Naga Workers Demand Their Rights
Thousands of workers have been on strike since New Year's Day 2022 in front of Naga World's hotel and casino complex in Phnom Penh. They are demanding the reinstatement of 365 employees who were let go.
Chhim Sithar, President of Labor Rights Support Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), was arrested as she joined the strike, "It's a brutal arrest against such a young brave lady," Chak Sopheap, Executive Director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) noted.
A few days later, 15 workers were taken away, in addition to nine detained on New Year's Day who have been charged with the serious crime of endangering social security. To know more, check out this link. https://www.apheda.org.au/government-must-release-nagaworld-unionists-and-respect-labour-rights/
Illegal Logging in Prey Lang Forest Worsens
January 2022
Widespread illegal logging and the repression of environmental activists are grave threats to Cambodia’s Prey Lang rainforest. Amnesty International noted one year ago just how much forest loss increased after Cambodian authorities banned environmental defenders and forest dwellers from entering the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Since January 2020 when patrols by local inhabitants of the Prey Lang community were banned by the Cambodian government, illegal logging has worsened. The satellite images (to the left) taken by Planet Lab on February 5, 2021 tell the truth about widespread destruction by loggers in the Wildlife Sanctuary which is "protected by Cambodian law" from logging.
Annual Traditional Forest Festival Cancelled in 2021
For the second year in a row, the Ministry of Environment did not allow the Prey Lang Community (PLCN) to host a traditional, annual festival of Blessing of the Trees on February 25-26, 2021. According to the local leaders, this festival seeks to promote care of the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary which was set aside legally as a preserve by the Royal Government of Cambodia in 2012. Since 2020, Prey Lang community leaders who depend upon the forest for their livelihood and spirituality have been banned from entering the forest and from monitoring illegal logging in the Sanctuary.
https://cambojanews.com/environment-ministry-enabling-deforestation-by-preventing-patrols-plcn-says/
Mr. Net Pheaktra, of the Ministry of Environment stated: "The ministry does not allow communities to hold ceremonies in protected areas."
Mr. Pich Sarik, Coordinator of this Festival, stated: "If the Ministry does not allow it, there is no problem. We are still holding it--just holding it in the villages of the four provinces."
Before You Die, Plant a Tree - new book
Before You Die, Plant a Tree is not really about trees, although care of trees is part of the story. It is not about death, but rather about the future and our role in leaving the world better off than we inherited it. Before You Die, Plant a Tree is an engaging description of grassroots peace building by a Cambodian non-profit (NGO). Through the stories of everyday Cambodians, we find examples of community empowerment and peace building that can teach us--in any country--new things.
The book is available print or e-format. Just google the title and author to find it.
About the Author:
Joyce Penfield, is an author and ordained pastor who is committed to just peace making. She worked side by side with staff of Khmer NGO for over a year. In each chapter, she profiles a Cambodian whose life has been impacted by violence--be that poverty, environmental violence, political violence, intergenerational trauma, or the Khmer Rouge regime. Penfield illustrates practical ways in which their lives were transformed by the nonviolent model of peacebuilding used by this NGO.
Community Tree Planting to Heal Nature
Trees are being planted in community forests throughout Cambodia, such as, Monk forest in Oddar Meanchey.
Cambodians love their forests and want to protect them from global warming and illegal logging. There forests are shrinking at an alarming rate. In planting trees together, they become more aware of natural resources. At the same time, rural and urban Cambodians join together in restoring forests. These are healing actions and acts of peace making that educate the youth as well.
Partnering together groups will plant 5,000 native trees in their community forests.
www.globalgiving.org/projects/equip-cambodians-with-tech-to-protect-their-forest