Cambodia - Harassment and intimidation of members of Cambodian Center for Human Rights during fact-finding mission

Original post from [ASEANcats] Cambodia 

13 November 2012

Cambodia - Harassment and intimidation of members of Cambodian Center for Human Rights during fact-finding mission

On 30 and 31 October 2012, members of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)’s Land Reform Project Team were harassed and intimidated by police and military officials during a mission to collect information about the resolution of a land conflict. The CCHR is an independent non-governmental organisation working to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Cambodia.

The team had come to Thlao village, in Banteay Mean Chey province, on 29 October 2012 in order to gather information on the resolution of a local land conflict which revolved around a private company, Cheat Aphiwat Co. Ltd., reportedly obtaining an illegal land concession. The Land Reform Project Team, consisting of project coordinator Mr Vann Sopath, Mr Steven Kremer, Mr Nget Savy and Ms Nou Chansokunthea, interviewed villagers and surveyed the area. It is believed that a villager with close ties to local officials and the company reported the team’s presence to the authorities.

On the second day of the mission, local police and military officers and a student volunteer from a government land-measuring programme approached the team and subjected them to a lengthy and detailed questioning regarding their activities. Later on, the officials continued to make their presence felt by circling the team on motorbikes and keeping a close watch on their activities.

Villagers were also interrogated, and in other ways discouraged from giving interviews to the CCHR staff. A community representative was questioned by a military commander, and a local woman tried to discourage villagers from talking to the team by first claiming that it was unnecessary, as the land was already being demarcated by the aforementioned student group. She proceeded to warn them that they were risking losing their land titles, or jeopardising those that had yet to be given out, by cooperating with the CCHR staff.

It is reported that the team’s work was not compromised by these attempts as most of the work had already been done on the first day, and some villagers cooperated with them even after these events. Nonetheless, the CCHR has identified a growing trend in the disruption of peaceful and legitimate activities carried out by the organisation. An example of this is the summoning of CCHR President Ou Virak and several other Cambodian human rights defers for questioning in relation to their work on land rights, less than a month before these events. Front Line Defenders issued an appeal on their behalf on 19 October 2012.

Front Line Defenders urges the auhorities in Cambodia to:

1. Carry out an immediate, exhaustive and thorough investigation into the intimidation and harassment of the abovementioned members of the CCHR, as it is believed their questioning and the attempts to undermine their work were motivated solely by their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights;
2. Guarantee under all circumstances that human rights defenders in Cambodia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.

Eternal Happiness: My Solemn Wish For You

I have good days and bad days. I do not cry as much, but at times I do. I still think about him often throughout the day but not 24/7. I miss him a lot and he honestly is and will always be one of my best friends, but it was his decision to end everything we might have once had together. I am probably stronger than most because I do have a lot of pride. I know I am a great person, and have so much to offer in a relationship. I am at a point in my life where I am ready to commit fully and wholeheartedly to someone, I have never been more ready to share my life and love with someone. I do think everything happens for a reason and there isn't such a thing as coincidence. He and I were meant to cross paths and we shared something quite special and somehow formed this inseparable bound that may very well last a lifetime. Maybe there is a reason that he ended it because there may be an even greater guy than him out there. Although in my mind, he still is the greatest. I can just sit here and think about everything I love about him, he was not perfect but I loved all of his flaws. I want to talk to him so bad sometimes, but I don't let myself. It really does get easier and easier with time. I still find it hard to find myself attracted to other guys or to even entertain guys that show interest in me. All you can really do is let go and accept your life. Don't let someone else dictate your happiness. In reality, we shouldn't be the ones upset over the loss-the guys that dumped us should be the ones in pain because all we lost was someone who did not love us, and they lost someone who did love them-which isn't easy to find. 

I wish him all the happiness in the world and hope that love will find her way into his life and fill his heart as it has mine. He brings joy and fulfillment and hope into my life, for it will never be the same again. I hope that he finds his way through the murky waters of life and find what ever it is he seeks, because he is truly an amazing soul and I hope I will be able to support him in what ever capacity I may as he travels forth. 

I have without a doubt seen "A Walk to Remember" countless times. I always wanted and wished for that type of love ever since the first time I saw it. Why did you recommend it? Just because you love the movie? At one point in time, I thought the love I shared with my ex was the type of love that you only see in movies because of the bond that we shared. Now it is just the past ...

Our Story of Survival: What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

Reality hitting a little too close to home

In March 2010, I was at my home with my parents when my mother took us aside and told us the earth shattering news. It all still feels a bit more like a nightmare than anything. I remember the overwhelming fear of being completely lost, just saddened at the idea of possibility losing a parent.  Later the following year, my father was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. The anguish and the despair that ensued was unbearable, almost too much to take on even for the strongest of souls. Where does one go to from there? How do you stay strong and supportive to without falling apart. I honestly felt like I was going to come apart at the seams. My dad was distraught, but was solemn and said nothing. My mother has always been the rock foundation that held the family together and now everything was changed overnight. The thought of life being so precious and everything seemed so futile and nothing else seemed to matter.

During the process of their diagnosis and recovery, it was a long and most trying of times. I tried to remain calm and collected for the sake of the family for my mom, dad and Nate of course. I remained strong keeping an outwardly collected appearance, but dying inside screaming for mercy on the inside. I was deathly afraid of losing them to the illness that has tried to take over their spirits and waged war on their bodies. Watching them suffer and enduring the surgery and the mastectomy and later the chemo, was unbelievably hard and I pushed myself to not break down and cry, because that was all felt like doing for months. This tragedy brought us closer together and made mortality that much more real and remind us to cherish each day and each other, because you just don't know what tomorrow will bring. 

Naturally we all were encouraged to get tested since my mother diagnosis. Thinking back, I was afraid to get screened because I’ve always heard that it was a painful procedure. All the stories in the movie were so touching, seeing what each woman was going through, they had me in tears. At that very moment, I decided to make my appointment to get screened.  I have since then been tested regularly for ovarian, cervix, or breast cancer.

-Lost n Vicious Reality

Headline: Speechless.....WTF man! Why after all this time?

Lost is officially Confused! After, never being able to remain connected with my past, I thought it high time I tried to widen my horizon and think a little outside the proverbial box. Why not, I thought to myself. If two people connected so deeply on every level, why not? Why couldn't we remain friends? Why does the other think that they still harbor alternatives for retaining communication? Could it not be that you genuinely value the friendship and the inseparable connection between the two of you. I have seen through the veil past the walls he erected to ward off all others. I saw the man who he was, and i saw the little boy inside yearning to play freely. We met under the most random of situations and when I was far more innocent and less skeptical. He swept me off my feet, blindsided me with ways. I might even go as far as to say he stole my innocence. We were alike in many ways, in the ways we thought, or views, our passion for writing, he challenged me, accepted me as I truly was. Saw the many sides of me without ever once placing judgement and making me inferior. What we really shared was beyond what mere words could describe. I can't define nor do I want to attempt to, because mere words could never suffice or do it justice. Though the relationship fell short of becoming anything more than  a lovely notion, we  will forever be ingrained within each other for whatever it was can not be undone, nor do I wish it to be undone. I have said it before and I will say it again, when I love I love fully and all my heart and never with any regrets. That is who I am, and that is who I alway will be. 

Having said that all, you are probably as confused as I am now,  but wait let me get to the point. Yes, there is a point to my madness, silly! I had this conversation with him randomly outta the blue and he couldn't understand why I would still want to continue conversing after all that has been said and done. And I simply replied that I genuinely value our connection  and felt that we could attempt to salvage it, if he was so inclined. And to my surprise he starts this mile long monologue about how felt about me, how I impacted his life and such. I was floored really, didn't know how to respond. The things he said are not things you say about an ex really. They are usually some things you say about a lover or someone special. I know that words are words and nothing more sometimes. And they don't speak louder than action and commitment, but I could feel the emotions and I sensed him. Does that sound weird? Maybe it does a little, but still.. I knew he had meant what he had said, because on many occasions he has express these very feeling with me. But was I surprised he was still harboring these feelings with me, to be honest yes, and only because we think differently when it comes to love and such. Love always accompanies commitment to me, its a natural progression of emotions and feelings.How can you love someone without wanting to commit to that person. If I love you, I want to be with you and commit to moving in a direction where both of you are together. Why would be say all these things to me, after I told him that I had not inklings to rekindle the romance or the relationship. Why go out of your way to tell me how you feel about me or how you still essentially love me as you once did.. that you feel that you will never meet anyone like me and I was your 1 and billion chance of happiness?? Why throw that in the mix?

Seriously, word to the wise, don't try to confuse a lost person! The end result can be catastrophic! lol okay thats me being dramatic. With all kidding aside, cmon now I wasn't born yesterday or I am not a mind reader, say what you mean and mean what you say.Don't talk in riddle, just because you think you can candy coat and beautify a complicated situation, doesn't make it easier for other to interpret. Oh, ffs! Speak plainly and clearly..don't forget its me you are talking to not someone who doesn't know who you are and how you dance around topics like its the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, FUK!

-Lost N Vicious Reality

Sentimental Lost: Reality bites, harder, and deeper than I do

Reality bite and when it does eventually does, it tends to bite you pretty fuking hard and sometimes draws blood and makes you bleed. Why is it you always realize things more clearly after the fact? Why do we often disregard signs that flare up along the way. After, I broke off relationships with my ex, I was fairly certain I didn't want to venture down the painful and extremely stressful path again, because lets face it building relationships is already hard enough without the added stress of  distance complicates things further. There are a lot of factors I chose to ignore. Including the fact that two people essentially need to be on the same page at the same time in order for anything to grow and flourish. It isn't enough to share care for someone deeply and mesh well with someone, and sad as it is simply loving someone isn't going to cut the mustard. Because, I have realized that commitment takes effort and perseverance, but you can't expect that other person to be exactly in the same position as you. You may essentially want the same things, but if you want them more or sooner therein lies the dilemma. You can overlook these things, but that's the thing the heart and the mind don't always consult each other. The heart wants what it wants regardless if the mind is say whoa wait a minute don't do it! 

As the verses in the song go, '"if I knew then what I know now...'" Would I have done things differently with '"him'"? Do I regret disregarding the emergency flares? I will have to say a resounding, '"no, i don't'" Though I am facing an extremely bittersweet dilemma, I would never take back the time and stolen moments '"He'" and I shared. There isn't a mean bone in his body and honestly believe that he and I shared something special and in some ways have formed an inseparable bound. I was so sure that he was meant to be a part of my life, but I had not ventured to label what we were to each other, but there are something we can't force or change. We are who we are and nothing can be forced including feeling or there the lack of. I am now faced with the notion of having to find a way to view him from a different perspective, because the alternative would be too painful to bare and honestly I can even fathom the idea of trying to be pretending to not care about someone when you know you do. I am afraid that if I can't accomplish this fete, I will lose him entirely, because '"He'" will know I am pretending and eventually I will not be able to keep up the lie and severe the ties completely. I have been on the receiving end of losing a best friend over feeling not being reciprocated or not matched. That is something I regret even till this day. Friends are are hard to come by and unlike falling in love is a trial and error process and a true close friend is always going to be there for you regardless. Finding someone who you have shared so much so openly even given the circumstances is a blessing and I value '"him'" and genuinely believe that we have added something positive to each others lives. To let that all go to the way side would be a travesty, but as much as I want to maintain the relations with '"him'", I must put myself first above and foremost. I have salvage my sanity and keep myself sane at all cost. I hope that he is patient with me as I sort my feelings and regain my footing.

Sentimental Lost: Revisiting Heartache

J Rice singing song entitled, '"Okay to Cry'"

Confessions of a Broken Heart

J Rice rendition of the song entitled: '" Afraid of Love'". Enjoy!

You go through the motions of those daily humdrums moments

In your life pretending, living a half-life, in denial of how it is 

You start pedaling your little white lies, your half-truths 

To all those who really don't know you as I do, 

Trying desperately to believe that things are really okay

You drink your coffee sip by sip while remaining overly vigilant and 

Deathly afraid of letting go, allowing love to spill over into your heart filling up your soul 

Afraid of giving up control, allowing for love to flow freely, openly 

Enabling you to break away of the chains of doubt, no longer a prisoner of fear 

You are afraid of placing your trust in someone else's hands 

Afraid that it will shatter into a million and one pieces and fracture your wounded heart 

You reside on placing your hopes and your dreams on the highest shelf, 

Afraid of losing yourself, allowing yourself to fade into the night 

Drifting away trickling down the stream eventually disappearing into the murky abyss of life 

You hide those secrets behind your alluring smile, playful laugh and your mystical eyes 

You are blinded by the glare of doubt reflecting off the mirrors as you travel

Along narrow corridor, scared and terrified of what lurks ahead. 

Never daring to venture off the beaten path for fear of what is left unsaid 

Daring not dream of a blissful happy ending yet to be told or that may never unfold, 

Shrouded in fear, imprisoned by fear towering over you enclosing your heart 

No one dares crossover; no one dares to break down the fortress 

The enclosure that surrounds and guards your muted soul 

You run away, you take refuge keeping those who mean ill will at bay, 

Keeping those who bear false charms from inflicting harm, afraid of love 

Keeping love close enough to see, yet far enough to not to feel 

Afraid of love, blinded by doubt, imprisoned by fear. 

-Lost n Vicious Reality

You can doubt, you can fear, but have faith that I will always be here for you. You are never really alone, I understand and even if you don't.  We were close once and for me there is nothing that will ever change. I am and always will be here for you. -JustLost

Sentimental Lost: Trip Down Memory Lane

Oh, my! Chester See is yummy:-) I mean totally scrumptious and mmmm mouth watering eye candy that makes this impressionable sweet tooth salivate excessively to the point she might appear to be drooling excessively. I have to admit he is freaking "Hot!" Tiffany isn't not too shabby herself, but well Chester I wanna be your Molester.hehe! Sorry, that sounded like so wrong I know, but geeezus I cannot resist the urge to venture the multitude of crooks and crevices of this northern and southern territories:)

Anyways, this song is quite the sentimental ballad though not necessarily something I have experienced personally. Though I did date during and after high school, I can't say that I miss any of my ex much less yearn for the rekindling of long lost loves. I mean seriously they don't call them ex for a reason. But the song plays off of the heartstrings of most of us  who dream of a lost love or maybe even a missed opportunities. Let's face it most things in life love and everything in between is everything but predictable and sometimes there are opportunities for love that arise, two random souls crossing path and sparks go flying maybe even ignites setting ablaze passions, fueling the most extraordinary of chemical reactions, but you both soon realise that the reality of the situation is unfathomable and defies leaps and bounds. Whichever the case, it's sentimental flair is something that most can relate to.Some songs they sing to you and even invoke physical sensations that can be felt like a rush of  adrenalin surging through your body. Maybe it isn't the most romantic song in the word, but you must admit that he has the most amazing voice, one that kinda gives me goosebumps and makes the fine hairs on my arm stand on end. So, props to Chester See and Tiffany Alvord on the rendition of Katy Perrys song entitled,'" The One That Got Away'". Enjoy!