Khmer migrant labourers in Thailand
November 29, 2007, 3:45 am
Filed under: Social Issues

Opinion

The Nation, Thailand

Thailand should give migrant labourers a break once in a while

Re: “Illegal Cambodian immigrant miscarries inside cell”, News, November 28.

Published on November 29, 2007

        It’s sad to hear that a fellow Khmer woman miscarried in a Pattaya Police Station detention room after she was arrested along with 21 other Cambodians.

        This might be seen as a tragedy in the civilised world. But such a sad thing is just one of a million miseries found in the resource-rich but impoverished nation of Cambodia. Decades of civil war, genocide, foreign occupation, land grabbing by rich and powerful people, rampant corruption and mismanagement of the country’s resources have left the poorest Cambodians with few options and means to survive.

        Like their Burmese brothers and sisters, many Cambodians have decided to leave the country for Thailand in the hope that they can make some money as a labourer or even a beggar. Continue reading →

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Justice in Cambodia
November 16, 2007, 1:33 am
Filed under: Khmer Rouge Tribunal

 

Opinion

Justice in Cambodia

Published: November 15, 2007, International Herald Tribune

 

The arrest of another two former Khmer Rouge leaders represents significant progress for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia in seeking justice for almost two million Cambodians who perished under the Khmer Rouge, (“Ex-official of Khmer Rouge and wife arrested,” Nov. 12). But will the court be able to find true justice for the victims?

In order to draw a complete picture of the chain of command and responsibilities in the genocide, all the key members of the regime must be summoned to explain their actions.

We are not sure if the courts will be brave enough to call former Khmer Rouge ministers, advisers, zone and district chiefs and other commanders who are serving in the current government to testify in the court. Continue reading →

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Museum May Have Negative Consequences
November 16, 2007, 1:00 am
Filed under: Culture

Letter

Museum May Have Negative Consequences

The Cambodia Daily, 14 November 2007

 

I am glad that the government is making an effort to preserve the Khmer heritage by encouraging companies to construct museums in Cambodia (“PM Invites Companies To Build Museums,” Nov 13, page 20)

 However, we feel that building a museum may not be an effective measure to protect our cultural patrimony.

 When a museum is built, they will need artifacts to be displayed for visitors. After years of looting and neglect, Cambodia seems to have run out of ancient artifacts that can be shown in museums. Continue reading →

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