Families Want ‘Justice’ for Slain Workers

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

06 February 2014

PHNOM PENH — Families of garments workers shot dead in Phnom Penh early last month say they are appealing for justice for their loved ones.

At least four people were killed when police fired on demonstrators during the Jan. 3 crackdown. No one has been arrested or reprimanded in the wake of the shootings.

Cambodian Opposition Protest: Paris Peace Accords Violated

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

23 Oct 2013

Cambodian Opposition Protest: Paris Peace Accords Violated

Cambodia's opposition is beginning three days of mass demonstrations in the capital to call for the government to allow an independent probe into alleged fraud in the country's most recent election. Thousands gathered early Wednesday in Phnom Penh's Freedom Park, where they were met by thousands of riot police. Many Cambodians fear a repeat of last month's opposition protests, during which one protester was killed and several wounded following clashes with police. Say Mony, Phnom Penh.

'Scapegoats' in Murder of Labor Leader Released

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

26 Sep 2013

'Scapegoats' in Murder of Labor Leader Released

Two men widely seen as innocent in the 2004 killing of a Cambodian labor leader have been released, following a case that saw them jailed for years.

Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun walked out of prison on Thursday, following a Supreme Court order on Wednesday.

Both men were serving 20-year prison sentences for the killing of labor leader Chea Vichea, but their conviction was widely criticized for a lack of evidence. Say Mony, Phnom Penh.

Land Victims Recall Violent Attacks on Their Hunger Strike

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
24 Sep 2013

Land Victims Recalls Violent Attack on Their Hunger Strike ​

Hundreds of land victims in Phnom Penh returned to retrieve their belongings from authority of Doun Penh district in Phnom Penh after their hunger strike were cracked downed on Sunday night by groups of violent youth believed to have acted on behalf of authorities. Eleven people are injured after Cambodian police disperse opposition party supporters conducting a hunger strike over the disputed July 28 election result. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Phnom Pen

Victim of Police Bullet Await for Justice

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

20 Sep 2013

Victims of Police Bullet Await for Justice

Family of Mao Sokchan who was shot dead, allegedly by police, hold 7th Day ceremony of his death while awaiting for justice. Chiev Sokvy, Mao Sokchan's wife, filed an official complaint against the authorities this week. Ten people were injured when police clashed with motorists who were angered by barricades at the bridge and attempted to tear them down. Prime Minister Hun Sen's advisor Prak Sokhonn, said investigation is underway. Say Mony, Phnom Penh.

Cambodian Rivals Get Closer Over Disputed Election

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

17 Sep 2013

Cambodian Rivals Get Closer to Deal Over Disputed Election​​​​

Cambodia's main opposition party leader Sam Rainy said a deal to end the deadlock over July's disputed parliamentarian election could end soon and a rally by its supporters went ahead on Tuesday without the violence and one man was shot dead on Sunday. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Phnom Penh.​

One Protester Killed as Cambodian Political Crisis Escalates

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

15 Sep 2013

One Protester Killed as Cambodian Political Crisis Escalates

Violence erupted in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, on Sunday, as thousands of opposition activists protested the government's victory in a disputed election. Human rights activists said one protester was killed by a gunshot to the head during a street battle with police. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Land Victims Hold Second Protest In Less Than A Week

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

10 Sep 2013

Land Victims Hold Second Protest Demanding The Release of Their Colleague​ ​

Cambodian protesters broke through police line on Tuesday during their second protest for less than a week. They demand the release of their colleague, Yoam Bopha, who had been behind bar for more than a year. Say Mony, Phnom Penh.

Cambodian Opposition Learns Non-Violent Protest

Heng Reaksmey and Say Mony, VOA Khmer

04 Sep 2013

Cambodian Opposition Learns Non-Violent Protest Tactics

About 1,000 members of the Cambodian opposition have taken part in non-violent protest training for their upcoming mass rally against the results of July's election.

Officials for the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Wednesday had their supporters practice how to react non-violently to police provocations, spot infiltrators in their ranks and avoid the use of abusive language.

After the session, some were asked to come on stage to demonstrate what they had learned, with other members of the opposition portraying security forces.

The government has deployed troops in the Cambodian capital before the planned demonstration and has warned about the rally turning violent.

But Kem Sokha, CNRP vice president, says a peaceful protest is the goal. VOA Khmer's Heng Reaksmey and Say Mony report from Phnom Penh.

Camping Against Corruption, Youth Reveals Acts of Briberies

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

08 Aug 2013

Camping Against Corruption, Youth Reveals Acts of Briberies

Youth groups from eight provinces and municipality were committing themselves to fight against corruption after participating in a five-day camping organized by Transparency International Cambodia. VOA's Say Mony reports from Kampong Cham, Cambodia.

Some Return After Eviction From Coastal Resort Development

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

27 July 2013

In this Oct. 6, 2012 photo, local workers adjust stones at a dam construction site by China National Heavy Machinery Corporation on the Tatay River in Koh Kong province, some 210 kilometers (130 miles) west of Phnom Penh.

KOH KONG Province - Thousands of people have been evicted from their homes to make way for a Chinese development in Koh Kong province. But some of the families have returned to their land, leaving a relocation site they say was insufficient for their needs. For families like those of Chum Siran, life has become more difficult since their removal from the development site,

to this relocation site in the mountains of Koh Kong. Before the relocation, her family raised cashews, while her husband fished.

Youth Representatives Debate Party Policies

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

24 July 2013

PHNOM PENH - Youth representatives from six political parties running in the upcoming elections joined an International Republican Institute-organized debate over the weekend to show their respective parties’ policies.

Campaigning Parties Vow More Freedom of Information

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

02 July 2013

Under the CPP-dominated Assembly, the Freedom of Information Law was rejected twice, in 2010 and 2012, without debate.

PHNOM PENH - With the national elections just a month away, representatives from major political parties excluding the ruling Cambodian People’s Party promise to ensure the approval of the long-awaited Freedom of Information Law if elected. The law would allow for better public access to government records, including for journalists and policymakers.

Proponents say it would spur greater transparency in the government, particularly in the extractive industries, which remain part of a lucrative, though secretive, sector. A draft version of the law has been stalled since 2007.

Young Voters Want Transparency and Less Corruption

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

17 June 2013

Transparency International Cambodia recently organized a ceremony for parties to pledge to fight against corruption.

PHNOM PENH - With just over a month to go before Cambodians head to the polls, a group of young voters say they are going to support the political parties most interested in fighting corruption. A group of high school and university students met in Phnom Penh recently to call for political candidates to provide more transparency in government and to work harder to end the country’s endemic corruption.

Politicians Pledged Transparency and Anti-Corruption

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

17 Jun 2013

Parties' Representatives Pledged Transparency and Anti-Corruption

With just over a month to go before Cambodians head to the polls, political parties promised to fight against corruption in ceremony organized by Transparency International Cambodia. Two parties, including the ruling Cambodian People's Party, declined to participate in the ceremony. (Say Mony, Phnom Penh)

Demonstrators Hit With Water Canons as They Attempt to Block Street

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

30 May 2013

Phnom Penh police dispersed a protest with water canons from three separate fire trucks on Wednesday, after failing to negotiate with housing rights protesters.

PHNOM PENH — Phnom Penh police dispersed a protest with water canons from three separate fire trucks on Wednesday, after failing to negotiate with housing rights protesters. At least one person was knocked unconscious and several others were injured.

Before Water Canons, a Clash With a Police Chief

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

30 May 2013

When housing activists sought to block Monivong Boulevard on Tuesday, they were met by Phnom Penh's newest police chief, Chuon Sovann. Failing to negotiate to remove the protesters from the street, Chuon Sovann ordered three water canons on those who remained. The following is supplemental footage from the incident shot by VOA Khmer's Say Mony. You'll find the full story here:

Worker Killed in Factory Collapse Survived By Newborn

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

17 May 2013

Nine survivors of a shoe factory collapse in Kampong Speu province remained hospitalized Friday.

In interviews with VOA Khmer, several of them recounted the event, when a storage mezzanine loaded with manufacturing equipment fell.

Survivors considered themselves lucky to be alive, after they were nearly crushed by chunks of concrete and equipment at the Wing Stars factory.

The victims rushed to Calmette Thursday were the lucky ones, they said.

Rim Saroeun was not among them. He perished in the collapse. At his home in Bati district, Takeo province, family members mourned on Friday, weeping over his coffin, where his photograph hung, as they prepared for his funeral. He was married, with a one-month-old son. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Takeo province.

Workers Demand Arrest of Chhouk Bandith

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

03 May 2013

Thousands of garment factory workers, activists and union leaders marched in the streets of Phnom Penh on May Day, demanding former Bavet city governor Chhouk Bandith be arrested for allegedly shooting into a crowd of workers last year, injuring three women. Workers say the courts dropped the case against Chhouk Bandith because of his political power. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Phnom Penh.

Intimate Gathering Remembers Slain Environmental Activist

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

26 Apr 2013

On a road in Koh Kong province on Friday, Buddhist clergy and family members honored the environmentalist one year after his slaying. Chut Viuhy was shot dead at this remote location at a police check point during an NGO review of a forest area. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Koh Kong province.