"Action called against ‘inciters’", 24 July 2019

The Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction has said it will not look to resolve a land dispute involving seven communities in Tbong Khmum province, calling instead for measures against those it considers responsible for inciting protests…

The ministry … identified Horn Trip, Pheng Samoeun, Sem Sang, Heang Han, Sreng Sron, Khaing Veng and Sao Teang, who represented 676 families, as those responsible for inciting villagers to protest…

“…, the ministry will not seek any resolution and asks the authorities to take action according to legal procedures against those who incited villagers to protest,” the statement read.

Sem Sang, the villagers’ representative …, said the ministry’s decision was incorrect and he would request its review…

“A complaint denouncing the ministry’s statement will be filed at the ministry. After that, we will ask the authorities to confirm when exactly villagers sold the land to the company and who witnessed the deal.

“I cannot accept this decision and will ask the ministry to investigate further,” Sang said.

Trapaing Pring commune chief Mom Sabun said there are 12 villages in his commune, with people in six disputing land ownership.

However, he said the reality was those villagers had received compensation, while others had voluntarily agreed to sell land to the company. He said he suspected the protest might have been agitated by NGOs…

Theng Savoeun, the director of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC), said it would be better for authorities to focus on finding resolutions to the land disputes rather than looking to accuse people of inciting them…