Activist Monk Released, Vows To Continue Activism

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Saturday, 26 May 2012 

Loun Savath said Thursday he is following the teachings of Buddha by defending  human rights and he vowed to continue his activism.

Loun Savath, a monk and rights activist who was detained by plain clothes security officials Thursday, was released that night, after he agreed to sign a letter vowing to stop leading and participating in protests. However, he has promised he will not halt his activism. Loun Savath was seized while observing a protest by villagers of the Boeung Kak lake development project. He has become a common figure at land protests, vexing Cambodia’s Buddhist leadership.

More Youth Involved in Environmental Protection: Activist

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Friday, 18 May 2012 

A villager is seen here tying timber to his motorcycle for trading with the logging  company as two UN investigator are looking around in the compound of  the logging company, April 27, 2012.

Forestry advocates see more youth engaging in environmental protection, especially in forest communities where illegal logging is rampant. “Previously, only elder people from the ages of 30, 40 or 50 up stood up to protect their forests, but recently more younger people have been participating in the anti-illegal logging movement,” Chhim Savuth, a community empowerment officer of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told “Hello VOA” on Monday.

For Cambodia, No Olympic Marathoner in the Running

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Saturday, 11 May 2012 

Japanese entertainer Neko Hiroshi, left, poses with Cambodian winner Em Buntin  after a half marathon Saturday, June 18, 2011 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The  Japanese finished second. More than 1,000 Cambodians and foreigners took part  in the running, celebra

Controversy is looming in Cambodia over the government's choice of Olympic marathoner, a Japanese-born comedian with Cambodian citizenship. The International Association of Athletics Federation said this week that the comedian, Takizaki Kuniaki, would not be considered eligible because he has not been a Cambodian citizen long enough. But Cambodia’s fastest marathoner, Hem Bunting, is not being considered either.

Family, Activists Vow To Continue Work of Slain Conservationist

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Wednesday, 02 May 2012

Family members and supporters of Chut Wutty, the conservationist who was shot dead in a remote region of Koh Kong province last week, say they will continue his work and seek to protect what remains of Cambodia's dwindling forests. The shooting, which also saw the death of a military police officer, has underscored the dangerous work of activists in the arena of illegal logging and deforestation.

Promise of Riches Lures Many to ‘Forest of Gold’

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Tuesday, 01 May 2012

In their search, however, the miners expose themselves to the risks of dust,  mercury and other chemicals used to purify gold.

Poor villagers are increasingly looking for gold in a remote province of Cambodia following the recent skyrocketing price of the precious metal. But in their rush to find this buried fortune, they are at great risk of dangerous chemical exposure and malaria. Phon Pheak and a few of his family members came to dig for gold here in Phnom Pang mountain in the village Prey Meas, or Forest of Gold, some 90 kilometers from Ratanakkir province’s Banlung city, with the international price of gold continuing its ascent.

Activist's Son Wants Justice for Father's Death

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Monday, 30 April 2012

Rights groups are calling for a full government investigation into the shooting death of a prominent land rights activist in Cambodia. Chut Wutty, an outspoken critic of illegal logging, died after being shot by military police. His son is asking the international community to find justice for his late father. One police officer also died in the incident which is still under investigation. Wutty's colleagues say the activist had previously received threats.

Cambodia Activist Laid to Rest After Shooting Death

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Monday, 30 April 2012

Chut Wutty, a prominent Cambodian anti-logging activist who helped expose a secretive state sell-off of national parks was fatally shot on April 25, 2012 in a remote southwestern province, FILE February 21, 2012.

Family members and activists vow to follow a prominent environmentalist's footsteps after his shooting death in Koh Kong province last week. Chut Wutty, director of Natural Resource Protection Group, was shot and killed in a forest while escorting two journalists covering illegal logging. A military policeman was killed in the same incident and the Cambodian government says it will establish a joint committee to investigate.

Young Disregarded Where Politics Count: Advocate

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Thursday, 12 April 2012 

About half of Cambodia’s population of 14 million is aged between 15 and 30.

Cambodia’s youth are often regarded as useful to politicians, but seldom are they given the chance to vie for elections such as those scheduled for this year and next. This has made them “political slaves,” Yong Kim Eng, president of the People’s Center for Development and Peace, told “Hello VOA” on Monday. “They are just supporters, not decision-makers who can determine their own fates.”

Lucky Children Get Second Chance After Major Heart Surgery

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

Thursday, 12 April 2012

Eight-year-old Nan Kini remains in the hospital, after his heart was repaired recently  at a hospital in Siem Reap.

Eight-year-old Nan Kini remains in the hospital, after his heart was repaired recently at a hospital in Siem Reap. He is frail, but he is alive. It has been a long journey for the family, one that often seemed hopeless. Nan Kini’s father, Huy Nan, says there were times he wanted to see his son die rather than suffer so much from heart disease. The 42-year-old motor-taxi driver says he could not afford to have Nan Kini treated and often had to borrow money to send him to the hospital.

Pursat Villagers Gird for Clashes Over Land

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Tuesday, 10 April 2012

Loun Sivaey has been working for years on this plot of land in Kra Lanh village, Pursat province, 170 kilometers from the capital. Now, a local company has come in to clear her and hundreds of other villagers from the land. The company has brought in bulldozers and security guards. Loun Sivaey says she and others are preparing to resist them. (Say Mony interviews residents in Pursat province.)