Thursday, May 19, 2011

Prey Lang Network will organize a mass demonstration

This is to inform you that on May 25, 2011, Prey Lang Network will organize a mass demonstration and press conference at the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh to appeal to the government to save Prey Lang. The demonstration is expected to involve 200 people including community advocates from around Prey Lang (Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Thom, and Preah Vihear,) as well as supporters from Phnom Penh and other areas.

The Network is calling on the Royal Government of Cambodia to:

  • Stop granting economic land concessions and suspend all those already granted in Prey Lang and the surrounding buffer areas;
  • Give protected status to Prey Lang and keep and conserve Prey Lang as a heritage for Cambodia;
  • Recognize the Prey Lang Network to be partners with the government in co-management of the forest.

Event Plan

· Submit their petition to the Council of Ministers, the National Assembly and three ministries (MAFF, MIME, MOE.)

· Rally at the Freedom Park for a whole day. The rally will include ethnic Kuy indigenous art, song, and music to tell the importance of natural resources and to show how Kuy culture is strongly tied to the forest. As Cambodia’s “Avatars,” they will be in blue body paint and traditional Kuy dress, including hats made from tree materials. This will provide you with lots of good photo opportunities.


· They will organize a radio talk show about Prey Lang. (Details will be provided later.)

On 18 May the Prey Lang Network submitted a letter to the Phnom Penh City Hall to inform them of their plan. According to law, the City has three days to raise any concerns that could lead them to legitimately block the demonstration. If no such concerns are raised, in keeping with requirements of law, the demonstration will proceed, as scheduled. We will confirm City response as soon as it is received.

For more information in Khmer, please contact:

Prey Lang network representative

Dear Journalists

This is to inform you that on May 25, 2011, Prey Lang Network will organize a mass demonstration and press conference at the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh to appeal to the government to save Prey Lang. The demonstration is expected to involve 200 people including community advocates from around Prey Lang (Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Thom, and Preah Vihear,) as well as supporters from Phnom Penh and other areas.

The Network is calling on the Royal Government of Cambodia to:

  • Stop granting economic land concessions and suspend all those already granted in Prey Lang and the surrounding buffer areas;
  • Give protected status to Prey Lang and keep and conserve Prey Lang as a heritage for Cambodia;
  • Recognize the Prey Lang Network to be partners with the government in co-management of the forest.

Event Plan

· Submit their petition to the Council of Ministers, the National Assembly and three ministries (MAFF, MIME, MOE.)

· Rally at the Freedom Park for a whole day. The rally will include ethnic Kuy indigenous art, song, and music to tell the importance of natural resources and to show how Kuy culture is strongly tied to the forest. As Cambodia’s “Avatars,” they will be in blue body paint and traditional Kuy dress, including hats made from tree materials. This will provide you with lots of good photo opportunities.


· They will organize a radio talk show about Prey Lang. (Details will be provided later.)

On 18 May the Prey Lang Network submitted a letter to the Phnom Penh City Hall to inform them of their plan. According to law, the City has three days to raise any concerns that could lead them to legitimately block the demonstration. If no such concerns are raised, in keeping with requirements of law, the demonstration will proceed, as scheduled. We will confirm City response as soon as it is received.

For more information in Khmer, please contact:

Prey Lang network representative

  1. Mr.Sim Searn 097 9575293
  2. Mr.Thai Bun Leang 0977752211
  3. Mrs.Phok Hong 092 6686217
  4. Mr.Cheang Vuthy 097 8801333
  5. Mrs.Vong Phan 097 9621189

For more information in English, please contact:

NGO Forum : Mr. Bunhieng: 012 276 595

CPN : Mr. Ek Yuthin: 012 707 202

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