Saturday, 9 August 2008

Minorities Warn Against Land Concessions

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
08 August 2008

Khmer audio aired 08 August 2008 (947 KB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired 08 August 2008 (947 KB) - Listen (MP3)

A group of ethnic minorities from Cambodia's far-flung provinces gathered in Phnom Penh Friday, urging the government to reconsider its concession policies on land where they make a living on natural resources.

Cambodia's once-remote northeast has opened up to mining and other concessions in recent years, leading to a large number of displaced minorities and conflict over land.

"Don't take the land of ethnic minorities for concession," said Tep Toem, a Kuoy ethnic minority from Preah Vihear province. "Before giving land concessions to companies, the government should talk with the people in advance, whether the land concession will affect people's livelihoods or not."

Members of Cambodia's minorities spoke following a meeting in Phnom Penh sponsored by the NGO Forum. Cambodia has an estimated 190,000 minorities, comprising 17 indigenous groups.

Members of the different groups are responsible for the management of around 4 million hectares, NGO Forum said in a statement.

UN special rights envoy Yash Ghai warned on a visit last year that land disputes in rural provinces could lead to political instability.

Officials for the Ministry of Land Management could not be reached for comment Friday.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It is in point οf fact a niсe anԁ hеlρful piеce of іnfoгmatiοn.
Ӏ am hapρу thаt you ѕimplу ѕhared this useful informatіon wіth us.
Pleаѕe keеρ uѕ up to date liκe this.
Thаnk you for sharіng.

Feеl free to visit my wеbsite .
.. skin lightening surgery