Amnesty urges the public to stop Cambodian authorities from evicting poor families

Reports say that 700 police and military police have been mobilised to forcibly evict the families. The Group 78 families started moving into the area in 1983. Since then the value of the land has increased enormously.

They applied for land titles several times, but the authorities have rejected their applications, despite the families having official documentation proving strong ownership claims. The Phnom Penh authorities have given different reasons for the eviction of the families, ranging from beautification of the city to claims that the community are illegal squatters.

In the “final eviction notification” they said that the community is living on land belonging to a private company and on a public road. Group 78 maintains that under the Land Law they are the rightful owners of the land. You can understand why the families have rejected the compensation that’s been offered: relocation to an area 20 km outside the city.

The cost of transport to and from the site for work far exceeds their daily earnings and the site doesn’t have proper water, electricity and sewerage supplies. 20 of the families have been offered no compensation at all. Please spread the word about this so we can generate as many appeals as possible.

More info and the appeal at www.amnesty.org.uk/group78

BAN WELCOMES AMNESTY IN MYANMAR AS ‘FIRST STEP’ TOWARD DEMOCRATIZATION

BAN WELCOMES AMNESTY IN MYANMAR AS 'FIRST STEP' TOWARD DEMOCRATIZATION
New York, Feb 23 2009 6:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed an amnesty announced by the Government of Myanmar, which reportedly includes some 23 political prisoners, as a "first step" toward release of all such detainees and further progress on democratization.

"This is the time for Myanmar to seize the opportunity before it to send positive signals," he said following a meeting with his Group of Friends on Myanmar, which includes neighbouring countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other concerned States.

Citing further steps to be taken, Mr. Ban reiterated his call for the release of the hundreds of political prisoners still in detention, including opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the resumption of dialogue between the Government and the opposition "without delay and without preconditions."

Today's meeting follows a briefing last week in which Mr. Ban's Special Advisor, Ibrahim Gambari, told the Security Council that there was some movement toward "tangible outcomes" from his 31 January to 3 February visit to Myanmar as part of the Secretary-General's good offices mandate.

After being updated Mr. Gambari, the Group of Friends expressed its unified support for the continuation of the good offices efforts, Mr. Ban said, adding that "our Myanmar interlocutors have also indicated the importance they attach to the good offices' work."

The Special Adviser is prepared to extend the UN's political facilitation with both the Government and the opposition to build on previous efforts, he noted.

Asked by correspondents whether he himself is considering another visit to the South-East Asian nation, the Secretary-General replied that he will try to go, but nothing yet has been discussed in terms of timing and agendas.

"As a matter of principle, I am telling you that I am willing to make a return visit to build upon what I had discussed last May, including political issues," he said, adding that there would not have to be preconditions for his visit.

"This is a part of ongoing consultation and negotiations and efforts by the international community, and also entrusted to me by the General Assembly," Mr. Ban explained.

In regard to further discussions with the Group of Friends, he added: "We have a unity of support. But at the same time I would like to see some unity of approaches among members. This is what we are now continuing to consult with the countries concerned."
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