This morning, around 200 villagers representing 317 families affected by land disputes related to sugar land concessions in Chi Kha Leu, Chi Kha Kraom, Dang Peng and Kandoul communes, Koh Kong province marched through Phnom Penh to demand land and compensation. They are currently being blocked by security forces on Sihanouk Boulevard.

Yesterday, the villagers were forced to walk part of the way from Koh Kong to Phnom Penh after being blocked by police and military police led by the Koh Kong deputy governor. They arrived at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) yesterday evening, when community representatives met with representatives from the ministry before walking to Samaki Raingsey pagoda where they stayed overnight.

This is the third time that the villagers have been blocked in their efforts to reach the ministry. On 5 June, members of the communities had their vans stopped in Koh Kong by police and were forced to walk for hours through heavy rain towards the capital. On this occasion, after protesting in front of the Ministry of Land, officials promised some families monetary compensation and land by 20 June 2018. Last month, around 200 people from these communities were blocked and violently shoved by security forces in Phnom Penh as they attempted to walk from Samakki Raingsey pagoda to the MLMUPC. Many villagers were carrying babies and small children.