In the past, the country has seen many a series of land activists, made up of both men and women. Over the long-running land dispute in Boeung Kak, most of the protesters are women whose husband dare not protest for fear of losing their career in the royal government ministry.
When the land activists being 14 female and 1 male were convicted by the Phnom Penh court on the charge of inciting others to take land illegally, they were all sentenced to between 1 year and 2 and a half years. Their activity has recently changed to find justice for the children under 12 years old that have lost the care of their parents and must learn to live in society and be a good citizen. The children of Boeung Kak have gathered to sing songs in front of the Cambodian government institute and outside International NGOs such as: National Assembly, Senate of Kingdom of Cambodia, Royal Palace, Ministry of Justice, Embassies and the main donor to ask intervention for their mothers release due to them not being at fault, they were just acting to protect their land and housing.
Licado president Pung Chiv Kek, said the problem of children in Boeung Kak is the most serious morally tortures because of their have no good memory since they was young, “their suffering will stay with them for long time if we don’t take care of them. So we have to pay attention to them because the children are faced with moral trauma in their lives, it should be an importance to find a way to help them and push them to the school.”
Cambodia has been firm on international children’s rights since 15 October 1992. The Cambodian Constitution also contains that children shall have the right to receive good care from their parents and that they have a right to study. This right to study involves that children shall have the right to quality education, receive good care from their parents and their community with the insurance that children have enough food and medical care.
In addition to the stress for Boeung Kak children who have been part of the land dispute, some children have not been going to school due to mental pressure while their parents have been in jail, “We need justice; we don’t care about studying anymore when we have lost our mother. I can’t go to school when people are housing grabbing”.
Mr. Young Kim Eng, the president of PDP Center (People Center for Development and Peace) said, an unsecure development had become a serious problem in our society, “the reasoning of the children is that they have no house to go to due to being evicted and it is upmost cruelty. They have no place to go; this is why they are protesting for their mother’s release and the right to live comfortably”.
As the children are very certain in their endeavor to achieve their desire, Young Kim Eng said that a solution must be found for the Boeung Kak children or it could have a serious effect on their mental health.
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To promote Economic Land Concession in Cambodia!
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Please forgive!