Before Obama visit, Cambodians clear streets — or take to them
November 14th, 2012, Los Angeles Times, International Relations, Social Concerns
As Barack Obama prepares for the first visit by a United States president to Cambodia this month, the country is reportedly preparing for him too — by hiding street children from sight in Phnom Penh…
While the government has tidied its streets, protesters have begun camping outside the American Embassy to press for the release of two detained activists. Though exiled dissident Sam Rainsy urged Obama to stay away from Cambodia, other government critics are seizing on his visit as a chance to highlight reported abuses, from forced evictions to unpunished killings…
“When we protest, we are faced with violence,” Tep Vanny of the Boeng Kak community told the Cambodia Daily while protesting outside the Embassy. “I hope the arrival of President Obama will bring democracy to Cambodia.” …
http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-obama-visit-cambodia-protest-human-rights-20121113,0,7377351.story
By Emily Alpert
Global death toll of environmental activists rising, report says
June 20th, 2012, Los Angeles Times, Environment & Natural Resources, Environmental change
In April, Chut Wutty was shot to death in the Cambodian forests he was so outspoken in defending, a slaying that outraged human rights activists suspicious of the conflicting explanations given by police.
His death appears to be part of a chilling trend. Growing numbers of activists and others defending the environment have been killed over the last decade, according to a new report from the environmental watchdog group Global Witness. …
Los Angeles Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/06/growing-number-of-environmental-defenders-killed-report-says.html