MEDIA ADVISORY
People of Asia Unite Against Eviction in Cambodia
Urban poor and LOCOA (leaders and Organizers of Community Organizations in Asia) members will gather at the Cambodia Embassy at Country Space One building, Senator Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City, on March 25, Friday, 9:00 AM. This is in solidarity with the people of Boeung Kak lake, who are experiencing massive evictions.
LOCOA members are Urban Poor Associates (UPA), Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) and Community Organizers Multiversity (COM). They will personally send a letter to Governor Kep Chuktema of Phnom Penh, through Cambodian Ambassador Hos Sereythonh, to urge him to stop evicting and intimidating residents of the lake who have been asserting their rights and resisting evictions.
In their letter LOCOA members said, “Under the 2001 Cambodian land law, many of the Boeung Kak Lake residents have legitimate claim on the land they have been occupying since the early 1980’s. Despite the resident’s right they still experienced eviction. This is happening in Asian countries and we felt if the people of Asia unite to stop eviction, there will be a possibility that the government will observe the housing rights of the poor.”
Photo ops: Urban poor will bring placards labeled “Stop eviction in Cambodia”. They will also release three birds as a wish of good luck. For the Cambodian people, releasing birds is a form of prayer for peace in Cambodia.
Date: March 25, 2011 (FRIDAY)
Time: 9:00 AM
Venue: Cambodia Embassy at Country Space One building, Senator Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
Please Cover.