Cambodian Reconciliation Explored at Symposium

Contact: Patrick Verel (212) 636-7790 verel@fordham.edu

Leng Sithul Photo By Patrick Verel

Can theatre help a country overcome the mental anguish of mass murder?

That was the question explored on Sept. 20 and 21 at a symposium dedicated to the role of theatrical arts in healing Cambodia’s national psychological wounds.

“Theatre and Peace-Building in Cambodia,” was sponsored by Fordham Theatre at the Lincoln Center campus.

It brought playwright and actress Chhon Sina and actor/musician Leng Sithul from Cambodia to New York City. They collaborated with Fordham acting students and Dawn Akemi Saito, artist-in-residence at Fordham, on Sina’s new play, Phka Campei.

The collaboration began with an open rehearsal of the full play and finished the next day with a staged reading of a single scene. The play tells the story of a sex worker and victim of domestic violence who lives in a slum and struggles to come to terms with the evils her father exacted on her and her mother.

Afterward, Sina and Sithul discussed the unique responsibilities they bear as artists in Cambodian society, at a panel with three Fordham professors.

Sithul, who sang selections from a contemporary Cambodian opera, said many tensions still exist in Cambodia. An estimated two million of the country’s eight million citizens were killed from 1975 to 1978 during the rule of the Khmer Rouge, and many former regime supporters still live with those who suffered its abuses.

Sina compared an artist on stage to a soldier on the battlefield who needs protection from above. Music and dance are largely left alone, but theatre productions are considered a “sharp weapon” in Cambodian society.

“We do not have the artist protector. So artists feel intimidated to do their work, because they are not the people who hold the power in the ministries,” she said through interpreter Rithisal Kang.

Still, she said, they persist even with little funding and occasional flare-ups from audiences, like when she played a killer in a play called Breaking The Silence.

“How can we overcome these challenges, and how can we, as the elder teachers of theatre in Cambodia, transfer our knowledge to the younger generation?” she said. “We don’t want to bring our knowledge to the grave.”

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to approximately 14,700 students in its four undergraduate colleges and its six graduate and professional schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in Westchester, the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre at Heythrop College in the United Kingdom.

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Contact: Patrick Verel (212) 636-7790 verel@fordham.edu Leng Sithul Photo By Patrick Verel Can theatre help a country overcome the mental anguish of mass murder? That was the question explored on Sept. 20 and 21 at a symposium dedicated to the role of theatrical arts in healing Cambodia’s national psychological wounds. “Theatre and Peace-Building in Cambodia,” was sponsored by Fordham Theatre at the Lincoln Center campus. It brought playwright and actress Chhon Sina and actor/musician Leng Sithul from Cambodia to New York City. They collaborated with Fordham acting students and Dawn Akemi Saito, artist-in-residence at Fordham, on Sina’s new play, Phka Campei. The collaboration began with an open rehearsal of the full play and finished the next day with a staged reading of a single scene. The play tells the story of a sex worker and victim of domestic violence who lives in a slum and struggles to come to terms with the evils her father exacted on her and her mother. Afterward, Sina and Sithul discussed the unique responsibilities they bear as artists in Cambodian society, at a panel with three Fordham professors. Sithul, who sang selections from a contemporary Cambodian opera, said many tensions still exist in Cambodia. An estimated two million of the country’s eight million citizens were killed from 1975 to 1978 during the rule of the Khmer Rouge, and many former regime supporters still live with those who suffered its abuses. Sina compared an artist on stage to a soldier on the battlefield who needs protection from above. Music and dance are largely left alone, but theatre productions are considered a “sharp weapon” in Cambodian society. “We do not have the artist protector. So artists feel intimidated to do their work, because they are not the people who hold the power in the ministries,” she said through interpreter Rithisal Kang. Still, she said, they persist even with little funding and occasional flare-ups from audiences, like when she played a killer in a play called Breaking The Silence. “How can we overcome these challenges, and how can we, as the elder teachers of theatre in Cambodia, transfer our knowledge to the younger generation?” she said. “We don’t want to bring our knowledge to the grave.” Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to approximately 14,700 students in its four undergraduate colleges and its six graduate and professional schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in Westchester, the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre at Heythrop College in the United Kingdom.

Pagoda porn appeal expected

Photo by: Uy Nousereimony

Defrocked monk Neth Kai, 35 (wearing a mask and holding up paper), is led into Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday.

A DEFROCKED monk who police say has confessed to filming hundreds of women as they bathed naked at a pagoda in Daun Penh district has been convicted in the first case stemming from the scandal, with judges sentencing him to one year in prison.

Neth Kai, 35, a monk at Srah Chak pagoda, was arrested on June 26 and remanded in custody after being accused of using a mobile phone to secretly record the videos, which were widely distributed.

Four women have filed complaints against him.

Friday’s verdict from Phnom Penh Municipal Court in one of those cases also requires the monk to pay compensation totalling US$9,456 to the victim, as well as a fine of $472.

Both the fine and the one-year term were the maximum allowed under the law.

Chea Hay, Neth Kai’s lawyer, said he believed the verdict was “unacceptable”, and that he would ask the Appeal Court to “slash down” the sentence because of the fact that his client confessed.

Nou Navy, a lawyer for the victim, also expressed disappointment with the sentence, saying that the one-year term “does not repair her reputation and the shame she has felt in society because her naked video has already been sent around via Bluetooth”.

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Photo by: Uy Nousereimony Defrocked monk Neth Kai, 35 (wearing a mask and holding up paper), is led into Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday. A DEFROCKED monk who police say has confessed to filming hundreds of women as they bathed naked at a pagoda in Daun Penh district has been convicted in the first case stemming from the scandal, with judges sentencing him to one year in prison. Neth Kai, 35, a monk at Srah Chak pagoda, was arrested on June 26 and remanded in custody after being accused of using a mobile phone to secretly record the videos, which were widely distributed. Four women have filed complaints against him. Friday’s verdict from Phnom Penh Municipal Court in one of those cases also requires the monk to pay compensation totalling US$9,456 to the victim, as well as a fine of $472. Both the fine and the one-year term were the maximum allowed under the law. Chea Hay, Neth Kai’s lawyer, said he believed the verdict was “unacceptable”, and that he would ask the Appeal Court to “slash down” the sentence because of the fact that his client confessed. Nou Navy, a lawyer for the victim, also expressed disappointment with the sentence, saying that the one-year term “does not repair her reputation and the shame she has felt in society because her naked video has already been sent around via Bluetooth”.

PM lashes out at opposition

Photo by: Pha Lina

Following a ribbon-cuting ceremony yesterday with Prime Minister Hun Sen, pedestrians and motorists cross the Prek Phnov bridge in Russey Keo that connects the town with National Road 6 across the the Tonle Sap river

PRIME Minister Hun Sen has lashed out at the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, criticising it for attempting to attract local and international intervention in cases against exiled leader Sam Rainsy.

The comments, delivered during a ceremony inaugurating a new bridge on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, came three days after Senate President Chea Sim wrote a letter to the SRP’s Acting President Kong Korm, informing him that he would not petition the government to allow Sam Rainsy to return to Cambodia under renewed parliamentary immunity.

Sam Rainsy, who is currently abroad, was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail after an incident in October last year in which he helped villagers uproot wooden demarcation poles near the Vietnamese border.

Kong Korm wrote to Chea Sim on September 11, saying that the Senate had a “duty” to try to broker a compromise that would pave the way for Sam Rainsy’s return.

But the premier said yesterday that Sam Rainsy should stop trying to avoid serving time in prison.

“If you don’t come to jail, the prison will go to take you,” he said. “In recent days [the SRP] tested Samdech Chea Sim, but

Samdech Chea Sim responded that [he would] let the court proceed with its job.”

Hun Sen said he believed the SRP had expected him to respond personally after Kong Korm sent the letter to the Senate, and that this expectation was contradictory because the SRP had “cursed me every day as a puppet” of Vietnam.

He said that the opposition party should not expect his help to resolve Sam Rainsy’s case if it truly believed he was powerless.

“I am a puppet, I don’t have a right to resolve it,” he said.

He said the SRP had also sought help from the United States, but that he was unconcerned about the issue being raised during his upcoming visit to America.

“Another test is that they will use international [pressure], including the president of the United States,” he said. “In four more days I will meet US President Barack Obama. What will he say to me?”

SRP spokesman Yim Sovann said that Sam Rainsy had not formally requested help from the US, but that he had “met with several US congressmen” in recent months, with whom he had discussed his sentence. Yim Sovann said the party had also sought help from the United Nations and the United Kingdom.

“We appeal to all independent countries to put pressure on the government,” he said, and added that, as development partners, the international community had a “duty” to pressure the government to resolve the case.

“Sam Rainsy is the president of the major opposition party. We cannot say that Cambodia is a democratic country when the opposition leader has been sentenced by the court for political reasons,” he said. “Everbody knows that the court in Cambodia is not independent.”

The ceremony marked the opening of the Prek Phnov bridge, which links National Roads 5 and 6A, and is intended to ease congestion around the Cambodian-Japanese Friendship Bridge.

The premier said that the Ly Yong Phat Group, which is owned by ruling party senator and business tycoon Ly Yong Phat, invested US$42.5 million in building the bridge.

He noted that while motorcycle drivers and pedestrians can use the bridge free of charge, the company will charge a toll of 5,700 riels (US$1.34) for small vehicles, such as minivans and cars, and 34,000 riels (US$8) for large trucks.

“The LYP Group will have to transfer the bridge to the government [after 30 years] and the government will consider whether to continue charging the fee or not,” he said.

Yim Sovann said that private companies should not finance public infrastructure with the intention of charging for its use.

“In this country people pay taxes for road maintanence,” he said. “People shouldn’t have to pay tolls for national roads.”

The LYP company also owns a toll bridge in Koh Kong province.

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Photo by: Pha Lina Following a ribbon-cuting ceremony yesterday with Prime Minister Hun Sen, pedestrians and motorists cross the Prek Phnov bridge in Russey Keo that connects the town with National Road 6 across the the Tonle Sap river PRIME Minister Hun Sen has lashed out at the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, criticising it for attempting to attract local and international intervention in cases against exiled leader Sam Rainsy. The comments, delivered during a ceremony inaugurating a new bridge on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, came three days after Senate President Chea Sim wrote a letter to the SRP’s Acting President Kong Korm, informing him that he would not petition the government to allow Sam Rainsy to return to Cambodia under renewed parliamentary immunity. Sam Rainsy, who is currently abroad, was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail after an incident in October last year in which he helped villagers uproot wooden demarcation poles near the Vietnamese border. Kong Korm wrote to Chea Sim on September 11, saying that the Senate had a “duty” to try to broker a compromise that would pave the way for Sam Rainsy’s return. But the premier said yesterday that Sam Rainsy should stop trying to avoid serving time in prison. “If you don’t come to jail, the prison will go to take you,” he said. “In recent days [the SRP] tested Samdech Chea Sim, but Samdech Chea Sim responded that [he would] let the court proceed with its job.” Hun Sen said he believed the SRP had expected him to respond personally after Kong Korm sent the letter to the Senate, and that this expectation was contradictory because the SRP had “cursed me every day as a puppet” of Vietnam. He said that the opposition party should not expect his help to resolve Sam Rainsy’s case if it truly believed he was powerless. “I am a puppet, I don’t have a right to resolve it,” he said. He said the SRP had also sought help from the United States, but that he was unconcerned about the issue being raised during his upcoming visit to America. “Another test is that they will use international [pressure], including the president of the United States,” he said. “In four more days I will meet US President Barack Obama. What will he say to me?” SRP spokesman Yim Sovann said that Sam Rainsy had not formally requested help from the US, but that he had “met with several US congressmen” in recent months, with whom he had discussed his sentence. Yim Sovann said the party had also sought help from the United Nations and the United Kingdom. “We appeal to all independent countries to put pressure on the government,” he said, and added that, as development partners, the international community had a “duty” to pressure the government to resolve the case. “Sam Rainsy is the president of the major opposition party. We cannot say that Cambodia is a democratic country when the opposition leader has been sentenced by the court for political reasons,” he said. “Everbody knows that the court in Cambodia is not independent.” The ceremony marked the opening of the Prek Phnov bridge, which links National Roads 5 and 6A, and is intended to ease congestion around the Cambodian-Japanese Friendship Bridge. The premier said that the Ly Yong Phat Group, which is owned by ruling party senator and business tycoon Ly Yong Phat, invested US$42.5 million in building the bridge. He noted that while motorcycle drivers and pedestrians can use the bridge free of charge, the company will charge a toll of 5,700 riels (US$1.34) for small vehicles, such as minivans and cars, and 34,000 riels (US$8) for large trucks. “The LYP Group will have to transfer the bridge to the government [after 30 years] and the government will consider whether to continue charging the fee or not,” he said. Yim Sovann said that private companies should not finance public infrastructure with the intention of charging for its use. “In this country people pay taxes for road maintanence,” he said. “People shouldn’t have to pay tolls for national roads.” The LYP company also owns a toll bridge in Koh Kong province.

REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea : Soviet-made T-55 tank is unloaded in Cambodia

A Soviet-made T-55 tank is unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) west of Phnom Penh September 20, 2010. Cambodia has bought 44 APCs and 50 new T-55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

A Soviet-made T-55 tank is unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) west of Phnom Penh September 20, 2010. Cambodia has bought 44 APCsand 50 new T-55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

A Soviet-made T-55 tank is seen on a ship prior being unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) west of Phnom Penh September 20, 2010.Cambodia has bought 44 APCs and 50 new T-55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Russian-made BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers (APC) are seen on a ship prior to being unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) westof Phnom Penh September 20, 2010. Cambodia has bought 44 APCs and 50 new T55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

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A Soviet-made T-55 tank is unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) west of Phnom Penh September 20, 2010. Cambodia has bought 44 APCs and 50 new T-55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea A Soviet-made T-55 tank is unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) west of Phnom Penh September 20, 2010. Cambodia has bought 44 APCsand 50 new T-55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea A Soviet-made T-55 tank is seen on a ship prior being unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) west of Phnom Penh September 20, 2010.Cambodia has bought 44 APCs and 50 new T-55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea Russian-made BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers (APC) are seen on a ship prior to being unloaded at Preah Sihanouk port, about 230 km (142.9 miles) westof Phnom Penh September 20, 2010. Cambodia has bought 44 APCs and 50 new T55 tanks as part of the country's effort to "strengthen sovereignty" following the tension with Thailand over the World Heritage listed Preah Vihear temple since 2008, the pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea Daily reported. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

UN Envoy Issues Sharp Rebuke of Judicial System

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.N. special rapporteur Surya Subedi walks through a Cambodian national flag in a conference room at the U.N. headquarter in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“His fate may be the same as Yash Ghai's.”

A new report from the UN's top envoy on human rights that is critical of the country's judiciary could have a harmful impact on his relationship with the government, rights workers said Monday.

Prasad Subedi, the UN special rapporteur for human rights, is scheduled to present a report this month to the UN Human Rights Council sharply critical of the courts and calling for wide changes in the judicial system.

In his report, Subedi urged more tolerance of criticism by public figures and cautioned against using the courts to silence dissent.

He also urged members of the Supreme Council of Magistracy to step down from their positions within the ruling Cambodian People's Party and called for more resources to be put into the court system.

Subedi replaced Yash Ghai as the envoy to Cambodia after Ghai's relationship with the government broke down in the wakes of similarly critical reports, which warned of political instability in the wake of human rights abuses.

“His fate may be the same as Yash Ghai's,” said Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, echoing concerns of other groups.

However, government spokesman Phay Siphan said it was too soon to say whether the report would cause a similar rift.

He said, however, that Subedi “does not fully understand” the rights situation in Cambodia.

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Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS U.N. special rapporteur Surya Subedi walks through a Cambodian national flag in a conference room at the U.N. headquarter in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “His fate may be the same as Yash Ghai's.” A new report from the UN's top envoy on human rights that is critical of the country's judiciary could have a harmful impact on his relationship with the government, rights workers said Monday. Prasad Subedi, the UN special rapporteur for human rights, is scheduled to present a report this month to the UN Human Rights Council sharply critical of the courts and calling for wide changes in the judicial system. In his report, Subedi urged more tolerance of criticism by public figures and cautioned against using the courts to silence dissent. He also urged members of the Supreme Council of Magistracy to step down from their positions within the ruling Cambodian People's Party and called for more resources to be put into the court system. Subedi replaced Yash Ghai as the envoy to Cambodia after Ghai's relationship with the government broke down in the wakes of similarly critical reports, which warned of political instability in the wake of human rights abuses. “His fate may be the same as Yash Ghai's,” said Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, echoing concerns of other groups. However, government spokesman Phay Siphan said it was too soon to say whether the report would cause a similar rift. He said, however, that Subedi “does not fully understand” the rights situation in Cambodia.

'More Space' Urged in Cambodian Democracy

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cambodian Buddhist monks read local newspapers at a ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“I take this opportunity to call [on the government] not to impose restrictions over democracy.”

Civic leaders called for “more space” for democracy, as well as judicial reform, on Wednesday, as they marked World Democracy Day.

Leaders from civil society called for more tolerance between the political majority and minorities. Political freedoms that were won in the 1980s, following the ouster of the Khmer Rouge, have been in decline, the leaders said.

“I take this opportunity to call [on the government] not to impose restrictions over democracy,” said Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc and chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee.

“In Cambodia,” he said, “the acceptance of criticism is limited.”

Cheam Yiep, a lawmaker for the Cambodian People's Party, said freedom of expression in Cambodia has been “developed and reinforced.” He agreed with calls for tolerance between the parties, but added, “the minority party must do things based on law.”

The ruling government has come under increasing criticism for restrictions on freedoms in recent years. Last month, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders issued a report that found union leaders, rights activists and journalists facing rights violations and legal restrictions.

Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, a legal organization, said the government must urgently reform the judiciary with the help of the international community.

Cheam Yiep said the government is already doing that.

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Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS Cambodian Buddhist monks read local newspapers at a ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “I take this opportunity to call [on the government] not to impose restrictions over democracy.” Civic leaders called for “more space” for democracy, as well as judicial reform, on Wednesday, as they marked World Democracy Day. Leaders from civil society called for more tolerance between the political majority and minorities. Political freedoms that were won in the 1980s, following the ouster of the Khmer Rouge, have been in decline, the leaders said. “I take this opportunity to call [on the government] not to impose restrictions over democracy,” said Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc and chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee. “In Cambodia,” he said, “the acceptance of criticism is limited.” Cheam Yiep, a lawmaker for the Cambodian People's Party, said freedom of expression in Cambodia has been “developed and reinforced.” He agreed with calls for tolerance between the parties, but added, “the minority party must do things based on law.” The ruling government has come under increasing criticism for restrictions on freedoms in recent years. Last month, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders issued a report that found union leaders, rights activists and journalists facing rights violations and legal restrictions. Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, a legal organization, said the government must urgently reform the judiciary with the help of the international community. Cheam Yiep said the government is already doing that.

Ministry Orders Closure of Soap Opera on Cultural Grounds

Photo: By Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer

The logo of Cambodian Television Network.

“It is like the auction of objects and animals, which completely opposes good Khmer tradition and custom.”

The Ministry of Information has ordered the closure of a popular soap opera, after it depicted a scene where rich men were bidding money for a woman on display.

In a letter to the Cambodian Television Network, the ministry said the show, “Strange, Predestined Couple,” had gone against Khmer tradition and hurt the image of Khmer women.

“It is like the auction of objects and animals, which completely opposes good Khmer tradition and custom,” the letter said. “So the TV series must be taken off the air immediately and forever.”

The scene in question shows a group of masked, wealthy businessmen bidding for a beautiful woman. A man takes her for $5 million.

CTN officials could not be reached for comment, but the writer of the show, Pann Phuon Bopha, a woman and longtime playwright, said she had heard the news and found it discouraging.

“How can we help restore our dying film industry if we don't have freedom of expression?” she said.

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Photo: By Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer The logo of Cambodian Television Network. “It is like the auction of objects and animals, which completely opposes good Khmer tradition and custom.” The Ministry of Information has ordered the closure of a popular soap opera, after it depicted a scene where rich men were bidding money for a woman on display. In a letter to the Cambodian Television Network, the ministry said the show, “Strange, Predestined Couple,” had gone against Khmer tradition and hurt the image of Khmer women. “It is like the auction of objects and animals, which completely opposes good Khmer tradition and custom,” the letter said. “So the TV series must be taken off the air immediately and forever.” The scene in question shows a group of masked, wealthy businessmen bidding for a beautiful woman. A man takes her for $5 million. CTN officials could not be reached for comment, but the writer of the show, Pann Phuon Bopha, a woman and longtime playwright, said she had heard the news and found it discouraging. “How can we help restore our dying film industry if we don't have freedom of expression?” she said.

Some Workers Continue Strike Over Fired Unionists

Photo: By Heng Reaksmey VOA, Khmer

An estimated 30,000 workers went on strike last week, demanding more negotiations over salaries they say are too high for the increased cost of living.

“I'm striking for 19 labor representatives whom the owner did not allow back to work.”

Workers from at least three factories continued to demonstrate on Monday, demanding that union representatives be allowed back to work following last week's general strike.

The workers demonstrated against an order from Kandal provincial court that barred 54 representatives from returning to work at the River Rich, Goldfame Enterprise and Winner garment factories, following a general strike last week that ended Thursday.

The labor leaders are barred from working while the court considers a suit against them by the three factories claiming last week's strikes were illegal.

“I'm striking for 19 labor representatives whom the owner did not allow back to work,” said Uch Sam Ath, a demonstrator, in front of his Goldfame factory in Sa'an district. He estimated some 5,000 of 8,000 workers were on strike, but that number was impossible to verify Monday.

An estimated 30,000 workers went on strike last week, demanding more negotiations over salaries they say are too high for the increased cost of living. The strike cost factories millions of dollars in revenues and led to lawsuits filed alleging the strikes were illegal.

The strikes ended after a brokered agreement for more negotiations later this month.

“We want our labor representatives to return to work, because they are good representatives in defending our labor rights,” said striking worker Sok Rath, outside the Winner factory.

“We're not going to work, because we haven't seen our labor representatives at work,” said Phan Sopha, at River Rich Textile.

Court officials said the leaders were barred from work under court procedures.

Chea Chi Chay, administrative chief for Winner, said the company wanted the representatives to have their day in court, but was requesting “others to go to work as normal and not affect the interests of the workers and the company.”

Ath Thun, president of the Cambodian Labor Confederation, said the court was increasing pressure and threats ahead of the upcoming talks.

“The court order seems to have stirred up more disputes again,” he said.

Read more »

Photo: By Heng Reaksmey VOA, Khmer An estimated 30,000 workers went on strike last week, demanding more negotiations over salaries they say are too high for the increased cost of living. “I'm striking for 19 labor representatives whom the owner did not allow back to work.” Workers from at least three factories continued to demonstrate on Monday, demanding that union representatives be allowed back to work following last week's general strike. The workers demonstrated against an order from Kandal provincial court that barred 54 representatives from returning to work at the River Rich, Goldfame Enterprise and Winner garment factories, following a general strike last week that ended Thursday. The labor leaders are barred from working while the court considers a suit against them by the three factories claiming last week's strikes were illegal. “I'm striking for 19 labor representatives whom the owner did not allow back to work,” said Uch Sam Ath, a demonstrator, in front of his Goldfame factory in Sa'an district. He estimated some 5,000 of 8,000 workers were on strike, but that number was impossible to verify Monday. An estimated 30,000 workers went on strike last week, demanding more negotiations over salaries they say are too high for the increased cost of living. The strike cost factories millions of dollars in revenues and led to lawsuits filed alleging the strikes were illegal. The strikes ended after a brokered agreement for more negotiations later this month. “We want our labor representatives to return to work, because they are good representatives in defending our labor rights,” said striking worker Sok Rath, outside the Winner factory. “We're not going to work, because we haven't seen our labor representatives at work,” said Phan Sopha, at River Rich Textile. Court officials said the leaders were barred from work under court procedures. Chea Chi Chay, administrative chief for Winner, said the company wanted the representatives to have their day in court, but was requesting “others to go to work as normal and not affect the interests of the workers and the company.” Ath Thun, president of the Cambodian Labor Confederation, said the court was increasing pressure and threats ahead of the upcoming talks. “The court order seems to have stirred up more disputes again,” he said.

With Penal Code Coming, Concern From Lawyers

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer | Washington, D.C Monday, 20 September 2010

Photo: By Taing Sarada

Ministry of Justice.

“When the law is unclear, it can't be enforced, then it makes people into victims.”

Cambodia is ready to put into effect a new penal code that replaces laws from the Untac era, but lawyers warn that some 300 newly illegal acts could catch people unawares.

The new law, passed last year, will be made effective throughout the country on Nov. 12.

Among other infractions, the new code includes laws against recording phone conversations without permission from the second party, against death threats, public drunkenness, and sexual solicitation via hand waves. It also makes illegal failure to intervene in a suicide in progress; refusal to testify before authorities; and the torture of animals.

“The penal code comprises a total 672 articles, and among some of those articles, we need to take precautions,” said Run Saray, executive director for Legal Aid of Cambodia. “Just a moment ago,” he said, referring to his interview, “there was the issue of recording a voice, which requires permission.”

If the penal code goes ahead as it stands, it will have ignored concerns from civil society over restrictions on the freedoms of expression and assembly.

That includes defamation criminality that could prevent people from speaking out, Run Saray said.

The penal code also remains unclear in certain areas that could provide loopholes for corruption, he said. It also contains “technical words” that could make it difficult to understand by the country's attorneys.

However, he said the new code is good in that it gives more leeway to judges to address cases individually, especially in the abuse of women and children.

Kao Supha, a Cambodian lawyer, said the new code may be difficult for lawyers and judges alike to understand. However, he said it did provide more legal strictures for judges and police.

Sok Sam Oeun, director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said a code that is difficult to understand will be difficult to follow.

“When the law is unclear, it can't be enforced,” he said. If the law is not properly enforced, “then it makes people into victims,” he said.

It also remains unclear which laws will be stricken from the books and which will remain when the penal code comes into effect, but Kem Sophorn, a judge at the Ministry of Justice, said an implementation law that will be passed soon will clear that up.

Meanwhile, he said, judges, police, prosecutors and clerks have been receiving training on the new penal code.

The code clearly defines newly illegal acts, including provisions for corruption among civil servants, tax evasion, and others, including the torture of animals, he said.

For example, he said, a chicken improperly tied to a motorbike, whose head rubs against the ground, could be grounds for animal torture charges.

Read more »

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer | Washington, D.C Monday, 20 September 2010 Photo: By Taing Sarada Ministry of Justice. “When the law is unclear, it can't be enforced, then it makes people into victims.” Cambodia is ready to put into effect a new penal code that replaces laws from the Untac era, but lawyers warn that some 300 newly illegal acts could catch people unawares. The new law, passed last year, will be made effective throughout the country on Nov. 12. Among other infractions, the new code includes laws against recording phone conversations without permission from the second party, against death threats, public drunkenness, and sexual solicitation via hand waves. It also makes illegal failure to intervene in a suicide in progress; refusal to testify before authorities; and the torture of animals. “The penal code comprises a total 672 articles, and among some of those articles, we need to take precautions,” said Run Saray, executive director for Legal Aid of Cambodia. “Just a moment ago,” he said, referring to his interview, “there was the issue of recording a voice, which requires permission.” If the penal code goes ahead as it stands, it will have ignored concerns from civil society over restrictions on the freedoms of expression and assembly. That includes defamation criminality that could prevent people from speaking out, Run Saray said. The penal code also remains unclear in certain areas that could provide loopholes for corruption, he said. It also contains “technical words” that could make it difficult to understand by the country's attorneys. However, he said the new code is good in that it gives more leeway to judges to address cases individually, especially in the abuse of women and children. Kao Supha, a Cambodian lawyer, said the new code may be difficult for lawyers and judges alike to understand. However, he said it did provide more legal strictures for judges and police. Sok Sam Oeun, director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said a code that is difficult to understand will be difficult to follow. “When the law is unclear, it can't be enforced,” he said. If the law is not properly enforced, “then it makes people into victims,” he said. It also remains unclear which laws will be stricken from the books and which will remain when the penal code comes into effect, but Kem Sophorn, a judge at the Ministry of Justice, said an implementation law that will be passed soon will clear that up. Meanwhile, he said, judges, police, prosecutors and clerks have been receiving training on the new penal code. The code clearly defines newly illegal acts, including provisions for corruption among civil servants, tax evasion, and others, including the torture of animals, he said. For example, he said, a chicken improperly tied to a motorbike, whose head rubs against the ground, could be grounds for animal torture charges.

Crusader Rowing Upstream in Cambodia

Justin Mott for The New York Times

Incumbent Mu Sochua, 55, is already campaigning for the 2013 parliamentary election

By SETH MYDANS

Published: February 21, 2010

MAK PRAING, CAMBODIA — “I’m going to get my votes!” cried Mu Sochua as she stepped into a slender rowboat, holding one side for balance. “One by one.”

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The Female Factor

A Seat at the Table

In a yearlong series of articles, columns and multimedia reports, The International Herald Tribune examines where women stand in the early 21st century.

Multimedia

Justin Mott for The New York Times

Mu Sochua in Kampot, Cambodia meeting with constituents. More Photos »

She was crossing a small river here in southern Cambodia on a recent stop in her never-ending campaign for re-election to Parliament, introducing herself to rural constituents who may never have seen her face.

The most prominent woman in Cambodia’s struggling political opposition, Mu Sochua, 55, is campaigning now, three years before the next election, because she is almost entirely excluded from government-controlled newspapers and television.

“Only 35 percent of voters know who won the last election,” she said.

She has no time to lose.

Ms. Mu Sochua is a member of a new generation of women who are working their way into the political systems of countries across Asia and elsewhere, from local councils to national assemblies and cabinet positions.

A former minister of women’s affairs, she did as much as anyone to put women’s issues on the agenda of Cambodia as it emerged in the 1990s from decades of war and mass killings. But she lost her public platform in 2004 when she broke with the government, and she is now finding it as difficult to promote her ideas as it is to simply gain attention as a candidate.

She says her signal achievement, leading the way for women into thousands of government positions, has done little to advance women’s issues in a stubbornly male-dominated society.

And like dissidents and opposition figures in many countries, she has found herself with a new burden: battling for her own rights. As she has risen in prominence, the political stands she has taken have become a greater liability to her than gender bias has been.

Most recently, she has been caught in a bizarre tit-for-tat exchange of defamation suits with the country’s domineering prime minister, Hun Sen, in which, to no one’s surprise, she was the loser.

It started last April here in Kampot Province, her constituency, when Mr. Hun Sen referred to her with the phrase “cheung klang,” or “strong legs,” an insulting term for a woman in Cambodia.

She sued him for defamation; he stripped her of her parliamentary immunity and sued her back. Her suit was dismissed in the politically docile courts. In August she was convicted of defaming the prime minister and fined 16.5 million riel, or about $4,000, which she has refused to pay.

“Now I live with the uncertainty about whether I’m going to go to jail,” she said in a recent interview. “I’m not going to pay the fine. Paying the fine is saying to all Cambodian women, ‘What are you worth? A man can call you anything he wants, and there is nothing you can do.”’

This gesture is one of the few ways she has left to champion the rights of women, the central passion of her public life.

As an outspoken opponent of the prime minister, she has found, her participation taints any group, action or demonstration with the stigma of political opposition.

“My voice kills the movement,” she said. “It’s my failure. Now I am the face of the opposition, a woman’s face in opposition. Women say, ‘We believe in you. We admire you. But we can’t be with you because the movement will die.”’

During her six years as minister of women’s affairs, Ms. Mu Sochua campaigned against child abuse, marital rape, violence against women, human trafficking and the exploitation of female workers. She helped draft the country’s law against domestic violence.

In part because of her work, she said, “People are aware about gender. It’s a new Cambodian word: ‘gen-de.’ People are aware that women have rights.”

But where political empowerment of women is concerned, she said, quantity has not produced quality, and prominence has not translated into progress for a women’s agenda.

Read more »

Justin Mott for The New York Times Incumbent Mu Sochua, 55, is already campaigning for the 2013 parliamentary election By SETH MYDANS Published: February 21, 2010 MAK PRAING, CAMBODIA — “I’m going to get my votes!” cried Mu Sochua as she stepped into a slender rowboat, holding one side for balance. “One by one.” Skip to next paragraph The Female Factor A Seat at the Table In a yearlong series of articles, columns and multimedia reports, The International Herald Tribune examines where women stand in the early 21st century. Multimedia Justin Mott for The New York Times Mu Sochua in Kampot, Cambodia meeting with constituents. More Photos » She was crossing a small river here in southern Cambodia on a recent stop in her never-ending campaign for re-election to Parliament, introducing herself to rural constituents who may never have seen her face. The most prominent woman in Cambodia’s struggling political opposition, Mu Sochua, 55, is campaigning now, three years before the next election, because she is almost entirely excluded from government-controlled newspapers and television. “Only 35 percent of voters know who won the last election,” she said. She has no time to lose. Ms. Mu Sochua is a member of a new generation of women who are working their way into the political systems of countries across Asia and elsewhere, from local councils to national assemblies and cabinet positions. A former minister of women’s affairs, she did as much as anyone to put women’s issues on the agenda of Cambodia as it emerged in the 1990s from decades of war and mass killings. But she lost her public platform in 2004 when she broke with the government, and she is now finding it as difficult to promote her ideas as it is to simply gain attention as a candidate. She says her signal achievement, leading the way for women into thousands of government positions, has done little to advance women’s issues in a stubbornly male-dominated society. And like dissidents and opposition figures in many countries, she has found herself with a new burden: battling for her own rights. As she has risen in prominence, the political stands she has taken have become a greater liability to her than gender bias has been. Most recently, she has been caught in a bizarre tit-for-tat exchange of defamation suits with the country’s domineering prime minister, Hun Sen, in which, to no one’s surprise, she was the loser. It started last April here in Kampot Province, her constituency, when Mr. Hun Sen referred to her with the phrase “cheung klang,” or “strong legs,” an insulting term for a woman in Cambodia. She sued him for defamation; he stripped her of her parliamentary immunity and sued her back. Her suit was dismissed in the politically docile courts. In August she was convicted of defaming the prime minister and fined 16.5 million riel, or about $4,000, which she has refused to pay. “Now I live with the uncertainty about whether I’m going to go to jail,” she said in a recent interview. “I’m not going to pay the fine. Paying the fine is saying to all Cambodian women, ‘What are you worth? A man can call you anything he wants, and there is nothing you can do.”’ This gesture is one of the few ways she has left to champion the rights of women, the central passion of her public life. As an outspoken opponent of the prime minister, she has found, her participation taints any group, action or demonstration with the stigma of political opposition. “My voice kills the movement,” she said. “It’s my failure. Now I am the face of the opposition, a woman’s face in opposition. Women say, ‘We believe in you. We admire you. But we can’t be with you because the movement will die.”’ During her six years as minister of women’s affairs, Ms. Mu Sochua campaigned against child abuse, marital rape, violence against women, human trafficking and the exploitation of female workers. She helped draft the country’s law against domestic violence. In part because of her work, she said, “People are aware about gender. It’s a new Cambodian word: ‘gen-de.’ People are aware that women have rights.” But where political empowerment of women is concerned, she said, quantity has not produced quality, and prominence has not translated into progress for a women’s agenda.