Current+Issues

Background Current Issues 1955 U.S Pressure March 1969 Carpet Bombings March 18, 1970 Sihanouk April 30, 1970 Invasion January 27, 1973 Treaty August 1973 Bombings Ceased (Washington, DC) - Amnesty International charged today that forced evictions are one of the most widespread human rights violations in Cambodia and that at least 150,000 Cambodians in rural and urban areas live at risk of being forcibly evicted due to land disputes, land seizures and new development projects. In the new report, //Rights Razed - Forced evictions in Cambodia//, Amnesty International accuses Cambodian authorities of contradicting their rhetoric of policies to help its disadvantaged citizens by these forced evictions. The Cambodian government is not only failing to protect - in law and practice - the population against forced evictions, but is actively involved in these unlawful acts. "As long as these forced evictions continue, regardless of Cambodian authorities' implicit support or explicit participation, the government's highly trumpeted poverty-reduction agenda rings hollow," said Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA executive director. "Instead of protecting and supporting its vulnerable citizens, the Cambodian government is actually unraveling recent progress against poverty. It is empowering the country's economic and political powers rather than those in need." The report shows that Cambodian government authorities have opted to evict citizens without exploring other alternatives. Affected groups received little or no information on planned evictions and did not have access to adequate alternative housing. In addition, these residents do not have any recourse to recoup their losses. Most evictions are occurring because of the increased economic opportunities for new development. "In one day, more than 100 families became homeless as law enforcement agents and the military cleared their village," said Laola Hironaka, Amnesty International USA's Cambodia country specialist. "Many residents not only lost their house, but the land they use to grow food for themselves. Amnesty International urges the Cambodian government to:
 * End all forced evictions;
 * Introduce a moratorium for all mass evictions until legislation and policy is enacted requiring any further evictions to be conducted in full compliance with international human rights laws and standards;
 * Ensure that those victimized by forced evictions have access to, at the very least, adequate shelter, clean water, sanitation, health services and education, including through the provision of humanitarian assistance where necessary;
 * And abide by its obligations under international human rights law to give those affected by eviction an opportunity for genuine participation and consultation.

"The merciless impoverishment of Cambodians needs to stop now. The Cambodian government owes at least this much to its people," said Cox.