Phnom Penh, 30
October 2013 - The Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF) and the Cambodian Human
Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) condemn the brutal intimidation that were used
in the past days against three families involved in a land dispute with the
Khun Sear Import Export Company, in the Boeung Kak 1 area in Phnom Penh.
In the past two
days, employees from the Khun Sear Company perpetrated many acts of harassment,
intimidation and attempts of harms on the three families residing on a disputed
plot of land in the Sangkat Boeung Kak 1. On the afternoon of the 28 October
2013 several men disturbed the peaceful business of M. Ly Srea Kheng and his
wife by chasing away the potential customers. The same day, employees from the
same Company threatened the families about killing their pets and, later at
night, M. Ly Srea Kheng’s two dogs and Mrs. Sok Houch’s cat were poisoned and
dropped in front of the houses. Moreover, chemical supposed to be insecticide
were sprayed on one of the house.
During the night
of 30 October 2013, at around 1:30 AM, M. Ly Srea Kheng discovered a man
running from the main building. After inspection, he found that poisonous
cobras were dropped near the wall of the houses. The residents caught two of
the deadly snakes and killed one.
Bringing several
dangerous snakes in the houses of urban poor families is more than an act of
intimidation; it’s a death threat showing the intent to kill and should never
been used and mostly not as tool to try to win over a land dispute.
These barbarous
actions are recalling the previous and continuous coercion and violence made by
worker hired by Khun Sear Import Export Company. Since May 2013, the residents
had their property destroyed, their business demolished, their physical
security threatened and violated, their water pipes and electricity cut off as
well as five of their pets killed. No real actions were ever taken by the local
authorities against the perpetrators.
The HRTF and
CHRAC are strongly condemning these continuous attempts of intimidation,
violence and death threats against three families, residing legally for decades
on their plot of land in Boeung Kak 1. The HRTF and CHRAC call on the judicial
authorities to take appropriate and quick sanctions against the perpetrators in
order to ensure the fulfillment of the Government’s duty to protect the
security of its citizens.
More information, please contact:
Mr. Suon Bunsak, Executive Secretary, CHRAC;
Tel: 092 344357
Mr. Sia Phearum, Secretariat Director, HRTF;
Tel: 060313451
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