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.
Tomorrow morning, it starts all over again with another case involving three charges. The community and the NGO's are very worried about the outcome of this case. We all praying the judge doesn't issue an arrest warrant tomorrow. The main representative, Vichet, is facing the most charges and most criminal cases in an obvious attempt to remove him from leading the community. He's kept a brave face in such scary circumstances. Friends of Dey Krahorm have started a petition to support Vichet and push back the courts from him. You can help today. PLEASE take a moment to add your names:
http://petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptheintimidation
Early last week, the Prime Minister's Cabinet of Ministers instructed the Municipality and 7NG Company to meet with DK to resolve this conflict. The meeting was set for Tuesday but the morning of the meeting the Municipality cancelled while 7NG didn't bother showing up. No word from the Big Man's cabinet since then. DK villagers continue to lobby at the Municipality, 7NG office and Hun Sen's house. The King of Cambodia has written a letter to the 'Prime time crime minister' asking him to intervene to resolve this conflict and 'end the suffering of Dey Krahorm families'. Silence. But onlysilence from the oppressors-DK refuses to be silenced and it's inspiring to all.
More than $16,000 of cash donations has been made to LICADHO for the support of Dey Krahorm families. [$10,000 has been spent already on food, water, transport and communication for families] This in addition to the mountains of clothes, shoes, jackets, blankets and other emergency items that have come in. Solidarity for Dey Krahorm continues to grow, EU Embassies, media, big international orgs [who would still NOT like to be named], over 5,000 views on the DK eviction video, and thousands of new members on the web networks, watching the story, getting involved, spreading the word. So while I have no tangible successes to share in regards to Dey Krahorm case, hope still floats. This isn't just about Dey Krahorm anymore and everyone knows it. This is a battle for the poor, for the threatened. And the international community must decide which side of the 'developmental' line they are standing on – the side of business rights or human rights. The era of everyone pretending that Cambodia is a democracy is coming to a close. Of course there are still those in denial.
Very upsetting to me is the lack of response and/or action from America on this eviction crisis, especially now that Bush is out of the way. The US Embassy here is disgustingly massive in Phnom Penh and do major business here, including nasty stuff like providing the armed forces with the gear worn when attacking innocent citizens for standing up for their rights. If we have any active Americans on this list, please think about this and consider writing/phoning to the American Embassy in Cambodia to insist they get involved and at the very least gather information before giving another penny to Cambodia's autocratic government.
Embassy of the United Sates - Ambassador: H.E. Carol Rodley
Tel: [855-23] 728 000
Fax: [855-23] 728 600
Email: wfr@state.gov
Website: http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/index.html
To end on a happy note, our Danish musician friends, now known as the Chopsticks band, put on a special concert to support DK and LICADHO Canada at an outdoor venue on this past Thursday. It has a heartfelt, powerful event, including a slide show of photos by a well-known eviction photographer Peter Harris. Approximately 100 people were at the concert and including 6 DK leaders and their families. We had so much fun, lots of tears, laughter, hugs and love. I've attached our invitation notice.
Love and solidarity
Lee
Every voice counts……are you using yours?
