The 12th Annual Community Forum Under the theme “Housing Justice and Inclusive Development"

On 24th October, 2025, Sahmakum Teang Tnaut organization prepared the 12th Community Forum under the theme "Housing Justice and Inclusive Development." The forum was attended by approximately 200 participants from 36 poor and vulnerable communities across Phnom Penh and provinces. This forum featured the sharing of experiences, advocacy approaches and tools on land rights issues, and community mobilization, among other topics. Representatives of communities from Phnom Penh and the provinces attended the event.

The panel discussion centered around the topic of land tenure security and development for all. One speaker emphasized “the responsibility of the State to respect, protect and fulfill human rights. To ensure the inclusive development, it is essential that the voices of citizens and independent groups are included in the development process. The state must require all private companies to conduct environmental and social impact assessments to avoid harming vulnerable populations.”

At this forum, both the panelists and community members called on the Cambodian government to create policies that would provide opportunities for vulnerable communities to participate in the development process to avoid a lack of justice, transparency, and participation.

Key recommendations and requests were compiled from this forum, listed as bellow:
•    Laws that prevent forced evictions and that clearly state the responsibilities of the state when carrying out any evictions, including the provision of new locations that does not lead to further human rights violations, should be urgently developed and strictly implemented.
•    All developments must undergo social, economic, and environmental impacts assessment, especially the impacts on the livelihoods of vulnerable people, with full and meaningful participation from all stakeholders, and be publicly disclosed.
•    Expedite the issuance of residence and family books, and equity cards to members of land communities who do not yet have them so that they can receive social services.
•    Provide and support the construction of basic infrastructure and improved services in urban poor communities such as sewage systems, garbage collection, and connections to state running water and electricity.
•    Accelerate systemic solutions for communities facing land issues and provide on-site development for communities living in urban areas and issue them land titles to avoid future evictions.

For more information, please contact:
•    Mr. Khun Tola, STT’s Advocacy and Outreach Program Manager, at 093 667 789