Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Borei Keila members told to stop protests

Borei Keila members told to stop protests

Borei Keila residents stand in front of Phanimex owner Suy Siphan's house to demand just compensation.
Borei Keila residents stand in front of Phanimex owner Suy Siphan's house to demand just compensation.

Borei Keila members told to stop protests

District authorities warned Borei Keila residents yesterday during a meeting to stop protesting lest they be arrested.

On Wednesday, representatives from seven families gathered in front of the house of Suy Sophan, the owner of Phanimex, to demand what they deem just compensation for vacating their homes to make way for the company’s development project. They submitted demands for compensation 10 days ago – ranging from $20,000 to $500,000 – but have not heard back, villager Dang Kongkea said.

During the protest, they were asked to meet with district authorities the next day, she said, and six did so with an assistant to district Governor Lim Sophea.

“They said ‘don’t go to the company, because this is not legal’ . . . They said police can arrest us, can accuse us of making insecurity in the neighbourhood,” she said. “They were begging us to be patient and calm down a bit.”

Read more: Borei Keila eviction, 6 years on

Chak Sopheap, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said yesterday the right to peaceful assembly could not be restricted wantonly. “[It] is essential for public expression and indispensable in a democratic society and as such, must be fiercely protected,” she said.

Her colleague Vann Sophat, who works with the community, said that protest was the residents’ “last choice” after being offered varying amounts of compensation they deem unfair.

“[The warning not to protest] may victimise claimants who just want an adequate compensation for buying homes to stay nearby,” he said.

Kongkea said that the group planned to protest again in mid-February if their problems were not solved.

Additional reporting by Kuoch Masy

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.