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

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.

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

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

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

 

 

 

---

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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

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

Re: Pray for Dey Krahom

Dear friends, thank you for your prayers for Dey Krahom. As i
understand the situation, the municipality has now agreed to meet with
the community to discuss compensation for the evictees. Your prayers
for the negotiation are important. The good news is that the community
was not evicted today and the city is engaging in negotiations. We now
hope for the city - working on behalf of the company - will offer fair
and reasonable compensation, and that the community will continue to
hold together in this process, but also be willing to listen to
reasonable offers. This is a long term conflict and both sides have
invested much in their causes. It will be hard to know when to stay
firm and when to compromise.
Currently observers from the christian community and NGO's are
monitoring the situation on the ground.
Peace. Chris.

On 1/14/09, Chris Bakerevens <chris.bakerevens@gmail.com> wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Chris Bakerevens <chris.bakerevens@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:39:03 -0700
> Subject: Pray for Dey Krahom
> To: Chris.bakerevens@gmail.com
>
> Dear friends, over the past year i have sought to aid and encourage
> the Dey Krahom community stave off eviction. There have been many
> twists and turns in their journey. Every now and then rumors of
> imminent eviction surface, but no action by the company or authorities
> to carry out the threat. Though the community have been threatened,
> cajoled, manipulated, harassed, bad mouthed, imprisoned and extorted.
> Many outstanding persons have stood up on behalf of the community and
> from within the community.
>
> Over the last few days events have transpired that make it likely the
> entire community will be evicted tomorrow - thursday in cambodia,
> wednesday in the us. I ask for your prayers of intercession over this
> community, that God would change the hearts and minds of those with
> power and authority to stop the eviction.
> Peace. Chris.
>
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