Human rights groups are criticizing the Vietnamese embassy for not being proactive in the case of hundreds of Vietnamese villagers who were kicked out of their homes in the Monivong Bridge area last week.
Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara said the villagers living in Meanchey district were illegal immigrants and accused them of polluting the Tonle Bassac.
Lim Phai, chairman of management at the Urban Sector Group, noted that the Chinese Embassy got involved in the recent arrests of illegal Chinese immigrants. “But there is no Vietnam reaction,” he said. Adhoc, Licadho and other rights groups also have noted that the Vietnamese Embassy has been quiet.
Loc Dong Chu, press attache at the Vietnamese Embassy, said his government could not do anything until the villagers ask for help. But a human rights worker said villagers were witnessed handing over their complaints to embassy officials last Friday.
