geovalin

With Cambodia already well on its way to achieving herd immunity, with adequate vaccines in hand, it is now mulling the next step in its national vaccination programme, the vaccination of children aged 10 and 11. The Prime Minister had hinted this sometime back when he launched the vaccination campaign for adolescents aged between 12 and 17 on August 1, exactly a month ago, which is turning out to be a big success, leading to the planned reopening of schools in due course, particularly secondary schools from grade nine to 12. Secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health Youk Sambath said yesterday the ministry, partner organisations, World Health Organisation and the manufacturers of Covid-19 vaccines will be exploring if it is possible to vaccinate children under the age of 12. “I think the Cambodian government will have to make a big decision by giving more attention to the vaccination of our Cambodian children under the age of 12 in order to have greater immunity throughout Cambodia,” she said. Sambath said this when receiving another two million doses of Sinovac at the Phnom Penh International Airport yesterday. She added that another five million doses are due to arrive to ensure 12 million people are vaccinated with a third dose. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50927053/cambodia-mulls-vaccinating-children-aged-10-and-11-against-covid-19/

A 9 year old and a 14 year old boy have been arrested in connection with the violent death of a 4 year old girl. The 2 suspects have been named as Mok June, 9 years old and Mok Kakada, 14 years old of Phumara Tal, Svay Chrom district, Svay Reang province. They have been detained in connection with the violent death of Rith Pisey, 4, who lived in Phomara Teen, Chheat Commune, Svay Chrom District, Svay Reang Province. It is alleged that the 2 suspects were responsible for the death of the girl who passed away at around 9.30am on the 31st of August. It appears that the injuries that caused the young girl’s death occurred on the preceding day – August 30th – at around 6pm. Initial reports indicate that the girl was choked by having a mobile phone charging cable wrapped around her neck. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/927280/9-and-14-year-old-boys-arrested-in-connection-with-4-year-old-girls-violent-death/

Two Svay Rieng land dispute representatives, previously fined $1,000 each under Covid-19 regulations for gathering people to rally, have now been charged for obstructing the enforcement of health measures and face up to three years in jail, according to a rights group. En Soth and Yous Sophorn, representing families seeking compensation for land the Water Resources Ministry wants to turn into a reservoir, were summoned by provincial police on Friday and detained overnight, according to Soth’s husband, Mom Kosal. They were then sent to the provincial court for questioning on Saturday, Kosal said. Licadho spokesperson Am Sam Ath said they had since been charged under articles 10 and 11 of the Covid-19 Law. Infringement of administrative measures can be fined up to 5 million riel, or about $1,250, and obstruction of enforcement up to 10 million riel, or close to $2,500, and punished by up to three years in jail. “This is a threat against the community for protesting, and secondly this move impacts other communities from protesting. If they dare to protest, they could face the same charges,” Sam Ath said. Earlier this month, Soth and Sophorn were fined $1,000 each for posting photos of protesters holding up banners, as authorities deemed the rally a violation of Covid-19 measures. read more https://vodenglish.news/svay-rieng-land-disputants-arrested-under-covid-19-law/

A doctor who worked at a COVID-19 treatment centre in Sihanoukville passed away due to the virus on the night of August 29. The doctor has been named as Om Srey Ni. Dr Srey Ni was infected with COVID-19 and was treated in Sihanoukville before being brought to the COVID-19 treatment centre in Sen Sok, Phnom Penh due to the seriousness of her condition. She stayed in the treatment centre for 2 days before passing away. Her death was confirmed by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, Youk Sambath. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50925926/doctor-passes-away-due-to-covid-19/

With the Covid-19 pandemic expected to leave long-term impacts on global investment patterns and consumer behaviour, the CLMVT countries are counting on closer economic cooperation within Southeast Asia to help them benefit from each other’s strengths. That cooperation will help the region keep up with megatrends such as persistent geopolitical tension, fast changing technology and the impacts of climate change as they chart a sustainable future. Representatives of the CLMVT countries — Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand — came together last week to discuss ways to achieve a resilient economic recovery in the post-pandemic period, in the CLMVT+ 2021 Forum, organised by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office of the Thai Ministry of Commerce. Although the CLMVT countries have promoted cross-border trade and investment through enhanced transport connectivity and streamlined regulations on trade and e-commerce, the pandemic has disrupted cross-border economic activity. Meanwhile, they have a pressing need to cope with uncertainty in the world market. Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said the CLMVT countries must aim to achieve a sustainable and resilient economic recovery from the pandemic to maintain competitiveness as one the world’s most attractive investment destinations. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50926312/cambodia-laos-myanmar-vietnam-and-thailand-strategy-for-post-pandemic-era-refined/

A senior Justice Ministry official lashed out at a Western country known as human rights and democracy champion for failing to accept Afghan refugees. Ministry of Justice spokesman Chin Malin wrote on his Facebook post, criticising the western country over its refusal to accept Afghan refugees directly. The reaction seemed to refer to the US. The government announced last week that it agreed to receive about 300 Afghan refugees temporarily due to humanitarian reasons. The announcement was in response to the request made by an international organisation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Malin said that Afghan refugees were temporarily accepted by other countries and are awaiting approval from third countries to grant them asylum. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50926021/justice-ministry-spokesman-blasts-a-western-country-for-failing-to-accept-afghan-refugees/

The ASEAN Women Leadership has called on Cambodia to take proactive measures to combat violence against women and children, especially with cases rising during the Covid-19 pandemic. It said that women are faced with many challenges than before because they are homebound or stay home longer compared to before and take on more responsibilities. Furthermore, it added that women are also facing difficulties due to lack of skills and knowledge of how to diversify to seek other jobs for an income, especially those in rural areas. Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC) executive director Ros Sopheap told Khmer Times that women are burdened with more housework as men do not come forward to help or share the workload and another factor is they become highly depressed when they have no income. “In many households, women work to get additional work and now with the Covid-19 spread, there is no work and thus no income,” he added. Sopheap said that men are not stressed as women as even if they have no job, they keep drinking and get intoxicated and that creates more problems for women and children as they become victims of violence and abuse. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50925300/violence-against-women-on-the-rise-amid-pandemic/

Koh Rong City Administration said that tourists can continue to visit the island without receiving two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine but only if they adhere to the Health Ministry’s measures which include wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing hands or spraying sanitiser regularly. Koh Rong city governor Nuon Bunthol told Khmer Times yesterday that after the nationwide vaccination campaign, the increase of both national and international visitors to Koh Rong is remarkable. Bunthol said that visiting Koh Rong and other islands throughout the city’s boundaries did not currently require tourists to have been inoculated with two doses of a vaccine. However, he added that in the future, the Koh Rong authorities will hold a meeting with tourist boat associations to discuss whether to require visitors be vaccinated with both doses or not. “In the past, in principle, Tycoon Tea Vichet only allowed tourists or passengers who were vaccinated with two doses before transporting them to the island but as for other companies, I have not seen any decision among them whether or not tourists are required to have a vaccination card proving two doses of the vaccine,” Bunthol said. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50925307/koh-rong-island-now-accepts-tourists-who-follow-guidelines/

Amid the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, Cambodia has agreed in principle to temporarily accept 300 Afghan refugees with some conditions before they are granted asylum in a third country, a move the government said is due to humanitarian reasons. The acceptance was first announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday in response to a request made by the international organisation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The irganisatikn is a nonprofit international development organisation committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Acceding to the government, the organisation had asked Cambodia to consider the possibility of granting visas to organisation staff in Afghanistan who are Afghan citizens and their families for a temporary period during which the asylum application process is in progress. “The Cambodian government has decided in principle (to accept temporary refugees) based on humanitarian factors only,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong told local media yesterday. Interior Ministry spokesman General Khieu Sopheak told Khmer Times yesterday that the government is working to accept the temporary refugees. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50925303/cambodia-to-accept-300-afghan-refugees-temporarily/

The Ministry of Culture is waiting for UNESCO to visit Koh Ker Temple to complete the registration to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cambodia will finish registering the ancient Temple as world Heritage site in July. Director-general of the National Authority for Preah Vihear, Kong Puthika, who led the research on Koh Ker Temple, told Khmer Times on Thursday that Cambodia has already provided finalised documents to UNESCO since January 1, this year . UNESCO will come to Cambodia to view the temple, with it being planned at the end of 2021. This is the process that UNESCO follow and they will need to look at the temple and its characteristics that would allow them to register the Temple as a world heritage site. UNESCO will have a conference in Russia in July, 2022. And it will be that time that they will decide whether they will register Kok Ker Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site or not. Ministry of Culture spokesman Long Punnaserivath said: “The Koh Ker Temple was proposed as a World Heritage Site because it has universal value to showcase Cambodian culture. It would benefit the conservation goals of the temple and attract tourists.” read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50925428/registration-of-koh-ker-temple-as-un-heritage-site-expected-by-july/

Cambodia's government should now investigate how so much oil could have been taken out of the country so easily, NGOs say. A tanker with nearly 300,000 barrels of crude oil that went missing last month may have left Cambodia unnoticed due to “loopholes” in enforcement, a ruling party spokesman said Friday, while local NGOs called on the government to investigate any possible official role in the alleged theft. The M.T. Strovolos, the ship carrying the oil, was seized by Indonesian authorities on July 17 when the Bahamian-flagged tanker anchored off Sumatra with its identification system turned off, three days after Phnom Penh issued an Interpol red notice about the alleged theft. Sok Ey San, spokesperson for Cambodia’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party, said on Friday that “loopholes by authorities might have contributed to the tanker’s slipping away from Cambodia,” but that proper follow-up led to the arrests. “When we lost the tanker, we asked for international help, such as Interpol, to intervene. In general, we have now done everything we are supposed to do,” he said. The Indonesian navy made its arrest of the ship and its captain and crew only on the basis of navigational violations, though, and not in response to the Interpol notice, said Navy spokesperson First Admiral Julius Widjojono, speaking in response to a request for comment by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. “In the diplomatic note or red notice sent by the Cambodian government to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there was no request for the return of the crude oil to Cambodia,” Widjojono said. “The return of evidence will depend on a court decision,” he added. Call to investigate Cambodia’s government must now thoroughly investigate how so much oil could have been taken so easily out of the country, one NGO worker told RFA, adding that local authorities may have been involved in allowing the theft. “We need to investigate this case thoroughly and release a report to the public. How could they steal such a large amount of crude oil?” said Yong Kim Eng, president of the People’s Centre for Development and Peace. Transparency International Cambodia (TI Cambodia) Executive Director Pech Pisey also called on Phnom Penh to work with the Indonesian government to bring back the Strovolos to resolve outstanding questions with the Singapore-based oil and gas company KrisEnergy, which had rented the tanker-ship for oil storage. “It is important to bring the tanker back in order to resolve this issue with other relevant parties,” he said, adding that the oil’s theft should serve as a lesson to Cambodia for its future dealings with foreign investors. Tanker's crew not paid KrisEnergy, which had worked with Phnom Penh to support Cambodia’s efforts, abandoned in 2019, to extract its own petroleum, had filed for liquidation in June but was unable to pay the tanker’s crew, according to a report by the AFP wire service. Speaking to RFA on Thursday, Cambodian government spokesperson Phay Siphan said that Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry and embassy in Indonesia have asked the Indonesian government to return the tanker and its oil, but had so far received no reply. The loss of the Strovolos and its oil is an embarrassment for Cambodia, said Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, the founder of Cambodia’s Mother Nature environmental protection group. “This has affected the reputations of [Prime Minister] Hun Sen and Cambodia. Cambodia’s government has no transparency and is full of corruption, and corruption may have been involved [in the tanker’s escape],” he said. “I don’t believe that Cambodia will get the tanker back any time soon. It could take years. And this will also affect other investors,” he said. Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/oil-08272021172842.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036

Cambodia cracked down on 198 human trafficking and sexual exploitation cases in the first six months of 2021, a remarkable rise from only 63 cases over the same period last year, a senior official said on Friday. Some 139 cases involved human trafficking and 59 cases related to sexual exploitation, the Interior Ministry’s secretary of state Chou Bun Eng said during a virtual meeting. “During the crackdowns, our law enforcement agents had arrested a total of 291 suspects and rescued 721 victims,” she said. Bun Eng, who is also the permanent vice-chair of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, said as the government was very busy to fight against COVID-19, some opportunists had tried to smuggle people across the border. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50924773/cambodia-sees-spike-in-human-sex-trafficking-cases-in-first-half-of-2021/

The Cambodian Consulate General in China’s Chongqing municipality, in cooperation with Chinese authorities, rescued 12 Cambodian women who had been trafficked there. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesman Koy Kuong, the 12 women will be repatriated to Cambodia on September 2 at 3:30 PM via Flight K6669. In a separate case, Kuong said the Cambodian Consulate General in Thailand on August 26 also helped repatriate 21 Cambodian people from different parts of Thailand. read more https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/33-cambodians-repatriated-china-thailand

A security guard has been arrested for robbery cum murder of a 12-year old boy whose body was found inside a tied gunny sack in a room at Trapaing Krasaing village, Chaoam Chao commune, Por Senchey district in Phnom Penh, last night. The murder was alleged to have taken place around 4pm when the victim was alone in his room. The police were summoned to the crime scene by neighbours who found the dead boy about 6.30pm. Por Senchey district police Penal officer, Captain Ly Sambath told Khmer Times today that they suspect that the boy was murdered by a security guard who also lives in a rented room in the same vicinity. However, police have withheld his identity to facilitate further investigation. “We are in the midst of carrying out our investigations including gathering evidences. We will release the identity of the murderer upon completion of our investigations and interrogations,” he added. Capt Sambath identified the victim as Kean Dara, 12, a student, who lives with his 35-year mother who is a widow and garment worker in a rental room. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50924451/security-guard-murders-12-year-old-boy-for-mobile-phone/

PHNOM PENH — A Battambang farmer was arrested earlier this week and convicted on Wednesday for incitement for criticizing the implementation of a proposal by Prime Minister Hun Sent to procure longan fruit from farmers who were affected by export issues. The prime minister had ordered the Bodyguard Unit on August 17 to procure longan from smallholder farmers after China blocked exports from Thailand, halting purchases of Cambodian longan by Thai buyers. The farmer criticized this ad hoc procurement and allegedly attempted to incite people. Duong Saran, a spokesperson at the Battambang Provincial Court, said the defendant Nguon Ly, who also goes by Phat, was convicted on Wednesday for incitement and sentenced to 10 months in prison. The longan farmer was arrested earlier this week and the Battambang court unusually fast-tracked the conviction. A video posted to the Battambang Provincial Police’s Facebook page on Tuesday shows Nguon Ly apologizing for posting videos criticizing the prime minister and longan procurement process. But he denied inciting anyone. “I apologize to the royal government, to the head of the royal government for what I said. I apologize to ‘samdech’,” he said, using an honorific used for Hun Sen. “I posted this not to incite, but I just wanted to help the farm owner. I am afraid that no dealer is coming to buy on time,” he said in the video posted by the Battambang police. Videos posted to Nguon Ly’s Facebook page on August 22 show him criticizing dealers who were meant to buy the longan from another farmer. He said the buyers were being picky about buying the longan and, in another video, that one buyer asked his farmer friend to first pack the fruit in plastic and then wanted them in a box. “The government doesn’t want to buy. They [want to] deceive,” he said in the video posted on his Facebook page. The other farmer, who Nguon Ly mentions, is seen in the Battambang police video but was released without being charged. Chak Sopheap, who heads the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said the case showed the continued misuse of the incitement charge and the government’s failure to intervene in an effective way to help distressed farmers. “The continuation of using incitement charges against people is not good for Cambodia as a democracy,” said Chak Sopheap. Theng Savoeun, president of the Coalition of Cambodia Farmer Community, supported the Cambodian government's initiative to buy longan from farmers to provide them short-term relief. He said the government should work to find better markets and investments for longan farmers. “The state must solve the concerns and issues strategically, such as setting up a system to [ensure] proper local and overseas markets and demand,” he said. https://www.voacambodia.com/a/battambang-court-fast-tracks-conviction-of-longgan-farmer/6017003.html

A business has closed shop and fled The China Project following exclusive reporting by Khmer Times detailing dark allegations held at the site in Preah Sihanouk province. A former employee said under the condition of anonymity that media coverage of the complex had resulted in the release a significant population from his 10-storey building around 9.30 pm on Wednesday. At least two African men, dozens of Indians and a 17-year-old Thai girl were released. The total number of people freed remains unknown but is believed to be around 30. Some are believed to have been “sold” to other businesses operating in the complex with no recourse from the authorities or civil society. The “selling” of employees is believed to be standard practice at The China Project “Almost everyone is out now from the building I was in except some Bangladeshis [who] were sold to other companies. They must be in a different building but in the same situation,” said the source. Along with the Bangladeshis, a South African woman and her partner are believed to remain “trapped inside”. The former employee said he had not been in contact with the couple for more than two weeks. He was told, “ They are not allowed to go anywhere for six months. The people who got out from inside the building contacted me yesterday [Wednesday]. They were released around 9.30 pm last night. So happy about their release but I want the whole building to be raided so people can see what is really happening there. We took down one company. There are many more. ” read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50923988/company-flees-china-project/

The restoring and strengthening the southwest corner structure of the third terrace of the Bayon temple took six months to finish and architects described that the work was done by hand without the help of machinery. Some of the blocks have been replaced by new ones cut from the mountains, which are the same type of sandstone. They are newer than the previous ones, but architects have replaced less than 20% of all the original stones. Meng Sovanlylin, an architect at the Angkor Park and Archeological Prevention’s Department of Conservation of Monuments, said that during the restoration process, the team focused on strengthening the wall of the terrace and the soil quality of the foundation. Sovanlylin told Khmer Times yesterday that her work faced many challenges on the third terrace of Bayon temple because they could not set up machines like cranes to lift the stone and that’s why architects had to use their own energy to complete the work. “Tree roots are one of the main factors which damage the temple because tree roots grow into the small gaps of the stone joints causing the structural skeleton to shift out of position. From the beginning of 2021 until now, my team has repaired two different temples – here and the Takav Gate of Angkor Thom,” Sovanlylin said. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50924057/section-of-bayon-temple-restoration-complete/

psara Authority is installing protective nets at Angkor Wat’s Preah Poan, also known as “The Gallery of 1,000 Buddhas”, to prevent bats from nesting in the many pillars causing damage from urine and faeces. The nets not only protect the stone and carvings of the temple, but also keeps the stone from breaking off and falling down to keep visitors safe. Archaeologist in charge of conservation work at Angkor Wat Soy Sophearin told Khmer Times yesterday: “A working team of eight members to install nets at Preah Poan have achieved around 70 to 80 percent of the project and will complete it in mid-October.” Sophearin said that when the urine and faeces of bats mixes with water it can produce salt that makes the stone prone to erosion. Preah Poan is a sacred place in the Angkor Archeological Complex which is about four to five metres high. Many bats stay on the gallery’s roof at Preah Poan and they always drop urine and feces which damages the roof and ground floor causing a foul odor which disturbs the comfort of tourists. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50924055/bats-protection-nets-installed-at-preah-poan/

The activist vows to continue his human rights work upon his release from prison. Jailed union leader Rong Chhun has urged his supporters to continue to fight injustice in Cambodia despite government intimidation and vowed to return to his work as a human rights campaigner upon his release, in one of his first statements since he was sentenced to prison for “incitement” last week. On Aug. 18, a court in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh sentenced Rong Chhun, who is also a member of the Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) umbrella NGO of unions representing teachers, workers, farmers, and students, to two years in jail for his criticism of the government’s handling of a longstanding border dispute with neighboring Vietnam. Rong Chhun was jailed at Prey Sar Prison on Aug. 1, 2020, a day after his arrest for claiming the government has allowed Vietnam to encroach on Cambodian farmland along the border. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court also ordered Rong Chhun to pay 2 million riels (U.S. $490) in fines, in addition to serving the maximum two-year prison term for his charge of “incitement to commit a felony” in violation of Article 495 of Cambodia’s penal code. The court sentenced two other activists, Sar Kanika and Tun Nimol, each to serve 20 months in jail and pay the same fine. The court also ordered the three activists to pay about 400,000 riels (U.S. $100) in compensation to the Cambodia Border Affairs Committee. On Wednesday, Ouk Chhayavy, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, told RFA’s Khmer Service that Rong Chhun called her from his cell on Aug. 23, urging his fellow activists not to abandon their fight for freedom and social justice, despite the government’s use of the courts to intimidate them. “He doesn’t want us to ignore any unjust actions and stop making demands because of intimidation,” she said. “He said he wants us to be strong.” She said Rong Chhun told her he will “be out of jail within 11 months” and will “return to lead social and human rights work,” as he had done prior to his arrest. In response to Rong Chhun’s statement, ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman Sok Ey San told RFA that Cambodians already enjoy their full freedoms and “there is no need to demand more,” adding that the union leader’s statement “smacks of incitement.” “We should demand something that we don’t have, but we currently enjoy full freedom,” he said. “[Most people] have been using it correctly except for a small group who don’t like it. Why should we demand more? Such a demand is yet another form of incitement.” But Federation of Cambodian Intellectuals and Students Secretary General Kean Ponlok welcomed Rong Chhun’s statement, saying the activist always “puts the national interest ahead of his own, even when he is in jail.” “He is a true nationalist who has sacrificed himself for the national interest,” he said. “It is a good thing for [him] to appeal to youths and activists not to be intimidated in their protests and fight against social injustice.” UN experts slam ruling On Tuesday, Vitit Muntarbhorn, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, slammed authorities for convicting Rong Chhun and his supporters, calling the prison terms and fines “neither justified nor proportionate.” “I am extremely alarmed that the court convicted the three human rights defenders for acts that are protected by their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, rights guaranteed by Cambodian and international law,” he said in a statement. Mary Lawlor, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, said “human rights defenders should never be arrested, detained or convicted for their efforts to protect human rights of others.” “We are seriously concerned that the Cambodian government uses the vaguely-worded Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code against ‘incitement to create felony’ to crack down on dissent and to stifle free expression,” the experts said, calling for an end to the intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders. Threat of deportation Meanwhile, activists with the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) who are seeking political asylum in Thailand due to charges they say are politically motivated expressed concern Wednesday that they will be forcibly deported to face prosecution following a senior Cambodian official’s request to his counterpart. On Monday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s advisor and Ministry of Tourism Secretary of State Sok Sokretya asked Thai Minister of Digital Economy and Society Chaiwut Thanakanusorn to help prevent opposition party activists from using social media in Thailand to attack the Cambodian government. In a comment posted to his Facebook account, Sok Sokretya also requested the Thai official to stop “fake news” that might affect the two countries’ relationship. Neang Sokhun, an activist who was jailed and is currently seeking asylum in Thailand, told RFA that the request is yet another sign that his security and that of his fellow CNRP rights campaigners might be compromised. He urged NGOs to monitor the situation, saying the government might seek their deportations. “Even though I am afraid, we will continue our mission for democracy and freedom for Cambodians,” he said. Cambodia’s Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017, marking the beginning of a wider crackdown by Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs, and the independent media that paved the way for the CPP to win all 125 seats in parliament in the country’s July 2018 general election. Another activist in Thailand, Voeun Samnang, said he is afraid that Hun Sen’s government will “hire hitmen” to harm them, but vowed to continue broadcasting information about its failures with other CNRP asylum seekers in Thailand through the use of Facebook Live. “I am not afraid of being deported, but I am afraid of being ambushed,” he said. Am Sam Ath of Cambodian rights group Licadho told RFA that people should be allowed to use social media freely and responsibly and said he does not believe the Thai government would deport the activists at Cambodia’s request. “A democratic country must respect freedom of expression and constructive criticism,” he said. Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/jailed-08252021211919.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036

Indonesia’s navy said Wednesday it has seized a tanker and its crew who were wanted on charges of stealing nearly 300,000 barrels of crude oil from Cambodia’s reserves. The Bahamian-flagged MT Strovolos was picked up on July 27 off the coast of Sumatra, they said, days after Phnom Penh issued a red notice on Interpol to seize the ship over claims it stole the kingdom’s crude. Indonesia’s navy said it was questioning the crew of 13 Indians, three Bangladeshis and a trio from Myanmar at its base near Singapore. The 183-metre (600-foot) tanker, sailing from Thailand to Indonesia’s Batam island, had turned off its identification system and anchored illegally in the archipelago’s waters, naval authorities said. Its Bangladeshi captain could face up to a year in prison and a $14,000 fine if convicted on maritime violation charges, they added. “The Indonesian navy will not hesitate to take action against any type of crimes committed within Indonesia’s jurisdictional territory,” First Fleet commander Arsyad Abdullah said in a statement. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50923237/bangladeshi-captain-of-runway-oil-tanker-with-cambodian-crude-to-face-prison-and-fines/

Flash floods in Preah Sihanouk’s Sihanoukville caused the death of an Indonesian man and destroyed public and private property on Tuesday night. Sihanoukville governor Ey Sokleng told Khmer Times that the floods resulted from heavy rainfall from 5pm to 8pm and it took around one or two hours for the water to recede into canals. He said during the heavy rain the Indonesian man was walking across a bridge in Buon commune’s Buon village when strong winds blew his umbrella into the canal. Sokleng said the man tried to retrieve it but strong currents carried him away. “Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities found the body of the Indonesian man who was in his 30s around 11am yesterday about five kilometres from the bridge,” he said. Preah Sihanouk Provincial police chief Major General Chuon Narin said yesterday that another man in Pi commune was also swept away by strong currents during Tuesday’s floods but he was immediately rescued by the authorities. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50923170/flood-chaos-flash-floods-cause-chaos-in-sihanoukville-one-death/

In the middle of a growing crisis with Cambodian and Thai nationals illegally crossing the border every day, Cambodian Lieutenant General Seng Thearin, deputy commander and chief of staff of Region 5, attended a Zoom meeting with his Thai counterpart Major General Karipob Chaiyapunth, chief of staff of the 1st army area. The generals discussed several issues including drugs, the outbreak of Covid-19, online gaming, providing jobs for workers and most importantly, how to stop the illegal border crossings of migrant workers. Lt Gen Thearin proposed that migrant workers who are not guilty of any serious crimes should be deported back to Cambodia immediately by Thai authorities. Exact figures are hard to come by and provincial authorities in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin and Oddar Meanchey said that there were many “rat holes”along the 817-kilometre border with Thailand which covers seven provinces. Pailin governor Ban Sreymom said: “The brokers on both sides are inhumane to capitalise on the poor and unaware by promising well-paying jobs in Thailand and arranging to smuggle them across the border where their Thai counterparts will be waiting and if successful, those smuggled across disappear to different parts of the country. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50923228/talks-on-cambodia-thai-border-crossings/

Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng has extended administrative measures that suspend activities that are at a high risk of spreading COVID-19 – as well as public gatherings – for 14 days from 00.00am on August 27, 2021 to September 9, 2021. The following activities, occupations or businesses at high risk of spreading COVID-19 are suspended as follows: * Schools, including both public and private vocational training schools (but can provide online training) * All kinds of clubs, including karaoke, bars, discos, beer gardens and casinos * Resorts, museums, playgrounds and parks * Massage parlours and saunas * All kinds of liquor stores and shops * Cinemas, art theaters, gyms and all kinds of sports centers. * All gatherings of people for any kind of alcohol is prohibited. In addition, gatherings of more than 15 people are suspended, except in the following cases: read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50923063/phnom-penh-restrictions-extended-for-another-14-days/

Sam Sokha, a former factory worker with two teenage sons, has already served three years and seven months of her four-year prison term, her sister says. A Cambodian woman jailed for four years for throwing her shoe at a poster of Prime Minister Hun Sen has already served almost all of her sentence and should be released on humanitarian grounds in the face of coronavirus risks in prison, the woman’s younger sister said on Tuesday. The prison term imposed on Sam Sokha, 38 at the time of her arrest in April 2017, for her act criticizing the country’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) was too harsh, her sister Sam Rachana told RFA’s Khmer Service. “Our entire family feels that this was very unjust,” Sam Rachana said, noting that Sam Sokha has already served three years and seven months of her prison term. “She committed a minor offense, but they have held her now for almost four years, separating her from her family and from her mother and sisters,” she said. “She had not committed any crimes previously, and yet this one mistake has caused her to spend almost four years in jail.” Sam Rachana said that she has asked the Kampong Speu Provincial Court to release Sam Sokha, a former factory worker with two teenage sons, on humanitarian grounds, citing concerns for her health amid a growing spread of COVID-19 in Cambodian prisons and jails. Attempts to reach court spokesperson Ou Phat and Ministry of Justice spokesperson Chhin Malin were unsuccessful on Tuesday. On April 1, 2017, Sam Sokha filmed herself throwing a shoe at a poster of Hun Sen, accusing him of damaging the country. The video’s release next day on social media prompted a manhunt by police and Sam Sokha’s eventual summons to answer charges of “incitement.” Speaking to RFA, Am Sam Ath—deputy director of the Cambodian rights group Licadho—said that the harsh punishment given Sam Sokha by the court in Kampong Speu was typical of the sentences handed down by courts in cases considered political in Cambodia. The government and court should now release her because she has already served most of her jail term, he said. “As an NGO, we consider first that [Sam Sokha] is a woman, and her children need her,” he said. “Secondly, the Ministry of Justice recently issued a notice allowing the release, under certain conditions, of convicts who have served almost all of their prison terms.” “It is time for [the courts] to implement [that notice] and release convicts to make space in the prisons and reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections,” Am Sam Ath said. Sam Sokha’s lawyer Sam Sokong wrote in June to the Kampong Speu Provincial Court asking the court to release his client, noting family concerns over her health and her time already served, but has received no reply to date, sources said. Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/shoe-08242021182758.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

Of 97,060 migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar who were infected with Covid-19 between March last year and August this year, 4,202 of whom are under the age of 18 themselves. They are part of over 300,000 migrant workers’ children in Thailand who are in dire need of education and health care, children rights activist said, urging the government to take a more active part in protecting their basic rights and wellbeing. In a seminar titled “Impact of Covid-19 on Migrant Children and Families” on Aug 19, Adisorn Kerdmonkol, a coordinator with the Migrant Working Group, said over 300,000 migrant children face a higher risk of rights violations since the Covid-19 pandemic began last year. Infection rates among migrant workers are expected to increase further in the third wave of the outbreak, he said, noting over 80,000 infections have been detected among migrant workers since April this year. Linfah Upatcha, from World Vision Foundation of Thailand, said the decision to seal off residential camps around construction sites has adversely affected the physical and mental health of the migrants’ children who had to remain inside. “Many of the children are stressed out because they aren’t allowed to play with other children outside of the camp. They are confined in a 3×3 [metre] room, isolated from others during the pandemic,” she said. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50922414/cambodian-migrant-children-face-added-risk-in-thailand/