© John Vink / Magnum Photos

 

One year ago the Borei Keila community faced one of the most violent evictions (see here) in Phnom Penh since the Dey Krahom eviction (see here and here) of 2009. Many residents were sent to Oudong, 45Km from the city. Many came back and settled in shacks next to the apartment buildings they were promised as compensation and never received. Living conditions are appalling: crowded and crammed ‘housing’, total absence of sanitation, mounds of garbage thrown down from the building’s residents.

This is a follow-up post on the ‘Quest for Land‘ story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.

So far 2013 looks familiar…

After having supported 9 families from Boeung Kak Lake village nr 1, located next to the railroad tracks, (see here, here and here) who were summonsed at the Municipality to discuss their case, heard that they have to deal with the railroad company and that their settlement is illegal, the representatives of 59 families not included in the 12,44 Ha promised by Prime Minister Hun Sen gathered to discuss their strategy in response to their pending eviction.

This is a follow-up post on the ‘Quest for Land‘ story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.

Not sure these were my best, but that was my 2012…

2013, here we come…

PEACE…

CAMBODIA. Phnom Bat, Oudong (Kandal). 5/01/2012: Spilled rice grains at the relocation site for 120 families evicted from Borei Keila. The Phanimex company provided 25kg of rice to those permitted to stay.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Bat, Oudong (Kandal). 5/01/2012: Spilled rice grains at the relocation site for 120 families evicted from Borei Keila. The Phanimex company provided 25kg of rice to those permitted to stay.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 3/01/2012: Residents stand on on the barricade to confront the police moments before the final eviction of the Borei Keila community.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 3/01/2012: Residents stand on on the barricade to confront the police moments before the final eviction of the Borei Keila community.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 22/05/2012: Venerable Luon Sovath, a Buddhist monk and land issues activist, monitoring members of the Boeung Kak Lake community trying to rebuild a house on the sand of the filled-in lake.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 22/05/2012: Venerable Luon Sovath, a Buddhist monk and land issues activist, monitoring members of the Boeung Kak Lake community trying to rebuild a house on the sand of the filled-in lake.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 31/05/2012: Demonstration by Boeung Kak Lake residents in front of the Ministry of Justice, requesting the liberation of 15 members of their community arrested and summarily condemned to 2,5 years of imprisonment.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 31/05/2012: Demonstration by Boeung Kak Lake residents in front of the Ministry of Justice, requesting the liberation of 15 members of their community arrested and summarily condemned to 2,5 years of imprisonment.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 3/06/2012: Members of the Boeung Kak Lake community voting at the polling booths located at the reconstruction site of the Mosque.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 3/06/2012: Members of the Boeung Kak Lake community voting at the polling booths located at the reconstruction site of the Mosque.

BELGIUM. Westende (West Vlaanderen). 5/08/2012: Horse on beach at seaside resort.

BELGIUM. Westende (West Vlaanderen). 5/08/2012: Horse on beach at seaside resort.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 1/10/2012: Supporters of Mam Sonando, Journalist and Director of the independent Beehive Radio, demonstrating near the Municipal Court where the verdict in the trial against a so-called secessionist movement is being read.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 1/10/2012: Supporters of Mam Sonando, Journalist and Director of the independent Beehive Radio, demonstrating near the Municipal Court where the verdict in the trial against a so-called secessionist movement is being read.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 19/10/2012: Paying tribute to King Norodom Sihanouk in front of the Royal Palace by offering their hair.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 19/10/2012: Paying tribute to King Norodom Sihanouk in front of the Royal Palace by offering their hair.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 20/10/2012: About 2000 buddhist monks gathered in front of the Royal Palace, joined by a large crowd of Cambodians, for a collective meditation on the occasion of King Norodom Sihanouk's death 6 days earlier.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 20/10/2012: About 2000 buddhist monks gathered in front of the Royal Palace, joined by a large crowd of Cambodians, for a collective meditation on the occasion of King Norodom Sihanouk’s death 6 days earlier.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 8/11/2012: Suon Sophorn's Sam Rainsy Party Youth movement carrying portraits of the late King Norodom Sihanouk before an attempt to march to the Royal Palace to deliver a request to King Sihamoni for an amnesty for all those condemned for political motives.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 8/11/2012: Suon Sophorn’s Sam Rainsy Party Youth movement carrying portraits of the late King Norodom Sihanouk before an attempt to march to the Royal Palace to deliver a request to King Sihamoni for an amnesty for all those condemned for political motives.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Hand of supporter behind police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Hand of supporter behind police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha's trial.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha’s trial.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to get past the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha's trial, after hearing she will be imprisoned for 3 years.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to get past the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha’s trial, after hearing she will be imprisoned for 3 years.

Oh… Just one more thing you might want to support before I disappear until next year: click here

I know: he takes 24 images in one second when I take only one, but he is committed…

All the photographs about the two days of protests in support of Yorm Bopha and Tim Sakmony, labeled ‘Prisoners of Conscience’ by Amnesty International, near the Phnom Penh Municipal Court were uploaded on my website under the story ‘Warning Trials’ at the following URL (click here).

I wish what happened to them doesn’t happen to you in 2013.

Peace…

Over and out on my side for this year…

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to get past the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha's trial, after hearing she will be imprisoned for 3 years.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to get past the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha’s trial, after hearing she will be imprisoned for 3 years.

Some 40 members of the Boeung Kak Lake community (here and here), wearing signs saying ‘Cambodian Hunger for Justice’, marched to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference after yesterday’s condemnation (see here) of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, accused of assault and sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Yesterday was a tough day for Justice as at the same time as the condemnation of Yorm Bopha, which is widely seen as a move to instill fear among land activists, both Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, believed to have been marked as scapegoats for the 2004 assassination of union leader Chea Vichea were sent back jail to serve a 20 year term. At the Appeals Court they saw the 2008 decision by the Supreme Court, which ordered additional investigation in the case, reduced to nil and both men were arrested on the spot and sent to Prey Sar prison. Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were free for 4 years, had rebuilt their lives, grew children…

A few links about yesterday’s events:
Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International.
LICADHO on Yorm Bopha.
LICADHO on Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun.

This is a follow-up post on the ‘Quest for Land‘ story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday's condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, the Boeung Kak Lake community prepares to walk to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, the Boeung Kak Lake community prepares to walk to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday's condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, the Boeung Kak Lake community walks to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference while tourists in 'cyclos' watch the scene.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, the Boeung Kak Lake community walks to Wat Phnom to pray and give a press conference while tourists in ‘cyclos’ watch the scene.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday's condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, Tep Vanny, a community representative, and the Boeung Kak Lake community walked and prayed at Wat Phnom before giving a press conference.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, Tep Vanny, a community representative, and the Boeung Kak Lake community walked and prayed at Wat Phnom before giving a press conference.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday's condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, Tep Vanny, a community representative, and the Boeung Kak Lake community walked and prayed at Wat Phnom before giving a press conference.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 28/12/2012: After yesterday’s condemnation of their fellow activist Yorm Bopha, Tep Vanny, a community representative, and the Boeung Kak Lake community walked and prayed at Wat Phnom before giving a press conference.

The supporters from the Borei Keila (see here) and Boeung Kak Lake (see here and here) communities gathered again in front of the police barricade set up on the access road to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on the second day (see the first day here on my Tumbl’r page) of the trial of Yorm Bopha (Tim Sakmony was found guilty for fraud but released last night as her sentence was suspended). Spirits went sky high when the news of Yorm Bopha’s release mistakenly reached the crowd.

One hour later word reached from the court that Yorm Bopha and her two brothers were found guilty of intentional violence on motorcycle drivers and will have to serve a prison sentence of three years and pay a total of 15,000$ to the plaintiffs. The two brothers were to be arrested.

This is a follow-up post on the ‘Quest for Land‘ story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Yorm Bopha's mother and supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities, cheering during demonstration at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha's trial, after mistakenly thinking she would be released.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Yorm Bopha’s mother and supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities, cheering during demonstration at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha’s trial, after mistakenly thinking she would be released.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities cheering during demonstration at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha's trial, after mistakenly thinking she would be released.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities cheering during demonstration at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha’s trial, after mistakenly thinking she would be released.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Son of Yorm Bopha and supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to get past the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha's trial, after hearing she will be imprisoned fo 3 years.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Son of Yorm Bopha and supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to get past the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha’s trial, after hearing she will be imprisoned fo 3 years.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Yorm Bopha's husband on the second day of wife's trial, after hearing she was found guilty and will be imprisoned for three years.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Yorm Bopha’s husband on the second day of wife’s trial, after hearing she was found guilty and will be imprisoned for three years.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Barriers and a shield 'captured' by supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha's trial after hearing she is found guilty and will be imprisoned fo 3 years.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 27/12/2012: Barriers and a shield ‘captured’ by supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating at the police blockade on the second day of Yorm Bopha’s trial after hearing she is found guilty and will be imprisoned fo 3 years.

The trial of Tim Sakmony (from the Borei Keila community) and Yorm Bopha (from the Boeung Kak Lake community) took place at the Phnom penh Municipal Court this afternoon, with some 250 supporters facing the police at one end of the blocked road. Both accused spent more than 114 days in pre-detention and were declared ‘Prisoners of Conscience’ by Amnesty International. The accusations against both women are indeed widely regarded by Human Rights organisation as a pretext to muzzle the women who were very active in protesting their eviction in Borei Keila (see here) and Boeung Kak Lake (see here and here) .

The area was cordoned off by the police. A demonstration of ‘moto dup’ supporting the plaintiff, a motorcycle driver allegedly beaten up by Yorm Bopha, was held by some 150 people at one end of the street after they received their free meal.

As of this posting there was no verdict.

This is a follow-up post on the ‘Quest for Land‘ story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Hand of supporter behind police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Hand of supporter behind police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: 'Moto Dup' carrying photographs of their colleague allegedly injured by Yorm Bopha during demonstration in support of the plaintiff at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: ‘Moto Dup’ carrying photographs of their colleague allegedly injured by Yorm Bopha during demonstration in support of the plaintiff at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to pass through police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to pass through police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Tep Vanny, Boeung Kak Lake Community Representative, with other supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating during trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Tep Vanny, Boeung Kak Lake Community Representative, with other supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating during trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Demonstrator with a Santa Claus beard talking to supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating during the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Demonstrator with a Santa Claus beard talking to supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating during the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Activist carrying the a picture of Buddha during demonstration of supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Activist carrying the a picture of Buddha during demonstration of supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Santa Claus carrying the symbol of justice during demonstration of supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Santa Claus carrying the symbol of justice during demonstration of supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Lotus flower petals left by supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities in front of police barricade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Lotus flower petals left by supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities in front of police barricade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Edited at 20:44 and according to Nora Lindström: Sakmony found guilty. But suspended sentences starting today means she will be released. Community outside court is jubilant but getting ready for the resumption of bopha’s trial tomorrow at 8am…