Health project reduces fees

Monday, 28 September 2009 15:03 James O’toole and Mom Kunthear

A joint project between the Ministry of Health and local NGOs reduces debt from health-care expenditures for thousands of Cambodian families, study shows.

Photo by: Sovan Philong

A young child receives medical care at Treal Health Centre in Kampong Thom province. Vouchers that can be exchanged for medical treatment have proved a success, NGOs said in a new report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMINISTRY of Health programme designed to minimise health care fees for the poor has saved thousands of families from millions of dollars of debt, according to a report released today by University Research Co (URC), a local NGO.

The URC report evaluates the performance of Health Equity Funds (HEFs), a health-financing scheme operated jointly by the government and NGOs that offers financial support to poor Cambodians who make use of public health facilities. “This is done,” the report explains, “by purchasing health services on [poor people’s] behalf, providing them with transport reimbursements and providing the patients’ caretakers with money to cover food expenses.”

Health-care debts force 100 million people worldwide into poverty each year, Oxfam International said in May 2008. It is this threat, said Minister of Health Mam Bunheng, that HEFs have been urgently addressing.

“This project has been successful because it allows poor people to access services at hospitals or health centres without paying fees out-of-pocket,” the minister said.

While there are more than 30 separate HEF schemes currently operating in Cambodia, just 22 schemes on which URC cooperated were supporting 20 percent of all inpatients in the Cambodian public health system as of December 2008. Residents of communities served by HEFs, URC said, are making increased use of public health facilities while at the same time incurring significantly less health care-related debt compared with their counterparts in areas lacking HEFs.

In 2007, according to the government’s Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey, there were 27 operational districts in Cambodia supported by HEFs, compared with 49 without them. In those 27 districts, URC estimated that equity funds reduced health-care debt for nearly 20,000 households, saving them US$7.2 million in total.

Tapley Jordanwood, the URC health-financing team leader and one of the authors of today’s report, said that candidates for HEF support are identified on a local level, as local residents and commune council members deliberate on which community members should receive HEF cards that can be redeemed for treatment at public health facilities. “The actual mechanisms by which [HEF distribution] works are very unique to Cambodia,” Jordanwood said.

Mam Bunheng said the government was pleased with the development of the programme and hopes to implement it more widely in the near future. Funding is currently in place from both the government and other institutions, including the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development, to expand HEF coverage across the Kingdom in the next few years.

Though there are still thousands of Cambodians who are at risk of falling into poverty from health costs, Jordanwood said that the distribution of HEF cards in poor communities is hoped to coincide with greater reliance on public health facilities nationwide.

“People make decisions in their home when they get sick,” Jordanwood said. “When they have a card, then they have some confidence.”

Funeral for Cambodia's first swine flu victim

A relative of Cambodia's first-recorded swine flu fatality burns ghost paper following in Chinese tradition, in Phnom Penh. (AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)

Human Rigths and Democracy Under Siege: Mu Sochua

Cambodian Democracy and Human Rights Under Siege

September 22, 2009
World Affairs Council

“You cannot hide a dead elephant with a lotus leaf,” according to Mu Sochua, Cambodian parliament member and human rights advocate. This local Cambodian proverb best describes the disconnect she finds between the positive image presented to the international community by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the daily troubles faced by the average person in the country. Mu Sochua spoke last Thursday about her view of the current political situation in Cambodia. Discussing the difficulties women have in receiving the most basic human rights, education and health care, she argued that women must be given healthy bodies and minds in order for them to reach a power-equality. Sochua urged the audience to work with her to fight government corruption, raise the status of women, and support NGOs by writing to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with whom she recently met in Washington DC, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

For more on Sochua’s trip to Washington and her presentation to the Human Rights Commission, read this post from the blog of the Vital Voices Global Partnership, which awarded Sochua the Vital Voices Human Rights Global Leadership Award in 2005 for her work to end human trafficking.

Ranariddh answers to court over ’06 divorce

Wednesday, 23 September 2009 15:03 Meas Sokchea

Photo by: PHOTO SUPPLIED

Prince Norodom Ranariddh stands outside court Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORMER First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh appeared in Phnom Penh Municipal Court Tuesday in response to a summons relating to a divorce complaint filed in 2006 by his ex-wife, Princess Mary Ranariddh.

Liv Sovanna, Norodom Ranariddh’s lawyer, said his client agreed to appear in the spirit of reconciliation, but that he did not want to get back together with his ex-wife.

“Ranariddh said he wants to remain separated forever because they do not have sentimental feelings for each other,” Liv Sovanna said.

Norodom Ranariddh ended his marriage with Mary Ranariddh in 2006 after he fell in love with Ouk Phalla, with whom he now has a son.

A security official at the court who would give his name only as Chantha said he saw Norodom Ranariddh walk through the front entrance of the court at about 10:30am.

Battling the blaze

Tuesday, 22 September 2009 15:04 Heng Chivoan

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

A fire fighter struggles to control the flames consuming a garage on Street 163, close to Tuol Tompong 1 commune in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district. Neth Vantha, director of the Phnom Penh Fire Department, told the Post that 13 firetrucks were needed to quell the blaze, which spread out of control after igniting fuel at the garage. No one was injured in the blaze, Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth told reporters at the scene.

Phchum Ben 2009 Exodus from Phnom Penh

Cambodians, along with their belongings, pile up on a pickup truck driven in the capital Phnom Penh's outskirts, Cambodia, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. Thousands of Cambodians head homes in the countryside to celebrate the traditional Pchum Ben festival for the dead. The celebrations run from Sept. 18 to 20. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodian people drive motorbikes on a busy street in the capital Phnom Penh's outskirts in Cambodia, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. Thousands of Cambodians head homes in the countryside to celebrate the traditional Pchum Ben festival for the dead. The celebrations run from Sept. 18 to 20. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodians, along with their belongings, pile up on a pickup truck in the capital Phnom Penh's outskirts in Cambodia, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. Thousands of Cambodians head homes in the countryside to celebrate the traditional Pchum Ben festival for the dead. The celebrations run from Sept. 18 to 20. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Where Does Bun Rany Get the Money From?

September 13 , 2009
Op-Ed By Sokheoun Pang
On the web at http://sokheounpang.wordpress.com

It is not new about the news of high ranking Cambodian leaders or Chhumteav handing out gifts or alm to poor people or soldiers.

This one seems interesting like before but so unusual and I can´t help writing to enlight it to the public.

Well, the news is posted on the Deam Ampil News today about “ Chhum Teav Bun Rany Hun Sen to donate 7000 mosquito nets and 130000 rain coats to Cambodian soldiers stationing at Preah Vihear and at region 4.

My question is where does Bun Rany get the money to buy these stuff? Where is Cambodian Ministry of National Defense? What is Cambodian Ministry of National Defense doing?

The problem is that the budget for national defense has always increased since 2006 which accounted for $75,7 million (the national budget in that year was $926 million) to $300 million in 2008 and while the number of soldiers has been decreased from 111232 to 78232 after three time processes of demobilization from the World Bank pilot project in year 2000 and 2001 which accounted for 3000 soldiers, and in year 2003 which acounted for 30000 soldiers.

As we know the anual national budget for the Ministry of National Defense is accounted for $300 million out of the $1.4 billion national budget in 2008 and it is proposed in October 2008 to be increased by Hun Sen to the amount of $500 millions in the proposed national budget of $1.89 billion in 2009.

Why the Ministry of National Defense can´t afford to supply these stuff with such amount of the annual budget? Why our beloved soldiers still don´t have enough supply? Where are all the hundreds of million dollar gone? I mean if the budget is transparently expensed wihtout corruption, our soldiers will surely have a very high salary, equipped with up-t0-dated technological equipments, weapon and sufficient day-to-day supply. Furthermore, if our soldiers are really cared by and deserve the respect from the current leader, they will live like a soldier but not like a beggar who depends his survial on alm.

Actually, I really feel sad to read or hear such a news. I mean our solidiers are cheated again and again by the current leader- Hun Sen. As we know Hun Sen keeps saying that he pities on our soldiers, but in fact he never cares for their well-being and life.

It is heart-breaking to see our soldiers go out to fight against the siamese invasion walking with their bare feet, torn clothes, no proper miliary uniform, food , medicine and all other needed supplies. Sadly, we see no sign of help from the Ministry of National Defense and even Hun Sen as leader.

With this, in stead of helping our soldiers through the administrative system, Hun Sen and his cronies take a chance to beg money from the poor Cambodians in the country and even Cambodian oversea for help to the soldiers and they even try to manipulate the issues and show off their personal generosity through the politics of demagogue. And suprisingly, we have seen that all the high ranking officials from the Ministry of National Defense and others minsitries who went down to give personal donations or alm to our poor soldiers are surounded by dozens of personal bodyguards and mordern, expansive vehicles. I just wonder how do these officials earn the money and become so rich?

Now it´s enough and please stop cheating our sacrificing soldiers. Bun Rany please just do your job by helping the people who have suffered by flood, the poor who have no rice to eat and the evicted people who are in need right now.

To Hun Sen, please open your eye and open your ears and listen to us. If you are really a strong and clean leader as you always boasts, please help our soldiers, investigate the budget allocated for the National Defense Ministry right now to see where the money has gone and how it is expensed. And then punish the criminal before the real justice. Do it and prove it to us that you are a man and a true leader, but not just a scarecrow leader.

To Soy Sopheap, you are Hun Sen´s advisor, please help remind him about my request and help him improve his leadership for all. Please do it!

Stop letting our soldiers living on alm and please respect them!

Officials dismiss Thai protest

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 15:03 Vong Sokheng and Cheang Sokha

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Chief Thai air marshal Itthaporn Subhawong (left) sits with RCAF Commander in Chief Pol Saroeun.

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Commander in Chief Pol Saroeun met with Itthaporn Subhawong, Thailand’s chief air marshal, on Monday in Phnom Penh, as officials from both countries dismissed the significance of Thai protests at the border reportedly planned for this Saturday.

Bangkok’s The Nation newspaper reported on Monday that members of the Peoples’ Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a Thai political party, plan
to hold a rally on Saturday near the Preah Vihear temple complex to protest the supposed loss of Thai sovereignty in the disputed area.

The Thai military, however, discouraged the protesters from following through on their plans. “We should be careful about the protest, as such an activity, despite its good intentions, could affect operating strategy on the ground,” The Nation quoted Thai Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaeowkamnerd as saying.

Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat told the Post that should the protest take place, the PAD protesters will not be permitted to enter Cambodian territory.

“We are not concerned about the protests planned for September 19,” he said. “We will not allow [the protesters] to enter Cambodian soil, and we will exercise our right to self-defence if the situation warrants it.”

In a meeting at RCAF headquarters in Phnom Penh on Monday, Pol Saroeun and Itthaporn reaffirmed the warming of Thai-Cambodian relations that has taken place over the past few weeks.

“This visit is meant to promote understanding and good relations between our two countries and to facilitate training of Cambodian air force members by Thailand,” Itthaporn said. “[Thai air force representatives] have been very warmly received here.”

Pol Saroeun cited Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s visit to the border area this past weekend, where he was hosted by Cambodian officials, as an example of cooperation that he hoped to see continue.

“We should forget the conflicts that have happened between us and look forward to improving our relationship,” he said.

Officials dismiss Thai protest

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 15:03 Vong Sokheng and Cheang Sokha

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Chief Thai air marshal Itthaporn Subhawong (left) sits with RCAF Commander in Chief Pol Saroeun.

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Commander in Chief Pol Saroeun met with Itthaporn Subhawong, Thailand’s chief air marshal, on Monday in Phnom Penh, as officials from both countries dismissed the significance of Thai protests at the border reportedly planned for this Saturday.

Bangkok’s The Nation newspaper reported on Monday that members of the Peoples’ Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a Thai political party, plan
to hold a rally on Saturday near the Preah Vihear temple complex to protest the supposed loss of Thai sovereignty in the disputed area.

The Thai military, however, discouraged the protesters from following through on their plans. “We should be careful about the protest, as such an activity, despite its good intentions, could affect operating strategy on the ground,” The Nation quoted Thai Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaeowkamnerd as saying.

Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat told the Post that should the protest take place, the PAD protesters will not be permitted to enter Cambodian territory.

“We are not concerned about the protests planned for September 19,” he said. “We will not allow [the protesters] to enter Cambodian soil, and we will exercise our right to self-defence if the situation warrants it.”

In a meeting at RCAF headquarters in Phnom Penh on Monday, Pol Saroeun and Itthaporn reaffirmed the warming of Thai-Cambodian relations that has taken place over the past few weeks.

“This visit is meant to promote understanding and good relations between our two countries and to facilitate training of Cambodian air force members by Thailand,” Itthaporn said. “[Thai air force representatives] have been very warmly received here.”

Pol Saroeun cited Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s visit to the border area this past weekend, where he was hosted by Cambodian officials, as an example of cooperation that he hoped to see continue.

“We should forget the conflicts that have happened between us and look forward to improving our relationship,” he said.

Officials discuss graft

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 15:03 May Titthara

Photo by: Sovan Philong

Civic leaders head home after attending a meeting on how to tackle corruption.

PHNOM Penh Governor Kep Chuktema addressed a gathering of city, commune and district leaders from across the capital on Monday, urging them to discharge their duties reponsibly and be on the lookout for corruption.

“We should think that people are our bosses, not that the authorities are the bosses of the people,” the governor told the gathering at the Royal University of Agriculture.

Kep Chuktema urged whistleblowers to use City Hall complaint boxes if they know of any commune chiefs or district authorities who are “not helpful”.

“City Hall has 100 complaint boxes to welcome any complaint,” he said.

Prak Narunn of Stung Meanchey commune said she thought bribery was endemic among local officials.

“It’s very difficult when we need help,” she said. “When I applied for a wedding party for my daughter, [officials] made it seem very difficult. But when I paid them some money, everything was faster.”

Officials discuss graft

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 15:03 May Titthara

Photo by: Sovan Philong

Civic leaders head home after attending a meeting on how to tackle corruption.

PHNOM Penh Governor Kep Chuktema addressed a gathering of city, commune and district leaders from across the capital on Monday, urging them to discharge their duties reponsibly and be on the lookout for corruption.

“We should think that people are our bosses, not that the authorities are the bosses of the people,” the governor told the gathering at the Royal University of Agriculture.

Kep Chuktema urged whistleblowers to use City Hall complaint boxes if they know of any commune chiefs or district authorities who are “not helpful”.

“City Hall has 100 complaint boxes to welcome any complaint,” he said.

Prak Narunn of Stung Meanchey commune said she thought bribery was endemic among local officials.

“It’s very difficult when we need help,” she said. “When I applied for a wedding party for my daughter, [officials] made it seem very difficult. But when I paid them some money, everything was faster.”

PAD border protest 'not helpful'

15/09/2009
BangkokPost.com

The planned yellow-shirt protest on the Thai side of the disputed border near Preah Vihear temple might only add fuel to the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday.
The yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) plans to gather near the border area this Saturday, demanding that the 11th century khmer temple be "returned" to Thailand. The PAD protest will coincide with the red-shirt rally of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship in Bangkok.
"I don't know what the PAD's intentions are. They can gather and express their feelings but they should be careful of being at odds with the Cambodian side," Mr Suthep said.
The deputy premier, who oversees security affairs, said the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Border Commission (JBC) was looking into the ownership of 4.6 square kilometres of disputed land next to the ancient temple.
He called on people not to interfere with the JBC's work.
"Everyone loves their country and I would like everyone not to exacerbate the situation," he said
Asked about the PAD protesters who might try to drive Cambodian villagers and traders out of the disputed area, Mr Suthep said both governments had been look at ways to solve this problem.
"The tension between the two countries has eased," he added.

Educating Hun Xen's offsprings in the US is a waste of US taxpayer dollars: They couldn't even explain democracy to their father

Hun Xen's tribe of the thieves of the Nation

Hun Xen's second son receive a scholarship to attend a U.S military school

Monday, 14 September 2009
Source: Deum Ampil newspaper
Reported in English by Khmerization

Hun Many, Prime Minister Hun Xen's second son, has reportedly received a scholarship to study at the American Defence University (Westpoint Military Academy?).

A senior defence official said on Sunday that Hun Many has received a one year scholarship to study a military course at the American Defence University.

Hun Many has left Cambodia for the United States in July and is scheduled to finish his course in July 2010.

The United States government has offered a scholarship to Hun Manet, Mr. Hun Sen's eldest son, to study at the prestigious Westpoint Military Academy more than 10 years ago. Hun Many is the second of Prime Minister Hun Sen and Madame Bun Rany to receive a scholarship from the U.S government to study at a military university in the United States.

Mu Sochua: US Secretary of State will send a delegation to Cambodia

13 September 2009
By San Suwith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

"...(Mu Sochua) is a traitor to her oath taken before she occupied her position as a Member of Parliament, she swore that she will not allow any foreign countries to disrupt, or to issue political orders both inside and outside the country..." - Phay Siphan, mouthpiece of the Council of Sinisters

Kampot SRP MP Mu Sochua indicated that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will send a high level US delegation to visit Cambodia in the near future. Furthermore, the US State Department will also review the ability of linking various conditions to aid provided by this Superpower to Cambodia.

Mrs. Mu Sochua made this statement one day after giving her testimony to the US Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC), and after her discussion meeting with Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, on 11 September 2009. She indicated that Mrs. Clinton, the wife of former US President Bill Clinton, is always following up on the Cambodian MP’s situation.

Mrs. Mu Sochua indicated also that Mrs. Clinton accepted her request for the US to play a more active role than before in the review of human rights violations in Cambodia: “Following the testimony at the US Congress, as a member of Parliament who was victimized by the unfair sentencing from the Cambodia court, US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton allowed me to meet her. During the meeting, she immediately raised about the US special attention paid on my case, as well as on the current human rights situation in Cambodia. I asked Mrs. Clinton to send a high level delegation, led by the US special ambassador, set up by her when she came into office. Mrs. Clinton gave a positive answer to my request.”

Mrs. Mu Sochua said that the US will send a letter through Hor 5 Hong when the latter will visit New York at the end of September. This letter relates to the various conditions, in particular, the human rights conditions, that the US attach to its aids.

The high level US delegation that will visit Cambodia to review the human rights condition and the application of the law, will be led by Mrs. Melanne Verveer, President Barack Obama's ambassador at-large for global women's issues. Mrs. Mu Sochua indicated that she personally knew Mrs. Verveer when she was involved in women’s and children’s issues more than 10 years ago.

This US delegation will be accompanied by a deputy director of the US Department of State, as well as by other high ranking US State Department officials.

Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said that Cambodia and the US are equal in front of international law.

While harshly attacking MP Mu Sochua, Phay Siphan added that relying on foreign countries to interfere in Cambodia’s internal affairs is a betrayal of the oath taken in front of the throne: “I see that showing a good example to the Cambodian people, just like what the world sees also, is that the rule of law must be respected. Mrs. Mu Sochua did not abide by this, in particular she is a traitor to her oath taken before she occupied her position as a Member of Parliament, she swore that she will not allow any foreign countries to disrupt, or to issue political orders both inside and outside the country. I want to tell her that, at this time, we are building the rule of law, and not just the rule of law, we are also building independence and sovereignty because the Cambodian people just left a pool of blood and tears. I have a question: is Mrs. Mu Sochua participating in the building of the rule of law and the building of independence for this nation or not? Or is Mrs. Mu Sochua thinking about the past, when Cambodians was experiencing with US and the politicians of that era brought tens of thousands tons of bombs to drop on our kingdom of Cambodia? Recently, Mrs. Hillary Clinton said herself that there is a good relationship and cooperation between Cambodia and the US.”

Hem Heng throws a tantrum and accuses TLHRC hearing as biased

CPP Hem Heng and his wife (Photo: Viseth)

Ambassador Dismisses Rights Hearing as Biased

By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
11 September 2009

Cambodia’s top representative to the United States dismissed as biased a hearing at the US House of Representatives Thursday that is looking into Cambodia’s human rights record.

“We already know that they only invited the opposition party and non-governmental organizations,” Ambassador Hem Heng said in an interview in Washington. “It means that this is a biased hearing.”

The House of Representative’s Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, co-chaired by Frank Wolf, a Republican from Virginia, and James McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, scheduled a hearing Thursday to address “a concerning trend in the Cambodian government’s overall human rights record.”

Invited were Mu Sochua, a Kampot National Assembly representative for the Sam Rainsy Party who recently lost a defamation suit to Prime Minister Hun Sen; Kek Galabru, founder of the rights group Licadho; and Moeun Tola, head of the Community Legal Education Center’s labor program.

“Normally, the hearing needs to have two sides or more,” Hem Heng said. “But this hearing has only one side participating. So the hearing is trending toward the opposition party.”

International and local observers say Cambodia has seen a decline in media and personal freedoms, with critics of the government facing lawsuits and other charges.

The Cambodian Embassy in Washington released a statement Wednesday saying human rights in Cambodia have been improving.

“We have thousands of civil societies, from of expression, and the unions are progressing,” Hem Heng said. “Among these, there are at least 11 international organizations. Besides those, there is the office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations for human rights.”

Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said by phone the rights situation in Cambodia has deteriorated over the past four years.

“In 2005, there were some arrests, some complaints, and then the situation was back to normal,” he said. “But in 2009, we see arrests and intimidation.”

Chan Soveth, a rights investigator for Adhoc, said political violence in Cambodia never meets justice.

“The culture of impunity in Cambodia from day to day is accumulating,” he said. “It is scary, and a serious concern.”

2009 Kan Ben celebration photos

Cambodians holds plates with food and incenses to offer at a Buddhist temple during the the festival of the dead, early Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The festival, also known as the Pchum Ben festival, commemorates the spirits of the dead and almost every Cambodian takes part by visiting temples. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodians celebrate the the festival of the dead at a Buddhist temple early Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The festival, also known as the Pchum Ben festival, commemorates the spirits of the dead and almost every Cambodian takes part by visiting temples. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Cambodians celebrate the the festival of the dead at a Buddhist temple early Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The festival, also known as the Pchum Ben festival, commemorates the spirits of the dead and almost every Cambodian takes part by visiting temples. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Work cut out for them

Friday, 11 September 2009 15:03 May Titthara and Kim Youthana

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Roughly 100 science students demonstrated Thursday in front of the University of Health Science, complaining that the institution had unfairly blocked too many of them from advancing to the next level. They say only 500 students made the cutoff, whereas they were previously promised a quota of 700 students. "We need school, but the school does not need us," said student Him Sokneag. The students say they will draw 3,000 people to a protest today.

Evictions hit Cambodia's poor, group says

Villagers in northwest Cambodia set court documents on fire in protest over a land dispute.
Villagers in the south have been living in a ditch since they were forced to move, CHRAC says.

Story Highlights

• Cambodian human rights network releases report on forced evictions
• Amnesty: Evictions one of Cambodia's most serious human rights violations
• Groups: Mainly the rural poor affected; people intimidated, harassed
• Official: Government committed to finding best solutions; no forced evictions

Friday, September 11, 2009
By Miranda Leitsinger
CNN

Villagers march more than 300 kilometers from northwest Cambodia to ask the prime minister to save their homes from developers. Some 400 families in the country's south learn their farmland had been given to developers only when bulldozers arrive.

Such examples of forced evictions and land conflicts are cited by the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) in a report, "Losing Ground," released Thursday.

The report was a collection of voices from people rarely heard and "present a painful look into the lives of people affected by forced evictions and intimidation, mainly the rural poor," said CHRAC, a network of 21 non-governmental organizations.

"The voices in the report belong to Cambodians who have been or are facing eviction. Most have insisted that their names and photographs be used, believing that openness will bring justice and appropriate solutions," the group said, adding that such trust is "the springboard for the next stage of Cambodia's recovery from decades of civil strife."

An estimated 150,000 Cambodians live at risk of forced eviction, Amnesty International said in its 2008 report on the country. Read about AIDS patients who were resettled to an isolated area

Beng Hong Socheat Khemro, deputy director general of Cambodia's Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, said the government was committed to finding the best solutions for not just squatters, but the entire population, and that it is drafting legal guidelines on squatter resolution. He also said the government rejected the term forced evictions, saying that meant people were forced off land they legally owned.

He noted that various factors affect land use and ownership in the country: The 1970s ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime abolished all legal and regulatory documents regarding land, strong economic growth has contributed to demand for land, particularly in urban areas, and the pace of urbanization has stepped up in recent years.

"Many people illegally occupy land that does not belong to them," he said, later noting: "What has happened now with the resettlement, or the relocation, of people is the fact that the government is implementing the law."

"I am very sure that those who claim to be on the land before the legal land owner, most of them do not have any proof at all," he said. "Most of the cases that people -- illegal squatters, settlers -- have claimed that they have been on that land since, let's say 1979, are not true. If you study the legal development of Cambodia, you will understand, and not many people understand, including the NGOs (non-governmental organizations) themselves."

Amnesty said poor Cambodians share the plight of many impoverished people around the world. The group cited the forced evictions of thousands in Angola, violence and insecurity in Brazil's shantytowns, and social services denied to Roma in Italy.

"There are more than 200,000 such communities, home to 1 billion people around the world," the group said.

"In Cambodia for the last two years, Amnesty International has been focusing on forced evictions as one of the country's most serious human rights violations today," Amnesty said in a statement on CHRAC's report. "The increasing number of land disputes, land confiscations, and industrial and urban redevelopment projects hurt almost exclusively people living in poverty."

People fighting evictions "experience harassment at the hands of the authorities or people hired by private businesses. The rich and powerful are increasingly abusing the criminal justice system to silence communities taking a stand against land concessions or other opaque business deals affecting the land they live on or cultivate," Amnesty said.

CHRAC said development of Cambodia, recovering from the Khmer Rouge genocide and ensuing decades of conflict, "must not negatively affect" people's lives.

"Our communities are losing land and natural resources. These are the resources that people have depended on for generations," CHRAC said.

The report details evictions across the country.

One group of villagers walked from the rice bowl of Battambang in the northwest to Phnom Penh to deliver a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen, seeking help in two long-running court fights with businessmen who claim to own a total of 200 hectares of their land.

"We didn't have enough money to get the bus to Phnom Penh. We had to walk. It was our last hope. We had to see Hun Sen or we would lose our land," said Chim Sarom, 45.

They delivered their letter, but Sarom said they were unsure whether he ever got it. She said authorities gave them money to go home and were told an official would visit them.

"No government official ever came to our village. If we have to, maybe we will walk again," she said.

Vietnam is pushing its products on Cambodia ... while Vietnamese retailers push Chinese-made products on the Vietnamese market

Losing control over traditional markets, domestic products unsalable

10/09/2009

VietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 90 percent of goods in Vietnam are being distributed through traditional distribution channels. Meanwhile, Vietnamese producers have lost control over traditional markets, which explains why Vietnam-made products are not selling.

Dong Xuan, one of the most famous wholesale markets in Vietnam, located in the central area of Hanoi, now looks like a Chinese market.

According to Dinh Thi My Loan, Deputy Chairwoman of the Vietnam Retailers’ Association, a recent survey at Dong Xuan Market showed that only 20 percent of the fine arts and souvenir goods and 40 percent of consumer goods available here are domestically-made products.

A lot of petty merchants at Dong Xuan Market are now working as the ‘general sales agents’ for foreign producers who distribute foreign goods to northern provinces and carry goods to the south, from which, goods are carried to every corner of every street and every family.

The same situation can also be seen in other big markets in Hanoi, including Hom, Thanh Cong and Nga Tu So Markets.

Not only traditional markets, even ancient streets in Hanoi have also become the ‘general sales agents’ for China-made goods. Hang Ngang and Hang Dao streets in Hanoi, for example, offer abundant made-in-China clothes, Hang Bo street specialises in providing Chinese garment materials, while Luong Van Can street sells China-made toys for children, and Cau Go sells China-made jewellery and souvenirs.

Even the Hanoi night market, which was established with the aim of promoting traditional Hanoi products, has also been primarily selling China-made products.

While Chinese products are flooding traditional markets thanks to their low prices and high profit for retailers, foreign brand names are dominating small convenience stores and markets in rural areas due to superior marketing.

In many rural areas, 5ml Clear shampoo bags priced at 500 dong have ‘defeated’ 200 ml shampoo bottles priced at 7,000 dong made by Saigon Cosmetics. Soft drinks, priced at 2,000 dong, carried by Coke Cola officers on three-wheeled vehicles have been reaching every street, and weeded out Tribeco products. Omo and Tide laundry detergent is dominating the shelves of groceries, and there is no more room for domestic brand names like Lix and Daso here.

The road less travelled...

“How can Vietnamese producers sell Vietnam-made products if even Vietnamese retailers only advertise foreign-made products?” questioned Loan from the Vietnam Retailers’ Association.

However, Loan understands that domestic producers have not paid attention to the development of distribution networks. That explains why Vietnam-made goods still cannot win positions in the home market, even though they have been trying to improve quality and their products are favoured in many export markets.

However, Vietnamese producers have finally realised the importance of retail shops and markets. Asia shoes, Vi Dan detergent, Vifon instant noodles, Duy Tan plastics and My Hao cosmetics have made investment in building distribution networks, trying to reach out to more remote provincial markets.

Many Vietnamese businesses have also been trying to ‘indulge’ retailers in order to become more competitive in the market. It is clear that if shop owners and retailers receive good discounts, they will automatically advertise Vietnam-made goods instead of foreign-made goods.

Competing at retail markets is really not an easy road, but is the road Vietnamese enterprises need to follow to flourish in the home market.

Phan Hung

De Castle Diamond bucks talk of property sector slump

Wednesday, 09 September 2009 15:00 Jet Odrerir

South Korean developer plans to open Phnom Penh's largest condominium development around the New Year, targeting Khmers and Korean expats

Photo by: Jet ODRERIR

A model shows the De Castle Diamond condominium project being built in Phnom Penh’s Toul Kork district.

Despite talk of some projects being put on hold, Tuol Kork district is still seeing brisk development.

When the 18-storey De Castle Diamond is finished, expected around the end of this year or beginning of next, it will be the largest condominium complex in the capital, with 178 units set on 2,500 square metres of land.

Located on the west side of Tuol Kork, on Street 315 just north of Russian Boulevard, the complex is situated within easy access of the new Rattanak Hospital as well as several new schools and is only 15 minutes from the airport.

Growing stable
This is the third De Castle project by Technology Innovation Construction Co Ltd (TIC) of South Korea, which is partnering with two of its own subsidiaries on the development: project-management firm Hi Sun Group and main contractor CNKC.

The people running TIC are not new to big investment projects in Phnom Penh. Its chairman, Kim Byung Hak, was the first chairman of the Camko City satellite city developed by fellow South Korean firm World City, and he also oversaw the building of De Castle's first two projects. He said he expects the third and largest to be finished on schedule.

Begun in 2007, the condominium complex is marketed primarily to the Cambodian middle class and South Korean expats.

The building offers four layouts: The basic one-bedroom, one-bathroom model covers 109 square metres and is going for between US$87,000 and $89,000; three-bedroom, three-bathroom units go for $170,000 for the 212-square-metre option and $200,000 for the 243-square-metre option; and the 270 square-metre four-bedroom, four-bathroom units cost around $220,000. There are still 25 units available, TIC said.

Added value
Every condo will come with cable TV and Internet access, and will be furnished with whiteware.

"Most of the materials we use here are imported from Germany and South Korea, like the dishwashers and stoves," said Chuck Villar, the sales and marketing director of the De Castle Diamond project. Also imported are the double-pane, sound-proof windows that help to cut down on outside noise.

The designer's plan was to have amenities right inside the building to provide added value for residents. The third floor houses a swimming pool, indoor driving range, spa, fitness centre, business centre and children's play area. On the rooftop is a garden area for relaxing or entertaining.

There are also quarters for 36 staff members on the mezzanine between the second and third floors for the residents' maids, cooks and drivers. The 6-square-metre rooms have shared bathroom facilities.

Four storeys of parking spaces reach from the basement up to the second floor, each housing unit having its own parking space. As the city fills up, secure reserved parking is becoming a welcome luxury.

Villar said TIC would retain ownership of the land and manage the property. "We're looking at having a 24-hour maintenance staff of cleaners, engineers, electricians and plumbers on call. This would be included in the package."

The staff on hand will fix any problem a resident might run into, whether it's an electrical or plumbing issue, or simply that they have run out of gas and need a new tank. Management fees will be charged by the size of each unit, but it is expected they will run between $0.40 and $0.90 per square metre per month.

There has also been a focus on security. Along with the 24-hour security guards, there is a closed-circuit television system throughout, and each unit has a security camera watching the front door.

"Once you have the reputation, people are more interested in working with you, and De Castle 1 is already a landmark," Villar said, referring to the company's first completed project, also on Street 315.