40,000 Signatures Call for Protection Against Land Violation

Nearly 300 representatives from families in 24 provinces and cities issued a petition to the National Assembly Monday, calling for better government protection of their land rights and the prevention of violence in land disputes. The petition, which included 40,0000 signatures, says Cambodians have “suffered seriously” from forced evictions and land grabs, impacting their jobs, eduction and basic needs like food, shelter and health. It calls on National Assembly President Heng Samrin to help stop the evictions and have the courts release land activists who remain in jail. (Kong Sothanarith, Phnom Penh)