Converting a paper book into an ebook using Ubuntu

My task today, as the title says, is to convert a paper book into a text-searchable ebook on Ubuntu (a Linux-based OS).

I'm using an HP G60 Intel Core2Duo using Ubuntu Jaunty 64-bit.

My plan is to:

1. scan the book (about 100 pages) using Xsane scanner with my Epson Stylus CX3100 (old machine that she is) into TIFF files at 300 dpi
2. crop pages so only one page is showing (rather than two pages side by side) so that I can use tesseract for OCR. I'm hoping to use a batch processing plugin on the GIMP for that.
3. I will need to remove any blemishes from each page, such as shadows and scribbles in the margins from previous readers. Also hoping a batch process will do the lion's share of this.
4. living in Cambodia, this is a copy of an original book, so the 'original' is not that great. I'm expecting some OCR errors because of that.
5. Then I will need to collate the OCR text into a text file, can I batch this somehow? Manual copy-and-paste will be really tedious.
6. Using the text file will import to Calibre to create an ebook of any file I want (pdb, prc, mobi, lib, you name it!)
7. save to SD card for reading (I currently use a Palm TX)

Let's see how I go and I'll let you know any further steps I needed to use.

Exercise Postponed

Sadly I was taken ill Thursday night and spent all of Saturday in a horizontal posture. Exercise will have to wait until I recover sufficient energy to attempt the ride to Kep.

Excerise

One of my (ongoing) goals is fitness. But is like so many goals that
gets pushed to the end of the list, and simply missed in the craziness
of life. Well, the move to Kampot is facilitating excercise - somewhat.

leadership

Two and a half years ago I was asked to take on leadership for InnerChange's Cambodia team. I don't think anyone can be offered such a thing and not feel a measure of pride. I certainly experienced that. But simultaneously I felt fear of such a task. At the time we numbered around 14 team (plus kids). From my perspective at the time there were a lot of challenges for team leadership.

What am I reading?

Power-Under by Steve Wineman

Steve Wineman looks at the political implications of trauma in nonviolent resistance, suggesting that trauma has it's effects on both the politics of the left and the right. The left projects trauma onto systems and structures and push for social change using rage. The right projects trauma onto individuals and groups from minorities, thereby scapegoating them.

My friend the enemy...

Dear friends,

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU.com) released their findings that includes rating Cambodia with a very high risk of social instability (fourth out of 165 countries) due to economic challenges, underpinned by other social factors such as unemployment, inequality, lack of trust in institutions, etc. Also predicting social unrest (not addressed in the report) are factors like the presence of a large number of youth compared to the population overall, low levels of education, and the presence of lucrative natural resources like oil and minerals, trees, arable land, gems and precious metals. Rising nationalism is also of great concern to Cambodia.

I can poop!

It's half past one in the afternoon. Both boys are down for a nap. For Patrick this is somewhat of a relief as he often forgoes the afternoon nap. But he's been sick the last week with an eye infection.

This morning Samantha and I woke to Patrick declaring, "Isaac pooped!". But no matter how much Sam asked, "where?" he wouldn't tell us. Eventually Isaac pipped up for himself and said, "I did poop!", in his shrill 2 year old voice. He was obviously very proud.

I finally made it up out of bed and discovered that Isaac hadn't simply pooped in one place, but several. Ah, the blessings of wooden floors! ___________________________________________________
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Lent - a reflection from Cambodia

Lent always seems to come around too fast. Each passing Easter I say to myself, "I'm going to prepare myself for Easter better next year", and next year comes and it's the same old scramble. It's not just a calendaring thing, but a head and heart thing. This year, at least, I've been jolted into a somewhat earlier preparation as CRM, my parent organisation, is sending out a devotional guide for each day of Lent. Just having these, often unread, emails filling my inbox is enough to initiate some introspection.

Intro to prophetic current quarter

Week one. What is violence? How is it manifested? Week two. Personal
and direct. Three. Economic. Four. Structural. Five. Nature of
nonviolence. Six. Response, plan, strategy. Both gospel and non gospel
texts. Nt, ot. Maybe a focus on one or two communities. Pray for them
and their specific issues. Email team leaders for their input what are
the issues of violence for their teams, contexts. Reminder, info on
pico and other trainings.

--
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___________________________________________________
Support human rights defenders in Cambodia

sign the petition:
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Intro to prophetic current quarter

So steeped in our worldview it's hard to imagine a world without it,
and may even feel it immoral to suggest that there is no place for
violence. What about national defence? Personal security? Terrorism?
Crime? Etc. I strongly believe that part of jesus' mission was to live
a life exemplifying nonviolence.

Intro letter for prophetic current quarter

Draft. Dear staff, the last year and a half has been a huge learning
experiment for me, to which i owe a huge debt of gratitude to many
people - not the least, Samantha, my team here in Cambodia, and many
patient human rights workers. Its been a journey of learning how to
deal with evil in it's specific manifestation of violence. A good
friend recently asked me what's my vision for Cambodia? My response
was

Prophetic quarter ideas

Bible passages for reflection. Method? Lectio or other? Have people
think of prophetic issues, esp around violence. Still use themes from
acts, but use bible. Then action options like CSJ. Also include
research options like meeting a community leader or human rights
group, peace building group. Critical thinking on what you're
observing. Etc. As well, extra readings for the ambitious. And links
to web sites and movies, documentaries. Is there time to send DVD of
all stuff to teams?

What passages? The usual, plus unusual? Micah 6 8, luke 4, acts 2,
turn other cheek, walk second mile, loving OTHER - good samaritan, ok,
check some of my writings. Put away your swords, blessed are the
peacemakers. What prayer exercises could be done to be interesting and
unique? Thinking, asking what is prophetic, justice, peace - for whom?
Listen to paul's song if he's ok. Links to website movies. Licadho, al
jazeera, movies - war on democracay, lions for lambs, war inc, jouex
noelle, etc. Film an intro by me?

--
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___________________________________________________
Support human rights defenders in Cambodia

sign the petition:
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New directions

The last few weeks, since the Dey Krahom eviction, have been busy and
overloaded. I'm struggling to keep the website going since losing
Senim, and I've yet to secure any volunteers or staff to help the
newspaper mapping going, and i have many more ideas for expanding it

Socheat

Today I learned of Socheat, a brave young woman of 22 who faces court
tomorrow. Her crime: pulling a police officer off another community
member and protecting her from a serious beating. As a result Socheat
was beaten and charged. She faces 8 months in prison. But is willing
to do so. What a champion for peace, nonviolence and her community!

--
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___________________________________________________
Support human rights defenders in Cambodia

sign the petition:
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Fwd: DK update - February 16

From Lee...

Sorry for the delay in updates. Internet access has been sporadic.

Today, we went to court to get the verdict for the three DK representatives regarding one of the bogus criminal cases against them. The courts found them guilty of 'assault' and 'destruction of property', and sentenced them to 1.5 years SUSPENDED sentence, with 5 years probation. The 7NG company asked for over $60,000 in damages but the court decided on $500 from each defendant. Just to spell it out for you, this is the best news we could have hoped for. Despite being innocent, nobody expected an innocent verdict but still hoped to keep them out of prison as the best-case scenario.

Nonviolent story project

Peace and Justice: Cambodia's Nonviolent Story Project.

Building peace and ensuring justice in Cambodia one story at a time.

--
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Story telling as peace building

What is story telling? Passing on the story to others. Action
reflection on the story - experience. Values personal exp as
learning-teaching tool and methodology. Transfers knowledge to others
that would otherwise be lost. Move from content focus to process
focus. But need to provide content. Answers the mythology problem of
creating nonviolent myth alternatives. Stories are creative, each
listener is at the same level, it creates a temporary alternative
reality as determined and controlled by story teller. Can be used in
different situations for different purposes. Others can tell story, or
insert their own. There are no right and wrong ways to tell a story.
Focus is on drawing lessons. Also on internalising the values of the
story. Helps communities realise they're not on their own, and not
starting from zero, helps communities avoid common traps and tactics
used by companies-other interests. Low cost. Can be done anywhere. Is
relational. Culturally engaging and normative.

--
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I just need my morning coffee

After all these years ordering a coffee still gets me in a pickle.

To get an iced coffee with milk is quite a trial in the morning. To start I'm barely conscious without the ante meridian infusion of caffeine. My communication skills - in any language - are severely hampered. My patience for stunned waiters and waitresses at a foreigner speaking khmer is very low. And then I try to get the order out as fluently as possible. It rarely works. But I'm usually so desperate for my fix that I take whatever caffeinated beverage they decide I asked for - usually NOT what I thought I asked for.

For several naive years I asked for iced coffee incorrectly. One is supposed to say, 'coffee, milk, ice' in that exact order. It doesn't help that the khmer phrase is a tongue-twister at the best of times, the difficulty level upgraded by the lack of current caffeine supply in the blood-stream.

Once I realised I'd been saying, 'coffee, ice, milk' and not the correct order, after a kindly khmer friend corrected me, I thought my troubles would be over. Not so.

I would say my chances of a correct order have increased twenty per cent. But no more. There are mornings where I forget the correct order, or my tongue refuses to operate under direct instruction from the cerebral command center. There are plenty of times when my servers refuse to believe I'm even speaking a language they understand. And so I get a blank stare, then a polite shake of the head and a softly spoken, 'I Don't understand' to which I reply, 'you don't speak Cambodian'? Another smile and shake of the head. I repeat myself. This time my interlocutor turns around to find his/her eldest child who is studying English at school from a Cambodian teacher who learnt English from a non-native speaker. Then there is a brief tussle over who's second language skills are better than the other. If my Khmer is better we finally discover together that I really do speak Khmer and I want an iced coffee with milk, thanks very much.

Ninety percent the man I was

I'm at the doctors the other day with kids and family in tow (or was
it me being towed?). We were getting shots/injections. Rabies for all
and tetanus boosters for Sam and I.
To keep the boys interested while doctor is preparing the
syringes, etc, we jump on the scales. My eyes nearly popped out of
their sockets - It read 88kg! I haven't weighed under 90kg since i
rowed crew more than 15 years ago. When Sam and I left Australia for
Cambodia in 2004 I was weighing in around 105kg - my heaviest.

I do no exercise - beyond throwing a two and four year old around
occasionally. But i have decreased how much I eat quite a bit.

So in 5 years I am now less than ninety percent the man I used to be.

--
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Our neighbourhood

The talk of the street this past few weeks has been devoted to the
ongoing road works paving our street with concrete. Just yesterday
they finally reached past our front gate. We can now drive our car in
and out on nicely paved road instead of bumpy, rutted road
occasionally covered with broken bricks, sand, dirt and plenty of
rubbish. Hopefully by the end of next week the entire street will be
complete.

--
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Bushfires

Dear Australian friends, family,

my heart and prayers go out to all affected by this devastation. I
hope that you and your families are safe from harm and injury.

Peace. Chris BakerEvens.

--
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Fwd: we can do something for justice in Cambodia this week!

A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING FOR JUSTICE IN CAMBODIA! Dear friends, 3 important events coming up this week: On this Tuesday (10th) at 8.00, there is a meeting at 7NG between 7NG (the company behind the violent eviction of Dey Krahom community two weeks ago (24th Jan) and Dey Krahom community representatives. 7NG, in collusion with the Govt and Municipality of Phnom Penh, have carried out a violent eviction, and have created a humanitarian disaster resulting in hundreds of Internally Displaced people with now inadequate access to shelter, sanitation, livlihoods, schools etc. This meeting is reported to be the Communities LAST CHANCE to gain compensation from 7NG. We are appealing to all people of faith, and all those who long for justice in this nation, to come join us in a prayer vigil from 8.00am onward. If you can come for 20 minutes or an hour or all morning, if you want to pray or just stand in quiet solidarity with those violently evicted and who have had their homes destroyed - we would welcome you. We believe this will make a difference. We will meet on the small park area directly in front of 7NG's entrance. 7NG office is at #15 Sotheros Boulevard, not far from Build Bright University, the Anana Center, and Lucky Seven Burgers. Secondly: On Wednesday 2pm, at the Municipal Court, 3 community leaders of Dey Krahom appear to face trumped up charges of doing property damage to 7NG. These are cynical charges being used to intimidate those who dared to lead the resistance to the grabbing of tehir land. Again, please come and prayerfully show your solidarity (the exact time & location will be sent out in an e mail tomorrow). Thirdly: on Friday evening, 6.00-9.30pm we have the first meeting of 2009 for CSJ (Christians for Social Justice) group. This is a group of people from various Christian faith traditions who meet regularly to reflect, discuss, pray, advocate and network to advance to cause of justice in Cambodia. We also have excellent partnerships and work collaboratively with several local human rights groups. There will be food as well! Location, Servants Team Center #119 (1st floor), St 440 (the street that runs along the northern edge of Toul Tom Poung market). The house is about 50 meters west of the corner of 440 and 155. (Unfortunately, on some maps St 440 is listed as St 444, so don't be fooled!). We will be discussing our strategy for 2009. We'd love to see you at any of these events. God Bless Kristin Jack (017 348 164) and Chris Baker Evans (012 359 143). Contact either of us for more details. We are calling upon all people of faith, and those who long for justice in this nation, to gather in the small park area immediately in front of the 7NG entrance for a prayer vigil. We will be praying gthru the morning for justice to be done, and fair compensation for land taken and homes and livlihoods destroyed. If you can join us for 20 minutes or an hour or all morning to offer prayer, or just stand in solidarity with the people viollently evicted from Dey Krahom, PLEASE COME AND JOIN US from 8.00 am onwards.

we can do something for justice in Cambodia this week!

SONGS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS concerning Dey Krahom Join us for a moving and inspiring night of great music on Thursday, January 12, 7pm at Gasolina #56-58, St. 57 Phnom Penh. The Danish band "The Chopsticks" arrived in Cambodia in January of 2009 to release - "Love & Eviction" - a new album dedicated to and inspired by Dey Krahorm village and their 4-year, non-violent resistance to eviction. The Chopsticks and Dey Krahorm artists and leaders had planned to launch a solidarity concert tour for threatened and evicted communities at the end of January. But on January 24th, instead of instruments and song-sheets, they grabbed cameras and human rights monitor vests and witnessed the brutal attack on Dey Krahorm friends, hope, and human rights in general. Today, re-motivated by Dey Krahorm's continued resilience, The Chopsticks are picking up their instruments for a fund-raising concert in support of the hard-working volunteers of LICADHO Canada who have documented the trials and tribulations of Dey Krahorm side by side with the villagers. This documentation has been used as legal evidence, to support existing advocacy efforts and has been key in enabling Dey Krahorm to claim a loud voice. The Chopsticks concerts will ensure LICADHO Canada continue to document this critical time in Dey Krahorm's story. A limited amount of the "Love & Eviction" albums will be available for minimum of $30 donation. Additionally, a selection of LICADHO Canada's hard-impact videos will be shown between sets and Borey Penn [LICADHO Canada] will share an update on the current situation of the Dey Krahorm evictees. Join us for a moving and inspiring night on Thursday, January 12, 7pm at Gasolina #56-58, St. 57 Phnom Penh Contact Cornelius for details 017 799 716. [A special thank you to Gasolina for donating the venue]

Prayer for Dey Krahom

Friends of peace & faith: Christians 4 Social Justice will hold a
prayer vigil at 8am tomorrow Cambodia time at park in front of
office of 7ng / Lucky 7 on Sothearos Blvde in support of Dey Krahom
negotiations with 7ng. All are welcome to pray.

This is a high-level meeting including representatives from the Prime
Ministers cabinet office, and could be the last real opportunity for
fair compensation for Dey Krahom evictee's. DK meet today to plan for
tomorrow. Your prayers for their preparation also appreciated.

On Wednesday Chan Vichet and two other DK community leaders will go to
court on false charges of destruction of property (charges made by 7ng
company). Many friends and supporters will go to the court house.
Again, your prayers deeply appreciated.

Peace. Chris.

--
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Tired

After three survey trips and attempts at squeezing in my normal work
schedule I am completely EXHAUSTED. I've been lying around all day.
Vertical is too much energy expenditure for right now. Even Patrick
turned in at 7.30pm tonight.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day five: the last ride home

Well, I certainly hope it's the last ride home! We bought two seats
outright in the taxi-van so it's not too tight like in Snuol. We've
been sent home from Chenda's with three branches of coconuts. All very
sweet with plenty of meat.

Our final meeting with the pastor in Chuuk was hard to sit through. I
was done listening and talking in khmer, and this guy really know's
how to talk! All good stuff, gave us some important background and an
invitation to come partner with him and his partnership of churches.
But I was just exhausted.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day five

Heap and i are squished in the back of a taxi with two other
passengers. We're on our way to Chuuk. This is our last day, and last
meeting of the trip. Them we get to go home to our families. :)

The road is really bumpy. Up and down, side to side. There is some
road works indicating impotenents. But only a small section. It will
be a while before the road is any good.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day four

This afternoon's meeting was probably the most encouraging of the
whole trip, simply for the contrast to the more depressing information
and contacts.

We met a young pastor who finished bible school two years ago and came
to Kampot to start ministering shortly after.

Right now he has 15 groups involving 1000 children, a sunday morning
service for up to 100 children and another for 25 youth. He is not
strangely in need of assistance as if only has five helpers.

There was sonnetiing about this pastor that encouraged me. I'm not
sure what, and maybe i was in a better frame of mind after meeting the
community folk in the morning.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day four

Today's surveying has been encouraging for both Heap and I. We
travelled out towards Kompong Som this morning to meet with a
community losing two thousand plus hectares of land to a Chinese?
company. The legal situation sounds confusing and in the space of
legal fog the government and company have taken a large tract of land
(one side is 10 km long) on the mountainside where the community
relies on for agriculture and forest products that increases their
livelihood sustainability.

One community seems to be bold and face the company. But many are not.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day four

I'm not sure why, but I'm finding my language skills are coming
together well for me. My listening is by far the strongest element,
followed by speaking. My greatest liability is the size of my
vocabulary. As I engage more and more with communities I'm recognising
more and more words I DON'T know and can then go away and look them up
- if I'm not too lazy.

My speaking is definitely more confident than just a short time ago,
and I find being in situations without translation assistance is very
helpful as I've only my own skills to rely on. Having said that, Heap
has been invaluable this trip, and in Mondulkiri and Kratie, when I
really got in deep.

I think losing the Smith's and Everitt's has pushed me as I realise
that after Heap, I am next most experienced in language on team
(closely followed by Sam and Hayden). And that's scary knowing how
little I know. But I see that a move out of Phnom Penh is going to
accelerate my language skills immensely.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day three

After talking with the missionaries and pastor i feel less confident
that this is a great place to work. There is a lot of dependency -
expectation of money or material benefit - from much of the Christian
work done. It is a very hard dynamic to break. And there is still
plenty of pastors and groups willing to throw money around. Therefore
anyone not willing to play the game will find it hard to keep good
people as there is a well paid position to be had elsewhere. Or a bag
of rice for sitting through a sermon on the weekend. But the fruit is
obvious. Committed Christians - those convinced of the story of Jesus
as a life-changing and life-giving story, will stay away, while others
buy people's allegiance in the most obvious fashions. Like calling for
offerings and telling people God will not bless them unless they give
generously to the church, and immediately turning arounding and
handing out money to the participants. All the while video-taping the
proceedings as 'evidence' of such a faithful group of believers for
the foreign donor churches and agencies to see. How sad.

As such, a common answer to the question: how could we complement what
is already going on in Kampot, was - basic bible teaching to know the
values a Christian is to live by, and leadership development as many
people are supported by short term groups, but there are few who live
here permanently and walk alongside the pastors through the good and
bad times.

To me that seems like a big mess to wall through.

The pastor we met was not really inspiring to me. Maybe it was a bad
day for him. He seemed really young and his plans seemed unrealistic
to me - like wanting to teach local school teachers the bible so they
could teach the children. Even though the teachers are not Christian
themselves. Part of his motivation is that they teach evolution in
school - that we come from monkeys. That seems like an immature
response when there are so many other issues to consider. Surely
evolution is on the bottom of the list of concerns in Cambodia!

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day three

This first thing that really strikes me, as a visitor from the city to
a small country town, is the silence and the new sounds it bring with
it - crickets, soft music from distant restaurants, the rush of the
ceiling fan. The sound of a dog scrummaging on the side of the road.
All of there are hidden in Phnom Penh.

Today has been quite busy, going from one meeting to the next. So I am
writing this reflection at the end of the day, and may need to split
into several installmets as my phone won't let me write an endless
note. Which is probably in the readers' favour.

In short, we net with four groups of people. Two missionary families,
one person who helped establish a local NGO, and a local pastor. I'm
going to refrain from using names on such a public venue as a blog.

The first meeting with the local NGO, but foreign founder, is someone
I've connected with before, and has connections in both the faith, and
human rights spheres. As such I admire his work very much and the
values he and his wife embody.

As i expected, Kampot is no stranger to land grabbing and the adverse
effects of economic land concessions. Mostly Korean and Chinese firms.
Agricultural and dams projects. Apparently 2000 Chinese workers live
around here to work on just one dam project alone. Communities are
constantly on the defensive, but have had some success. A couple of
months back one community marched on the governor and demanded a
solution or they would not leave. He signed a document giving them
their land back. You can probably find the article on my website from
last year.

From my respective, there is a great partnership opportunity with this
group. They have a good grasp of the issues and are looking to expand
operations in the coming years.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey Trip - day two

On the bus to Kampot now. Couple of Tuk Tuk drivers wanted to scam us
into buying tickets from them saying we wouldn't get on otherwise! The
bus driver has been more helpful.

If anything, this time has been an easing into our work in Kampot. We
have a full day booked for tomorrow, so no more leisurely strolls
along the beach to eat fresh cooked crabs in pepper sauce. Though
Kampot is not known for shabby food either.

I guess we got a good overall lay of the land from Luc and Ling. And
who have been incredibly hospitable.

And it takes about half a minute to remind me why i don't want to move
to Kampot - the road. The worst i've travelled on in Cambodia.

It also turns out that BAB work in Kep.

--
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Kampot / Kep Survey - day two

Heap and I net with Pastor Soeung and the Kampong Trach home group.
They are the only group that meets weekly in all of Kep area that we
know of. Kep has about 30,000 people - I need to check that figure. So
this community is way out on their own and I'm sure appreciate all the
prayer support they can get. And it's good to know they recieve
encouragement and training from missionaries in Kampot.

--
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Spiritual Gift survey

According to the questionnaire my gifts are:
1. Mercy, 2. Administration, equal 3. Giving, leadership, teaching, and wisdom.

According to my review of the characteristics of gifts i would say:
1. Service, 2. Helps, 3. Administration, 4. Prophet, 5. Exhortation.

I had to take a broad view of the characteristics because, again, the
language used and examples given don't relate well with me. And except
for service i didn't fit the definition 100 per cent of any of the
gifts listed. I suppose that's true of us all.

What it does confirm is that my primary 'leadership' gifts are
so-called supporting gifts, and i am secondarily gifted in 'equipping'
gifts. People tend to follow me because of who i am and what i do,
less because of what i say, or the vision i caste.

--
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Kampot / Kep survey - day two

Nothing to report so far. Heap and I are relaxing by the beach,
working on our Paul Ford Leadership Grip questionnaires. Strangely
enough I struggle with the language it uses to ask question. Very
evangelical, and I'm just not evangelical. I moved on from
evangelicalism a long time ago. While I used to lap up spiritual gift
assessments - because I wanted to know how God intended to make my
life great - I now wonder if spiritual gifts are a reality or just a
fancy Christian label for personal attributes. On the other hand, the
basic question being asked by the questionnaire - how has God equipped
me for leadership - is sound and helpful. More so than checking the
boxes next to strangely-worded questions. I think I will go through
the descriptions of leadership 'gifts' to identify my own strengths
and weaknesses. That will be a better way forward than being
frustrated by evangelicalese.

The premise I value for leadership is to look back at the way we have
used various life opportunities to lead others. What was done well,
what was done poorly, do i work as an individual or in a team? Do i
see the bigger picture, or work out the details?

--
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Kampot / Kep: End of day one

This evening we met Ling and Luc who live next to the Vanna bungalows
and have an amazing 180 degree panoramic view of the Kep seascape.
Astounding!

They have a partnership of some kind with OMF but are not
missionaries. They are building a retreat centre on the mountain /
hill behind their house.

Not that we are looking to move to Kep, but they gave us the low down
on the local church, which is that it is minimal. There is one 'home
group' of about 20 older farming folk, who we will visit tomorrow
afternoon. And a smattering of Christian families near their house.
There are only a Dey foreigners in Kep. Their was at one stage a
Quaker couple but it sounds as though they are gone now. Most of the
Christian community is based in Kampot and Chuuk.

There are several Cham fishing villages along the coast and according
to Ling are doing pretty well. No resource conflicts that she is aware
of.

At dinner there was a young foreign woman, seemingly on her own, but
later joined by an eager looking group of young khmer men, all
drinking beer. She spoke reasonable khmer and i couldn't tell if she
was a journalist or tourist or someone practising her khmer with the
locals. Don't know why I mention this. It just looked a little
strange, is all.

Well, i'm looking forward to a good night's sleep with no
interruptions from young kids early in the morning.

--
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Kampot survey trip

Heap and I are sitting on the bus waiting to leave the station - it's
taking quite a while for some reason.

We have a good trip planned now. As is usual it's come together at the
last minute. And we're still trying to arrange meetings.

Our plan is to meet two couples in the sea-side resort town of Kep.
Both run retreat centers and can hopefully explain some of the
situation in the church. We will then go on to Kampot town itself and
meet NGO contacts there. Hallam and Katie from STT and possibly staff
from CLEC and Licadho. On monday or tuesday we will meet two community
leaders from a Cham (muslim) community. Following that we will meet a
pastor in Chuuk, which is kind of the Christian Mecca of Cambodia.
Although not without it's problems and scandals. This pastor
supposedly knows a lot of people and is well connected to the pulse of
the Christian community.

Both Heap and I are starting this journey tired. I confess to coming
close to postponing it for when i feel more energetic. But when will
that ever be? Both Heap and I have attended to several crises this
week - me with the Dey Krahom eviction, and Heap with staff in
Treasures.

But leaving now i feel more energized and expectant.

Trying to decide where we'll move as a team is getting hard. Each
place has great merits to them. It will come down to a choice between
three good options I feel. Though I'm thinking Snuol in Kratie
province would be most strategic in that there are few NGO's there,
but a number of healthy communities that would be great to partner
with. Kampot is beautiful and the whole team would be happy to move
there tomorrow. But already is well served by NGO's. Mondulkiri also
has NGO's and is less interesting given it's population is so small.
Each area has opportunities for working with ethnic minority groups,
so that is a plus.

I will also visit Chenda on wednesday on the way home, who just had a baby girl.

If you are reading this, take some time to pray for Heap and I on this
trip, as well as the whole team in these decisions.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Peace-and-justice-cambodia website

I'm been encouraged a lot this week over the
peace-and-justice-cambodia website where i'm collecting news articles
on land, natural resources, evictions and investment related issues
here in Cambodia. I then map these on a monthly basis using google
earth and google maps. Its a visually effective way to describe how
all-pervasive these issues are.

I want to expand this project to include more information coming
directly from communities themselves. I don't expect this to be a
complete covering of all that is being done, but an attempt at
real-time mapping of actions taken by communities in response to the
effects of investment, land concessions and encroachment.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Dey Krahorm

Dear friends,

 

Please find attached recent photos, statements and briefing paper about the violent eviction that took place in Dey Krahorm on Saturday at 6:00 AM. The series of photos attached was compiled by one of my Cambodian colleagues who found a way to express his sorrow and sadness. More information, DVD, photos are also posted at www.licadho-cambodia.org

 

Let me know if you do not wish to receive any more information about DK as I understand you receive many other emails and documents too.

 

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your friends who have dropped off used clothing, toys, shoes and money to our office in the past few days. The response from individuals, families, schools, churches and NGOs has been overwhelming, we have received thousands of much needed items for babies, children and adults from DK and a few offers to house villagers temporarily. Many thanks to those who have dropped by to see DK villagers in our office to listen to their stories, comfort their pains and sorrows with kindness and try to assist individual families cope from day to day. Also, thank you to individuals and ICF in enabling NGO workers and volunteers to obtain professional counseling to cope with their own pains and sorrows. Many thanks to individuals who are working in different ways to continue lobbying for justice to DK families who are still fighting for justice and compensation and to the hundreds of DK families who are living in misery in the new dumping site.

 

Humanitarian distribution in this new dumping site (Dangkao district which is located about 16-20 km from PP) will take place this Sunday, email me or text me at 012 803 650 if you wish to join groups of NGOs and volunteers to distribute items, I will know more details including time of distribution by noon today.

 

All your support, caring, efforts, work and generosity is giving back the dignity and hope to DK families who were stripped of their possession and identity. We are committed to continue helping people who have been violated but it is the support of all of you that gives us the strength and clarity to continue working in such a violent and uncertain environment. Thank you again!

 

Naly/LICADHO

Engaging and Integrating Faith and Justice

It's not as easy as I thought. And this week I've experienced a good
amount of dislocation as well as integration.

Often i'm living in one world or the other. But occasionally the two
come together. A lunch appointment had me discussing possible justice
oriented actions by Christians. And my own organisation has been very
responsive to the situation at Dey Krahom. But i still desire a more
integrated vocabulary for myself where faith meets justice more
harmoniously. To talk of prayer in a human rights meeting may seem
crazy, but is a fundamentally human act, as well as inviting the Human
One into the process.

The peace-building world seems most conducive to integrating these,
but I'm yet to collaborate closely with peace builders on a day to day
basis. I'd like that to change and I want my own perception of myself
and work to be more influenced and nuanced by peacebuilding concepts
and practices.

A year ago I sought to apprentice myself to a human rights group. I've
done that, not quite as I expected, but through partnership. I now
want to complement that with the peace movement. Why? Because it is
more wholistic and open to faith expression, as well as looking for
interventions in conflict systems that are less finger-pointing and
blaming and more about facilitating connections between currently
warring or fighting factions. And this is what I see as a gap in
Cambodia. There is little space for communities, authorities and
companies to dialogue. Often for obvious reasons, such as companies
seem and act so insular, having little vision for mutually bendicial
arrangements with a community.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Dey Krahom - reflections

After talking with friends from Dey Krahom tonight I realise I have
been disengaged from my feelings quite a bit since Saturday - the day
of the eviction. Each day the eviction kind of fades a little, even as
Dey Krahom members continue to be homeless - or worse. I heard tonight
that 7NG do food distributions to the people dumped on the side of the
road. Yet some still miss out. Those who get food and those who don't
is based entirely of the say-so of the original community leaders -
the ones who originally sold out Dey Krahom to 7NG in the first place.
Talk about re-traumatizing victims.

So i am feeling my anger and sadness and desire to support other
communities who are at risk of the same fate, yet have much less
support.

The family, Heap and I are going to Kampot on Saturday to meet
community leaders and survey the area for a potential Innerchange team
there. But I have done little preparation for it. It's been
over-shadowed by Dey Krahom's eviction.

DK is fighting on, however. Despite this huge loss, leaders are
determined to fight for compensation. I hope that they will help
prepare other communities, too.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

The perks of being relocated (evicted) by 7NG - take note Boueng Kak

Whoever thought being evicted from their homes of 20 years or so was
hard luck should think again. The privatisation of the eviction
industry has taken the next step by offering a multi-layered
compensation package for the privileged few.

Those lucky enough to be evicted by 7NG will find themselves happily
housed in the privately owned 7NG village a mere 20 kilometers, or 40
minute, drive from central Phnom Penh.

This location is highly sought after by clientele hankering for a
simpler age, devoid of unnecessary mod-cons such as fresh running
water, electricity, sanitation, health care, education facilities and
work opportunities.

Did I say work opportunities? I speak amiss. For 7NG will kindly let
you rent a spacious market stall at the privately owned 7NG market.
And if you don't want to work there you can pay for the luxurious bus
service now in operation, and privately owned by, 7NG to Phnom Penh.

For those eager to know what promotional opportunities there are
within the 7NG philanthropic enterprise, a lucky few (hundred) may
well be chosen for the next community eviction as demolition experts,
recieving a generous daily stipend and all travel expenses paid.

If anyone thought that being evicted by 7NG was a dead-end they can be
sure that 7NG has their long-term future well taken care of.

That no community has ever asked to be evicted - nor even agree to
sell their land - be dislocated from family, friends, work, and school
should not matter. Nor even the mob-ish identity, or lack there of, of
7NG and company officers. Nor even that there is no street address to
send correspondence to, or protest in front of. We should not be
concerned that no reasonable attempt was made by the company or city
officials to sit down and listen to residents concern, nor accept
reasonable compensation demands. Any mediation and negotiations
efforts were top-down one-way affairs. And the rash of arrests,
intimidations, threats, court cases against residents. Not one case
brought by residents against 7NG has ever been heard.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Counterpoint: New life

After a week of bad news and destruction of people's lives, I was
heartened to hear of our friend, Chenda, who gave birth to her fourth
child today, at 8am, to a healthy 3.3kg baby girl named Donna.

As we are planning to visit Kampot this weekend as part of the team
survey, we will be able to visit on the way home. Chhuk is on the road
to Kampot.

Sadly, this is a bitter sweat celebration for Chenda and her family of
four kids as her husband recently left her for another woman. A whole
nother story of it's own.

But it is worth celebrating times such as these. And new life brings
with it so much hope, possibility and newness. Who can't be happy?

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Jan 27 update

Dear all, please find links to updated headlines and newspaper scans to Tuesday Jan 27.

Articles:
http://picasaweb.google.com/peaceandjustice.cambodia/January262009#

Land Event Map:
http://peace-and-justice-cambodia.awardspace.com/2009_01January_Map.html

Land in the Headlines:

Tuesday, Jan 27

click here to view articles
Bassac residents fear further relocations. PPP (1-2) | Dey Krahom
FMs agree to scale back troops. PPP (1) | Border Dispute
Real estate market gets lift. PPP (1) | Investment
Evictees, city official meet after relocation. PPP (2) | Evictions
Fears mount for future of iconic Bassac apartments. PPP (2) | Evictions
Koh Puos chairman gives date for bridge. PPP (3) | Investment
Police release fishermen, detain employers in raid on illegal nets. PPP (4) | KChhnang
The grand theft of Dey Krahorm. PPP (6) | Letters
Real estate sector applauds lifting of 15pc loan cap. PPP (13) | Investment
RCAF Chief Fired Over Land: F'pec Official. CD (1-2) | Land Disputes
Few Results, but Minsitry Probe To Continue. CD (26) | Land Titles; Prey Veng; Kandal
Dey Krahorm Evictees File Complaint With NA. CD (26) | Dey Krahom
M'kiri Villagers Clash With Developers in Dispute. CD (26) | Land Grab
R'kiri Judge Summons 5 Over Burning Incident. CD (28) | Solidarity Groups

Monday, Jan 26

Relocated residents find homes, water lacking. PPP (1) | Dey Krahom; Evictions
Evictees request 7NG money. PPP (1) | Dey Krahom; Evictions
We have no homes, say evictees. PPP (2) | Dey Krahom; Evictions
Developing old battlefields key to national security: PM. PPP (4) | Investment; Defence
Villagers fight villagers, district chief, over farms. PPP (4) | Land Dispute; Siem Reap - Chi Kraeng & Anlong Samnor
Officials Forcibley Evict Dey Krahorm Holdouts. CD (1-2;34-35) | Dey Krahom
2008 Human Rights Violations Increase by 25%, Group Says. CD (33) | Licadho
Council of Ministers OKs Kuwait Agreement. CD (36) | Investment

Saturday-Sunday, Jan 24-25

Hundreds Released After Arrests Over Alleged Illegal Fishing. CD (11) | Tonle Sap; KChhnang

Peace,
Chris Baker Evens
InnerCHANGE Cambodia

Fwd: strength

A quote sent from Canada to DK, LICADHO and LC:
 
Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.
 
- Dorothy Thompson

 Keep on keeping on.

Khmai twer baap Khmai

Translates as: Khmer treat each other with violence and evil. The
inference is that Khmer are somehow broken as a people and are the
only ones who do despicable things to their own people.

While it's true that some Khmer do treat other Khmer horribly, it is a
lie that this is the case only of Khmer.

I have heard this saying repeated over and over by the former
residents of Dey Krahom. And each time my response is: this is true of
all people, it is the way people treat each other, and the point is
that evil, and good, is a choice. We can choose the road to peace or
the road to violence. And its not just a choice for Khmer to make, but
Australian, American, Nepali, and every other nationality and
ethnicity.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Dey Krahom

Tonight I was called out to observe while Dey Krahom residents sleep
in front of the National Assembly. By the time I'd arrived the police,
with very large guns, had forced the residents to leave. They left
looking tired and dispirited and unsure what tomorrow will bring.

This came after the community held a press conference at the same
spot, which is of course over the road from the now deserted and
demolished remains of Dey Krahom itself.

Earlier in the day I joined a group of around 100 community members
who gathered from many different provinces to discuss how best to
protect their land from being grabbed by investors or 'other
interests'.

I also learned that of the 150 families who lived in Dey Krahom 300 of
them now live at the 'official' relocation site. Yes, 300. It turns
out that around 182 families who lived permanently at Dey Krahom were
not considered residents. They were market stall owners and never made
it in the official statistics. The relocation site is less than basic
- lacking water, electricity, housing, schools, health care, etc.

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Amnesty International Press Release - Cambodia: Hundreds left homeless after forced eviction

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE

Date 26 January 2009

Cambodia: Hundreds left homeless after forced eviction

The Cambodian authorities must stop denying people the right to housing and ensure adequate compensation and restitution for over 150 poor urban families who were forcibly evicted from central Phnom Penh at the weekend, Amnesty International said today.

Cambodian security forces and demolition workers forcibly evicted 152 families from Dey Kraham community in the early hours of 24 January 2009, leaving the vast majority of them homeless. At around 3 am, an estimated 250 police, military police and workers hired by the company claiming to own the land blocked access to the community before dispersing the population with tear gas and threats of violence. At 6 am excavators moved in and levelled the village. Some of the families were not able to retrieve belongings from their homes before the demolition. Officials from Phnom Penh municipality were present during the destruction.

"The most urgent task now is for the government to immediately address the humanitarian needs of these people, who have lost their homes and face imminent food and water shortages," said Brittis Edman, Cambodia researcher.  "They will also need assistance for a long time to come."

Cambodia is a state party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and has an obligation to protect the population against forced evictions.  Saturday's events show all too clearly how little respect Cambodian authorities have for these requirements.  

The Phnom Penh municipality has provided less than 30 of the 152 families with shelter at a designated resettlement site at Cham Chao commune in Dangkor district, some 16 kilometres from the city centre. Most of the other structures at the site are still under construction and lack roofs. There is no clean water, no electricity, sewage or basic services. Earlier, most of the affected community rejected being resettled there because it was too far from Phnom Penh, where they work, mostly as street vendors.

Since the forced eviction, the Dey Kraham community has been told that the company, which has allegedly purchased the land, has withdrawn earlier offers of compensation, leaving families who have been living in uncertainty and insecurity for more than two years, now faced with rebuilding their lives with nothing.

Local authority representatives sold the land to the company, 7NG, in 2005 without the knowledge, participation or consultation with the affected community. Some 300 families were coerced into moving amid threats, harassment and intimidation, while 152 families continued to dispute the validity of the sale and refused to give up the land without compensation.

Just over a week before the forced eviction, the affected community told the authorities and the company that they were willing to move if they received adequate compensation for the land, where many of them have lived, uncontested, for decades and to which they have strong claims under the 2001 Land Law. The company then increased the offer of compensation, but the two sides had not yet reached an agreement.

"It is an outrage that the Cambodian authorities went ahead with the forced eviction, when progress was being made towards a mutual settlement. Now hundreds of children, women and men are left homeless", said Edman.

Background
Forced evictions are one of the most widespread human rights violations in Cambodia, and those affected are almost exclusively marginalised people living in poverty, in both urban and rural areas. In 2008, at least 27 forced evictions affecting over 20,000 people were reported in the media and by local organisations.

Hundreds of land activists are facing spurious charges, and dozens have been imprisoned, as the rich and powerful are increasingly abusing the criminal justice system to acquire land and evict those living there. At least nine community representatives from Dey Kraham have been charged for criminal offences as a result of their peaceful defence of their right to housing.

As a state party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Cambodia is obliged to ensure, before any planned evictions, that all alternatives are explored in consultation with those affected by the eviction. Evictions may only occur in accordance with the law and in conformity with international standards, including genuine consultation with those affected; adequate notice and information on the proposed eviction; and provisions of legal remedies for those affected. Evictions may only occur if they do not render individuals homeless or vulnerable to the violation of other human rights.

In May 2009, the Committee Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will consider Cambodia's first and considerably delayed report on its compliance with the treaty.

END/

Public Document
****************************************

For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5871 or email: carina.trimingham@amnesty.org

International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK www.amnesty.org


Janice Beanland
Southeast Asia Team
Amnesty International
International Secretariat
1 Easton Street, London
WC1X ODW, UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7413 5660

Working to protect human rights worldwide

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Dey Krahorm eviction

Dear friends and colleagues,

 

As you might know, an eviction took place in Dey Krahorm (DK) at 6:00 AM on Saturday January 24, 2008  after approximately 250  mixed police including military police blocked entry/exist  to/from DK starting at approximately 2:00 AM.

 

By 4:30 AM, more than five hundred 7 NG company workers wearing red, blue and green t shirts were trucked in near the entrance and back of DK. At 6:00 AM, military police armed with electrical batons, steel batons, wooden sticks, tear gas and guns moved towards the remaining DK families, most who own their land and some who rented houses, to the front, sides and back of DK.

 

Tear gas, sticks, water trucks and arms shooting rubber bullets were used against communities, media, foreign volunteers and NGO workers on site.  This was followed by exactors and tractors that were used to destroy the houses along with company workers.  Approximately 38 DK families are living in our offices, 213 DK villagers and relatives are also coming for meals, medical care, legal advice, photocopies and material assistance since Saturday. Hundreds of others, many of them who were DK renters, were dumped shortly after the eviction along the road to the new site or on the new "resettlement site" 16 km from PP at Damnak Trayoeng, Chum Chao, Dangkao district.

 

Humanitarian NGOs and several LICADHO staff have gone to see the new site, the houses are unfinished, there are no roofs, toilets or kitchens. The site has no basic infrastructure, lacks drinking water and no schools, health clinics or markets are nearby.  Only about 27 families have been able to acquire houses.

 

The DK families living in our offices are attempting to continue negotiating with the municipality and 7NG company to obtain adequate compensation as they do not want to move to the new "resettlement site".  There have also been groups coming in during the weekend that are sleeping on the streets of PP.

 

Please find attached slideshow of images for your information, other images, videos and information are available http://blip.tv/file/1703016/  [www.licadhocanada.blip.tv],  http://hub.witness.org/en/node/11909, http://johnvink.com/story.php?title=Cambodia_Quest_for_Land_Dey_Krohom,  http://ka-set.info/actualites/k7-media.html, http://cambodia.ka-set.info/k7-media/, http://picasaweb.google.com/peaceandjustice.cambodia/TimelineOfAForcedEviction#

 and http://licadho-cambodia.org/album/view_photo.php?cat=43  

 

Please also note media statement from NGOs below.

 

Thanks,

Naly

 

Naly Pilorge

Director of LICADHO

012 803 650

www.licadho-cambodia.org

 

 

 

 

Saturday 24 January, 2009

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS STRONGLY CONDEMN ILLEGAL EVICTION OF DEY KRAHORM
Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA

 

 

 

We strongly condemn the forced eviction of Dey
Krahorm residents which began at 6 a.m. on Saturday 24 January, 2009.
This was carried out by over 300 police officers and up to 500 breakers
hired by the private company 7NG. It is yet another example of the
violent evictions taking place across Cambodia which are in danger of
destabilizing the country.

 

Today's eviction was marked by excessive use of force endangering the
lives of Dey Krahorm residents, and resulting in over 18 injuries ‐ 5 of
which were serious. It also saw the systematic destruction of private
property, while the police and breakers hired by 7NG blocked attempts
by human rights observers and the press to monitor and report on the
event.

 

Further, the Dey Krahorm forced eviction resulted from an improper
land transaction between so‐called "community representatives" and
7NG. The forced eviction therefore had no proper or clear legal basis,
and has violated the possession rights of Dey Krahorm residents which
are guaranteed by the Constitution of Cambodia and Land Law 2001.

We urge the government to ensure that:

 

* affected families are given immediate humanitarian assistance,
including adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, and medical
care;

* affected families are given just and fair compensation for the loss
of their property;
the illegal activities surrounding the eviction are properly
investigated and those responsible are held accountable;

*and
the trend of aggressive private interests overriding human rights
is immediately stopped.

 

Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF); ADHOC;
LICADHO;
CCHR;
CLEC;
Bridges Across Borders South East Asia (BABSEA); and
Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE)

 

Timeline of a Forced Eviction

Special:
Timeline of a Forced Eviction. A photo-essay
By 8.45am on January 24 Dey Krahom was completely demolished by crews of 'breakers' (hired thugs from previous eviction communities), 7NG employees, and military police. Here is a moment-by-moment view of Dey Krahom's final hours. enter here

or cut/paste this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/peaceandjustice.cambodia/TimelineOfAForcedEviction#

Peace,

Chris

Fwd: Fw: appeal for humanitarian assistance for the residents evicted from Dey Krahom.

Dear Patty, Esther, and Ali (Ali are you the right ICA contact?), As a member of the Christian's for Social Justice (CSJ) network, I would like to appeal to the wider international Christian body in Phnom Penh to support LICADO financially (and otherwise) as they support those evicted forcibly last Saturday. As you will be aware, the Dey Krahom community was forcibly evicted in the early hours of Saturday morning - by hundreds of police/troops and hired demolition workers armed with axes and crowbars. The eviction began with the storming of the community using tear gas and riot sheilds, with bulldozers and diggers plowing into the houses. It is incredible that no body was killed in the fear, panic and violence that was created by the company (7NG) and the police/PM's. I personally witnessed houses being aggressively bulldozed while folk were still trying to retreive precious possessions, with the bull dozer operateor refusing to back off. One of the really disgusting aspects of this display of 'naked power' was that the residents of Dey Krahom (reasonably) beleived they were still in the middle of 'good faith' negotiations over compensation, and therefore that no forced eviction would be thinkable at this point. Last Friday, the Muncipality of Phnom Penh facilitated a meeting between the Dey Krahom residents and the company (7NG), in which residents were asked to submit their ownership documents and how much compensation they were seeking, to 7NG for consideration. The inference (if not promise) was that no 'action' would take place till these had been fairly considered. It now appears that this was no more than an elaborate rouse to catch the community off guard. The blitzgreig style storming of DK began with the village being surrounded and sealed of at 2.20 am saturday morning, with the actual storming of the community beginning at approximately 6.15 am with the tear gas barrage. Our friends at LICADHO are coordinating the emergency response in terms of emergency food supplies and shelter for the hundreds of people displaced, whose homes have been bulldozed (the relocation site 'prepared' by the Govt and 7NG at Chum Chao is of course grossly unprepared with inadequate shelter, water, power etc). As a member of the Christian's for Social Justice (CSJ) network, I would like to appeal to the wider international Christian body in Phnom Penh to support LICADO financially as they support those evicted forcibly last Saturday. I have talked with Naly Pilorge, and she informs me that they have sufficient emergency funds for this week, but will need extra funds by next week (they have been sheltering dozens of people in their offices since saturday). They are also appealing for donations of used clothing (baby child and adult) as soon as possible (as of course residents lost all possessions to the bulldozers). Please do consider what funding etc your fellowships could make available to help with this humanitarian situation. Please contact Naly directly at director@licadho. Donations can be dropped off at the LICADHO office, #16 St 99. God Bless Kristin Jack (Servants to Asia's Urban Poor and member of CSJ)

Dey Krahom Eviction - Unfiltered video and pics

Shocking video shot by human rights defenders inside Dey Krahorm during the eviction. Produced by PLATAPUS/LICADHO/LICADHO Canada:

http://blip.tv/file/1703016/  [www.licadhocanada.blip.tv] 

New site for news articles and pictures of Dey Krahorm eviction:

 http://hub.witness.org/en/node/11909

Lee

Re: update on Dey Krahom

Dear friends, family, colleagues,
i last wrote you a hasty update early this morning around 5am Cambodia
time. I still held out hope for Dey Krahom yet because a year ago the
community was blockaded for several days and the crisis abated. But by
8.30am Dey Krahom was a pile of rubble, stunned faces, and broken
dreams.

It took 2 excavators, 2 bull dozers, 200 hired demolition 'workers',
and 200 police around two and a half hours to demolish 150 homes and
the lives of those who lived in them.

The good news is that no one was killed, and there could have been far
more violence. But there was still plenty. Several people were rushed
to hospital.

Thank you for your prayers, expressions of support, and sending of
appeal letters. While it may seem a useless task now, i still believe
it worthwhile. It provides another layer of accountability that is
lacking. And may well influence the next community in line for
eviction - Boueng Kak, a community of 4000 families.

At this stage Dey Krahom residents are likely to recieve no
compensation, and there has been no relocation plans put in place.
People are at the mercy of relatives and NGO's.

I Should note here that this is not an anomaly. Communities are
evicted regularly throughout Cambodia. Dey Krahom benefitted from it's
central position in Phnom Penh, and has stood as a symbol for other
less well documented, and more ruthless, evictions.

I will make this the last mass email, but you can follow my
reflections and further updates on my blog: bakerevens@blogspot.com
and web site: http://peace-and-justice-cambodia.awardspace.com.

Your prayers for peace in Cambodia are still very much coveted.

Peace. Chris.

On 1/23/09, Chris Bakerevens <chris.bakerevens@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear all, police have blockaded Dey krahom. We are concerned special
> intervention forces are being deployed, who are more prone to violence
> than regular police. Please pray. Myself and other friends are
> observing. Most likely they will wait for morning light to do
> anything. Peace. Chris.
>
> On 1/20/09, Chris Bakerevens <chris.bakerevens@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Dear all,
>>
>> thank you for your concern and prayers for the Dey Krahom community.
>>
>> Here is a brief re-cap and update.
>>
>> The situation changes daily. Recently the municipality (re)ordered the
>> eviction of Dey Krahom, just after Christmas. The community rallied and
>> the
>> date came and went and nothing happened (no eviction), but the community
>> has
>> been very agitated, scared and angry.
>>
>> Later the company and municipality offered to meet and negotiate a deal
>> with
>> the residents, but backed out at the last minute. In response the
>> residents
>> went down to city hall themselves and demanded to meet the deputy
>> governor,
>> Man Chouen. He met and suggested a figure of $20,000 per house or to
>> prepare
>> individual requests.
>>
>> $20,000 is much lower than the figure the community are demanding - about
>> $50,000, so that they can afford to purchase property within the city.
>> The
>> company is offereing to relocate them a long way outside of the city.
>>
>> Two high profile residents who are masters of Cambodian traditional
>> music,
>> who are also disabled, were given $50,000 just last week, plus an extra
>> $8000. I think the community would agree to something like that.
>>
>> Peace,
>> Chris
>>
>
> --
> Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com
>

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

8:34am

Re: update on Dey Krahom

Dear all, police have blockaded Dey krahom. We are concerned special
intervention forces are being deployed, who are more prone to violence
than regular police. Please pray. Myself and other friends are
observing. Most likely they will wait for morning light to do
anything. Peace. Chris.

On 1/20/09, Chris Bakerevens <chris.bakerevens@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> thank you for your concern and prayers for the Dey Krahom community.
>
> Here is a brief re-cap and update.
>
> The situation changes daily. Recently the municipality (re)ordered the
> eviction of Dey Krahom, just after Christmas. The community rallied and the
> date came and went and nothing happened (no eviction), but the community
> has
> been very agitated, scared and angry.
>
> Later the company and municipality offered to meet and negotiate a deal
> with
> the residents, but backed out at the last minute. In response the residents
> went down to city hall themselves and demanded to meet the deputy governor,
> Man Chouen. He met and suggested a figure of $20,000 per house or to
> prepare
> individual requests.
>
> $20,000 is much lower than the figure the community are demanding - about
> $50,000, so that they can afford to purchase property within the city. The
> company is offereing to relocate them a long way outside of the city.
>
> Two high profile residents who are masters of Cambodian traditional music,
> who are also disabled, were given $50,000 just last week, plus an extra
> $8000. I think the community would agree to something like that.
>
> Peace,
> Chris
>

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Fwd: DK update - January 23

"Do not go gentle into that great night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Dylan Thomas

This quote passes my mind a lot these days and for me, it really sums up Dey Krahorm and their struggle. As powerful individuals/authorities circle in on Dey Krahorm, and 'realistically' no hope remains, the rage at injustice and violence  against our loved ones gives the power needed to maintain hope and determination, especially after an almost 4-year struggle.

One of the definitions of 'rage' as a noun is 'a vehement desire or passion'. As a verb, rage can describe 'to continue with great force'.  Rage helps us tap into determination and creativity to overcome the odds.

There is always hope until the last second, Dey Krahorm continues to be proof and they will rage on with various forms of creative non-violent resistant until it is indeed the end.

"It is not enough merely to call for democracy, freedom and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill-will, ignorance and fear... "  Aung San Suu Kyi

Solidarity in and around Dey Krahorm continues to grow. An average morning in Dey Krahorm sees many journalists and students sitting with village leaders asking questions and drinking coffee. All around are homemade signs calling for peace and justice interspersed with 'stop evictions' flags and banners of the document that proves their land rights.

Khmer and foreign monitors stop by throughout the day as a gesture of friendship but more so as a deterrent. And we have a regular team the rotates monitoring the nights. 

The Urgent Action Appeal for Dey Krahorm sent out the other day is also applying some serious pressure. Ruth wrote yesterday to say two of the government's email boxes were full. Dateline and Channel 4 [UK Unreported World] are both also documenting Dey Krahorm, the latter is staked out at the hotel on the corner next to the village.

Vichet, Dey Krahorm village spokesperson, just wrote a new song in response the Municipalities final compensation offer to Dey Krahorm. [$20,000/house, an average of around $60,000 LESS than market price] The title is 'DO NOT ACCEPT' and explains why $20,000 will not allow them to survive. The villagers love it and want to sing again and again. Even the foreigners are learning the words to sing along. Our Danish friends play the music for the song; 2 guitars, 1 floor base, 1 violin. It's so wonderful to hear and clap along, to see the smiles on everyone's faces. Vichet will give it to the radio stations as soon as it's recorded. It will most likely piss the Municipality off but for regular Cambodians, they will be instantly addicted. [that's my own projection]

Saving the best news for last, yesterday, village leader Lor Seyha was released from prison on appeal! He was unlawfully convicted on trumped up charges in August of 2008. Seyha paid his way out on appeal and returned to Dey Krahorm to find a ceremony prepared in this honor. The monks cleansed Seyha from any evil that was clinging to him and then blessed all. Seyha's return raised the energy of the village considerably. Seyha himself seems a bit overwhelmed. When he went to prison, Dey Krahorm didn't have media support, international support, nor had they produced an activist CD, nor did they have business cards. Seyha was key in getting the villagers through the first few years and because he led them, he was eventually targeted and imprisoned.  He was also the man that worked closely with Gen and I on the Dey Krahorm report. We've shared laughter, tears, heck he's even yelled at us in frustration. It was heart breaking to see him imprisoned and for us to be powerless to help for months. But he's BACK!

The Dey Krahorm villagers and friends who stand with them are taking one day at a time. The municipality has been very quiet these last days and noone knows what is up their sleeves.  Until we know, we will keep on singing…..

On behalf of the whole Dey Krahorm family, thank you to everyone who sends prayers, lights incense, write letters or sends love to the team. All together, the solidarity is keeping the violence and eviction at bay while strengthening those on the front lines.

 

In Peace and Solidarity

Lee

 

 

 

---

Reclaim your name @ymail.com or @rocketmail.com. Get your new email address now!

Appeal for Dey Krahorm

Dear friends, family, colleagues,

I am passing this on to you in the hope that you will support a key InnerCHANGE partnership here in Cambodia.

You possibly get emails like this from time to time, and hit DELETE, today I urge you to read on.

For some of you the Dey Krahom community is a familiar name. For others you may just now be hearing of it. The attached document gives you a very good overview.

Also included in the document is a very practical and HELPFUL way for you to be part of our ministry - especially since you likely don't live in Cambodia.

I urge you to at least send an email to the suggested addresses. A follow-up hard copy letter will add power, and will only take 10 days or so to reach Cambodia by mail. A well spent postage stamp!

Making clear to those in positions of influence and power that the world is watching will do much to promote peace in this tense situation at Dey Krahom.

Peace. Chris Baker Evens.



Urgent Action Appeal:

Please keep the pressure on the Cambodian government and authorities to NOT use violence against the villagers of Dey Krahorm. Show them the International community is WATCHING!

Media pressure is helping to keep authorities away from Dey Krahorm and forcing them to renew negotiations. Now we need the international community - that's YOU - to do their part.

See Urgent Action Appeal for Dey Krahorm Community.

In Solidarity,
Lee

A strange flower grows in the gardens of Sen Monorom

Patrick, Davy and Reaksmy playing follow the leader at Sovannakiri restaurant in Sen Monorom last week.

update on Dey Krahom

Dear all,

thank you for your concern and prayers for the Dey Krahom community.

Here is a brief re-cap and update.

The situation changes daily. Recently the municipality (re)ordered the eviction of Dey Krahom, just after Christmas. The community rallied and the date came and went and nothing happened (no eviction), but the community has been very agitated, scared and angry.

Later the company and municipality offered to meet and negotiate a deal with the residents, but backed out at the last minute. In response the residents went down to city hall themselves and demanded to meet the deputy governor, Man Chouen. He met and suggested a figure of $20,000 per house or to prepare individual requests.

$20,000 is much lower than the figure the community are demanding - about $50,000, so that they can afford to purchase property within the city. The company is offereing to relocate them a long way outside of the city.

Two high profile residents who are masters of Cambodian traditional music, who are also disabled, were given $50,000 just last week, plus an extra $8000. I think the community would agree to something like that.

Peace,
Chris