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Villagers from Koh Kong province seeking compensation for a more than decade-old land grab were violently shoved and jostled by security forces this morning as they attempted to walk to the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. Many were carrying babies and small children when they were attacked.

More than 200 community members petitioned ministry officials on Thursday and stayed at Samakki Raingsey pagoda overnight. When they attempted to walk the 5 km stretch back to the ministry this morning about 40 police and para police blocked and shoved the crowd near the pagoda, in violation of their right to assembly and peaceful protest. After about four hours they were allowed to move, amid a heavy police presence. About a hundred armed police and security guards were stationed near barricades along the route.

The commmunites from Chi Kha Leu, Chi Kha Kraom and Dang Peng communes have petitioned the ministry and provincial authorities for years for compensation for land lost in 2006 to two Economic Land Concessions linked to the Thai sugar company KSL as well as ruling party Senator Ly Yong Phat.

Some Koh Kong communities were granted compensation on 22 March 2018.