Phnom Penh, November 3: Four representatives of 65,867 families affected by land disputes from three provinces including, Kompong Chhnang, Pursat and Koh Kong joined together with CSOs during the press conference “Calling for Urgent Land Dsiputes Resolution in Cambodia” to share their views on the land disputes which until today remain unresolved and affect their communities and families. Their untimate goal was to make their concerns known to the public, as well as to urge that these long lasting disputes be resolved by the relevant institutions.
Additionally, the publication on “Statistical Analysis on Land Disputes in Cambodia, 2013” which has been developed by the Reseach and Information Center (RIC) of the NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF) in collaboration with the Land and Housing Rights Network (LAHRiN) was also launched on the occasion of this press conference.
“We as CSOs/NGOs are supporting the development work. However, we are terribly disappointed that many private investors do not have the proper plan or investment model to prevent the negative impacts on Cambodia people and their community, especially the dispute over the land grabbing and destroying their properties,” said Tek Vannara, NGOF’s Executive Director “We want the realizable resolution mechanisms implemented and enforced fully from the government to those private firms.”
Based on analysis, the report shows that:
- The number of new land disputes in 2013 is lower when compared to cases recorded in the past 3 years;
- Land disputes occurred across the country. The province with the highest rate of land disputes was Phnom Penh, while Rattanakiri came second. Other provinces such as Pursat, Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham and Banteay Meanchey experienced a total of 20 land disputes;
- Economic Land Concessions (ELCs) are a major cause of land disputes. 80 disputes or 25% of the total land disputes are related to ELCs. Those disputes involve 19,740 households, or 92,778 affected people. Ratanakiri,Mondulkiri and Preah Vihear had a high number of disputes;
- In 2013, four land disputes led to forced displacement, all in the province of Preah Vihear; and
- From 2010 to 2012, the number of resolved disputes increased. It rose from 20 in 2010 to 40 in 2011 and then 108 cases in 2012. In 2013, the number of resolved cases declined to 81 cases.
- From 2010 to 2012, the number of resolved disputes increased. It rose from 20 in 2010 to 40 in 2011 and then 108 cases in 2012. In 2013, the number of resolved cases declined to 81 cases.
Click here to download the reports in Khmer and English
