KI Media |
- Asean observers await their orders
- Thais hurt in landmine blast [-Were the Thai soldiers trying to trespass into Cambodia?]
- Temple row to dog relations until WHC meets [-A war of SEMANTICS?]
- NATO Intervention in Kosovo in 1999: Is It Promoting the Existing International Law or Destroying It?
- Damage of The Temple Of Preah Vihear Caused by The Aggression of Thai Armed Forces
- Talks on NGO law ‘broken’?
- UN Special Rapporteur's Statement on the situation of human rights in Cambodia
- Publisher appears in Myanmar court
- Sochua in legal limbo
- Thailand Preparing For A Bigger War
- UN human rights envoy wraps up Cambodia trip with mixed response
- Independent UN expert stresses need to ensure freedom of expression in Cambodia
- Cambodia criticised over attempts to regulate NGOs
- Criticism is not a crime, UN tells Cambodia
- UN Rights Envoy Concerned About Courts, Freedoms
- Gaddafi 'will follow Hitler's footsteps'
- Tyrant's bid to safeguard his billions Wealthy: Muammar Gaddafi has had 40 years to squirrel away his estimated £60bn fortune
- Red Suits
- ICJ Judgment on Preah Vihear in 1962 - Khmer translation
- FTUWKC Statement on Border Dispute with Thailand
- FTUWKC's letter to Neth Savoeun asking him to investigate and arrest the assassins of union leader Hy Vuthy
- The Voice of Civil Society radio program in 7th Week (February 14-20, 2011)
- DHL “optimistic” as Cambodian office opens
- Cambodia orders popular blog blocked
- UNESCO Envoy To Visit Cambodia, Thailand
| Asean observers await their orders Posted: 24 Feb 2011 06:31 PM PST 25/02/2011 Bangkok Post and AP Indonesia has yet to arrange with Thailand and Cambodia the deployment and scope of authority of its observers who are to visit the disputed border area. A senior source in the Thai army yesterday said Indonesia planned to send 30 observers but their deployment in Thailand and Cambodia had yet to be finalised. The source said Indonesia might deploy 15 observers each in Thailand and Cambodia. Alternatively, 11 military observers would be fielded in Thailand and Cambodia. Three other military officers would supervise the observation in the two countries and five non-military observers would coordinate their mission. Indonesian authorities will soon discuss the scope of the observation mission with Thai and Cambodian defence ministers. The deployment will be similar to that of observers in Aceh in Indonesia, but their authority would not be as great because the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia was smaller. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will meet Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha and senior officers from the Defence Ministry this afternoon to discuss the scope of work and procedures for the Indonesian observers. Gen Prayuth said the details had to be clear and documented and be coordinated with Cambodia. The US has welcomed Asean's efforts to resolve the deadly border dispute. State Department spokesman PJCrowley said on Wednesday the US also supported the Asean foreign ministers' call for Cambodia and Thailand to resume bilateral negotiations "at the earliest opportunity". Also in relation to the border, Democrat Party MP Atthawich Suwanphadi yesterday said a joint house committee deliberating the minutes of the past three meetings of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission had agreed that the documents contained no wording that showed Thailand had recognised a French 1:200,000 scale map. Agreement on the documents was reached at meetings in Siem Reap in November 2008, in Bangkok in February 2009 and in Phnom Penh in April 2009. The documents involved a decision by Thailand and Cambodia to survey border areas, including those near the Preah Vihear temple, and to start to make aerial maps of the border. Mr Atthawich, spokesman of the house committee, said the panel also disapproved of a comment made by Var Kim Hong of Cambodia, co-chairman of the JBC, during one of the meetings that "Thailand invaded Cambodia". Var Kim Hong made the remark citing the 1:200,000 scale map, he said. He said the comment was not in line with the facts and the committee would forward its recommendation to Asda Jayanama, who co-chairs the JBC, to contest what Var Kim Hong had said at the next JBC meeting. Mr Atthawich said the committee had not decided whether to approve the JBC minutes but it would submit its recommendation on the issue to parliament for consideration. He said if the House endorsed the documents, it would not mean parliament accepted Var Kim Hong's remark. It would only approve the substance of the documents. The constitution requires parliament to approve agreements that have an impact on Thai territory. Mr Atthawich said the committee had also agreed that the memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia in 2000 had been useful in bringing about bilateral negotiations between the two countries. The committee stressed the need for the government to hold bilateral talks with Cambodia under the framework of the memorandum and evacuate civilians and soldiers from the two sides of the disputed area claimed by the two countries so the JBC could go ahead and complete the demarcation work.   | ||
| Thais hurt in landmine blast [-Were the Thai soldiers trying to trespass into Cambodia?] Posted: 24 Feb 2011 06:29 PM PST
 Cambodians accused of 'expanding presence' 25/02/2011 Wassana Nanuam Bangkok Post SI SA KET : Two Thai soldiers have been seriously injured after stepping on landmines while patrolling Phu Ma Khua along the Cambodian border. The incident occurred about 4pm yesterday. The two were later identified as Sgt Pornpiboon Ngaosuwan and Cpl Sumet Boonsalee of the 16th Infantry Battalion in Yasothon province. They have been admitted to Kantharalak district hospital in Si Sa Ket province. Cambodian troops are ignoring Asean's urgent call for a truce with Thailand by continuing to fire shots in the disputed border area. Cambodian soldiers yesterday fired three shots in the area where they are trying to expand their presence before the arrival of Indonesian observers today. The Bangkok Post accompanied Thai soldiers to the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area in Si Sa Ket yesterday morning to observe the military presence. The delegation found Cambodia actively expanding its military bases and bunkers in the disputed area after the outbreak of hostilities from Feb 4 to 7. Cambodian soldiers have also turned Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda into a military base equipped with anti-aircraft artillery in breach of the bilateral 2000 memorandum of understanding on land demarcation that prohibits any man-made physical changes in the disputed area. An army source said Cambodian deputy army chief Hun Manet, son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, had told Thai army chief-of-staff Dapong Rattanasuwan and 2nd Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon last Saturday that the pagoda would only be repaired as a residence for monks. The pagoda was partly damaged during the recent border clashes. Cambodian soldiers have built facilities to support reinforcements on the disputed part of Phu Ma Khua. They have ignored repeated protests from the Thai soldiers overlooking them from the hill top. Cambodian soldiers are also building two new roads from Keo Sikha Kiri Savara to Phu Ma Khua in a bid to occupy as much of the disputed area as possible. "Cambodia will not readily stop because they want to advance and occupy as many parts as possible before soldiers and observers arrive from Indonesia," the source said. There have been a number of clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops at Phu Ma Khua. Cambodian soldiers attacked a Thai base on the hill on Feb 5 and seriously injured a soldier who later succumbed to his injuries. While this reporter was taking photographs of Keo Sikha Kiri Savara yesterday, Cambodian soldiers fired two warning shots from the pagoda and another from Phu Ma Khua. Thai soldiers and the reporter then left the area. If the third shot had come from the pagoda, there would have been another clash, the source said. A truce agreed between the military leaders of the two countries last week would not be honoured as Cambodian soldiers were poorly disciplined and had proved they would not hesitate in firing on Thai soldiers in their own territory, he said.   | ||
| Temple row to dog relations until WHC meets [-A war of SEMANTICS?] Posted: 24 Feb 2011 06:23 PM PST
Saritdet Marukatat Bangkok Post Thailand benefits from the decision by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to dispatch Indonesian observers to both sides of the border with Cambodia. Phnom Penh may claim victory from the outcome of Tuesday's meeting in Jakarta, to have a third party involved in the border spat with its neighbouring rival, when the Asean foreign ministers agreed to the future presence of the observers. The meeting led by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa welcomes "the invitation by both Cambodia and Thailand for observers from Indonesia, current chair of Asean, to respective sides of the affected areas of the Cambodia-Thailand border, to observe the commitment by both sides to avoid further armed clashes between them...," said the chair statement released after the talks. Indonesia holds the Asean chairmanship this year. But Bangkok seems to benefit more from the decision, as the team of observers from Indonesia will put an end to Cambodian accusations of "Thai aggression" during the armed clashes which began on Feb 4. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong attacked Thailand at the United Nations Security Council on Feb 14, claiming Bangkok used "sophisticated weapons including cluster bombs" and artillery shells "20 kilometres inside" his country. Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya strongly denied this, claiming Thailand was hit first by Cambodian soldiers on that day and had the right to self-defence. Stationing the observers is the best way to put an end to this trade in accusations between the two countries, and may help fend off future clashes at the border near the famous Preah Vihear temple. Thailand's diplomatic move on the defensive side compared favourably with the aggressive tactics of Cambodia from the beginning of the border conflict early this month. Phnom Penh has been using all means at its disposal to convince the international community that a small country is being threatened and bullied by a bigger neighbour. The strategy has left Thailand able only to react to every charge made by Cambodia. The duty of the observers will help Thailand as they will witness the reality on the ground at the fragile frontier. Yet the most difficult part has yet to come, when Asean expects the two countries to sit down at the same table to settle the disputed area through negotiation. The main body tasked with responsibility on this issue is the Joint Boundary Commission set up specifically to demarcate the entire land border, including the controversial 4.6 square kilometre area near the 11th century Hindu temple. The JBC is jointly chaired by former career diplomat Asda Jayanama and Cambodia's top border negotiator, Var Kimhong. Judging from the tone of the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers at the Security Council meeting in New York last week, and by subsequent moves, the two countries occupy different positions over how the issue of the overlapping border area near the temple should be resolved. Cambodian Prime Minster Hun Sen wants the issue to go to the International Court of Justice to make the ruling once and for all, but Thailand's position is to talk it over with Cambodia. The JBC's success hinges largely on warm diplomatic relations between the two countries, but the atmosphere right now is not conducive to either side's settling the issue. Hor Namhong strongly criticised Thailand at the Security Council, claiming hostilities were aimed at taking control of the area near the temple. Mr Kasit hit back, calling all moves by Phnom Penh a "Broadway play" with a plot to try every means to take the issue to the world court, despite already having the mechanism agreed upon by the two countries to end the dispute. The exchange of words in New York leads to the easy prediction that the first JBC meeting after the border clashes will make no progress. The date for that meeting has not been set. The hope now hinges on another channel: talks between the two countries' military leaders in another forum _ the General Border Committee chaired by the respective defence ministers, Prawit Wongsuwon and Teah Banh. Despite the armed conflict and border tension, military ties between the two countries at the top level have not been severed or devastated by the tension. They continue to maintain close contacts and relations between the two generals and are not as cool as their diplomatic counterparts'. The next round of the GBC meeting will likely lead to a pledge by the defence ministers to order their commanders and soldiers at the frontier to end confrontation and restore peace at the border. That is the best the ministers in charge of defence can do right now. The core problem of sovereignty over the disputed area is beyond its mandate. The issue will haunt both countries and Cambodia's efforts to put an end to this issue for good will intensify as the World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting set for June draws nearer.   | ||
| Posted: 24 Feb 2011 05:30 PM PST The end of the Cold War did not minimise the ugly phenomenon of unilateral resort to force; nor was it expected to. Indeed, the grounds that tempt states to use force have not ceased to exist. The Cold War merely disguised them and presented blatant pursuit of national interest as high rhetoric of ideological struggle of 'democracy' versus 'totalitarianism' or 'socialism' versus capitalist oppression. ---- Bora Touch Reference: Bora Touch (1999) - "NATO Intervention in Kosovo in 1999: Is It Promoting the Existing International Law or Destroying It?" NATO Intervention in Kosovo 1999   | ||
| Damage of The Temple Of Preah Vihear Caused by The Aggression of Thai Armed Forces Posted: 24 Feb 2011 05:11 PM PST The following document by the Cambodian government provides details on the damages caused to the Preah Vihear temple from shelling by Thailand. The document also provides detailed information on the use of cluster bombs by the Thai army. Damage to Preah Vihear Temple Caused by the Fighting   | ||
| Posted: 24 Feb 2011 03:40 PM PST Thursday, 24 February Thomas Miller The Phnom Penh Post A Ministry of Interior official who has been central to the drafting of the government's NGO law lashed out today at a United States diplomat for comments he made about the controversial legislation on a visit this week, while talks with NGOs continued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a letter to Daniel Baer, deputy assistant secretary in the bureau of democracy, human rights and labour at the US State Department, Nouth Sa An, secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior, said he was "disappointed" by Baer's remarks on the law, according to a copy of the letter obtained by The Post. "The consultation is still ongoing between the Government and the NGOs," Nouth Sa An wrote. "Your statement 'we don't see the need for the law at this point' now has broken the consultation process." Nouth Sa An said the government believed the presence of NGOs following the 1993 elections was an "asset", but that by 2009, they had "mushroomed to more than 2000 organisations". "Subsequently the rule of law is the necessity for Cambodia to ensure the activities of the national and international NGOs to be protected from the unnecessary activities that may hamper their objectivity," Nouth Sa An wrote. NGOs have expressed concern that the government would use the law to curb activity it deemed "political" or overtly critical, arguing that the draft allows excessive and arbitrary government authority without recourse to outside appeal. Mark Wenig, US embassy spokesman, referred a request for comment to the statements made by Baer on Tuesday. Baer had said one of his "chief aims" in his visit was to learn more about the draft legislation and meet with government and civil society to discuss it. At the end, he maintained the US position: That it sees no necessity for the law, and urges the government to continue consulting widely on it with civil society. Nouth Sa An and Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, could not be reached for comment. Ouch Borith, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said consultations were still ongoing, and he met today with representatives of Medicam and the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, while a colleague discussed the issue with NGO Forum. He declined to comment further, preferring to "wait until everything is finished". He said he would meet Anne Höglund, the Swedish ambassador, about the law tomorrow. Chith Sam Ath, executive director of NGO Forum, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had agreed, if in word only, to an important change to the law that would allow coalitions between international and domestic NGOs to operate if the lead person is Cambodian. Chith Sam Ath said NGOs still hope to see a second draft of the law and have a chance to provide further comments on it.   | ||
| UN Special Rapporteur's Statement on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Posted: 24 Feb 2011 03:36 PM PST     | ||
| Publisher appears in Myanmar court Posted: 24 Feb 2011 02:50 PM PST
The Phnom Penh Post staff Ross Dunkley, the publisher of The Phnom Penh Post, appeared in court in Yangon today on immigration and possible criminal charges. In a statement today, David Armstrong, chairman of Post Media Ltd, said Dunkley, also a shareholder in the weekly Myanmar Times, appeared in Kamaryut Township Court to face charges under Myanmar's immigration laws. "Mr Dunkley's detention in Yangon's Insein Prison was continued until March 3, when he is to appear in court again," Armstrong said. Dunkley, 53, was arrested by Myanmar authorities on February 10 on suspicion of violating the country's immigration laws. At the time, Armstrong linked the arrest to an ongoing struggle between Dunkley and Tin Htun Oo, the Burmese majority stakeholder in the Myanmar Consolidated media, which publishes the Times, over the paper's ownership. But the details of the case remain sketchy, with international media outlets including CNN and Agence France-Presse reporting that Dunkley also faces charges related to the assault of a Myanmar woman, claims that could not be independently verified today. In his statement, Armstrong said that the woman who had made the allegations of physical assault against Dunkley said during cross examination that "some allegations she made during the hearing did not appear in the original police report of her complaint". The woman then told the court she wanted to withdraw her complaint, Armstrong added. It is unclear whether the court acted on her request. Contrary to other outlets, AFP reported that the woman at the centre of the alleged charge did not appear in court today. A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed prior to today's hearing that a 53-year-old Australian national assumed to be Dunkley faced criminal charges as well as charges under the country's Migration Act. The spokesperson did not mention the specific nature of any of the charges. "The Australian Embassy in Rangoon is closely monitoring developments and is in close contact with the man," the spokesperson said.   | ||
| Posted: 24 Feb 2011 11:41 AM PST
Meas Sokchea The Phnom Penh Post Outspoken opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua could remain without her parliamentary immunity for up to five years, according to a leaked letter from the Ministry of Justice, drawing criticisms from legal experts who say her immunity should have been restored already. In a January 28 letter to the National Assembly, Long Phol, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice, stated that Mu Sochua could have her immunity restored in two ways. She can either lodge a request with the Appeal Court a year after her punishment is completed, or wait for the immunity to be restored automatically, five years after the completion of her punishment. "The restoration of lawmaker Mu Sochua's immunity depends on the consideration of the parliament conforming to the consciousness of the law on lawmaker's conditions, parliament's internal order and the penal procedure code," read the letter, a copy of which was obtained yesterday by The Post. Mu Sochua's immunity was suspended in 2009 to allow her prosecution in a defamation case brought by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Her highly publicised legal battle with the premier started in April of that year, when she filed a defamation suit against him in relation to comments he allegedly made about her during a speech in Kampot province. The premier countersued and the court ruled against her, ordering her to pay 16.5 million riels (US$4,084) in fines and compensation. Though Mu Sochua refused to pay – saying she was willing to go to jail if necessary – the court issued an order authorising the docking of her salary for four months. The entire amount was eventually paid off by this method in November. When contacted today, Mu Sochua said that she did not understand the contents of the letter, a copy of which she received from the National Assembly. "I looked at the law and I let legal experts look at, and they do not know how to explain it," she said. "The court convicted like this, unjustly like this, and the law is vague like this, I don't know what more to do." Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said that there was no legal reason for Mu Sochua to wait for the restoration of her immunity since she had paid her fines in full. "If punishment was completed, restore her immunity," Sok Sam Oeun said. Sok Sam Oeun drew a comparison with somebody jailed for five years for a crime. He said that person would not need to request release, since they would be released automatically at the completion of their term. "I don't know, I don't understand," he added. Hang Chhaya, executive director of the Khmer Institute for Democracy, agreed that if the court has docked her salary already, her immunity must be restored immediately. "There has never been anyone whose immunity has been lifted and delayed one year or five years," he said. Cheam Yeap, a senior lawmaker for the Cambodian People's Party, said Mu Sochua's case was minor and that her immunity would be restored in November 2011, a year after the completion of her punishment. He added that the delay was in conformity with the law.   | ||
| Thailand Preparing For A Bigger War Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:46 AM PST February 24, 2011 Strategy Page While terror attacks are up so far this year, investigations are more frequently leading back to drug gangs, who are financing the attacks and protecting the terrorists. Police have made hundreds of arrests, and about a hundred terrorists have surrendered. While many trace their radicalization of Moslem religious school, there always seemed to be someone from one of the drug gangs there to provide cash, or weapons, to keep the killing going. Red shirt populists and yellow shirt royalists are still demonstrating in the capital, but the sense of crises has diminished. The yellow shirts are largely responsible for the current "war" with Cambodia, by pushing the use of force to press a shaky claim on some land around a border temple. Most of the population backs the red shirts, but no one wants a civil war over the issue of new elections (which the royalists would lose). The armed forces have put 15,000 troops on the Cambodia border, around a 4.6 square kilometer temple compound that both nations claim control over. Cambodia have about the same number of troops in the area, but Thailand has prepared plans to send a lot more troops to the border, and apply Thailand's larger and more powerful military power against Cambodia. The royalists running the current government see this as a way to gain wider support in Thailand. February 22, 2011: Six Gripen fighter jets flew in from Sweden, flown by Swedish pilots. The air force has bought twelve of these aircraft, to replace decades old U.S. F-5s. Another six Gripens will be delivered over the next six years. The six that just arrived will enter service in a month or so. February 21, 2011: In the south, two bombs went off, killing one and wounding 17. February 20, 2011: A ceasefire was agreed to with Cambodia, and took effect in the border area where troops have been shooting has been more frequent in the last few months. The basic border dispute is about a century old, and none of the previous agreements have lasted. February 17, 2011: In the south, a car bomb went off, wounding 17. Elsewhere in the south, a soldier doing intelligence work was shot and killed. February 15, 2011: In the south, a Moslem villager was shot dead with an AK-47 fired from a passing motorcycle. On the Cambodian border, fighting again broke out, apparently in the form of grenades being thrown by both sides. February 14, 2011: Two F-16s, on their way to a training exercise, crashed in the forest. The pilots ejected, and an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the loss. Thailand's F-16As are old models, with decades of use on them. February 13, 2011: In the south, a car bomb went off, killing one and wounding 17. February 10, 2011: In the south, two Buddhists and a Moslem were killed by Islamic terrorists.   | ||
| UN human rights envoy wraps up Cambodia trip with mixed response Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:42 AM PST Feb 24, 2011 DPA Phnom Penh - The United Nations' human rights envoy to Cambodia highlighted freedom of expression issues and concerns about land rights as he wrapped up his visit to Cambodia Thursday. 'Peaceful expression of opinion should not be dealt with under the penal code as is currently the case with crimes such as defamation,' UN envoy Surya Subedi said of the government's efforts to use the courts to punish its perceived critics in politics, media and civil society. Subedi said those in public positions should be willing to accept criticism, adding that he was 'concerned about the narrowing of space for people to express their views peacefully and without fear.' 'Criticism is not a crime but an exercise of freedom of conscience, an act of intelligence,' he said at the close of his fourth visit. He also dismissed the government's claim this week that it had decriminalized defamation, saying people could still be fined for speaking their mind, and could be jailed if they refused to pay that fine. Subedi was in Cambodia on a 10-day visit to assess how effectively parliament upholds human rights in the context of his assessment of institutions deemed 'critical to the promotion and protection of human rights.' He did praise government efforts to improve the framework around the way land issues were dealt with, and said he was encouraged by the response he had received to a number of issues. During his stay, Subedi met with government officials, parliamentarians, civil society representatives and donors. Phnom Penh has long had a rocky relationship with human rights groups. Last year, Prime Minister Hun Sen said he wanted the UN human rights office in Cambodia to close, and its country head, Christophe Peschoux, fired. A senior government minister described Peschoux as a 'mouthpiece for the opposition.' A native of Nepal and a British-trained lawyer, Subedi is mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to report on human rights in Cambodia. He submitted his last report to the body in September in which he recommended numerous reforms to the country's judiciary. He said Thursday that he would have preferred better cooperation from Phnom Penh in implementing those reforms.   | ||
| Independent UN expert stresses need to ensure freedom of expression in Cambodia Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:38 AM PST Source: UN News Centre 24 February 2011 – An independent United Nations expert today voiced his concern about the use of the crime of incitement against human rights defenders in Cambodia, while stressing the need to ensure that people can express their views peacefully and without fear. "Criticism is not a crime but an exercise of freedom of conscience, an act of intelligence," Surya Subedi, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, said at the end of his fourth fact-finding mission to the country. "There is a narrowing of space for people to express their views peacefully and without fear, including those belonging to different political parties," he warned. "The peaceful expression of opinion should not be dealt with under the Penal Code as is currently the case with crimes such as defamation and falsification of information." The 15 to 24 February visit focused on the capacity of parliament to uphold the rights of the people and democratic norms. "Democracy is not only about holding periodic elections, but developing a culture of debate, pluralism and participation. A properly functioning democracy requires an effective opposition," said the expert, who reports in an independent and unpaid capacity to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council. Mr. Subedi welcomed efforts taken by the Government to improve the situation of human rights, including those related to the judiciary, land rights and housing issues, preventing torture, and peaceful demonstrations. He will submit his full report to the Human Rights Council later this year.   | ||
| Cambodia criticised over attempts to regulate NGOs Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:36 AM PST Thu Feb 24, 2011 By Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia has come under fire over a draft law to regulate non-governmental organisations that critics, including the United States, say is another attempt by the authorities to restrict public freedom and silence dissent. Cambodia says it wants to regulate more than 3,000 foreign and local NGOs and civil society groups, but opponents argue the law will give the state powers to shut them down for no reason and with no right of appeal. The draft follows the passage of draconian laws in the past 18 months that increased punishment for defamation and placed restrictions on protests. Rights groups say that is designed to intimidate government critics and the political opposition. Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the law would give the Interior Ministry "boundless discretition" to disband any body it disagreed with and many organisations would be unable to meet registration requirements. "Such a result will have chilling repercussions for the freedom of association and expression of ordinary people and will significantly reduce the democratic space in Cambodia," he said. Cambodia, one of Asia's poorest countries, is enjoying an unprecedented period of stability and economic growth after decades of civil war. But critics and aid donors say its democratic credentials are still lagging those of other Asian countries and that its human rights record is worsening. During a visit to Cambodia this week, Daniel Baer, deputy assistant secretary of the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, said the proposed law was unnecessary. "The United States has made clear that we have concern about the law, that we see Cambodian civil society as something that Cambodia should be proud of," he told reporters on Tuesday. "There's a vibrant group of voices here and that's something that ought to be protected and preserved," Baer said. "We don't yet understand the necessity of the law." PUBLIC BACKLASH Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party is widely accused of abusing its parliamentary majority to pass laws curtailing freedom of expression and leaning on the judiciary to punish critics. Political commentator Chea Vannath said the draft law could lead to a public backlash and limit the country's attractiveness as it seeks to lure foreign investors and tourists. "People in some countries have risen up against their governments, causing foreign investors a big loss," she said, referring to anti-government unrest in several Arab states. "It is understandable that investors want to invest in a country that is fully democratic." The government defended the bill, saying the law was required under the constitution and would help NGOs do their work better. "There are increasing numbers of NGOs and associations so there needs to be a law to regulate them," Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said. (Editing by Martin Petty and Alan Raybould)   | ||
| Criticism is not a crime, UN tells Cambodia Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:31 AM PST 24 February 2011 AFP "Those holding public positions should be willing to accept criticism for their decisions. Criticism is not a crime but an exercise of freedom of conscience, an act of intelligence" PHNOM PENH: The UN special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia on Thursday voiced disquiet about a crackdown on freedom of expression in the country and the growing problem of land rights violations. "I am concerned about the narrowing of space for the people to express their views peacefully and without fear, including those belongings to different political parties," Surya Subedi said at the end of his fourth 10-day fact-finding mission to the country. The Cambodian government has come under fire from rights groups in recent years for launching a number of defamation and disinformation lawsuits against critics and opposition members. A controversial new penal code launched in December introduced a string of laws that could see a person jailed or fined for expressing dissenting views. "Peaceful expression of opinion should not be dealt with under the penal code," Surya said during a press conference in the capital, adding that it was one of the main issues he had discussed with Prime Minister Hun Sen. "Those holding public positions should be willing to accept criticism for their decisions. Criticism is not a crime but an exercise of freedom of conscience, an act of intelligence," he said. The UN representative also urged the government to apply the land law properly, saying he was "deeply concerned about plight of the people who are facing the threat of eviction or have been evicted from their land." He said he had visited several disputed sites, including a lake area in Phnom Penh where thousands of people have been forcibly evicted to make way for a private development project. Land disputes are a major problem in Cambodia. In 2009 alone, at least 26 cases of mass evictions displaced approximately 27,000 people across the country, according to a UN report issued last year. During his last visit to the kingdom in June, Surya suggested a host of reforms to improve Cambodia's judicial system, which he said lacked independence. He told reporters the progress in that area "hasn't been as speedy as it should have been".   | ||
| UN Rights Envoy Concerned About Courts, Freedoms Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:27 AM PST
Phnom Penh Thursday, 24 February 2011 "I am concerned about the narrowing of space for people to express their views peacefully and without fear, including those belonging to different political parties." UN rights envoy Surya Subedi expressed concern for Cambodia's human rights situation, especially for the judiciary and a "narrowing of space" for expression. Ending a 10-day tour on Thursday ahead of a report the UN Human Rights Council, The UN's special rapporteur for human rights said he was "particularly concerned…by the use of the crime of incitement against human rights defenders." Subedi's findings echoed concerns local groups have voiced in recent years, especially with the jailing of rights workers and journalists under criminal laws. Subedi told reporters Thursday a functioning democracy required an effective opposition. "I am concerned about the narrowing of space for people to express their views peacefully and without fear, including those belonging to different political parties," he said. "Political actors and civil society organizations should work towards creating and environment which is conducive to the enjoyment of human rights by all and to economic development for the benefit of all." Government spokesman Phay Siphan said government leaders and Subedi had discussed better promotion of human rights through the implementation of law. "The concerns of [Subedi] on the situation of human rights in Cambodia are the concerns of the Cambodian government," he said. "We have a clear goal of human rights protection."   | ||
| Gaddafi 'will follow Hitler's footsteps' Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:22 AM PST February 24, 2011 AFP ONE of Muammar Gaddafi's former ministers has predicted that the Libyan leader will follow in Adolf Hitler's footsteps by committing suicide, rather than give up power. Mustapha Abdeljalil, justice minister until he quit over the bloody crackdown on protesters, told Sweden's Expressen that he expected Gaddafi to make good on his pledge to die on Libyan soil rather than slink into exile. "Gaddafi's time is up. He is going to go like Hitler, he is going to commit suicide," Abdeljalil said in Thursay's edition of the newspaper. Hitler committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin in April 1945 as he witnessed the disintegration of the Nazi German empire. In comments published on the paper's website on Wednesday, Abdeljalil told Expressen that Gaddafi had personally ordered the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing that killed 270 passengers, saying he had proof to back up his accusations. Libyan national Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi was in 2001 convicted of the bombing of Pan AM Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie but he was freed in August 2009 after doctors said he was suffering from terminal cancer. In his interview, the former minister also endorsed claims that Gaddafi had hired mercenaries from other parts of Africa who witnesses have said are at the forefront of the crackdown designed to shore up his 41-year rule. "I knew that the regime had mercenaries before the uprising. The government decided in several meetings to grant citizenship to the (mercenaries) from Chad and Niger. That was something that I objected to and that is documented," he told the paper.   | ||
| Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:15 AM PST
By Liz Hazelton Daily Mail (UK) Colonel Gaddafi was yesterday desperately trying to safeguard his multi-billion pound fortune – including a large amount invested in Britain. Sources in both London and Tripoli confirmed that the Libyan leader wants the cash for his family's use, whether or not he is toppled. 'Money set aside for Gaddafi and his nine children is in bank accounts and property across the world, and almost all of it comes from Libya's enormous oil and energy wealth,' said one. 'The Gaddafis have hidden it away in a series of bank accounts in places like Dubai, meaning that even if they lose power they will technically be able to use it.' Analysts have identified a gap of several billion dollars a year between government spending and the amount of money Libya generates from oil. It is thought that the surplus has been used to make Gaddafi and his children extremely wealthy. Suspicions are mounting that most of the cash is hidden away in banks in the Gulf and in south-east Asia. The source works closely with the Libyan Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund which manages some £50billion. Measures taken by Gaddafi to preserve his personal wealth include putting the control of accounts into the names of paid benefactors in other countries, said a Tripoli-based source. Assets have also been hidden using a range of offshore accounts and companies which do not contain the Gaddafi name in any of their records. The source said: 'The key to all of this is secrecy and close confidantes. Gaddafi has had more than 40 years to hide money away, and to make sure that trustworthy money men can help him access it. 'Gaddafi knows that contacts around the world will help him keep hold of his money, as long as they are richly rewarded. When you are dealing with a multi-billion pound portfolio, this is easily done.' The General is thought to be worth anything up to £60billion. Last year the LIA opened a new HQ next door to the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair. It also bought millions of pounds worth of property in the City of London, including Portman House in Oxford Street for £155million, and a building opposite the Bank of England for £120million. Other investments in the UK include an eight-bedroom home in Hampstead, North London, with a swimming pool and suede-lined cinema room. It was bought by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the Libyan leader's second son, in 2009 for £10million. The LIA has also invested in companies such as the Pearson Group, owner of the Financial Times. The huge investment by the LIA coincided with a cooling of diplomatic tensions with Britain folowing the freeing of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi. If Gaddafi's regime does collapse, there will be concern among some 150 British companies which have established a presence in Libya since the U.S. and Europe lifted economic sanctions in 2004. Companies include oil giants such as BP for whom Tony Blair brokered a deal in 2007, allowing it to search offshore and onshore for natural fuel. High street retailers including Marks & Spencer, Next, Monsoon and Accessorize have also set up in the country to serve the growing middle-class population. In all, British exports to Libya have soared to about £100million in recent years. Saif Al-Said last year told the Daily Mail that Mr Blair had become an 'advisor' to the LIA – an allegation which the former Prime Minister denied.   | ||
| Posted: 24 Feb 2011 02:20 AM PST
Op-Ed by Justin Sok The world was made to believe that the Cold War was in a rearview mirror. In fact, the Cold War was dormant but now it has transformed its image and political strategy. It is once again, at a stretch, permeating in the Southeast Asia region. Southeast Asia has been a Red region. It is a conglomeration of nations like the People's Republic of China and her allies - North Korea, Myanmar, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and her political satellite states - Laos, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Khmer Kampuchea Krom. The Kingdom of Thailand is the only nation situated in the epicenter of the Reds, which has continued to get support from the west and other countries in Europe. The magnetic force is starting to pull. The collective political objective of the Reds in this region was to enlist the Kingdom of Thailand as their new member. The Reds will no longer tolerate the Kingdom of Thailand to exercise her free will. The Kingdom of Thailand has to make a choice! The recent skirmish between the two Kingdoms (Cambodia and Thailand) that the public had initially perceived that PM Hun Sen, who has political ambition to pave the political platform for his son, Hun Manet, to be the next Prime Minister, was merely a speculation. However, the ultra political agenda that was hidden behind the Reds' curtain, which has led to the recent clash between the two Kingdoms still, is (1) the geopolitical expansion strategy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, "keep on stoking the fire," and that (2) Southeast Asia region has been and will always be the playground of the great Dragon. The recent tension between the two Kingdoms has also given the Reds an opportunity to refocusing and zeroing in on their geopolitical landscape in that region. It is speculated that the Reds would continue fanning the flame to embroil the two Kingdoms into an inferno. Dishonorably, the Reds have indirectly chosen to navigate their geopolitical strategy. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is currently balancing her feet into two boats - mesmerizing the west, attempting to obtain the American dollars and resources, while at the same time, domesticating the great Dragon for support. The People's Republic of China, on the other hand, has severely impacted the world's economy. Her patron has always been the west, who owes her billions of dollars in debt. The Reds have continued to employ the Kingdom of Cambodia and molding her as their political tool to create political and economical instability in the region. While the Kingdom of Thailand had her own internal political conflicts, the Reds have taken an opportunity to exploit the situations and prodded the two Kingdoms to ignite a fire. Their political intention, subsequently, has been pulling the Kingdom of Thailand into their fire pit. The Reds would have anxiously anticipated seeing how the west would react. If the war were going to continue on, as the Reds would like to have happen, it would be the "Winner take all," in this region. If the western world were going to succeed in their quest of planting their seeds of democracy in this region, it needs the People's Power. It would be the end of all Communism in this region. However, if the Reds' flag is going to continue to flourish, and fluttering spreading across the region, it would be another iron curtain, and the Kingdom of Cambodia, as it has always been, would be a very unfortunate nation. The recent political conflict between the two Kingdoms has turned the tables on the Kingdom of Thailand. To put an end to this fire and preventing from propagating, the two Kingdoms would have to extend to one another, an olive branch, and initiate diplomatic negotiations. It would be more so, on the "bilateral" terms agreement. Whatever political strategy the two Kingdoms would implement to effectively resolve this conflict peacefully, they must put an end to this fire. Ending this political conflict, will insure that it would benefit for both Kingdoms and their people and it will create healthy political climate and economical stability in the region. In addition, the two Kingdoms would have more opportunity for the diplomatic ties to the west and EU. If the diplomatic negotiations fail, the UN and the international community would have to be the scarecrow, aggressively and decisively mediate and monitor the conflict between the two Kingdoms. Question: Was it logical for the Commander in Chiefs from both Kingdoms to put their people and countries at risk and to fashion their political strategy to justify their war because of the following reason(s): 1) the 4.6 km/1.8 sq. miles, 2) strut of their national credibility and competence for the next general election, 3) the two Thai prisoners, and 4) any or all of the above reasons? Thank you. Justin C. Sok February 23, 2011   | ||
| ICJ Judgment on Preah Vihear in 1962 - Khmer translation Posted: 24 Feb 2011 01:46 AM PST | ||
| FTUWKC Statement on Border Dispute with Thailand Posted: 24 Feb 2011 01:19 AM PST
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| Posted: 24 Feb 2011 01:16 AM PST
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| The Voice of Civil Society radio program in 7th Week (February 14-20, 2011) Posted: 24 Feb 2011 01:04 AM PST  ប្រិយមិត្តអ្នកស្តាប់ជាទីមេត្រី សូមរកមើល ខិត្តបណ្ណ័ តារាង កម្មវិធី ផ្សាយសម្លេងសង្គមស៊ីវិល ប្រចាំសប្តាហ៍ទី ០៧ (១៤-២០ កុម្ភៈ) ឆ្នាំ២០១១ ដែលបានផ្សាយ នៅរៀងរាល់ ថ្ងៃចន្ទ័ ដល់ថ្ងៃអាទិត្យ វេលាម៉ោង ៧.៣០ នាទី ដល់ម៉ោង ៨.៣០ នាទីព្រឹក តាមរយៈវិទ្យុ FM 105 MHz ភ្នំពេញ, FM 90 MHz ភ្នំពេញ, FM 90.25 MHz បាត់ដំបង, FM 88.5 MHz កំពង់ធំ, និង FM 95.5 MHz សៀមរាប។ ប្រធានបទរបស់ការផ្សាយសម្លេងសង្គមស៊ីវិលក្នុងសប្តាហ៍ទី ១៤ (១៤-២០ កុម្ភៈ) ឆ្នាំ២០១១ មាន ៖
យើងសង្ឃឹមថា លោក អ្នកនឹងចាប់អារម្មណ៍ចំពោះកម្មវិធីសម្លេងសង្គមស៊ីវិល ហើយរង់ចាំស្វាគមន៍នូវរាល់យោបល់ និងមតិរិះគន់របស់លោកអ្នក។ ប្រសិនបើលោកអ្នកចង់ស្តាប់កិច្ចពិភាក្សាទាំងស្រុងលើប្រធានបទណាមួយដែលលោកអ្នកពេញចិត្ត និងមានបំណងស្វែងរកព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមទាក់ទងនឹងកម្មវិធីសម្លេងសង្គមស៊ីវិល សូមចូលទៅកាន់គេហទំព័រ ៖ http://www.comfrel.org/voc សង្ឃឹមថា កម្មវិធីទាំងនេះនឹងមានប្រយោជន៍ចំពោះលោកអ្នកស្តាប់ កម្មវិធីសម្លេងសង្គមស៊ីវិល ------------- Dear Audience, Please find and see the attached release of the Voice of Civil Society radio program in 7th Week (February 14-20, 2011), broadcasted every Monday to Sunday from 7:30 am to 8:30 am following private radio stations FM 105 MHz Phnom Penh, FM 90 MHz Phnom Penh, FM 90.25 MHz Battambang, FM 88.5 MHz Kampong Thom, FM 95.5 MHz Siem Reap. The topics of VoC radio programs in 7th Week (February 14-20, 2011) :
We do hope that you will interesting in any topic of VoC radio programs and look forward to hearing your warmly feedback. If you wish to listening the completed radio talk show on any topic as you are favor and need more information about VoC radio programs, please feel free to visit : http://www.comfrel.org/voc Hope the VoC will be useful for you, The Voice of Civil society COMFREL Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia Head Office : # 138, Street 122, Sangkat Teuk La ak, Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. P.O.Box 1145, CCC Box 439 Phone : (855-23) 884 150 Fax : (855-23) 883 750 E-mail : comfrel@online.com.kh Website : www.comfrel.org COMFREL Vision : A democratic society that democratization in particular democratic elections are promoted and qualified to bring benefits to people.   | ||
| DHL “optimistic” as Cambodian office opens Posted: 23 Feb 2011 11:56 PM PST Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 Source: Chris Dolan, Post&Parcel DHL's new hub for its Global Forwarding arm in Cambodia has opened today (23 February). The new office - based in Regency Square Business Complex, Phnom Penh - will become a DHL Fashion and Apparel Center of Excellence. It aims is to support the "textile and garments industry in Cambodia, and also bolster DHL's services to customers in the oil and energy sector", DHL confirmed. Amadou Diallo, CEO, Africa and South Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding, said: "The new office reflects our commitment to expand our reach in the region and to continually invest in Cambodia. "We are very optimistic about the country's growth potential - gross domestic product growth stands at 5.5% in 2010, higher than the forecast of 4.9% by the World Bank. "We believe that 2011 will be an even better year for Cambodia now that economic recovery is well underway." DHL said world energy demand is likely to grow 74% by 2030 from 2005 levels. The energy sector is also expected to attract an average of EUR 600bn a year in investments to reach EUR 15 trillion in cumulated investments by 2030. As it stands, the oil and energy industry spends EUR 260bn on logistics. This includes both fossil and renewable energies, DHL said. Sam Ang, CEO, South East Asia, DHL Global Forwarding, said: "The burgeoning oil and energy industry provides lots of supply chain and logistics opportunities for us, in terms of supporting oil exploration and production in the Asia Pacific. "As such, we will be strengthening our Industrial Projects division in Cambodia, which will handle large-scale industrial projects for leading multinationals and provide integrated turnkey project forwarding services for industry segments such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, power and energy," The new office will be DHL's seventh Fashion and Apparel Center for Excellence in Asia Pacific. There are already similar projects fully operational in Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. In Cambodia, the Center will "implement best practices and customise solutions to help customers in fashion and apparel to better manage the product flow further upstream in their supply chain." Huykieu Khau, managing director, DHL Logistics (Cambodia), said: "The fashion and apparel industry remains as one of our core focus areas and Cambodia is an increasingly important part of our global fashion and apparel aspirations. "In the initial 11 months of 2010, garments and textiles contributed nearly $2.82bn to Cambodia, which is a 20.15% increase from the same period last year. "Moreover, EU tax exemptions for Cambodia mean export growth is likely to continue to rise."   | ||
| Cambodia orders popular blog blocked Posted: 23 Feb 2011 11:53 PM PST  Bangkok, February 23, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by reports that Cambodian authorities have ordered local Internet service providers to block a number of websites, including the popular KI Media news aggregator and commentary blog, considered critical of the government. Voice of America's Khmer-language service reported on February 17 that it had been forwarded e-mail correspondence from a senior official in Cambodia's Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) telling local ISPs--WiCam, Telesurf, and Hello--to censor websites that contained anti-government content. The German Press Agency DPA reported that "several" websites critical of the government had gone offline in recent weeks, and that at least one local ISP carried a message that KI Media had been blocked "as ordered by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia." On February 17, the English-language daily Phnom Penh Post published minutes of a February 10 government meeting that quoted MPT Minister So Khun ordering mobile phone operators to block access to certain websites that were adversely affecting the country's "morality and tradition." The Post reported that So Khun denied that the government ordered ISPs to block any websites. "We are troubled by reports that Cambodia is increasingly curbing online freedom," said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's Senior Southeast Asia Representative. "We urge Prime Minister Hun Sen's government to immediately reverse course. The Internet is one of the few spaces left for free expression in Cambodia and that is how it should remain." Hun Sen's ruling Cambodia People's Party dominates the country's print and broadcast media. There were previous indications that KI Media was at risk of censorship. In mid-December, the blog's administrators directed readers to a Radio Free Asia story that outlined ways to circumvent online censorship. On December 19, a Cambodian court sentenced U.N. World Food Program employee and Cambodian national Seng Kunnaka to six months in prison for circulating articles posted on KI Media about a border dispute with Vietnam, according to news reports.   | ||
| UNESCO Envoy To Visit Cambodia, Thailand Posted: 23 Feb 2011 11:49 PM PST PHNOM PENH, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Koichiro Matsuura, the UNESCO Director-General's special envoy on the Preah Vihear Temple, will travel to Bangkok and Phnom Penh between Feb 25 and March 1 to discuss the safeguarding of the World Heritage site with Thai and Cambodian prime ministers, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. Matsuura, a former Director-General of UNESCO (1999-2009) and a former Chair of the World Heritage Committee (1999), will also examine with both sides ways of reducing tension and promoting dialogue around the preservation of the temple, said a statement issued by the Paris-based UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). On Wednesday, the Thai government's spokesperson Panithan Wattanayakorn announced a visit by a UNESCO mission to Thailand on Feb 25 to gather information relating to the disputes around the temple of Preah Vihear with Cambodia. But, the UNESCO mission is not allowed to come to the disputed border area, Panithan added. Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Thani Thongpakdi said that the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Border Committee (JBC) is scheduled to meet on border mark erection in March's first week in Indonesia. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said his country is satisfied with outcomes of the Feb 22 Asean meeting in Jakarta. About 15 observers of each side will be deployed to the border areas. Details of monitoring activities will be further discussed at meetings between Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia -- the Asean Chair in 2011. According to the Cambodian Deputy PM, all meetings at foreign, defence ministerial levels or the JBC will take place with the presence of the Asean Chair or representatives from Indonesia in the capacity of coordinator. The 11th century temple of Preah Vihear was inscribed on the World Heritage List for its outstanding universal value in keeping with the 1972 World Heritage Convention, which has been ratified by both Cambodia and Thailand.   |
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