14. Land in Pailin and Poipet

SRP oppose land grabs in Pailin and Poipet - Phnom Penh, May 31, 2002 From a SRP press release: On June 1, opposition Members of Parliament Sam Rainsy, Sun Kim Hun and Lon Phon will be in Pailin to help some 600 families resist their eviction by the city authorities that are seizing their lands for the implementation of a dubious development project involving businessmen from Thailand. SRP controls the only seat representing Pailin at the National Assembly.On June 2, Sam Rainsy and several other SRP lawmakers will be in Poipet to help find a solution for some 1,000 villagers who are being expelled from their lands because of another dubious development project involving Thai businessmen engaged in land speculation, gambling and illicit activities. Following the last commune council election, the mayor of Poipet is from the Sam Rainsy Party.In addition to pushing for the implementation of the land law, showing their support to victims of land grabs and helping oppose abuses by local authorities and businessmen, SRP lawmakers have decided to:1- Write to Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra asking him to use his influence to convince Thai businessmen to refrain from engaging in activities that bring about serious social problems in Cambodia.2- Organize a demonstration of landless farmers and homeless people from all over the country on June 19 when donor countries start their annual meeting in Phnom Penh in order to draw the attention of donor representatives to the need for a land reform if poverty reduction means anything.