The Ministry of Interior Rejected Rong Chhun’s Request to Disclose the Number of Immigrants
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 668
“Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Interior will not respond to a request from Mr. Rong Chhun, a representative of the Cambodian Watchdog Council [he is also the president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association, surprisingly not mentioned in this article], for a public information about the number of immigrants in Cambodia.
Let’s See whether the Commitment of Hun Sen Is Real or Just to Satisfy the Donors
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 668
“According to assessments of some international organizations, each year as much as US$500 million of the state’s resources is lost to corruption in Cambodia, which seriously affects the interest of the country and of Cambodian citizens.
Cambodia Rejected Report of Amnesty International
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 666
“A government official rejected a report of Amnesty International on 27 May 2010. Amnesty International released its Amnesty International Report 2010 on human rights, saying that forced evictions affect the livelihood of thousands of families.
Listen up NGOs... the Labor Law MATTERS
I’ve posted before on how important it is for NGOs to comply with the Labor Law. The Post has a couple of stories this week (here and here) providing a perfect example of just how crucial it really is.
- 2 comments
- Read more
- 4395 reads
On World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, an Appeal Was Made Not to Restrict the Freedom of Expression of Cambodian Journalists
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 663
“At least 11 journalists are reported to have been killed unjustly [since 1992 in Cambodia], and the perpetrators who killed them were not convicted according to the law. On the World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2010, journalists and civil society organizations in Cambodia appealed for the elimination of restrictions on the freedom of expression of Cambodian journalists, which until now result in suffering just because they write and express their opinions.
NGOs and the Labor Law
Many local and international NGOs in Cambodia currently employ staff under contracts and policies based on the laws and practices of their home countries. This can result in non-compliance with the Cambodian Labor Law, which differs from foreign laws in many respects.
Non-compliance most often becomes an issue when a departing employee claims the benefits and protections provided by the Law. The organization can find itself owing quite significant sums, or be prevented from terminating a problematic employee.
Reviewing the organization’s compliance with the Labor Law is the best way to foresee and minimize these risks. This guide answers frequently asked questions regarding the Labor Law and how an NGO can comply.
Adoption in Cambodia
In recent years Cambodia has become a major source of inter-country adoption. Unfortunately, weak rule of law and institutional oversight has resulted in cases of child trafficking and other abuses. As a result, several western countries, such as France, the US, and Australia, have refused to recognize adoptions from Cambodia. The Royal Government of Cambodia then began working on reforms to comply with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption.
Cambodia Will Have a Law to Control Battery Acid in the Future
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 652
“Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia is discussing to find ways to establish a law to control battery acid, as many victims are suffering from having been attacked by acid, using acid as a weapon.
“According to a source from the Ministry of Interior, the Acid Control Committee of the Ministry of Interior organized a meeting on 12 February 2010, to discuss some resource documents to create a law for the control of battery acid, after many citizens had been victimized by acid, while some perpetrators have not been convicted for their offenses. This happens because acid is being sold openly without any proper control.
Hun Sen Wants Abhisit to Swear that His Whole Family Would Die in a Plane Crash if Siam Claims that It Does Not Encroach on Khmer Territory
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 651
“The Cambodian Prime Minister, Mr. Hun Sen, wants the Siamese [Thai] Prime Minister, Mr. Abhisit Vijjajiva, to swear that his whole family would die in a plane crash if it is true that Siamese [Thai] troops are not invading Khmer territory. This he said in an angry speech, made during his trip to visit the Cambodian troops stationed at the Khmer Ta Moan Thom temple.
“Wearing a military uniform and Five-Star-General insignia during the three days of visiting troops and army commanders at the border region, yesterday, on 8 February 2010, Mr. Hun Sen did not show a smile like during the first day because of wrong publications in the Siamese press and [Thai Prime Minister] Mr. Abhisit Vijjajiva’s irritating remarks.
Justice in the Midst of Conflicts
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 648
The report on the increasing number of rapes, especially also of young girls less then 10 year old, in some cases ending with the killing of the victim, carried a terrifying comment: “Law enforcement by the relevant authorities, especially the courts, remained limited, as giving impunity to perpetrators continued,” continuing: “The number of cases brought to be heard at the courts was not so high, simply because of out of court arrangements.” Money is used instead of justice.
In another context, the Ratanakiri authorities are reported to have seized a truck with illegally logged wood after a Cambodian NGO and local citizens informed the authorities – but this is worse: Citizens who tried to report and to prevent forestry crimes were threatened by armed personnel, and the authorities do not dare to disclose the names of the powerful wood traders who hire citizens to commit these crimes. Power is used instead of justice.