Dey Krahorm: Sit-in in front of the National Assembly

Chan Vichet (standing) with former Dey Krahorm residents held a sit-in in front of the National Assembly (Photo: DR, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

26 Jan 2009
By Kang Kallyann and Adrien Le Gal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French

"This is worst than under the Khmer Rouge! At least, when the Khmer Rouge evicted people, they didn’t destroy their homes” - Srey Vann, evicted resident from Dey Krahorm

Chan Vichet, representative of the residents, did not obtain satisfaction from the city hall which claimed that the forced eviction of the residents voids the $20,000 compensation offer promised earlier for each family.

About 50 people evicted from Dey Krahorm slum on Saturday 24 January have gathered in front of the National Assembly on Monday 26 January.

Chan Vichet, the representative of the former residents of Dey Krahorm, explained: “We met with the city hall this morning. But, they don’t seem to be interested in our fate. The authorities only promised housing in Phnom Penh for blind musicians Kong Nay and Neth Pé who were also evicted. This is unfair because we are all facing difficult circumstances, and the city hall is trying to divide us further.”

Chan Vichet who were not present in Dey Krahorm during the forced eviction, told “Cambodge Soir Hebdo” that he was in hiding since Friday 11PM, for fear of being arrested just like 8 other activists did.

According to Chan Vichet, the authority and the 7NG company withdrew their $20,000 indemnification offer for each family, an amount planned for the case the residents accept to vacate the area voluntarily. For the time being, only a relocation offer at Damnak Trayoeung, located 16 km from Phnom Penh, is on the table.

Furthermore, only 91 families are eligible for relocation, whereas 152 families were evicted from the spot, Chan Vichet indicated.

During the night of Sunday to Monday, several of the former residents slept along the quay, while others stayed at the Licadho office building.

“I was not able to take out my belonging,” 22-year-old Srey Vann said in front of the National Assembly. “What I tried to take out was destroyed by flame throwing guns. At that moment, my mother passed out and she injured herself on her head. This is worst than under the Khmer Rouge! At least, when the Khmer Rouge evicted people, they didn’t destroy their homes.”

63-year-old Vong An returned back from Damnak Trayoeung where she was dumped after the eviction. “Over there, it is not built for human beings, there are feces everywhere. If I can get some money, I will give it to my daughter and my grandchildren, as for me, I will live and sleep in a pagoda. I don’t want them to live in Damnak Trayoeung.”

“I spent 10,000 riels ($2,50) to return back from there … Tonight, maybe, I will sleep in front of the National Assembly, I don’t have enough money to return to Damnak Trayoeung.”

By the end of Monday afternoon, bulldozers have completed leveling down Dey Krahorm and removing rubble from the eviction.