Dear Samdech Hun Sen,
We are writing to Samdech in the spirit of respect
and mutual concern for the poor and vulnerable in Cambodia. We would
like to express our dismay over the illegal land transaction affecting
villagers in Kong Yu and Kong Thom. Jarai indigenous villagers in
these two villages have had their land illegally taken away through
the help of local authorities in Ratanakiri, which will lead to
the displacement and dissolution of these indigenous communities.
Samdech, we would like to make you aware that your
own name was used by the buyers and local authorities to complete
this illegal deal: villagers were told that they had to give the
land to the State because disabled veterans of Samdech Hun Sen’s
army needed the land. Previous attempts to buy this land failed
when villagers explained that they needed the land for farming and
future generations. Only after they were deceived into believing
that the land was needed by Samdech’s soldiers did the villagers
agree to give away their land. The land buyer and local authorities
took advantage of the villagers’ patriotism and respect for
you to acquire the indigenous lands.
Perhaps as disturbing is the fact that the buyer,
H.E. Keat Kolney, is connected to senior officials in the national
government. H.E. Keat Kolney is the sister of H.E. Keat Chhon, Senior
Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and is the wife
of H.E. Chhan Saphan, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Land
Management. H.E. Keat Kolney’s involvement in the Kong Yu
and Kong Thom land deal tarnishes the reputation of the national
government, and reduces public confidence in the Royal Government
of Cambodia’s commitment to helping the vulnerable and poor
segments of society. Furthermore, the fact that local authorities
were intimately involved in facilitating this deal — including
receiving monetary benefits in return for the transaction —
raises concern as to the level of corruption that permeates local
levels of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Samdech, as you already know, fraud, deceit, and
lack of freewill agreement all invalidate contracts under Cambodian
law, and the land law has strong protections for indigenous. Additionally,
Cambodian law carries criminal liability for fraud, bribery, corruption,
and infringement against management of indigenous lands.
Because of this miscarriage of justice, we respectfully
request that Samdech intervene in the Kong Yu and Kong Thom cases,
and help return this land to its rightful indigenous owners. This
action would restore confidence in the Royal Government of Cambodia,
and demonstrate that the Royal Government of Cambodia protects its
most vulnerable citizens.
Please accept, Samdech, the assurance of our highest
regard.
Sincerely,
[INSERT NAME/ORGANIZATION]
cc:
H.E. Chhan Saphan
Secretary of State, Ministry of Land Management
#771-773 Monivong Blvd
Boeung Trabek, Chamkar Morn
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Fax: 855 23 215 660
E-mail: mlmupc@camnet.com.kh
H.E. Keat Chhon
Senior Minister, Ministry of Economy and Finance
Ministry of Economy and Finance, Street 92
Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Fax: 855 23 430 168
E-mail: efi@camnet.com.kh
