Summary of Seven Human Rights Activist Profiles

CCHR’s Protecting Fundamental Freedoms Project releases a series of human rights activist profiles. These profiles tell the stories of people who have devoted their lives to improving respect for human rights in . Despite facing harassment, intimidation, threats and imprisonment as a result of their activism, these people continue to struggle on behalf of their communities. Their stories are just a few examples of the countless activists and human rights defenders who tirelessly defend and promote human rights causes across Cambodia. These profiles have been documented from 2015 to 2017 and can be viewed here. CCHR profiled 18 human rights activists living in , Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Kampong Spue, Oudar Meanchey, and Kandal provinces.

Ms. Kheiv Chenda – Housing and Land Rights Activist

Ms. Khiev Chenda, 46, is a representative of the Boeung Chhouk Community in Russey Keo district, Phnom Penh. On 8 March 2009, the authorities of Russey Keo district ordered the destruction of six villagers’ houses in Boeung Chhouk. Since the incident took place, the Boeung Chhouk community received multiple intimidations. In 2012, Ms. Chenda and three other community representatives were summoned by Phnom Penh Municipal Court, allegedly charged with violence committed against the real property owner in 2009. However, the charge was dropped in June 2015. Ms. Chenda said: “March 8th is the International Women’s Day that everyone celebrates all over the world, but for my community, it is the day we suffered because of the eviction …”.

Ms. Kheiv Lai – Housing Rights Activist

Ms. Kheiv Lai, 45, born in , is a representative of Phnom Bath Community in Ponhea Leu district, . She was relocated to Phnom Bath area when a land dispute at Borei Keila took place. In 2003, Phan Emix Company had been granted by the government of Cambodia 4.6 hectares of land in Borei Keila. Two hectares were for the construction of 10 buildings to house 1,776 poor families living in that area. Nevertheless, the company constructed 8 buildings only. This provoked a dispute. Kheiv Lai is one of 140 families relocated at Phnom Bath, living on 5m x 12m size of land, without infrastructure. Currently, Phnom Bath Community is demanding additional compensation from the authority and the company.

Mr. Kuch Veng – Forest and Land Activist

Mr. Kuch Veng, 53, is a community representative in Kbal Trach commune, Krakor district, province. Since 2002, Mr. Veng has been involved in many activities to protect and promote land rights and natural resources in and Cambodia as a whole. In 2013, Pursat Provincial Court charged and detained Mr. Veng for 3 months and 15 days. He was freed on 4 September 2013. The Court of Appeal later dropped the charges. Currently, Mr. Kuch Veng is charged in another case by Pursat Provincial Court with public defamation, incitement to commit a felony and discrediting a judicial decision.

Mr.Thun Ratha – Environmental Activist

Mr. Thun Ratha, 25, was an activist of Mother Nature, working to protect natural resources throughout Cambodia. Ratha learnt about Mother Nature in 2013 and he became an activist in this organization in 2015. When his parents learnt he was involved in the natural resources protection activism, they asked Ratha to resign from his work. However, Ratha explained his parents why he decided to join Mother Nature and they allowed him to continue working for the protection of natural resources. Ratha has been involved in many advocacy activities against sand dredging and sand exportation, which affect the livelihood of people living in the areas where companies operate.

Ms. Yuk Tang – Labor Land Activist

Ms. Yuk Tang, 53, is a community representative at Sangkat Phnom Kraom, Siem Reap city, , where 81 families struggle because of a land conflict with soldiers of Region Four. In 1987, Vietnamese army detonated the rock at Phnom Kraom Mountain in order to make place for the construction of a weapon stock. The pieces of rock dislodged by the explosion were dangerous for the villagers, so the village chief evacuated them to a safe area with the promise that the villagers could return to their homes when the area would be safe. In 1990, Vietnamese troops left Cambodia and control of the weapon stock was transferred to the Cambodian army. Since then, the villagers have wanted to move back to their old homes, but they were banned by the local authorities. Ms. Yuk Tang submitted a petition to local and national authorities, but there has been no acceptable resolution until today.

Mr. Sim Virak – Housing Rights Activist

Mr. Sim Virak, 42, was born in Kampong Siam district, . Currently, he is a teacher of geography at Toul Svay Prey high school, and a representative of Toul Sangke A Railway community, Phnom Penh. He has lived in Toul Sangke A since 2008, after having received an eviction compensation for a development project in Village 78, Sangkat Tonle Bassac. In 2009, the government planned to reconstruct the railway. This project affected the lives of people along the railway. Since then, Mr. Virak was selected by villagers as their representative to advocate for an acceptable compensation. The issue at Toul Sanke A is not finished yet.

Ms. Horm Soeum – Forest Activist

Ms. Horm Soeum, 62, is a representative of O’Sophy Kiri Prey Srong community in Anglong Veng district, Oudar Meanchey province. The community was established in 2004. Ms. Soeum attended various training courses on forest protection organized by the Forestry Administration and NGOs working in the environmental sector. Her training has provided her with concrete knowledge to use in her area. Since 2004, Horm Soeum and her fellow community members have worked very hard to protect the forest, but the forest in her community is gradually disappearing because of deforestation.