Residents Defy Eviction to the End
More than 100 families of Phnom Penh's Dey Krahorm neighborhood say they will not obey a Dec. 25 eviction order from the city. (29 Dece
A group of residents of Phnom Penh's Dey Krahorm neighborhoodare fighting to the last city orders to relocate to the outskirts ofthe city, with a final eviction notice issued by the city on Dec. 25. Chamkarmon District Governor Lo Yuy said in his order theresidents have until Tuesday, Dec. 30, to leave the neighborhood, butthe impoverished residents said they were ready to facearmed confrontation over their right to remain. "They wait for an armedeviction by the authorities," resident Chan Vichet told reportersMonday. "They will use their rights to protect their property if thereis a forced eviction." Bun Rachana, a member of the Housing Rights TaskForce, which advocates for resident rights, appealed to the governmentand the 7NGdevelopment company not to use violence against theremaining families, urging instead more time to find an acceptableresolution to the brewing confrontation. Neither Ly Yuy, Phnom PenhGovernor Kep Chuktema nor 7NG Director Srei Sothea could not be reachedfor comment Monday, but Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Man Chhoeurn said hebelieved Kep Chuktema would resolve the situation peacefully. "I believethat our leaders are clever enough to resolve this issue,"he said,adding that so far 1,374 out of 1,465 Dey Krahorm families hadrelocated. The removal of the residents stems from an April 2004agreement between the city government and 7NG to develop 3.6 hectares ofslum area, forcing the removal of hundreds of families to suburb inDangkor district, where the newly relocated found few services orjob opportunities and began demanding greater compensation. The dozens offamilies that remain could face charges varying from thedestruction ofproperty and assault on 7NG employees. One man wassentenced in Augustto three years in prison on assault, defamationand forgery chargesstemming from conflicts with the developmentcompany and cityauthorities.