CPP speechless amid search for spokesman

Speaking for six hours at the convening of the National Assembly in September 2013, Prime Minister Hun Sen called for a new era of responsiveness from the CPP government. After his ruling party’s shock losses at last year’s national election, Mr. Hun Sen warned the leaders of the party to re-engage with an angered electorate or risk alienating itself completely. “We have many mirrors to use if we want to use them and we learn to accept the reality, including a platform for public consultation with the people,” Mr. Hun Sen said.

UN calls on Gov’t to protect group of Montagnards in country

The U.N.’s refugee agency on Tuesday confirmed that 13 Montagnards have crossed into the country from Vietnam and urged the Cambodian government to refrain from deporting members of the group at the risk of endangering their lives. “UNHCR is aware of 13 Montagnards from Viet Nam who recently arrived in Cambodia,” Vivian Tan, the regional press officer for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said in an email.

NO compensation for vendors at Old Market

The committee that runs Old Market in Phnom Penh told the owners of stall that were gutted by a fire on Monday that they would receive no compensation and would have to rebuild their business themselves.

Samphan’s Boycott Forces Tribunal’s Adjournment

The Khmer Rouge tribunal has capitulated to a sustained boycott of Khieu Samphan’s genocide trial by his defense team, adjourning proceedings until next year so the lawyers can prepare an appeal against his recent conviction for crimes against humanity.

Tribunal Agrees to Hold up Trail

After more than a month of wrangling, the Khmer Rouge tribunal’s trial chamber yesterday reluctantly gave in to Khieu Samphan and his defence team, deciding to adjourn Case 002/02 proceedings until January 8 due to their ongoing court boycott.

Environment Minister Asks for Patience on Areng Valley Dam

Environment Minister Say Sam Al on Monday asked environmental activists and opposition politicians to be patient as evaluations are carried out into the likely impacts of a controversial proposed dam in Koh Kong province’s Areng Valley.

Sticking Points Remain as Parties Edge Toward NEC Agreement

Officials from the ruling CPP and opposition CNRP said Monday that technical talks over the creation of a new National Election Committee (NEC) are finished and that it is now up to top party leaders to resolve remaining issues. CNRP President Sam Rainsy also said Monday that he would seek to contact Prime Minister Hun Sen in the coming days in order to expedite the creation of the new NEC.

Phnom Penh court cancels monk activist's hearing due to technical fault

Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday cancelled hearing of prominent monk activist, who was accused of series of criminal charges, due to technical fault. Speaking at the hearing after a 15-minute break consideration, president judge Tob Chhonheng said that the hearing today is not linked to Luon Savath because the case had already been finished since 2010, and was invalid.

Conservationists Ask Minister to Take Action

A group of conservationists in Kratie province put in a formal request on Friday asking Defence Minister Tea Banh to discipline two Kratie-based military commanders. They accuse the officers of profiting from illegal logging and threatening an activist with death should he continue his work.

Authorities warn union leader

Police on Friday warned labor union leader Pav Sian that if he continues to lead protests- thereby violating the rule of court order- he will be arrested.

បុគ្គលិក​ព្រលានយន្ដហោះ​សៀមរាបជិត​២០០​នាក់ ធ្វើ​បាតុកម្ម​ទាមទារ​លក្ខខណ្ឌ​ការងារ​​

Hun Sen clarifies Australia refugee agreement

Prime Minister Hun Sen has once again defended his government’s decision to resettle asylum seekers intercepted by Australian authorities and detained on the tiny island nation of Nauru, this time in a letter to National Assembly President Heng Samrin. In the letter, dated November 17 and obtained Sunday, Mr. Hun Sen says the September 29 deal inked by Interior Minister Sar Kheng and Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison follows international and humanitarian standards.

Cambodian-born US politicians joins prison protest

Three weeks after becoming the first Cambodian-American legislator in the U.S., Rady Mom joined hundreds of protesters in Phnom Penh on Sunday to demand the release of 17 imprisoned activists, opposition figures and monks from Prey Sar prison. Mr. Mom, 45, who was elected as a Massachusetts state representative in the November 4 U.S. midterm elections, arrived in Cambodia last week for a two-week visit to the country.

Hun Sen clarifies Australia refugee agreement

PM Hun Sen attempted last week to alleviate the fears of National Assembly First Deputy President Kem Sokha about the social and economic costs of Cambodia’s controversial refugee deal with Australia.

Refugees in Cambodia face dire situation, report says

Abuse, discrimination and extortion await refugees who are sent to Cambodia from Nauru under a $35 million deal signed by Interior Minister Sar Kheng in September to take Australia’s asylum seekers, according to an investigation by Human Rights Watch (HRW). In a series of interviews conducted last week, 10 refugees currently living in Cambodia told the advocacy group that they have difficulty obtaining jobs, are denied access to education and receive substandard health care.

Veteran protester leads BK lake fight

Street vendor-turned-rights activist Nget Khun, known locally as “Mommy”, Is leading figure in Cambodian’s fight against forced eviction. And at 75, she was one of 10 women jailed earlier this month for one year.

GMAC claims on true wage ‘ exaggerated’

The Garment manufacturers Association in Cambodia said in a statement this week that under new minimum wage workers can actually earn up to $250 per month, though others were quick to label the figure exaggerated.

Hun Sen Insists Recent Arrests Not Political

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday told those who have claimed that a spate of recent arrests were politically motivated to “be careful” with their words, and raised the prospect that the seven CNRP lawmakers released from jail on July 22 could still be prosecuted. Speaking at a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh, Mr. Hun Sen said the July 22 political deal with CNRP President Sam Rainsy, which led the opposition to end its 10-month parliamentary boycott, had not brought an end to criminal justice.

FB pics extortion earns 10 months

A 24-year-old student was sentenced to 10 months in prison by Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday for posting 14 nude photos of his girlfriend on Facebook in an attempt to extort money from her in exchange for deleting them.

Hun Sen denies that government is behind recent rash of arrest

Wading into the debate for the first time, PM Hun Sen dismissed allegations yesterday that the recent arrestsw of land activists, monks and opposition members were politically motivated, and said there is nothing he can do to secure the detainees’ release from prison.