For immediate release
Boeung Kak Lake: government should address serious human rights violations
International organizations call the Government of Cambodia to ensure that development in the area is conducted according to internationally recognized standards
New York, June 1, 2015. The International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) sent a letter on May 15, 2015 to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia to express serious concern over the conditions faced by the families living in the Boeung Kak Lake, especially those related to flooding, drainage, and infrastructure upgrading.
“The forcible evictions that took place to clear the area surrounding Boeung Kak Lake constitute serious violations of human rights and have been found to be prima facie incompatible with the requirements of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”, said Chris Grove, ESCR-Net director.
The letter, endorsed by more than 220 organizations and 50 individuals in 70 countries, also denounces that some of the remaining families in the Boeung Kak Lake area have been excluded from the land registration process and continue to lack security of tenure, while low-income households that have received title to their homes are required to comply with urban construction regulations, making them vulnerable to future evictions.
“We note with concern that several thousand families were reportedly displaced from their homes in the Boeung Kak Lake area after accepting inadequate compensation under extreme duress, and that many have since become impoverished as a result”, Grove said.
ESCR-Net called on the Government of Cambodia to provide legal security of tenure to all remaining families in the area and to provide financial and technical assistance to households to upgrade their housing standards, consistent with the newly adopted National Housing Policy.
Finally, the letter call to ensure that the development around the Boeung Kak Lake area is conducted according to internationally recognized standards and does not violate the human rights of affected communities.
The complete letter is available at http://goo.gl/tjOJ6I
About ESCR-Net
The International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) connects more than 270 NGOs, social movements and activists from 70 countries around the world, offering a strategic exchange and collective advocacy to build a global movement to make human rights and social justice a reality for all. For more information please visit www.escr-net.org
For more information
EE Sarom (English/Khmer)
Executive Director, Sahmakum Teang Tnaut
Eang Vuthy (English/Khmer)
Executive Director, Equitable Cambodia
Sergio Rozalén (English/Spanish).
Communications Coordinator. ESCR-Net.
