Chea Sim, Head of Ruling Party, Hospitalized
Dec 7, 2009
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 December 2009
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday warned critics not to speculate over the health condition of Chea Sim, president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party and of the Senate.
Chea Sim is currently in Singapore, receiving medical attention, after he was sent from Calmette hospital on Sunday. Chea Sim suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes.
Speaking at an inauguration of a hydroelectric dam in Kampot province, Hun Sen confirmed Chea Sim was in the Singaporean hospital, for fluctuating blood pressure, and he called for order within the CPP.
Chea Sim is currently in Singapore, receiving medical attention, after he was sent from Calmette hospital on Sunday. Chea Sim suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes.
Speaking at an inauguration of a hydroelectric dam in Kampot province, Hun Sen confirmed Chea Sim was in the Singaporean hospital, for fluctuating blood pressure, and he called for order within the CPP.
500 riels ($0.12) maximum limit for pupil extortion
Teachers reinstated after extorting "too much" from pupils
DPA
Phnom Penh - Four primary school teachers have been reinstated after they were accused of taking too much money in 'informal fees' from pupils, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
The director of Bak Touk primary school in Phnom Penh said the school had given its teachers permission to charge each pupil 500 riel (12 cents) per day, but claimed the suspended teachers regularly charged twice that amount.
'I repeatedly warned them about taking (too much) money from students, but they didn't listen,' school director Yim Sokheng told the Cambodia Daily newspaper.
Under Cambodian law, primary and secondary education is free, but low civil service wages mean teachers either take other jobs to make ends meet or extort money from students.
Yim Sokheng told the newspaper that the school's 166 teachers are paid cash every day by students. The 500-riel daily limit was imposed following a directive from the Education Ministry.
read more “500 riels ($0.12) maximum limit for pupil extortion”
DPA
Phnom Penh - Four primary school teachers have been reinstated after they were accused of taking too much money in 'informal fees' from pupils, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
The director of Bak Touk primary school in Phnom Penh said the school had given its teachers permission to charge each pupil 500 riel (12 cents) per day, but claimed the suspended teachers regularly charged twice that amount.
'I repeatedly warned them about taking (too much) money from students, but they didn't listen,' school director Yim Sokheng told the Cambodia Daily newspaper.
Under Cambodian law, primary and secondary education is free, but low civil service wages mean teachers either take other jobs to make ends meet or extort money from students.
Yim Sokheng told the newspaper that the school's 166 teachers are paid cash every day by students. The 500-riel daily limit was imposed following a directive from the Education Ministry.
Thai engineer pleaded not guilty, ruling expected at 10 am
The Nation
A Thai engineered pleaded innocence when he was charged in a Cambodian court Tuesday for allegedly spying, Channel 9 reported.
Sivrak Chutipong told the court that he did not send flight schedules of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Khamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary to the Thai embassy in Phnom Phen, as charged.
Siwarak told the court that he knew the secretary two years ago but had not contacted him until Khamrob called him to inquire about Thaksin's flight.
Siwarak admitted that he inquired about Thaksin's flight schedule from a Cambodian co-worker but he did not forward the information to Khamrob.
Channel 9 said the court is scheduled to hand down a ruling at 10 am.
read more “Thai engineer pleaded not guilty, ruling expected at 10 am”
A Thai engineered pleaded innocence when he was charged in a Cambodian court Tuesday for allegedly spying, Channel 9 reported.
Sivrak Chutipong told the court that he did not send flight schedules of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Khamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary to the Thai embassy in Phnom Phen, as charged.
Siwarak told the court that he knew the secretary two years ago but had not contacted him until Khamrob called him to inquire about Thaksin's flight.
Siwarak admitted that he inquired about Thaksin's flight schedule from a Cambodian co-worker but he did not forward the information to Khamrob.
Channel 9 said the court is scheduled to hand down a ruling at 10 am.
Cambodia: Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia - New International Co-Prosecutor should commit to fulfilling the Tribunal’s mandate
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
Cambodia: Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia - New International Co-Prosecutor should commit to fulfilling the Tribunal’s mandate
Amnesty International calls on the new International Co-Prosecutor of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, Andrew Cayley, to expand the prosecution strategy. He should also fully explain the strategy publicly.
Three years into the work of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), the Prosecution has identified only ten suspects as being “senior leaders” or “most responsible” for massive human rights violations that took place between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979.
Unless more cases are investigated and prosecuted, it is highly questionable whether the current caseload would fulfil the mandate of the Tribunal
On 7 September 2009, the Acting International Co-Prosecutor decided to proceed with filing two new introductory statements, naming five new suspects, relating to 40 situations of murder, torture, unlawful detention, forced labour and persecution. The National Co-Prosecutor opposed the decision to increase the total number of persons before the ECCC from five to ten. The Cambodian government also spoke out against additional investigations, apparently seeking to exert influence over the tribunal.
This positive decision was undermined when the Acting International Co-Prosecutor announced that he did not intend to conduct any further preliminary investigations into additional suspects, stating that the five new cases would be the last to be prosecuted by the ECCC.
Amnesty International calls on the new International Co-Prosecutor to review that decision, which will only continue the current impunity for the worst possible crimes, and proceed with further investigations and prosecutions.
The ECCC has an enormous responsibility to deliver justice to millions of Cambodian victims of the heinous crimes committed under Khmer Rouge rule.The ECCC must set the highest example of competence, independence and impartiality in all its actions, to counter impunityfor crimes of concern to the international community.
In light of his predecessors’ success in warding off interference and expanding the Prosecution’s cases, Amnesty International urges the International Co-Prosecutor to develop a comprehensive prosecution strategy that reflects the crimes committed under its jurisdiction. Such a strategy should include taking into account the types of crimes, the context in which they were committed and the communities and groups affected.
The ECCC has come a long way. The hearings that have taken place over the last eight months in the case against Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, have at long last provided an opportunity for victims and the general public to hear testimonies presented before the ECCC. This has marked the important beginning of addressing three decades of impunity, and must not be jeopardised at whim and by politics.
Should the new International Co-Prosecutor decide not to conduct further investigations into other crimes nor to prosecute other suspects, the people of Cambodia, including survivors and their relatives around the world deserve an explanation. Moreover he should publicly explain his decision to the UN, the ECCC and its donors. The Office of the Co-Prosecutors should issue a detailed public report explaining the decision, including:
* setting out the scope of investigations that have been conducted by the Office;
* setting out the reasons for selecting these situations for investigation and for not investigating others;
* an explanation of the criteria applied in determining which persons were “most responsible” for the crimes in situations investigated;
* an explanation of why only ten persons have been identified as being most responsible, despite the massive scale of the crimes.
Background:
The Agreement between the United Nations and the government of Cambodia define the mandate of the ECCC:
“to bring to trial senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those most responsible for the crimes and serious violations of Cambodian laws related to crimes, international humanitarian law and custom, and international conventions recognized by Cambodia, that were committed during the period from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979”.
The police and prosecutors in ordinary Cambodian courts have failed to investigate and prosecute the thousands of perpetrators that would not qualify as being “senior leaders” or “most responsible”.
read more “Cambodia: Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia - New International Co-Prosecutor should commit to fulfilling the Tribunal’s mandate”
PUBLIC STATEMENT
Cambodia: Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia - New International Co-Prosecutor should commit to fulfilling the Tribunal’s mandate
Amnesty International calls on the new International Co-Prosecutor of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, Andrew Cayley, to expand the prosecution strategy. He should also fully explain the strategy publicly.
Three years into the work of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), the Prosecution has identified only ten suspects as being “senior leaders” or “most responsible” for massive human rights violations that took place between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979.
Unless more cases are investigated and prosecuted, it is highly questionable whether the current caseload would fulfil the mandate of the Tribunal
On 7 September 2009, the Acting International Co-Prosecutor decided to proceed with filing two new introductory statements, naming five new suspects, relating to 40 situations of murder, torture, unlawful detention, forced labour and persecution. The National Co-Prosecutor opposed the decision to increase the total number of persons before the ECCC from five to ten. The Cambodian government also spoke out against additional investigations, apparently seeking to exert influence over the tribunal.
This positive decision was undermined when the Acting International Co-Prosecutor announced that he did not intend to conduct any further preliminary investigations into additional suspects, stating that the five new cases would be the last to be prosecuted by the ECCC.
Amnesty International calls on the new International Co-Prosecutor to review that decision, which will only continue the current impunity for the worst possible crimes, and proceed with further investigations and prosecutions.
The ECCC has an enormous responsibility to deliver justice to millions of Cambodian victims of the heinous crimes committed under Khmer Rouge rule.The ECCC must set the highest example of competence, independence and impartiality in all its actions, to counter impunityfor crimes of concern to the international community.
In light of his predecessors’ success in warding off interference and expanding the Prosecution’s cases, Amnesty International urges the International Co-Prosecutor to develop a comprehensive prosecution strategy that reflects the crimes committed under its jurisdiction. Such a strategy should include taking into account the types of crimes, the context in which they were committed and the communities and groups affected.
The ECCC has come a long way. The hearings that have taken place over the last eight months in the case against Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, have at long last provided an opportunity for victims and the general public to hear testimonies presented before the ECCC. This has marked the important beginning of addressing three decades of impunity, and must not be jeopardised at whim and by politics.
Should the new International Co-Prosecutor decide not to conduct further investigations into other crimes nor to prosecute other suspects, the people of Cambodia, including survivors and their relatives around the world deserve an explanation. Moreover he should publicly explain his decision to the UN, the ECCC and its donors. The Office of the Co-Prosecutors should issue a detailed public report explaining the decision, including:
* setting out the scope of investigations that have been conducted by the Office;
* setting out the reasons for selecting these situations for investigation and for not investigating others;
* an explanation of the criteria applied in determining which persons were “most responsible” for the crimes in situations investigated;
* an explanation of why only ten persons have been identified as being most responsible, despite the massive scale of the crimes.
Background:
The Agreement between the United Nations and the government of Cambodia define the mandate of the ECCC:
“to bring to trial senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those most responsible for the crimes and serious violations of Cambodian laws related to crimes, international humanitarian law and custom, and international conventions recognized by Cambodia, that were committed during the period from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979”.
The police and prosecutors in ordinary Cambodian courts have failed to investigate and prosecute the thousands of perpetrators that would not qualify as being “senior leaders” or “most responsible”.
Cambodia reports 480 cases of A/H1N1 flu, 5 die
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government said on Monday that the total of influenza A/H1N1 disease in the country has reached 480 cases with five deaths.
Ly Sovann, deputy director of the communicable disease control department of Ministry of Health said that as of today, five Cambodians have died of A/H1N1 flu disease and the total cases reach at 480.
In October, the government announced that four peopled died of the disease and 237 cases were confirmed.
The infected cases are from 13 out of the country's 24 provinces and cities across the country.
Cambodia's Ministry of Health and WHO have continued their efforts in advising people around the country to protect themselves and the families, by saying each individual should cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of tissue in a bin; wash hands regularly with soap and hot water; do not spit in public; and avoid close contact with sick people.
They also advised that for immediate treatment of the disease, the sick person shall drink lots of liquids; rest and paracetamol to reduce fever and muscle aches.
read more “Cambodia reports 480 cases of A/H1N1 flu, 5 die”
Ly Sovann, deputy director of the communicable disease control department of Ministry of Health said that as of today, five Cambodians have died of A/H1N1 flu disease and the total cases reach at 480.
In October, the government announced that four peopled died of the disease and 237 cases were confirmed.
The infected cases are from 13 out of the country's 24 provinces and cities across the country.
Cambodia's Ministry of Health and WHO have continued their efforts in advising people around the country to protect themselves and the families, by saying each individual should cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of tissue in a bin; wash hands regularly with soap and hot water; do not spit in public; and avoid close contact with sick people.
They also advised that for immediate treatment of the disease, the sick person shall drink lots of liquids; rest and paracetamol to reduce fever and muscle aches.
French Pedophile Released on Bail, Molests 8 Boys
ShortNews.com
Last Friday Beranger was arrested again, this time for new allegations concerning eight boys from ages 12 to 14. If convicted his prison sentence will be between 5 and 15 years.
Samleang Seila, with Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE) said "I hope this sends a strong message warning the courts not to release the accused on bail."
China, Cambodia to further strengthen exchange and cooperation in press
Svay Sitha's wife was involved in the acid attack against Tat Marina, Svay Sitha is now heading the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers.PHNOM PENH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A senior Cambodian press official Monday met with a visiting Chinese press delegation and held talks over further enhancing exchange and cooperation of the press between the two countries.
Svay Sitha, secretary of state of the Office of the Council of Ministers and also the head of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the office, briefed the delegation, led by Secretary of the All-China Journalist Association Zhu Shouchen, about the press situation in Cambodia, and the role and duty of his Unit, which was established on June 22, 2009.
He said that the Unit has been well cooperated with all the government's institutions and responded to the national and international media on time pertaining to a certain question upon their requests.
"This has brought attention for the general public both inside and outside the country to warded our Unit's work to serve the interest of the public as a whole about the factual situation in the country," Svay Sitha said.
The Unit sends every two-day report of the key relevant news of national and international to the Prime Minister Hun Sen and Sok An, deputy prime minister and minister of Council of Ministers.
On his part, Zhu Shouchen said that the main purpose of his visit to Cambodia is to exchange views as well as enhancing the bilateral cooperation with the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Office of the Council of Ministers.
"As Your Excellency (Svay Sitha) is aware that the relations between Cambodia and China has been very good, at the same time our cooperation in the field of press and communication also plays a key role in contributing the improving of the two countries ties," Zhu said during the talks, also attended by Cambodia's senior officials and Chinese diplomats.
Cambodia, since the UN-sponsored election in 1993, has 369 newspapers, 154 magazines with the population of 13.5 million.
The six-member Chinese press delegation arrived here on Sunday to pay three-day visit.
Hun Sen praises China for building hydropower plants in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen praised China on Monday for building hydropower plants in his country.
Making speech during his visit to a 193-megawatt hydropower plant project being built in Kampot province, Hun Sen said "China is building batteries for Cambodia."
Hun Sen said China is well-known in building hydropower not only in China, but also in some African countries and in Cambodia in particular.
The already half-way completion of 193-megawatt hydropower plant being built in Kampot province, 150 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh--is invested by Sinohydro Corporation from China.
Sinohydro Corporation is building five hydropower plants in the area and once they are to be completed in 2011, they will generate193 megawatts of power.
The power will not only be used in Kampot province, but also to be supplied to Phnom Penh residents.
Besides the above project, at least four more hydropower plants in two provinces of Pursat and Koh Kong will be built by Chinese companies.
So far, two hydropower plants located in Kirirom mountain area, about 120 kilometers west of Phnom Penh --also built by a Chinese company are already put for operation and are producing 30 megawatts.
Hun Sen also said Monday that while Cambodia is still short of power supplies, the government has been spending about 20 million U.S. dollars per year as a subsidy to keep the price of electricity stable despite the higher price of the oil in global markets.
read more “Hun Sen praises China for building hydropower plants in Cambodia”
Making speech during his visit to a 193-megawatt hydropower plant project being built in Kampot province, Hun Sen said "China is building batteries for Cambodia."
Hun Sen said China is well-known in building hydropower not only in China, but also in some African countries and in Cambodia in particular.
The already half-way completion of 193-megawatt hydropower plant being built in Kampot province, 150 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh--is invested by Sinohydro Corporation from China.
Sinohydro Corporation is building five hydropower plants in the area and once they are to be completed in 2011, they will generate193 megawatts of power.
The power will not only be used in Kampot province, but also to be supplied to Phnom Penh residents.
Besides the above project, at least four more hydropower plants in two provinces of Pursat and Koh Kong will be built by Chinese companies.
So far, two hydropower plants located in Kirirom mountain area, about 120 kilometers west of Phnom Penh --also built by a Chinese company are already put for operation and are producing 30 megawatts.
Hun Sen also said Monday that while Cambodia is still short of power supplies, the government has been spending about 20 million U.S. dollars per year as a subsidy to keep the price of electricity stable despite the higher price of the oil in global markets.
We, Cambodians have to work as "agent of change"
Political Analysis:
Op-Ed by Khmer Young
Worse than that, many spokesperson of CPP accused Sam Rainsy as "destabilize the nation", "destroy public property" or "destroy Cambodia-Vietnam friendship" etc. As a younger Cambodian, I don't see any of those accuses are beneficial to Cambodian nation. It is showing only dirty politics, disadvantageous politics and exacerbating existing hostility among Cambodian citizens. I would like to appeal the government of Cambodia to consider again at its utmost ability to stop this kind of "division politics and creating hostility among Cambodian citizens".
As a responsible citizen, many scholars reiterated that "ask yourself what can you do for your nation, not to ask nation to do something for you". Naturally, human beings have been embedded by place-based attachment, or it is called "homeland" or "motherland". For all Cambodians who were born in Cambodia, though they have experienced poverty, civil war or ongoing mistreatment from the current pseudo-democratic administration, Cambodian people both inside and outside the country have never forgotten their "motherland".
Citizen role is to play as the "agent of change". Dr. Peang-meth asserted that "we cannot stop change" but "we can make change". It is common sense that change will harm us if we don't stand up to make change. Cambodia is in need to have "citizen participation" to make "such a positive change". In this moment, I would like to congratulate those who participated in demonstration in both Washingto DC. and Ottawa to express your concern regarding deterioration of democratic management in Cambodia, particularly the "lifting of Sam Rainsy's parliamentarian immunity because of his mission and duty to work for his people and the nation". Of course, Sam Rainsy just expressed concern to the loss and worry of farmers in border area of Cambodia-Vietnam, but why major representatives of CPP have to quickly lift Sam Rainsy's immunity in order to try him? American representatives said that "there are no glue of serious criminal action committed by Sam Rainsy to be lifted and tried by Cambodian government". Further more, the excuse of strengthening the "rule of law" by the government is not relevant because Sam Rainsy's act is not criminal and he is working for the collective interest of the nation.
How the situation could be solved while Sam Rainsy worked to protect Cambodian interests, the majority of CPP in assembly voted to lift his immunity in order try him? Is this political activity worthwise to Cambodian nation? Does Cambodian motherland reserve any benefit from this proceeding?
Worse than that, many spokesperson of CPP accused Sam Rainsy as "destabilize the nation", "destroy public property" or "destroy Cambodia-Vietnam friendship" etc. As a younger Cambodian, I don't see any of those accuses are beneficial to Cambodian nation. It is showing only dirty politics, disadvantageous politics and exacerbating existing hostility among Cambodian citizens. I would like to appeal the government of Cambodia to consider again at its utmost ability to stop this kind of "division politics and creating hostility among Cambodian citizens".
Any political party has to realize that "playing dirty and divison politics" will not benefit anything but heading to self-destruction. We have to run a politics that can maintain long term benefit for the nation. Current move of Hun Sen administration shows only hostility among those leaders and collective interests of the nation.
Let act now as the "agent of change" of the nation by filing complaints to your constituencies, joining demonstration, inform your close friends and relatives, express your opinion and actively participating with all political parties for the sake of our nation and people.
read more “We, Cambodians have to work as "agent of change"”
Op-Ed by Khmer Young
Worse than that, many spokesperson of CPP accused Sam Rainsy as "destabilize the nation", "destroy public property" or "destroy Cambodia-Vietnam friendship" etc. As a younger Cambodian, I don't see any of those accuses are beneficial to Cambodian nation. It is showing only dirty politics, disadvantageous politics and exacerbating existing hostility among Cambodian citizens. I would like to appeal the government of Cambodia to consider again at its utmost ability to stop this kind of "division politics and creating hostility among Cambodian citizens".
As a responsible citizen, many scholars reiterated that "ask yourself what can you do for your nation, not to ask nation to do something for you". Naturally, human beings have been embedded by place-based attachment, or it is called "homeland" or "motherland". For all Cambodians who were born in Cambodia, though they have experienced poverty, civil war or ongoing mistreatment from the current pseudo-democratic administration, Cambodian people both inside and outside the country have never forgotten their "motherland".
Citizen role is to play as the "agent of change". Dr. Peang-meth asserted that "we cannot stop change" but "we can make change". It is common sense that change will harm us if we don't stand up to make change. Cambodia is in need to have "citizen participation" to make "such a positive change". In this moment, I would like to congratulate those who participated in demonstration in both Washingto DC. and Ottawa to express your concern regarding deterioration of democratic management in Cambodia, particularly the "lifting of Sam Rainsy's parliamentarian immunity because of his mission and duty to work for his people and the nation". Of course, Sam Rainsy just expressed concern to the loss and worry of farmers in border area of Cambodia-Vietnam, but why major representatives of CPP have to quickly lift Sam Rainsy's immunity in order to try him? American representatives said that "there are no glue of serious criminal action committed by Sam Rainsy to be lifted and tried by Cambodian government". Further more, the excuse of strengthening the "rule of law" by the government is not relevant because Sam Rainsy's act is not criminal and he is working for the collective interest of the nation.
How the situation could be solved while Sam Rainsy worked to protect Cambodian interests, the majority of CPP in assembly voted to lift his immunity in order try him? Is this political activity worthwise to Cambodian nation? Does Cambodian motherland reserve any benefit from this proceeding?
Worse than that, many spokesperson of CPP accused Sam Rainsy as "destabilize the nation", "destroy public property" or "destroy Cambodia-Vietnam friendship" etc. As a younger Cambodian, I don't see any of those accuses are beneficial to Cambodian nation. It is showing only dirty politics, disadvantageous politics and exacerbating existing hostility among Cambodian citizens. I would like to appeal the government of Cambodia to consider again at its utmost ability to stop this kind of "division politics and creating hostility among Cambodian citizens".
Any political party has to realize that "playing dirty and divison politics" will not benefit anything but heading to self-destruction. We have to run a politics that can maintain long term benefit for the nation. Current move of Hun Sen administration shows only hostility among those leaders and collective interests of the nation.
Let act now as the "agent of change" of the nation by filing complaints to your constituencies, joining demonstration, inform your close friends and relatives, express your opinion and actively participating with all political parties for the sake of our nation and people.
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