Mouy village. Many of these families are vendors from a market located burned to the ground in the initial fighting. With military movements on both sides of the border, the populations of villages in neighboring districts are also fleeing the fighting.
CWS staff on the ground report that their rapid assessment of the situation for the most affected displaced families (as of April 13th) reveals urgent needs which include emergency shelter, food, non-food relief items, hygiene promotion, latrines and health services. Continuous rainfall in the IDP camp areas over the last few days has compounded the situation for people, especially those currently living out in the open. Other are using thatch or plastic sheeting as temporary cover.
The district governor has reported that due to insecurity caused by continuous conflict along the border, the daily lives of local population are being severely disrupted and their resilience weakened. Eighteen (18) school-age children are without schooling, and a food shortfall is expected in about two weeks time, especially impacting on women and children. CWS is currently conducting a further assessment of the situation.
ACTIONS TO DATE, AND EMERGENCY NEEDS:
The following assistance by other Organizations/Departments to these border conflict IDPs is reported by CWS as follows:
- Cambodian Red Cross distribution to 520 families on 07 April 2009- 1 family received 25kg of rice, 10 packs of instant noodle, 10 cans of canned fish, 5 plates, 2 soup plates, 2 cooking pans, 5 spoons. Food relief to cover a 2 month period.
- Oxfam GB distribution to 277 families from Prasat village- plastic sheets (temporary shelter)
- Provincial Department of Health distribution of 200 mosquito nets to 200 families from Prasat Village on 04 April 2009
- Provincial Department of Social Affairs distributed 400kg of rice to those who are from Prasat Village and 100kg of rice for those who are from Kor Muoy Village.
Assistance currently being planned by CWS response complements assistance already provided by other organizations and government authorities. However, the rapid analysis found that there is a shortage of food and clean water and urgent support is needed in the next two weeks:
- Food shortage: A family, that has 5 members as an average, consumes about 1.5kg rice/day. Based on this calculation, all the 520 families will challenge with the food shortage in next week and next few weeks. Currently, there are only about 5% of men in the camp are able to make some income by selling their labor nearby.
- Lack of shelter: Insufficient space for settling in the roof of the under construction local market. Only 200 tents were distributed by OXFAM and most of those use it to cover the ground and sleeping on it.
- No water store: Water is enough but all families do not have water container to store water for domestic use.
- Unclean/unsafe water: Water which people use for drinking (without boiling), cooking and personal use is strongly contaminated by iron and lime.
- Malnutrition: Malnutrition of about 286 children and mothers will probably face with malnutrition from time to time.
- Access to health services: There is only 1 medical doctor in the camp. Approximately 20 patients visit the doctor every day. 2 women were reported had delivered their baby with that doctor recently. There is no separate medicine for adult and children. A functional Health Center located about 2km from the camp and would cost US$2.5 to visit one time; and that cost is completely not affordable by most of the IDP. Fever, cold, vomitting and diarrhea are reported the most met diseases.
- Human waste management: There is only 1 toilet is there. Very small amount of the IDP at the edge nearby that toilet uses it. The rest including children, women, men, disable and so on do open defecation.
PROPOSED EMERGENCY RESPONSE
OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
To assist IDPs arising out of conflict between Cambodia and Thailand along the border area with immediate food and non-food needs.
TARGET POPULATIONS: 520 displaced families. (For breakdown, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)
PROPOSED ASSISTANCE:
Provision of food:
- 15,600 kg of rice plus some other cooking ingredients such as oil, salt, fish source, soya source and canned fish will be required in the coming few weeks. With that amount of food items, people will be fed from 1 to 2 months (depending on family size).
- Basic package per family will be:
Rice: 30 kg
Vegetable oil: 0.5 liter
Salt: 2 kg
Fish source: 1 bottle
Soya source: 1 bottle
Canned fish: 10 can
Provision of non-food item (need description):
- 320 tent (plastic sheet), 661 mosquito nets, 520 water containers, 520 ceramic water filters are required.
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS:
KNTO is a local NGO that was founded on April 24, 2001, in which there were 5 founders, including 2 females. Presently, KNTO has 8 staff with 4 females. In February 2002, KNTO became full partner of CWS in implementing Integrated Community Development in 18 villages in Banteay Meanchey and Odor Meanchey provinces focus on SHGs, health emergency assistance, agriculture, capacity building for existing groups and villages. Development committee supports and cooperates with commune councils and help upgrade the living conditions of the poorest. Fund for the same program is continued every year by CWS Cambodia until present.
For the implementation of this emergency response in the north-west provinces, CWS and KNTO have conducted a joined assessment and implementation.
For the response of Sa-Em IDP camp, CWS will directly implement by coordinating with Cambodian Red Cross and district local authority. CWS will:
- Conduct meeting with district CRC and commune leader to clarify role and responsibilities among them and CWS's ERP team, before starting to re-do survey.
- CWS ERP staff Coordinate with district CRC, community leader and village leaders in the three villages to verify the existing beneficiaries list, through direct re-survey with the people in the camp village by village.
- Agreeing on the plan for providing assistant support to the victims by producing the coupon before providing assistant support.
- Conduct quotation to purchase food and non food items for providing to the victims.
COORDINATION:
Most of NGOs or UN Agencies provide their assistance through Cambodian Red Cross and its Provincial Office. CWS considers also using that structure to assist IDP in cooperation with the Red Cross and Provincial Committee for Disaster Management as well as the local authority. Other NGOs and ACT members in Cambodia were contacted to ensure that the emergency response is properly coordinated and that duplication in supplying relief goods is avoided. The initial outcome of the coordination is:
- UNICEF is looking to deliver water container or water filter through Red Cross. But the Provincial Red Cross does not have any plan yet with UNICEF.
- Caritas had done an initial assessment but implementation is unclear.
COMMUNICATIONS:
CWS Cambodia's disaster team is working closely with its Communication Office. All the information along with the pictures will be shared with Communication Office for making up-dates on the flood affected areas. These up-dates will be shared with the donor communities as well as with UN clusters and rest of the international community. Communication Office will accompany program staff at the time of the distribution, and then will release media briefs. Communication Office will upload the information on CWS website. In addition; there will be a constant sharing of information with ACT Communication Office for transparency and accountability.
CWS Cambodia will ensure to have a logo on non-food items and also will introduce ACT and CWS in the community beneficiaries meetings. Visibility actions will be taken whenever deemed possible.
Planned Implementation Period:
Activities / Time frame
Appointment with district CRC and commune leader about the coordination / April 24
Meeting with district CRC and commune leader to clarify role and responsibilities among them and CWS's ERP team, before starting to re-do survey / April 27
CWS ERP staff Coordinate with district CRC, commune leader and village leaders in the three villages to verify the existing beneficiaries list, through direct re-survey with the people in the camp village by village / April 27-28
Agreeing on the plan for providing assistant support to the victims by producing the coupon before providing assistant support / April 29
Conduct quotation analysis before purchase food and non food items for providing to the victims for the first priority / April 30
Start first assistant - distribution support to the victims / May 7
Start second assistant - distribution support to the victim / May 28
BUDGET: US$ 22,453 (For the detailed budget, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)
ACTION
The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 22,453 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.
(ends)
ACT is a global alliance of Churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
2009 15:45:00 GMT
Source: Action by Churches Together (ACT) - Switzerland
Elisabeth Gouel
Website: http://www.act-intl.org
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
Rapid Response Payment Request No. 7/2009
Funds Sent To: Church World Service - Cambodia
Amount Sent: US$ 22,453
Date: 27 April 2009
Details of Response
Emergency: Preah Vihear Border Conflict
Date of Emergency: 24 April 2009
Implementing Member: Church World Service Cambodia with implementing partner, Kumnit Thmey (KNTO)
DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY:
On 3rd April, fighting was re-ignited on the Thai-Cambodia border near the mountain-top Preah Vihear Temple, which is escalating to other areas in the north of Cambodia. The temple and the 800 km. (500 mile) shared border have been the source of a long-standing dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.
Over 500 families have been displaced with numbers rising, reports ACT member Church World Service's Cambodia office. According to the Cambodian provincial authorities, over 520 displaced families (1,660 individuals) are currently taking shelter in a camp in Sa-Em village, about 20 kilometers from Preah Vihear. These displaced persons include 277 families from Prasat village whose houses were burned to the ground, and another 243 families from Kor Mouy village. Many of these families are vendors from a market located burned to the ground in the initial fighting. With military movements on both sides of the border, the populations of villages in neighboring districts are also fleeing the fighting.
CWS staff on the ground report that their rapid assessment of the situation for the most affected displaced families (as of April 13th) reveals urgent needs which include emergency shelter, food, non-food relief items, hygiene promotion, latrines and health services. Continuous rainfall in the IDP camp areas over the last few days has compounded the situation for people, especially those currently living out in the open. Other are using thatch or plastic sheeting as temporary cover.
The district governor has reported that due to insecurity caused by continuous conflict along the border, the daily lives of local population are being severely disrupted and their resilience weakened. Eighteen (18) school-age children are without schooling, and a food shortfall is expected in about two weeks time, especially impacting on women and children. CWS is currently conducting a further assessment of the situation.
ACTIONS TO DATE, AND EMERGENCY NEEDS:
The following assistance by other Organizations/Departments to these border conflict IDPs is reported by CWS as follows:
- Cambodian Red Cross distribution to 520 families on 07 April 2009- 1 family received 25kg of rice, 10 packs of instant noodle, 10 cans of canned fish, 5 plates, 2 soup plates, 2 cooking pans, 5 spoons. Food relief to cover a 2 month period.
- Oxfam GB distribution to 277 families from Prasat village- plastic sheets (temporary shelter)
- Provincial Department of Health distribution of 200 mosquito nets to 200 families from Prasat Village on 04 April 2009
- Provincial Department of Social Affairs distributed 400kg of rice to those who are from Prasat Village and 100kg of rice for those who are from Kor Muoy Village.
Assistance currently being planned by CWS response complements assistance already provided by other organizations and government authorities. However, the rapid analysis found that there is a shortage of food and clean water and urgent support is needed in the next two weeks:
- Food shortage: A family, that has 5 members as an average, consumes about 1.5kg rice/day. Based on this calculation, all the 520 families will challenge with the food shortage in next week and next few weeks. Currently, there are only about 5% of men in the camp are able to make some income by selling their labor nearby.
- Lack of shelter: Insufficient space for settling in the roof of the under construction local market. Only 200 tents were distributed by OXFAM and most of those use it to cover the ground and sleeping on it.
- No water store: Water is enough but all families do not have water container to store water for domestic use.
- Unclean/unsafe water: Water which people use for drinking (without boiling), cooking and personal use is strongly contaminated by iron and lime.
- Malnutrition: Malnutrition of about 286 children and mothers will probably face with malnutrition from time to time.
- Access to health services: There is only 1 medical doctor in the camp. Approximately 20 patients visit the doctor every day. 2 women were reported had delivered their baby with that doctor recently. There is no separate medicine for adult and children. A functional Health Center located about 2km from the camp and would cost US$2.5 to visit one time; and that cost is completely not affordable by most of the IDP. Fever, cold, vomitting and diarrhea are reported the most met diseases.
- Human waste management: There is only 1 toilet is there. Very small amount of the IDP at the edge nearby that toilet uses it. The rest including children, women, men, disable and so on do open defecation.
PROPOSED EMERGENCY RESPONSE
OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
To assist IDPs arising out of conflict between Cambodia and Thailand along the border area with immediate food and non-food needs.
TARGET POPULATIONS: 520 displaced families. (For breakdown, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)
PROPOSED ASSISTANCE:
Provision of food:
- 15,600 kg of rice plus some other cooking ingredients such as oil, salt, fish source, soya source and canned fish will be required in the coming few weeks. With that amount of food items, people will be fed from 1 to 2 months (depending on family size).
- Basic package per family will be:
Rice: 30 kg
Vegetable oil: 0.5 liter
Salt: 2 kg
Fish source: 1 bottle
Soya source: 1 bottle
Canned fish: 10 can
Provision of non-food item (need description):
- 320 tent (plastic sheet), 661 mosquito nets, 520 water containers, 520 ceramic water filters are required.
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS:
KNTO is a local NGO that was founded on April 24, 2001, in which there were 5 founders, including 2 females. Presently, KNTO has 8 staff with 4 females. In February 2002, KNTO became full partner of CWS in implementing Integrated Community Development in 18 villages in Banteay Meanchey and Odor Meanchey provinces focus on SHGs, health emergency assistance, agriculture, capacity building for existing groups and villages. Development committee supports and cooperates with commune councils and help upgrade the living conditions of the poorest. Fund for the same program is continued every year by CWS Cambodia until present.
For the implementation of this emergency response in the north-west provinces, CWS and KNTO have conducted a joined assessment and implementation.
For the response of Sa-Em IDP camp, CWS will directly implement by coordinating with Cambodian Red Cross and district local authority. CWS will:
- Conduct meeting with district CRC and commune leader to clarify role and responsibilities among them and CWS's ERP team, before starting to re-do survey.
- CWS ERP staff Coordinate with district CRC, community leader and village leaders in the three villages to verify the existing beneficiaries list, through direct re-survey with the people in the camp village by village.
- Agreeing on the plan for providing assistant support to the victims by producing the coupon before providing assistant support.
- Conduct quotation to purchase food and non food items for providing to the victims.
COORDINATION:
Most of NGOs or UN Agencies provide their assistance through Cambodian Red Cross and its Provincial Office. CWS considers also using that structure to assist IDP in cooperation with the Red Cross and Provincial Committee for Disaster Management as well as the local authority. Other NGOs and ACT members in Cambodia were contacted to ensure that the emergency response is properly coordinated and that duplication in supplying relief goods is avoided. The initial outcome of the coordination is:
- UNICEF is looking to deliver water container or water filter through Red Cross. But the Provincial Red Cross does not have any plan yet with UNICEF.
- Caritas had done an initial assessment but implementation is unclear.
COMMUNICATIONS:
CWS Cambodia's disaster team is working closely with its Communication Office. All the information along with the pictures will be shared with Communication Office for making up-dates on the flood affected areas. These up-dates will be shared with the donor communities as well as with UN clusters and rest of the international community. Communication Office will accompany program staff at the time of the distribution, and then will release media briefs. Communication Office will upload the information on CWS website. In addition; there will be a constant sharing of information with ACT Communication Office for transparency and accountability.
CWS Cambodia will ensure to have a logo on non-food items and also will introduce ACT and CWS in the community beneficiaries meetings. Visibility actions will be taken whenever deemed possible.
Planned Implementation Period:
Activities / Time frame
Appointment with district CRC and commune leader about the coordination / April 24
Meeting with district CRC and commune leader to clarify role and responsibilities among them and CWS's ERP team, before starting to re-do survey / April 27
CWS ERP staff Coordinate with district CRC, commune leader and village leaders in the three villages to verify the existing beneficiaries list, through direct re-survey with the people in the camp village by village / April 27-28
Agreeing on the plan for providing assistant support to the victims by producing the coupon before providing assistant support / April 29
Conduct quotation analysis before purchase food and non food items for providing to the victims for the first priority / April 30
Start first assistant - distribution support to the victims / May 7
Start second assistant - distribution support to the victim / May 28
BUDGET: US$ 22,453 (For the detailed budget, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)
ACTION
The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 22,453 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.
(ends)
ACT is a global alliance of Churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Coalition of NGOs issues recommendations about situation of Human rights in Cambodia
Coalition of NGOs issues recommendations about situation of Human rights in Cambodia
By Ka-set
24-04-2009
The Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) announced on April 22 the drafting by a coalition of NGOs – coordinated by the Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) and assisted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) of a joint submission on freedom of expression and assembly in Cambodia to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, for inclusion for the purposes of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Cambodia’s Human Rights record. Those organisations wish their recommendations to be included in the document’s summary concerning the situation of Human rights in Cambodia.
The submission, summed up in a communiqué released by the AHRC, shows that the last four years have seen freedom of expression and assembly in Cambodia “seriously undermined”, with opinion restricted, parliamentarians silenced, the media controlled, access to information blocked, and assembly and public demonstration prevented, the organisation details.
Those NGOs elaborated a series of recommendations in their submission: inviting the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression to visit and assess the situation in Cambodia, working with other ASEAN member states to create an ASEAN Human Rights body in 2009, and decriminalise disinformation in the course of reforming the Criminal Law.
By Ka-set
24-04-2009
The Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) announced on April 22 the drafting by a coalition of NGOs – coordinated by the Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) and assisted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) of a joint submission on freedom of expression and assembly in Cambodia to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, for inclusion for the purposes of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Cambodia’s Human Rights record. Those organisations wish their recommendations to be included in the document’s summary concerning the situation of Human rights in Cambodia.
The submission, summed up in a communiqué released by the AHRC, shows that the last four years have seen freedom of expression and assembly in Cambodia “seriously undermined”, with opinion restricted, parliamentarians silenced, the media controlled, access to information blocked, and assembly and public demonstration prevented, the organisation details.
Those NGOs elaborated a series of recommendations in their submission: inviting the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression to visit and assess the situation in Cambodia, working with other ASEAN member states to create an ASEAN Human Rights body in 2009, and decriminalise disinformation in the course of reforming the Criminal Law.
'Kingdom’s industries face credit crunch despite positive figures'
'Kingdom’s industries face credit crunch despite positive figures'
The Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009, 3:56 am Amman Time
By Omar Obeidat
AMMAN –– Around 90 per cent of the industrial sector in the Kingdom is encountering difficulties in obtaining credit facilities due to banks’ strict lending policies, according to Jordan Chamber of Industry Director General Zaki Ayoubi.
Ayoubi told The Jordan Times that although official figures show credit facilities to the industrial sector increasing in 2009, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to get loans.
“Many SMEs are complaining about the restrictions imposed by banks on credit facilities,” he said, adding that some companies are having difficulties funding their export operations.
According to Central Bank figures issued late last month, credit facilities to the industrial sector increased by JD26.6 million to JD1.62 billion during the first two months of 2009 compared with JD1.59 billion at the end of 2008.
“We are concerned that although loans to large companies may have increased, the number of loans to SMEs seems to have dropped,” Ayoubi explained, noting that the Kingdom’s SMEs employ around 200,000 workers.
Saed Abu Yahia, director of a medium-sized pharmaceutical manufacturing company, said that bank procedures nowadays take a long time when applying for loans.
He said that although his company, which employs 23 people and exports products worth JD2 million per year, might eventually get the same volume of loans if collaterals are secured, the application to be approved by banks, which used to take a few days, now takes weeks.
Ayoubi warned that banks’ strict lending measures may force some SMEs to close down because of financial deficits.
“There are successful small and medium companies in the market which should be supported by liquidity at this critical time due to the financial crisis,” he noted.
However, Dana Bayat, head of the Jordan Garments Accessories and Textiles Exports Association, said that even large companies in the textile sector are having difficulties obtaining loans.
There are limitations on the volume of lending facilities and on letters of credit, Bayat said, also pointing out the high interest rates on loans.
Jordanian exports during the first two months of 2009 increased by 7 per cent reaching JD608 million compared with JD569 million for the same period of 2008, according to official figures. But the figure, industrialists said, does not reflect the actual situation of the sector as details show several exporters stumbling.
Garment sector exports dropped by 19 per cent totalling JD96 million during the first two months of this year compared to JD119 million last year, while pharmaceutical sector exports dropped by 27 per cent from JD60 million to JD44 million.
The plummeting exports from these two industries, among others, were partially offset by a 200 per cent increase in phosphate exports.
26 April 2009
The Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009, 3:56 am Amman Time
By Omar Obeidat
AMMAN –– Around 90 per cent of the industrial sector in the Kingdom is encountering difficulties in obtaining credit facilities due to banks’ strict lending policies, according to Jordan Chamber of Industry Director General Zaki Ayoubi.Ayoubi told The Jordan Times that although official figures show credit facilities to the industrial sector increasing in 2009, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to get loans.
“Many SMEs are complaining about the restrictions imposed by banks on credit facilities,” he said, adding that some companies are having difficulties funding their export operations.
According to Central Bank figures issued late last month, credit facilities to the industrial sector increased by JD26.6 million to JD1.62 billion during the first two months of 2009 compared with JD1.59 billion at the end of 2008.
“We are concerned that although loans to large companies may have increased, the number of loans to SMEs seems to have dropped,” Ayoubi explained, noting that the Kingdom’s SMEs employ around 200,000 workers.
Saed Abu Yahia, director of a medium-sized pharmaceutical manufacturing company, said that bank procedures nowadays take a long time when applying for loans.
He said that although his company, which employs 23 people and exports products worth JD2 million per year, might eventually get the same volume of loans if collaterals are secured, the application to be approved by banks, which used to take a few days, now takes weeks.
Ayoubi warned that banks’ strict lending measures may force some SMEs to close down because of financial deficits.
“There are successful small and medium companies in the market which should be supported by liquidity at this critical time due to the financial crisis,” he noted.
However, Dana Bayat, head of the Jordan Garments Accessories and Textiles Exports Association, said that even large companies in the textile sector are having difficulties obtaining loans.
There are limitations on the volume of lending facilities and on letters of credit, Bayat said, also pointing out the high interest rates on loans.
Jordanian exports during the first two months of 2009 increased by 7 per cent reaching JD608 million compared with JD569 million for the same period of 2008, according to official figures. But the figure, industrialists said, does not reflect the actual situation of the sector as details show several exporters stumbling.
Garment sector exports dropped by 19 per cent totalling JD96 million during the first two months of this year compared to JD119 million last year, while pharmaceutical sector exports dropped by 27 per cent from JD60 million to JD44 million.
The plummeting exports from these two industries, among others, were partially offset by a 200 per cent increase in phosphate exports.
26 April 2009
27 April, 2009
Cambodia: East Asia has been hard-hit by the global economic slowdown
East Asian economies Under pressure
Apr 14th 2009
From Economist.com
East Asia has been hard-hit by the global economic slowdown
EAST ASIA was once one of the world economy's brightest regions. Some even reckoned that “decoupling” might allow the region to ride out the storm that began in rich-country financial markets. But the global economic crisis is hitting the East Asia hard. The World Bank's forecasts for economic growth have been downgraded steeply. Excluding China, which will announce first quarter GDP figures later this week, the bank now expects developing countries in the region to grow by 1.2% in 2009, down from an estimate of 4.8% in 2008. Some economies will even contract this year. The bank predicts that the GDP of Malaysia and Cambodia will shrink by 1% and Thailand’s economy will shrivel by 2.7%.
This is a return to earth with an alarming bump. In 2007 Cambodia’s economy expanded by 10.2% and Malaysia’s by 6.3%. Other economies will grow, but at nothing like the pace of recent years. China's economy is likely to expand by 6.5% in 2009 compared with 13% in 2007. The Philippines will see growth of 1.9% this year, compared with 7.2% in 2007.
The World Bank points out that most countries in East Asia were relatively well placed to withstand the financial turmoil that has swept through developed countries. This is partly a result of learning the lessons of a financial crisis of 1997-98, which originated in the region. They have used the decade since then to build up reserves of foreign currency and strengthen external balances (which, in part, helped to finance the West’s spendthrift ways and hasten the crisis). They have also reduced government debt and strengthened bank regulation.
However, some of these changes were aided by a boost in exports, both within the region and to the rest of the world. But heightened integration with global markets through trade has exposed the region to the effects of the recession in rich countries. This has led to a dramatic fall in exports that has battered regional economies. In fact, the World Bank reckons that the effects of the crisis have been more severe in countries most open to trade and whose exports are concentrated in particular industries such as electronics, garments and textiles.
The drop-off in trade has been dramatic the world over, but parts of East Asia have felt the pain more than most. In January, Taiwan and the Philippines saw the value of exports plummet by over 40% compared with a year earlier. Electronics, which account for a quarter to two-thirds of exports from most of the larger economies in the region, have been hard hit.
Poorer countries in the region, whose export sectors are dominated by garments and commodities, have been hurt badly too. Cambodia, the country most dependent on garments, endured a 31% fall in exports in January compared with a year ago. As the World Bank puts it, the region, which prospered through exporting, is now suffering for the same reason.
The collapse in exports is leading to a jobs crisis, though this is not necessarily reflected in official figures. Less-developed countries in the region have a greater share of employment in the informal export sector. This makes it harder to obtain reliable data. But reports suggest huge job losses. In Cambodia 50,000 garment workers, 17% of the workforce in the industry, have been laid off since September. In Vietnam, 100,000 garment workers lost their jobs in January and February. And in China some 2.7m garment industry job may have gone.
Years of rapid growth have allowed the richer countries in the region the room to use monetary and fiscal policy to contain the crisis. Some countries, notably China, Malaysia and South Korea, have announced substantial stimulus packages, including big spending on infrastructure. However, Indonesia and the Philippines have to rely more on tax cuts than on public spending, partly because “shovel-ready” projects are lacking. Monetary policy has been eased in all the countries of the region.
Some good news exists. The bank's assessment is that China’s fiscal stimulus (amounting to spending worth around 12% of GDP spread over two years) is beginning to take effect. The bank predicts that the Chinese economy will bottom out by the middle of the year. The fortunes of other economies in the region are tied up with those of China. Many export parts and components that are then assembled in China for re-export. But the Chinese stimulus package cannot hope to fix the problem of contracting demand for the region's output in the rest of the world. The bank points out that a more complete bounce back from the economic crisis still depends on a broader worldwide recovery.
Apr 14th 2009
From Economist.com
East Asia has been hard-hit by the global economic slowdown
EAST ASIA was once one of the world economy's brightest regions. Some even reckoned that “decoupling” might allow the region to ride out the storm that began in rich-country financial markets. But the global economic crisis is hitting the East Asia hard. The World Bank's forecasts for economic growth have been downgraded steeply. Excluding China, which will announce first quarter GDP figures later this week, the bank now expects developing countries in the region to grow by 1.2% in 2009, down from an estimate of 4.8% in 2008. Some economies will even contract this year. The bank predicts that the GDP of Malaysia and Cambodia will shrink by 1% and Thailand’s economy will shrivel by 2.7%.
This is a return to earth with an alarming bump. In 2007 Cambodia’s economy expanded by 10.2% and Malaysia’s by 6.3%. Other economies will grow, but at nothing like the pace of recent years. China's economy is likely to expand by 6.5% in 2009 compared with 13% in 2007. The Philippines will see growth of 1.9% this year, compared with 7.2% in 2007.
The World Bank points out that most countries in East Asia were relatively well placed to withstand the financial turmoil that has swept through developed countries. This is partly a result of learning the lessons of a financial crisis of 1997-98, which originated in the region. They have used the decade since then to build up reserves of foreign currency and strengthen external balances (which, in part, helped to finance the West’s spendthrift ways and hasten the crisis). They have also reduced government debt and strengthened bank regulation.
However, some of these changes were aided by a boost in exports, both within the region and to the rest of the world. But heightened integration with global markets through trade has exposed the region to the effects of the recession in rich countries. This has led to a dramatic fall in exports that has battered regional economies. In fact, the World Bank reckons that the effects of the crisis have been more severe in countries most open to trade and whose exports are concentrated in particular industries such as electronics, garments and textiles.
The drop-off in trade has been dramatic the world over, but parts of East Asia have felt the pain more than most. In January, Taiwan and the Philippines saw the value of exports plummet by over 40% compared with a year earlier. Electronics, which account for a quarter to two-thirds of exports from most of the larger economies in the region, have been hard hit.
Poorer countries in the region, whose export sectors are dominated by garments and commodities, have been hurt badly too. Cambodia, the country most dependent on garments, endured a 31% fall in exports in January compared with a year ago. As the World Bank puts it, the region, which prospered through exporting, is now suffering for the same reason.
The collapse in exports is leading to a jobs crisis, though this is not necessarily reflected in official figures. Less-developed countries in the region have a greater share of employment in the informal export sector. This makes it harder to obtain reliable data. But reports suggest huge job losses. In Cambodia 50,000 garment workers, 17% of the workforce in the industry, have been laid off since September. In Vietnam, 100,000 garment workers lost their jobs in January and February. And in China some 2.7m garment industry job may have gone.
Years of rapid growth have allowed the richer countries in the region the room to use monetary and fiscal policy to contain the crisis. Some countries, notably China, Malaysia and South Korea, have announced substantial stimulus packages, including big spending on infrastructure. However, Indonesia and the Philippines have to rely more on tax cuts than on public spending, partly because “shovel-ready” projects are lacking. Monetary policy has been eased in all the countries of the region.
Some good news exists. The bank's assessment is that China’s fiscal stimulus (amounting to spending worth around 12% of GDP spread over two years) is beginning to take effect. The bank predicts that the Chinese economy will bottom out by the middle of the year. The fortunes of other economies in the region are tied up with those of China. Many export parts and components that are then assembled in China for re-export. But the Chinese stimulus package cannot hope to fix the problem of contracting demand for the region's output in the rest of the world. The bank points out that a more complete bounce back from the economic crisis still depends on a broader worldwide recovery.
24 April, 2009
Labour Day: main trade unions of workers in Cambodia call for great gathering
Labour Day: main trade unions of workers in Cambodia call for great gathering
By Duong Sokha
Cambodia Ka-set
22-04-2009
Union leaders and members of the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) and of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) called citizens, civil servants, teachers, workers and employees to take part in the celebrations of the International Labour day, organised on the morning of May 1st outside the former premises of the national Assembly in Phnom Penh. The goal of unions is to pressure the Cambodian government into setting up as soon as possible a Labour Court in charge of solving labour conflicts and giving up the project about the amendment of Articles 67 and 73 of the Labour Code regarding work contracts, their duration and the conditions in which dismissals are carried out.
“We must put an end to discrimination in all the shapes it comes, against freedom of association and unions, and put an end to dismissals or illegal suspensions of workers' representatives. The government must take measures by asking companies who invest [in Cambodia] to put a deposit in a bank and pay for work compensations in the event of a factory closedown”, Ath Thun, president of the CLC, and Mann Senghak, secretary general of the FTUWKC, declared in a joint plea dated April 21st.
The list of claims of participants for the May 1st gathering will include the granting of the title of “workers' hero” to the late and former FTUWKC leader Chea Vichea shot dead by two strangers in broad daylight on January 22 2004, the erecting of a statue with his head, at the crime scene, located on the crossroads between Street 51 (Pasteur) and Sihanouk Boulevard, as well as the re-opening of the enquiry, with a view to arrest and bring to justice his murderers.
Finally, both trade unions intend to request that the government take measures in order to stimulate the labour market for workers, to improve working conditions in all fields, to develop irrigation in terms of quantity and quality and to help farmer find new job possibilities.
Reached by Ka-set on Wednesday April 22nd, Ath Thun said he expected some 3,000 people at this gathering. The procession will start off in front of the former premises of the National Assembly and will end in front of the newsstand, close to Wat Langka where Chea Vichea was murdered. Flower wreaths will be laid there, and the procession will then hand in to MPs a petition containing all the claims of the unions, he said.
By Duong Sokha
Cambodia Ka-set
22-04-2009
Union leaders and members of the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC) and of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) called citizens, civil servants, teachers, workers and employees to take part in the celebrations of the International Labour day, organised on the morning of May 1st outside the former premises of the national Assembly in Phnom Penh. The goal of unions is to pressure the Cambodian government into setting up as soon as possible a Labour Court in charge of solving labour conflicts and giving up the project about the amendment of Articles 67 and 73 of the Labour Code regarding work contracts, their duration and the conditions in which dismissals are carried out.
“We must put an end to discrimination in all the shapes it comes, against freedom of association and unions, and put an end to dismissals or illegal suspensions of workers' representatives. The government must take measures by asking companies who invest [in Cambodia] to put a deposit in a bank and pay for work compensations in the event of a factory closedown”, Ath Thun, president of the CLC, and Mann Senghak, secretary general of the FTUWKC, declared in a joint plea dated April 21st.
The list of claims of participants for the May 1st gathering will include the granting of the title of “workers' hero” to the late and former FTUWKC leader Chea Vichea shot dead by two strangers in broad daylight on January 22 2004, the erecting of a statue with his head, at the crime scene, located on the crossroads between Street 51 (Pasteur) and Sihanouk Boulevard, as well as the re-opening of the enquiry, with a view to arrest and bring to justice his murderers.
Finally, both trade unions intend to request that the government take measures in order to stimulate the labour market for workers, to improve working conditions in all fields, to develop irrigation in terms of quantity and quality and to help farmer find new job possibilities.
Reached by Ka-set on Wednesday April 22nd, Ath Thun said he expected some 3,000 people at this gathering. The procession will start off in front of the former premises of the National Assembly and will end in front of the newsstand, close to Wat Langka where Chea Vichea was murdered. Flower wreaths will be laid there, and the procession will then hand in to MPs a petition containing all the claims of the unions, he said.
Sam Rainsy Party – Human Rights Party: chronic of a fusion foretold
Sam Rainsy Party – Human Rights Party: chronic of a fusion foretold
By Duong Sokha
Cambodia Ka-set
23-04-2009
Land grabbing, economic crisis, falling farming products prices… The two political opposition parties in Cambodia, the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party (HRP) do have some leeway and have proved zealous in attacking the Cambodian government on all fronts over the past few weeks. The basis of their criticism is nothing new, but their method has nevertheless shifted: SRP and HRP are now singing from the same hymn sheet within the “Democratic Movement for Change”, an alliance formed in January 2009. Representatives of the two formations say they are proud of their new solidarity. Not only do they hope to put an end to several years of election failure but they also wish to make the ruling and rock-solid Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) sway in the next elections. But before then, they still have to go through another step: the merging of the SRP and HRP, planned for 2011.
The alliance: synonymous with “political and psychological success”
Sam Rainsy, president of the main eponymous Cambodian opposition party, is convinced: the creation of the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC) is a success. The SRP leader takes as evidence the many works both parties started in common since the alliance was sealed on January 15 2009. As they promised, representatives of both formations “continued struggling” together, particularly with common declarations in writing or press conferences often quoted in the media. In the space of three months, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha zealously and openly advised the government to both take measures to counter the economic crisis and make decisions to put and end to land grabbing, two topics of utmost importance to the activists from both parties.
“Our collaboration is a psychological and political success and encourages those willing to change society”, the SRP president and MP for the province of Kampong Cham says. “Some said that we were not in the right state to work together and that we often argued, which is not true at all. However, our union strengthens us”.
HRP president Kem Sokha confirms those words with the same enthusiasm. In the context of their movement and within their respective parties represented at the National Assembly, SRP and HRP elected representatives tirelessly requested that the government solve land disputes and seize the land of speculators who acquired debt with banks, the HRP leader and also a Kampong Cham MP insisted on saying.
But that is not all. This tedious work of criticism and counter-propositions is but a prelude of what their collaboration could be, the two leaders of the DMC say. They are also audacious enough to bet that the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by prime Minister Hun Sen who has been dominating the political scene for three decades, has every reason to fear a merging of their ranks within the alliance, in the light of the upcoming 2012 communal elections and the 2013 legislative polls. “The current ruling party is very scared about the merging of our parties, because they are unable to solve the problems we mentioned to them, like land grabbing”, Kem Sokha claims.
Backed by the HRP, the SRP is all set for the May elections
The SRP, however, will go solo in the next local elections, held on May 17th 2009, since the HRP has been reduced to the function of observer. The polls will allow the appointment of the first councils in the capital, provinces, municipalities and districts and will be held according to the indirect suffrage. Current communal councils, who are affiliated to the CPP, FUNCINPEC, Nordom Ranariddh Party (NRP) and SRP will be the only ones allowed to take part in the polls. Despite that, Sam Rainsy is willing to take advantage of the alliance with the HRP to consolidate the status of the opposition in these new local bodies. Put aside from any position within the nine Commissions of the National Assembly after the July 2008 legislative elections, SRP and HRP elected representatives now intend to gather their efforts and resources by working on constituencies, as close as possible to the people.
“Although the HRP does not have any communal councils since they did not take part in the last communal elections [April 1st 2007 – the HRP was created shortly after], we do count on them to support SRP candidates. [HRP activists] could have some influence on the communal councils of other parties and encourage them to change their position [in favour of the SRP]”, Sam Rainsy explains. His formation currently has 2,660 communal councils out of the 11,353 called to cast their vote.
For the former Minister of Finance in Cambodia, the game is not over yet concerning those polls which will be dominated, whatever happens, by the CPP. For the May 17th polls, the Number One opponent is hoping to win between 700 and 800 seats out of the newly-created 3,235 council seats, in favour of the SRP, the only opposition party. Those predictions are slightly superior to those published in February by COMFREL, the local NGO for the observation of elections, who bet on 689 to 695 SRP elected representatives.
A decisive step
Although the CPP’s victory is foreseeable, May 17th polls are far from being devoid of any matters at stake, says Sam Rainsy, who sees a decisive step towards the next elections in 2012 and 2013. “Twenty-six MPs [i.e. the number of SRP members who were elected in the July 2008 legislative polls) is very few. This does not allow us to work on a regular basis with the people. Therefore those representatives within the councils of the capital, provinces, municipalities and districts will be every important and will be a great strength that will allow us to stand besides citizens of all categories, so as to solve the issues that worry the Kingdom: land-grabbing issues, the violations of Human rights and the economic crisis”, the SRP president details.
Sam Rainsy would like to think that this strategy will prove successful, with the support of the HRP. Kem Sokha, his partner within the Democratic Movement for Change, says he will support Sam Rainsy publicly but also in the field. “When I met SRP campaigners in the constituencies, I did everything to reinforce their beliefs so that they will still be hopeful for a potential victory, provided they gather and do not defect [to other parties]. As for our own activists, I gave them the order to collaborate with those of the SRP”, says the HRP president, whose party currently holds 3 MP seats within the lower Chamber.
Merging of SRP and HRP in three years’ time?
Despite the restricted aspect of the way polls will be conducted, May 17th will be a first test for the alliance between both opposition formations, before another decisive step. According to Sam Rainsy, both parties have the same ambition: establishing a common list of candidates with a view to take part, under a single name, in the 2012 communal elections and then in the 2013 legislative elections. “From 2009 to 2012, i.e. in three years’ time, we must reach that goal. And, in order to present a joint election register, we will have to merge within one and the same party”, the SRP president says. He reckons the merging could occur in mid-2011, i.e. six months before the communal elections. “We talked about it step by step and must determine the structure, organisation chart, management and the way work will be carried out, he details. The merging will be a definite result and will be, at that moment, of great dimension.
By Duong Sokha
Cambodia Ka-set
23-04-2009
Land grabbing, economic crisis, falling farming products prices… The two political opposition parties in Cambodia, the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party (HRP) do have some leeway and have proved zealous in attacking the Cambodian government on all fronts over the past few weeks. The basis of their criticism is nothing new, but their method has nevertheless shifted: SRP and HRP are now singing from the same hymn sheet within the “Democratic Movement for Change”, an alliance formed in January 2009. Representatives of the two formations say they are proud of their new solidarity. Not only do they hope to put an end to several years of election failure but they also wish to make the ruling and rock-solid Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) sway in the next elections. But before then, they still have to go through another step: the merging of the SRP and HRP, planned for 2011.
The alliance: synonymous with “political and psychological success”
Sam Rainsy, president of the main eponymous Cambodian opposition party, is convinced: the creation of the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC) is a success. The SRP leader takes as evidence the many works both parties started in common since the alliance was sealed on January 15 2009. As they promised, representatives of both formations “continued struggling” together, particularly with common declarations in writing or press conferences often quoted in the media. In the space of three months, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha zealously and openly advised the government to both take measures to counter the economic crisis and make decisions to put and end to land grabbing, two topics of utmost importance to the activists from both parties.
“Our collaboration is a psychological and political success and encourages those willing to change society”, the SRP president and MP for the province of Kampong Cham says. “Some said that we were not in the right state to work together and that we often argued, which is not true at all. However, our union strengthens us”.
HRP president Kem Sokha confirms those words with the same enthusiasm. In the context of their movement and within their respective parties represented at the National Assembly, SRP and HRP elected representatives tirelessly requested that the government solve land disputes and seize the land of speculators who acquired debt with banks, the HRP leader and also a Kampong Cham MP insisted on saying.
But that is not all. This tedious work of criticism and counter-propositions is but a prelude of what their collaboration could be, the two leaders of the DMC say. They are also audacious enough to bet that the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by prime Minister Hun Sen who has been dominating the political scene for three decades, has every reason to fear a merging of their ranks within the alliance, in the light of the upcoming 2012 communal elections and the 2013 legislative polls. “The current ruling party is very scared about the merging of our parties, because they are unable to solve the problems we mentioned to them, like land grabbing”, Kem Sokha claims.
Backed by the HRP, the SRP is all set for the May elections
The SRP, however, will go solo in the next local elections, held on May 17th 2009, since the HRP has been reduced to the function of observer. The polls will allow the appointment of the first councils in the capital, provinces, municipalities and districts and will be held according to the indirect suffrage. Current communal councils, who are affiliated to the CPP, FUNCINPEC, Nordom Ranariddh Party (NRP) and SRP will be the only ones allowed to take part in the polls. Despite that, Sam Rainsy is willing to take advantage of the alliance with the HRP to consolidate the status of the opposition in these new local bodies. Put aside from any position within the nine Commissions of the National Assembly after the July 2008 legislative elections, SRP and HRP elected representatives now intend to gather their efforts and resources by working on constituencies, as close as possible to the people.
“Although the HRP does not have any communal councils since they did not take part in the last communal elections [April 1st 2007 – the HRP was created shortly after], we do count on them to support SRP candidates. [HRP activists] could have some influence on the communal councils of other parties and encourage them to change their position [in favour of the SRP]”, Sam Rainsy explains. His formation currently has 2,660 communal councils out of the 11,353 called to cast their vote.
For the former Minister of Finance in Cambodia, the game is not over yet concerning those polls which will be dominated, whatever happens, by the CPP. For the May 17th polls, the Number One opponent is hoping to win between 700 and 800 seats out of the newly-created 3,235 council seats, in favour of the SRP, the only opposition party. Those predictions are slightly superior to those published in February by COMFREL, the local NGO for the observation of elections, who bet on 689 to 695 SRP elected representatives.
A decisive step
Although the CPP’s victory is foreseeable, May 17th polls are far from being devoid of any matters at stake, says Sam Rainsy, who sees a decisive step towards the next elections in 2012 and 2013. “Twenty-six MPs [i.e. the number of SRP members who were elected in the July 2008 legislative polls) is very few. This does not allow us to work on a regular basis with the people. Therefore those representatives within the councils of the capital, provinces, municipalities and districts will be every important and will be a great strength that will allow us to stand besides citizens of all categories, so as to solve the issues that worry the Kingdom: land-grabbing issues, the violations of Human rights and the economic crisis”, the SRP president details.
Sam Rainsy would like to think that this strategy will prove successful, with the support of the HRP. Kem Sokha, his partner within the Democratic Movement for Change, says he will support Sam Rainsy publicly but also in the field. “When I met SRP campaigners in the constituencies, I did everything to reinforce their beliefs so that they will still be hopeful for a potential victory, provided they gather and do not defect [to other parties]. As for our own activists, I gave them the order to collaborate with those of the SRP”, says the HRP president, whose party currently holds 3 MP seats within the lower Chamber.
Merging of SRP and HRP in three years’ time?
Despite the restricted aspect of the way polls will be conducted, May 17th will be a first test for the alliance between both opposition formations, before another decisive step. According to Sam Rainsy, both parties have the same ambition: establishing a common list of candidates with a view to take part, under a single name, in the 2012 communal elections and then in the 2013 legislative elections. “From 2009 to 2012, i.e. in three years’ time, we must reach that goal. And, in order to present a joint election register, we will have to merge within one and the same party”, the SRP president says. He reckons the merging could occur in mid-2011, i.e. six months before the communal elections. “We talked about it step by step and must determine the structure, organisation chart, management and the way work will be carried out, he details. The merging will be a definite result and will be, at that moment, of great dimension.
Salman seeks better package for textile sector
Salman seeks better package for textile sector
Tue, Apr 21st, 2009 4:20 pm BdST
Dhaka, Apr 21 (bdnews24.com) – Business leader Salman F Rahman has asked for a rethink of the government's financial support package for recession-hit export-focused sectors and said apparel sector should get much more.
Salman, the prime minister's private sector development adviser and former FBCCI chief, made the request to finance minister AMA Muhith at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Incumbent president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries Annisul Huq accompanied him.
"Since the finance minister said the [package] was on-going, we think it should be reviewed for some sectors," Salman told reporters after the meeting.
"Especially, financial incentives for the textile sector should be increased because this is one of the most hardly-hit sectors," he observed.
The textile mill owners are counting losses as huge threads are lying unsold at every mill, he said.
"India is our main competitor in the apparel sector. We are facing losses as India recently devalued their currency (to give their exporters competitive edge)," Salman added
Annisul said there has been varied reactions to the package, which is why more discussions on it was needed. He said textile and readymade garment, handicrafts, plastic and many other sectors hit by the recession needed a better package.
"We will place a fresh proposal before the finance minister next week. We hope he will respond positively.
Muhith did not speak at the meeting.
He rolled out a Tk 3,424 crore support package Sunday for the last quarter of the current fiscal year to shield farming, power and export sectors from the effects of the global slowdown.
He said Monday the textile sector may still get an incentives boost and that he "forgot" to include the vital sector.
Local textile producers, which supports the country's biggest export earner—garments—already enjoy a five percent cash incentive.
Though it raised incentive rates for some export sectors, namely jute, leather and frozen fish, it did not raise them for textiles.
bdnews24.com/arh/ff/dg/bd/1605h.
Tue, Apr 21st, 2009 4:20 pm BdST
Dhaka, Apr 21 (bdnews24.com) – Business leader Salman F Rahman has asked for a rethink of the government's financial support package for recession-hit export-focused sectors and said apparel sector should get much more.
Salman, the prime minister's private sector development adviser and former FBCCI chief, made the request to finance minister AMA Muhith at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Incumbent president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries Annisul Huq accompanied him.
"Since the finance minister said the [package] was on-going, we think it should be reviewed for some sectors," Salman told reporters after the meeting.
"Especially, financial incentives for the textile sector should be increased because this is one of the most hardly-hit sectors," he observed.
The textile mill owners are counting losses as huge threads are lying unsold at every mill, he said.
"India is our main competitor in the apparel sector. We are facing losses as India recently devalued their currency (to give their exporters competitive edge)," Salman added
Annisul said there has been varied reactions to the package, which is why more discussions on it was needed. He said textile and readymade garment, handicrafts, plastic and many other sectors hit by the recession needed a better package.
"We will place a fresh proposal before the finance minister next week. We hope he will respond positively.
Muhith did not speak at the meeting.
He rolled out a Tk 3,424 crore support package Sunday for the last quarter of the current fiscal year to shield farming, power and export sectors from the effects of the global slowdown.
He said Monday the textile sector may still get an incentives boost and that he "forgot" to include the vital sector.
Local textile producers, which supports the country's biggest export earner—garments—already enjoy a five percent cash incentive.
Though it raised incentive rates for some export sectors, namely jute, leather and frozen fish, it did not raise them for textiles.
bdnews24.com/arh/ff/dg/bd/1605h.
23 April, 2009
Aid group says army wives fight own war at home
Aid group says army wives fight own war at home
Written by Peter Olszewski
Thursday, 23 April 2009
The Phnom Penh Post
With their men at the front, the women of Mondul 3 village struggle to care for their children with meagre incomes and few means of support.
Photo by: PETER OLSZEWSKI
Siem Reap military wife Chea Soly and child.
WHILE their husbands serve the nation on the front lines of a months-long border dispute in Preah Vihear, a group of army wives in Siem Reap city have been waging their own war against the grinding poverty and squalid conditions of one of the most desperate parts of the city.
They live less than a kilometre from the lush acres of five-star hotels that line the road to Angkor Wat. But tourists never venture down their dusty road, lined with seedy karaoke shacks, that leads to the scrubby village of Mondul 3.
About 500 army wives eke out a lonely existence here, almost 100 of them under the care of the New Hope Community Centre.
On the Thursday prior to Khmer New Year, a black Camry pulled up in a cloud of dust, disgorging half a dozen troops that had returned home from Preah Vihear for the holiday.
Spotting the troops, Chea Soly squealed with delight and, waving her arms in the air, ran down the road thinking her husband Nuon Sea would be among the lucky ones on leave. But her husband hadn't come home. Her shoulders sagged, she began to sob and she trudged back to her shanty.
"The lives of these poor army wives are extremely tough," said former Australian real estate agent Kerry Huntly, now New Hope's director. "As well as having many children - they seem to be forever pregnant, for a start - they're forced to provide an income for themselves and their children, as well as coping with all the loneliness, the health problems, the emotional upheavals of being soldiers' wives.
"The soldiers earn about US$25 a month and some of the chief soldiers earn $40 a month. But they will, in fact, be lucky to receive that pay each month, and even so, the husbands use some money at Preah Vihear. So out of a wage of $25 a month, a wife will have to feed herself and maybe four or six children on $15 a month.
"They can't afford to repair their homes or buy anything for shelter or clothing for their kids - absolutely nothing."
To supplement their diet, the wives and children forage in the Angkor Park forest for fruits, berries and wild lemongrass, and at night they hunt for frogs, snakes and vermin.
Sometimes their incomes can be supplemented by doing laundry for the nearby karaoke shacks.
To add to the everyday burdens these women must confront, some of their husbands will return home from the front much altered from when they left. Mental health issues, an increase in violent behaviour or varying levels of physical impairment are just some of the problems soldiers' wives must contend with when their men come home.
"It's so sad for these army wives because without a shadow of doubt, this [is] the poorest village in Siem Reap itself," said New Hope's Huntly.
"The only other village I have seen as poor, if not poorer, would be at Tonle Sap among the Vietnamese [community]."
Written by Peter Olszewski
Thursday, 23 April 2009
The Phnom Penh Post
With their men at the front, the women of Mondul 3 village struggle to care for their children with meagre incomes and few means of support.
Photo by: PETER OLSZEWSKI
Siem Reap military wife Chea Soly and child.
WHILE their husbands serve the nation on the front lines of a months-long border dispute in Preah Vihear, a group of army wives in Siem Reap city have been waging their own war against the grinding poverty and squalid conditions of one of the most desperate parts of the city.
They live less than a kilometre from the lush acres of five-star hotels that line the road to Angkor Wat. But tourists never venture down their dusty road, lined with seedy karaoke shacks, that leads to the scrubby village of Mondul 3.
About 500 army wives eke out a lonely existence here, almost 100 of them under the care of the New Hope Community Centre.
On the Thursday prior to Khmer New Year, a black Camry pulled up in a cloud of dust, disgorging half a dozen troops that had returned home from Preah Vihear for the holiday.
Spotting the troops, Chea Soly squealed with delight and, waving her arms in the air, ran down the road thinking her husband Nuon Sea would be among the lucky ones on leave. But her husband hadn't come home. Her shoulders sagged, she began to sob and she trudged back to her shanty.
"The lives of these poor army wives are extremely tough," said former Australian real estate agent Kerry Huntly, now New Hope's director. "As well as having many children - they seem to be forever pregnant, for a start - they're forced to provide an income for themselves and their children, as well as coping with all the loneliness, the health problems, the emotional upheavals of being soldiers' wives.
"The soldiers earn about US$25 a month and some of the chief soldiers earn $40 a month. But they will, in fact, be lucky to receive that pay each month, and even so, the husbands use some money at Preah Vihear. So out of a wage of $25 a month, a wife will have to feed herself and maybe four or six children on $15 a month.
"They can't afford to repair their homes or buy anything for shelter or clothing for their kids - absolutely nothing."
To supplement their diet, the wives and children forage in the Angkor Park forest for fruits, berries and wild lemongrass, and at night they hunt for frogs, snakes and vermin.
Sometimes their incomes can be supplemented by doing laundry for the nearby karaoke shacks.
To add to the everyday burdens these women must confront, some of their husbands will return home from the front much altered from when they left. Mental health issues, an increase in violent behaviour or varying levels of physical impairment are just some of the problems soldiers' wives must contend with when their men come home.
"It's so sad for these army wives because without a shadow of doubt, this [is] the poorest village in Siem Reap itself," said New Hope's Huntly.
"The only other village I have seen as poor, if not poorer, would be at Tonle Sap among the Vietnamese [community]."
The Global Textile and Garments Industry: the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Exploiting the Value Chain
The Global Textile and Garments Industry: the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Exploiting the Value Chain
Source : The World Bank
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has an important role to play as developing countries adjust to the new era. These opportunities will derive from the ability of ICTs to open up parts of the supply chain (other than basic manufacturing and processing) to developing countries. This report presents case studies of companies that have successfully used ICTs to move, for example, into higher-value activities such as design and logistics, or to access niche markets.
The global textile and garment sector has been in a state of flux since 1 January 2005, when almost four decades of restrictions on trade formally came to an end with the demise of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA) quota system. Many developing countries now face increasing competition and downward pressure on prices as the global garment industry consolidates around a relatively small number of winners.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has an important role to play as developing countries adjust to the new era. First, ICT, as a general purpose technology, can improve business practices and increase the efficiency and competitiveness of developing country firms. Secondly, ICT is the main driver that shifts value along the value chain, enabling new business models, disaggregating production chains, and creating new opportunities for developing countries in the global supply chain.
These opportunities will derive from the ability of ICTs to open up parts of the supply chain (other than basic manufacturing and processing) to developing countries. This report presents case studies of companies that have successfully used ICTs to move, for example, into higher-value activities such as design and logistics, or to access niche markets. The case studies demonstrate the variety of strategies available to developing country producers. Whereas Chinese manufacturers have focused on serving major retailers through large scale production and speed-to-market through an emphasis on logistics, other examples show companies elsewhere adopting a strategy of moving into fashion design and specialized fabrics or raw materials, or alternatively identifying niche markets that do not demand large-scale production. ICTs have been crucial in each case, although the type of technology needed varies from case to case.
Yet technology alone will not provide the answers for struggling garment makers in developing countries. A suitable business environment, adequate infrastructure, and indeed a fundamental comparative advantage are also required. If an ICT-enhanced textile and garments sector is to be an effective component of a developing country's poverty-alleviation strategy, then the following broad questions must first be addressed by both policymakers and private investors considering their post-MFA strategies:
- What is the right position to seek in a sector increasingly dominated by a very large scale exporter, China, and what role might ICT have in such a strategy?
- What aspects of the wider enabling environment must be in place before investment in ICT for development makes sense?
- What are all the factors, including ICT investment, which cause value to migrate along the global supply chain?
- To what extent are the opportunities offered by ICT in the textile industry limited (or promoted) by natural and historical factors in specific countries?
This sectoral report seeks to use the textile and garments industry to demonstrate the type of analysis needed for a realistic strategy for ICT-enabled growth in any sector. Core tasks include understanding the sector's existing global value chain; assessing a country's potential competitiveness as value shifts along the chain; and highlighting any obstacles to growth in the countrys domestic economic structure. This list includes tasks for the private sector and for policy makers. Particular aspects of the broader enabling environment will be important for competitiveness at each stage of the textile and garments value chain, including:
- Infrastructure-roads, ports, and airports, as well as telecoms and other ICT investments.
- Policy and regulation, such as cost of access to telecoms and the internet, competition policy, banking regulations, customs clearance rules.
- Relevant business management skills, including the ability to restructure business models and reengineer firms.
- Other skills, sufficiently widely available that employers can hire the workers who will be needed to implement ICT-based strategies.
- nformation flows that determine patterns of trade and market access, including historical and personal links as well as officially mediated trade contacts.
Read Full Report
Estimate on Preah Vihear Damage
PVihear damages estimated
Written by Thet Sambath
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
The Phnom Penh Post
Residents around the market at Preah Vihear temple say they want compensation from Thailand for what they estimate is about US$9 million in damages.
Photo by: MICHAEL FOX
A vendor picks through the debris of Preah Vihear market, destroyed in in a firefight with Thai soldiers earlier this month.
A vendor picks through the debris of Preah Vihear market, destroyed in in a firefight with Thai soldiers earlier this month.
RESIDENTS near the Preah Vhear temple complex where a market was destroyed by Thai rocket fire in early April have calculated damages in excess of US$9 million, a representative announced Tuesday.
Some 260 property owners have submitted thumbprints to documents requesting compensation from the Thai government for losses incurred when Thai soldiers opened fire on the market April 3.
"We've calculated the value of properties destroyed by Thai soldiers at $1.2 million", president of the Khmer CiviliSation Foundation, Moeung Sonn, reported Tuesday. "However, we've submitted a claim for $9.2 million to the Thai government to compensate people's properties, businesses and mental health," he explained.
Moeung Soun said many victims of property damage have also suffered serious mental health repercussions. "One of the victims has been out of control since her property was burned down by Thai soldiers' rockets," he said. "She's now seriously ill and is being treated in Battambang hospital. Other victims are also experiencing mental health problems."
Moeung Sonn said the complaint will be sent to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and copies are to be sent to King Norodom Sihamoni, the King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Thai embassy.
He added, however, that compensation will ultimately be determined by the Cambodian government's willingness to confront Thai authorities.
"Our government has evidence of Thai rocket debris and has a duty to serve Cambodians and resolve the problem for them," he said.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Post Tuesday that the ministry had not yet received the complaint and would meet to determine measures after its receipt.
Meanwhile, commune officials are working to independently calculate property damages and address losses.
"Our officials have registered people's property damages, but totals have not yet been calculated", Kao Long, governor of Choam Ksan district, said Tuesday.
PM warns against strikes
PM warns against strikes
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Written by Sam Rith
The Phnom Penh Post
Says further disruptions could lead to employment losses.
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday urged 3,500 garment workers to resolve labour issues through peaceful means including legal arbitration, warning that strikes and demonstrations could lead to further job losses in the troubled garment sector, which has contracted substantially since the onset of the global economic downturn.
In a speech at a meeting hall in Kandal province's Takhmao district, Hun Sen also said he had instructed the Ministry of Labour to organise training courses for garment factory workers who had lost their jobs and were looking to transition to other careers, said union officials who attended the speech.
Some 50,000 Cambodian garment workers have lost their jobs since June 2008, according to figures provided by Ath Thorn, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC). Ath Thorn estimated that 60 to 70 percent of those workers had returned to their home provinces after being laid off, while 10 to 20 percent had found new garment factory jobs or other jobs. The remaining workers had started their own businesses, he said.
Van Sou Ieng, president of the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, told the Post last month that 70 garment factories had closed since last August and that 51,000 garment workers had lost their jobs or seen their contracts suspended.
Sem Sokha, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Social Affairs, said Tuesday's gathering of 28 unions was convened to mark International Labour Day, which is observed on May 1.
Ath Thorn, who did not attend, criticised the government for allegedly inviting only pro-government unions, a charge to which Sem Sokha declined to respond.
Ath Thorn said the six CLC unions along with the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association would attend an alternate gathering in front of Wat Botum on May 1.
"We plan to have 2,500 workers, including garment, tourism, construction and other workers, coming from the provinces and cities throughout Cambodia to meet on International Labour Day," he said.
He said the demonstration's organisers planned to submit a petition enumerating several requests, including for the establishment of a labour court as well as a requirement that garment factories give severance pay to their employees when they close.
"WE WILL HAVE MORE DIFFICULTY in MAKING DEMANDS IN THE INTEREST OF WORKERS."
Ath Thorn said the workers will gather in front of Wat Botum at 8:30am on the morning of May 1, at which time the petition will be read by union leaders. They will then proceed to the Council of Ministers to file the petition, then walk to the site near Wat Lanka where trade unionist Chea Vichea was assassinated in 2004. Then they will walk to the National Assembly building to file the petition there as well.
Bargaining position
Ath Thorn said there was some concern on the part of union leaders that the economic downturn had weakened their bargaining position with factory owners.
"As a result of the global economic crisis, we will have more difficulty in making demands in the interest of workers, including higher salaries and improved working conditions," he said. "Companies have been more likely to ignore our demands."
But he said this would not discourage them from demonstrating because "there are big problems in Cambodia" and "the government has to solve them".
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Written by Sam Rith
The Phnom Penh Post
Says further disruptions could lead to employment losses.
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday urged 3,500 garment workers to resolve labour issues through peaceful means including legal arbitration, warning that strikes and demonstrations could lead to further job losses in the troubled garment sector, which has contracted substantially since the onset of the global economic downturn.
In a speech at a meeting hall in Kandal province's Takhmao district, Hun Sen also said he had instructed the Ministry of Labour to organise training courses for garment factory workers who had lost their jobs and were looking to transition to other careers, said union officials who attended the speech.
Some 50,000 Cambodian garment workers have lost their jobs since June 2008, according to figures provided by Ath Thorn, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC). Ath Thorn estimated that 60 to 70 percent of those workers had returned to their home provinces after being laid off, while 10 to 20 percent had found new garment factory jobs or other jobs. The remaining workers had started their own businesses, he said.
Van Sou Ieng, president of the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, told the Post last month that 70 garment factories had closed since last August and that 51,000 garment workers had lost their jobs or seen their contracts suspended.
Sem Sokha, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Social Affairs, said Tuesday's gathering of 28 unions was convened to mark International Labour Day, which is observed on May 1.
Ath Thorn, who did not attend, criticised the government for allegedly inviting only pro-government unions, a charge to which Sem Sokha declined to respond.
Ath Thorn said the six CLC unions along with the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association would attend an alternate gathering in front of Wat Botum on May 1.
"We plan to have 2,500 workers, including garment, tourism, construction and other workers, coming from the provinces and cities throughout Cambodia to meet on International Labour Day," he said.
He said the demonstration's organisers planned to submit a petition enumerating several requests, including for the establishment of a labour court as well as a requirement that garment factories give severance pay to their employees when they close.
"WE WILL HAVE MORE DIFFICULTY in MAKING DEMANDS IN THE INTEREST OF WORKERS."
Ath Thorn said the workers will gather in front of Wat Botum at 8:30am on the morning of May 1, at which time the petition will be read by union leaders. They will then proceed to the Council of Ministers to file the petition, then walk to the site near Wat Lanka where trade unionist Chea Vichea was assassinated in 2004. Then they will walk to the National Assembly building to file the petition there as well.
Bargaining position
Ath Thorn said there was some concern on the part of union leaders that the economic downturn had weakened their bargaining position with factory owners.
"As a result of the global economic crisis, we will have more difficulty in making demands in the interest of workers, including higher salaries and improved working conditions," he said. "Companies have been more likely to ignore our demands."
But he said this would not discourage them from demonstrating because "there are big problems in Cambodia" and "the government has to solve them".
22 April, 2009
(Cambodia) U.N Human Rights Rep: I am an optimistic person
I am an optimistic person
Souce: The Kathmandu Post
22 April 2009
Surya P. Subedi has just been appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia by the Human Rights Council, a tough job by any standard. The UN and the Cambodian government have had thorny relationship on the issue of human rights. Although the mandate remains the same, the Special Representative position was changed to that of the Special Rapporteur, following the resignation of Yash Ghai last year. Ghai suffered personal attacks and even a visa ban at the hands of the Cambodian government. Subedi is a Professor of International Law at University of Leeds and a practicing Barrister in England. He was appointed an honorary OBE in 2004 by Queen Elizabeth for his services to international law and Britain-Nepal relations. Surya Subedi spoke to John Narayan Parajuli about his new role and lessons Nepal can draw from Cambodia.
Q: Why were you appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia?
Subedi: I believe it was because of my standing as a truly independent, impartial, and objective academic; my expertise in international law in general and international human rights law in particular; and my familiarity with legal, political and human rights issues in Asia in general and Cambodia in particular.
I worked as a General Editor of an annual pan Asian publication -- the Asian Yearbook of International Law -- for six years. It enabled me to interact with academics and other intellectuals from many Asian countries, including Cambodia. Perhaps being a Nepali citizen helped. Nepal has no axe to grind against any nation. We Nepali people are generally liked in international circles for our friendly nature and hard working and sincere character. I believe a well-qualified, hard-working and sincere Nepali is well placed to serve in any high international positions.
Q: The UN and the Cambodian government have been at loggerheads over the issue of human rights for quite some time and that makes your job very challenging, doesn't it?
Subedi: Yes, it does make my role challenging. But again the very position of a UN Special Rapporteur is a challenging one -- to perform a difficult and at the same time a noble task. I regard this as a huge privilege and a great opportunity to make my contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. Promoting human rights and speaking for the oppressed, marginalised and disadvantaged people is always a challenge. I am committed to human rights and the rule of law nationally and internationally and I would do whatever it takes to promote and protect the rights of Cambodian people. That is my main objective. But my approach would be a constructive one -- designed to achieve results rather than unnecessarily antagonizing people.
Q: Your predecessor Yash Ghai resigned in frustration. There is a growing concern among civil society leaders in Cambodia that you might receive the same kind of hostile treatment from the government just like your predecessors.
Subedi: Let us wait and see how the people and the government of Cambodia will deal with me when I begin my task. I am by nature an optimistic person. I was encouraged by the tone and content of the speech delivered by the Cambodian ambassador to the UN after the decision by the UN Human Rights Council to appoint me to this position. His approach was a constructive one and he said his government would co-operate with me. I hope the government authorities realize that the progress, prosperity and peace in Cambodia lies in greater respect for human rights and the dignity of each and every Cambodian citizen.
Q: Does your understanding of conflict in Nepal add value to your work in Cambodia, and vice versa?
Subedi: Yes I believe that my study and analysis of the situation in Nepal for a long time as an independent and objective person will help me to understand and appreciate better the situation in Cambodia and the plight of the people there. I have been writing quite frequently and for a long time in both the Nepali and international media on the constitutional, legal and political situation in Nepal and have advanced my own views on how to make the constitutional, legal and political system in Nepal a fair, inclusive and equitable one for all. Likewise, I hope the experience that I will gain from my work in Cambodia will enable me to make a contribution to improve the human rights situation in Nepal, and to encourage political leaders to embrace democracy and democratic culture both in their words and deeds. I have said elsewhere that democracy has come to the people and the country of Nepal but not to the political leaders.
I do not think Nepalese leaders have been able to articulate any foreign policy for the country. The time to go out with a begging bowl to foreign countries should be over. It only lowers Nepal's standing internationally and exposes the naïve and shallow character of Nepal's political leaders. No foreigners will build Nepal. Foreign countries have their own agenda behind whatever assistance they may provide to Nepal. People in Nepal should start believing in themselves and put their act together to build the nation.
Q: Cambodia has had a long period of political transition with occasional setbacks between the Paris Peace Accord signed in 1991 and now, how would you describe the process, and is there a lesson Nepal can learn from it?
Subedi: The lesson Nepal can learn from the Cambodian experience is to abide by the letter and spirit of past agreements reached among the major political actors. Once people start deviating from their own commitments they lose the trust and confidence of other people. Such a breakdown in trust and confidence costs the country and the people dearly. This is what seems to be happening in Nepal. Political leaders should lead the way and set good examples at least in their public life. You are right to point out the commitments expressed in the Paris Peace Accord concerning the situation in Cambodia. But the process to implement the commitments has been frustratingly slow. That is why Cambodia finds itself in this situation. In my personal opinion, both Cambodia and Nepal should honestly honour and implement the provisions in the past agreements to move the country forward so that they can achieve higher economic growth, political stability and social harmony in order to ensure that the fruits of democracy reach to as many people as possible
Q: Is there a chance that the current transitional period in Nepal will drag that long?
Subedi: No it should not last that long in Nepal. I am hopeful that the constitution will be written and promulgated within the stipulated time frame. There is no other way out and any sensible political leader should have realised this. However, writing a new constitution is not an end itself. It is a vehicle to advance the society in a more civilised manner. For this, the political process should take the issues of impunity, transitional justice, and respect for human rights as seriously as the process of writing the new constitution. It is where people like us with independent and objective minds and no party political ties have a role to play in applying more pressure on the government and all political leaders and assist the UN agencies such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in playing a more meaningful and effective role in Nepal.
Q: What is your take on the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the issue of army integration in Nepal?
Subedi: The issue relating to the integration of the Maoist fighters into the Nepal army is basically a political one and should be resolved on the basis of the past agreements reached. The rank and file of the foot soldiers in both camps are the sons and daughters of the same poor Nepali people. They both have same aspirations for themselves and for their country and have similar traits. It should not be a problem to bring them together. There should be a programme of training to depoliticise the mind-set of Maoist fighters fit for a professional army loyal to the nation and the people as a whole rather than to their political masters. The problem may lie in the integration into the upper levels of the military hierarchy as the people in the existing Nepal Army would like to safeguard their current position and their prospects for promotion etc. But the number at the top end of the scale is small and a political solution should and could be found to address such concerns.
Q: What are your hopes and fears for the Nepali peace process?
Subedi: I am optimistic. In terms of the political change, so much has been achieved in Nepal. Some of them have been unprecedented in the world. Now the time has come to capitalize on this political achievement and focus on the overall nation-building process in unison. The fears would of course not necessarily be the derailment of the peace process because it is not a viable option for anyone, but the lack of foresight, wisdom and vision on the party of political leaders resulting in constant bickering and squabbling.
Souce: The Kathmandu Post
22 April 2009
Surya P. Subedi has just been appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia by the Human Rights Council, a tough job by any standard. The UN and the Cambodian government have had thorny relationship on the issue of human rights. Although the mandate remains the same, the Special Representative position was changed to that of the Special Rapporteur, following the resignation of Yash Ghai last year. Ghai suffered personal attacks and even a visa ban at the hands of the Cambodian government. Subedi is a Professor of International Law at University of Leeds and a practicing Barrister in England. He was appointed an honorary OBE in 2004 by Queen Elizabeth for his services to international law and Britain-Nepal relations. Surya Subedi spoke to John Narayan Parajuli about his new role and lessons Nepal can draw from Cambodia.
Q: Why were you appointed the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia?
Subedi: I believe it was because of my standing as a truly independent, impartial, and objective academic; my expertise in international law in general and international human rights law in particular; and my familiarity with legal, political and human rights issues in Asia in general and Cambodia in particular.
I worked as a General Editor of an annual pan Asian publication -- the Asian Yearbook of International Law -- for six years. It enabled me to interact with academics and other intellectuals from many Asian countries, including Cambodia. Perhaps being a Nepali citizen helped. Nepal has no axe to grind against any nation. We Nepali people are generally liked in international circles for our friendly nature and hard working and sincere character. I believe a well-qualified, hard-working and sincere Nepali is well placed to serve in any high international positions.
Q: The UN and the Cambodian government have been at loggerheads over the issue of human rights for quite some time and that makes your job very challenging, doesn't it?
Subedi: Yes, it does make my role challenging. But again the very position of a UN Special Rapporteur is a challenging one -- to perform a difficult and at the same time a noble task. I regard this as a huge privilege and a great opportunity to make my contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. Promoting human rights and speaking for the oppressed, marginalised and disadvantaged people is always a challenge. I am committed to human rights and the rule of law nationally and internationally and I would do whatever it takes to promote and protect the rights of Cambodian people. That is my main objective. But my approach would be a constructive one -- designed to achieve results rather than unnecessarily antagonizing people.
Q: Your predecessor Yash Ghai resigned in frustration. There is a growing concern among civil society leaders in Cambodia that you might receive the same kind of hostile treatment from the government just like your predecessors.
Subedi: Let us wait and see how the people and the government of Cambodia will deal with me when I begin my task. I am by nature an optimistic person. I was encouraged by the tone and content of the speech delivered by the Cambodian ambassador to the UN after the decision by the UN Human Rights Council to appoint me to this position. His approach was a constructive one and he said his government would co-operate with me. I hope the government authorities realize that the progress, prosperity and peace in Cambodia lies in greater respect for human rights and the dignity of each and every Cambodian citizen.
Q: Does your understanding of conflict in Nepal add value to your work in Cambodia, and vice versa?
Subedi: Yes I believe that my study and analysis of the situation in Nepal for a long time as an independent and objective person will help me to understand and appreciate better the situation in Cambodia and the plight of the people there. I have been writing quite frequently and for a long time in both the Nepali and international media on the constitutional, legal and political situation in Nepal and have advanced my own views on how to make the constitutional, legal and political system in Nepal a fair, inclusive and equitable one for all. Likewise, I hope the experience that I will gain from my work in Cambodia will enable me to make a contribution to improve the human rights situation in Nepal, and to encourage political leaders to embrace democracy and democratic culture both in their words and deeds. I have said elsewhere that democracy has come to the people and the country of Nepal but not to the political leaders.
I do not think Nepalese leaders have been able to articulate any foreign policy for the country. The time to go out with a begging bowl to foreign countries should be over. It only lowers Nepal's standing internationally and exposes the naïve and shallow character of Nepal's political leaders. No foreigners will build Nepal. Foreign countries have their own agenda behind whatever assistance they may provide to Nepal. People in Nepal should start believing in themselves and put their act together to build the nation.
Q: Cambodia has had a long period of political transition with occasional setbacks between the Paris Peace Accord signed in 1991 and now, how would you describe the process, and is there a lesson Nepal can learn from it?
Subedi: The lesson Nepal can learn from the Cambodian experience is to abide by the letter and spirit of past agreements reached among the major political actors. Once people start deviating from their own commitments they lose the trust and confidence of other people. Such a breakdown in trust and confidence costs the country and the people dearly. This is what seems to be happening in Nepal. Political leaders should lead the way and set good examples at least in their public life. You are right to point out the commitments expressed in the Paris Peace Accord concerning the situation in Cambodia. But the process to implement the commitments has been frustratingly slow. That is why Cambodia finds itself in this situation. In my personal opinion, both Cambodia and Nepal should honestly honour and implement the provisions in the past agreements to move the country forward so that they can achieve higher economic growth, political stability and social harmony in order to ensure that the fruits of democracy reach to as many people as possible
Q: Is there a chance that the current transitional period in Nepal will drag that long?
Subedi: No it should not last that long in Nepal. I am hopeful that the constitution will be written and promulgated within the stipulated time frame. There is no other way out and any sensible political leader should have realised this. However, writing a new constitution is not an end itself. It is a vehicle to advance the society in a more civilised manner. For this, the political process should take the issues of impunity, transitional justice, and respect for human rights as seriously as the process of writing the new constitution. It is where people like us with independent and objective minds and no party political ties have a role to play in applying more pressure on the government and all political leaders and assist the UN agencies such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in playing a more meaningful and effective role in Nepal.
Q: What is your take on the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the issue of army integration in Nepal?
Subedi: The issue relating to the integration of the Maoist fighters into the Nepal army is basically a political one and should be resolved on the basis of the past agreements reached. The rank and file of the foot soldiers in both camps are the sons and daughters of the same poor Nepali people. They both have same aspirations for themselves and for their country and have similar traits. It should not be a problem to bring them together. There should be a programme of training to depoliticise the mind-set of Maoist fighters fit for a professional army loyal to the nation and the people as a whole rather than to their political masters. The problem may lie in the integration into the upper levels of the military hierarchy as the people in the existing Nepal Army would like to safeguard their current position and their prospects for promotion etc. But the number at the top end of the scale is small and a political solution should and could be found to address such concerns.
Q: What are your hopes and fears for the Nepali peace process?
Subedi: I am optimistic. In terms of the political change, so much has been achieved in Nepal. Some of them have been unprecedented in the world. Now the time has come to capitalize on this political achievement and focus on the overall nation-building process in unison. The fears would of course not necessarily be the derailment of the peace process because it is not a viable option for anyone, but the lack of foresight, wisdom and vision on the party of political leaders resulting in constant bickering and squabbling.
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