This photo shows children in Dey Krahorm (a neighborhood in Phnom Penh, Cambodia) with some activists in the background. It was taken in December, 2007. The residents were gathered to resist being forcibly evicted from their homes to make way for developers who had secured the right to their land.
They have been working hard for months to keep the developers from tearing down their homes and taking their land, but today it happened. I just received the following email from a Kiwi Christian who makes his home among the poor in one of Phnom Penh’s many slums:
Last week I walked around a community called Dey Krahorm. Today that community no longer exists. Last week I called out greetings to the kids playing outside their homes. Today those children have no home. Last week I invaded their land with a smile of friendship and a word of support. Today, their space was invaded by hundreds of soldiers and riot police, with tear gas and bulldozers. And today, they have no land.
This morning I watched in horror as hundreds of police surrounded Dey Krahorm. Later I heard the story of horror from inside the community. Bulldozers tearing down houses as the residents, the legal owners, scrambled to retrieve their belongings. 150 families, many of whom have lived in this area for 25 years, are suddenly and brutally rendered homeless.
I am angry at the complete lack of regard for human rights and the necessities of human life, a lack of regard for due legal process because these people are poor and powerless and the company wanting to acquire the land is rich and powerful. I am angry and Jesus is angry. I feel compassion for these families, especially the children, not knowing where they will find shelter and rest. I weep and Jesus weeps.
In the future, when you visit Cambodia and see new houses, resorts, and shopping centers, remember that these children once lived on land beneath one of those places. When you look around and think, “How nice…” Consider that the riches and even the “budget” travel that we, the wealthy, enjoy so much are often at the expense of others who literally are left with nothing.
Where are these children tonight, I wonder?
(Photo credit: Dey Krahorm by katalee36)
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Was in Cambodia last year filming documentary and also film this commune, it makes you wonder who was the KR!
Where thee is money there is power, even though they have been offered compensation ect it would not be enough.
Sadly as in many developing countries the poor are always left behind in the rush to catch up .
The current leadership of Cambodia includes former KR (Khmer Rouge), starting with Hun Sen himself. I’m sure you know that, but I’ll mention it for the sake of others. Also, the company offered $20,000 (US) in compensation. They thought that was fair, but the former residents wanted much more. In Cambodia, $20,000 is a LOT of money. But as the city develops I don’t think they could replace the homes that they lost on that budget. They are forced outside the city, away from where the jobs are, to make room for others with more money and better connections.
I know at least one person in Cambodia who would shrug and say that’s how the city moves forward. You can see similar patterns all through history (just ask the Native Americans what happened to their land and homes).
I hope your documentary comes out well!