Michelle Obama Asked to Intervene for Activists

About 100 villagers from Boeng Chhouk village in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district blocked officials and workers on Tuesday from bringing in heavy machinery to begin work on a road expansion that would destroy some of their homes.

GMAC slams sample size in HRW report

Nearly a week after Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report detailing systemic labour rights abuse in Cambodia’s garment sector, the country’s garment manufacturers association fired back, criticising the study’s methodology and alleged omissions.

UN panel grills Cambodians

Sitting in Geneva before a panel of international experts chosen by the UN, Cambodian delegates yesterday did their best to dodge a series of pointed questions regarding the Kingdom’s adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

HRW slams draft election laws

Disputes roil Preah Vihear

A series of land disputes have shook a pair of communities in Preah Vihear province, resulting in violent scuffles and tense standoffs between government actors and members of the Kuoy ethnic minority. In Rovieng district, more than 140 families living in the Boeung Tonle Mrech community, which counts many Kuoy among its residents, filed complaints with the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Appeal against Preah Vihear provincial deputy prosecutor Long Sitha for allegedly abusing his position to tear down two stations used by community forest patrollers.

Sacked Employees Demand Severance Pay

Nineteen former employees of British American Tobacco (BAT) protested in front of the company’s Phnom Penh offices on Tuesday demanding severance pay after being fired in late December, a union leader said.

Sacked Employees Demand Severance Pay

Nineteen former employees of British American Tobacco (BAT) protested in front of the company’s Phnom Penh offices on Tuesday demanding severance pay after being fired in late December, a union leader said.

Villagers, Police Face Off in Dispute Over Road

About 100 villagers from Boeng Chhouk village in Phnom Penh’s Russei Keo district blocked officials and workers on Tuesday from bringing in heavy machinery to begin work on a road expansion that would destroy some of their homes.

Michelle Obama to push girls' education

US first lady Michelle Obama will not shy away from political or human rights issues during her trip to Cambodia this week to promote education for girls, the White House said Monday. The message came as the children and supporters of 19 imprisoned land rights activists from various Phnom Penh communities including Boeung Kak lake called on Obama to use her profile to help secure their release.

Reforms Moving Forward, Despite Hurdles and Complaints

PHNOM PENH & WASHINGTON DC—National Assembly officials say they plan to announce a new National Election Committee ahead of the Khmer New Year in April, as they prepare to debate two key contentious election laws. Both moves are signs of progress in political reform talks that have taken place since July—but not everyone is happy with them. Nor do they signal smooth sailing ahead for the relationship between the ruling party and opposition.

Families Ask to Meet Agriculture Minister

Representatives of 163 families from Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district submitted a request to the Agriculture Ministry on Monday to meet with Minister Ouk Rabun over his request that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court delay the allocation of nearly a hectare of land the families were awarded after a long-running land dispute.

First lady won't avoid Cambodia human rights concerns

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama won't avoid Cambodia's human rights record when she visits the southeast Asian nation this week, her final stop on a two-country trip to promote a new U.S. initiative to help millions of girls worldwide attend and complete school, the White House said Monday.

Cassava Farmers Protest Over Failure to Pay

Protests over the weekend by cassava farmers in Oddar Meanchey province’s Banteay Ampil district, who accuse a local businesswoman of failing to pay them for their crops, saw authorities take the dispute to the provincial court on Sunday, the district governor said on Monday. About 70 farmers staged a protest in Banteay Ampil district’s Kokmon commune Saturday, calling on officials to take action against businesswoman Nhean Rith, who they say cheated them out of 300 tons of cassava.

200 strike over unionist’s dismissal

More than 200 striking workers demonstrated in front of Siko Phnom Penh Garment Factory in the capital’s Dangkor district yesterday after management fired an employee who founded a new labour union there, according to a union representative. Siko warehouse chief Leng Chandara was fired yesterday after management realised he had founded a branch of National Trade Union Confederation (NTUC) in the factory, said Fa Saly, NTUC’s president. “This is discrimination,” Saly said. “The factory does not want to have two or three unions.”

Protesters seek Michelle Obama’s support in cases of imprisoned activists

This morning, a group of more than 100 protesters from Boeung Kak, Borei Keila, Thmor Kol and Tuol Sangke communities, including around 60 children and a number of monks, gathered in front of the US embassy to call for the release from prison of their fellow community and family members. The group collected signatures in support of a request for intervention by Michelle Obama in the cases of the imprisoned land rights activists. Michelle Obama will visit Cambodia on March 21 and 22 as part of the Let Girls Learn international education initiative.

200 strike over unionist’s dismissal

More than 200 striking workers demonstrated in front of Siko Phnom Penh Garment Factory in the capital’s Dangkor district yesterday after management fired an employee who founded a new labour union there, according to a union representative. Siko warehouse chief Leng Chandara was fired yesterday after management realised he had founded a branch of National Trade Union Confederation (NTUC) in the factory, said Fa Saly, NTUC’s president. “This is discrimination,” Saly said. “The factory does not want to have two or three unions.”

Lawyer Jailed for Aiding Escape Demands Retrial

A defense lawyer for opposition CNRP lawmaker Chan Cheng, who was sentenced to two years in jail Friday by the Kandal Provincial Court for aiding a prison escape, filed a motion with the court on Monday seeking a retrial, one of his lawyers said. Sam Sokong said the court accepted the filing Monday. “[W]e are demanding a retrial since he was tried in absentia,” Mr. Sokong said.

Cambodian Activists Urge U.S. First Lady to Seek Release of Jailed Land Defenders

More than 50 activists gathered in front of the U.S embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday to request the intervention of First Lady Michelle Obama to press Cambodian authorities to release 11 jailed land rights defenders. They want Obama, who is visiting Cambodia on March 20-22 to promote a U.S. initiative to help girls around the world attend and finish school, to put pressure on the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen to free the activists, who have been jailed for their involvement in protests of land development projects in the Boeung Kak and Borei Keila communities of the Cambodian capital.

Sonando Agrees to Pay Fired Staff, But Refuses Severance

After meeting with Phnom Penh labor officials on Monday, Beehive Radio owner Mam Sonando agreed to pay four employees he has now fired for shoddy attendance their salaries for February, but is still refusing their demands for severance pay.

Japan to Send Voter Registration Experts to Cambodia

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday returned from an international disaster management conference in Japan, where he secured a promise from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to help Cambodia with voter registration once new election laws come into effect, an official said.