May 8, 2012
Source: gulf-times.com
Cambodia
suspended new land grants yesterday after the murder of a prominent
activist shone the spotlight on increasing violence surrounding
territorial disputes.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a statement that the
government would “temporarily suspend granting economic land
concessions” to “ensure equity and to strengthen the effectiveness” of
leased land management.
The authorities have faced mounting criticism in recent years from
rights groups and the United Nations over forced evictions around the
country that have sparked protests and displaced tens of thousands of
mostly poor people.
The death of well-known environmental activist Chhut Vuthy, who was
gunned down by a military police officer on April 26 while gathering
evidence of illegal logging in a remote forest, has added to the
controversy.
Cambodia’s government granted some 800,000 hectares in land concessions
to well-connected private firms in 2011, according to local rights
group Licadho.
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