By Ryan Schlief |
The Witness Blog
December 9th, 2010
“Happy Human Rights Day?” Is that what we say?
“Merry Human Rights Day?” That doesn’t sound quite right either.
“All the best for Human Rights Day?” “Remember on Human Rights Day?”
I don’t think there is a universal greeting for the 10th of December when we recognize human rights and human rights defenders around the world. I want one – well at least for this year.
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights is profiling over a dozen human rights defenders, including the Venerable Luon Sovath, on Human Rights Day this year. It’s great to have a human rights defender working on forced evictions recognized in this way. As I type, the UN’s video featuring the Venerable is having technical problems – but hopefully these will be fixed soon.
Specifically for Human Rights Day this year, our partner LICADHO produced a video where the Venerable speaks personally about how he uses video to fight for the rights of his community in Chi Kreng District and other communities across Cambodia. It’s a great interview!
It has been a busy week for the Venerable.
Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek, founder and president of LICADHO, and the Venerable were special guests at our Focus for Change Gala this year. Both Kek and the Venerable spoke at the event. I was backstage, so I did not see the standing ovation when it started- I heard it first. Cheers came from the 400+ audience immediately after their personal stories about how LICADHO and communities at risk of forced evictions are using video to document and to advocate for their rights. Here are excerpts from their speeches:
Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek speaks at the WITNESS' Focus for Change Benefit Dinner & Concert 2010
“When you see with your own eyes a community that has been robbed of its land, that has been violently attacked, and that has nowhere to go – you cannot argue with this injustice. We believe that through video, minds can be changed and justice can be won.”
- Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek
________________
The Venerable Luon Sovath at WITNESS' 6th Annual Focus for Change Gala
“Communities facing forced eviction are now using cameras in their struggle. We have been threatened, but we won’t stop – because these images tell the truth.”
- The Venerable Luon Sovath
Everyone went home that night wearing a krama, a traditional Cambodian scarf, as a sign of solidarity with communities resisting the take over of their land, homes and livelihood through forced evictions.
We won’t forget the Venerable reminding us that “See it. Film it. Change it.” is more than a catch phrase – but a call to action. That’s a good message for all of us on this Human Rights Day – it will be mine!
“Merry Human Rights Day?” That doesn’t sound quite right either.
“All the best for Human Rights Day?” “Remember on Human Rights Day?”
I don’t think there is a universal greeting for the 10th of December when we recognize human rights and human rights defenders around the world. I want one – well at least for this year.
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights is profiling over a dozen human rights defenders, including the Venerable Luon Sovath, on Human Rights Day this year. It’s great to have a human rights defender working on forced evictions recognized in this way. As I type, the UN’s video featuring the Venerable is having technical problems – but hopefully these will be fixed soon.
Specifically for Human Rights Day this year, our partner LICADHO produced a video where the Venerable speaks personally about how he uses video to fight for the rights of his community in Chi Kreng District and other communities across Cambodia. It’s a great interview!
It has been a busy week for the Venerable.
Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek, founder and president of LICADHO, and the Venerable were special guests at our Focus for Change Gala this year. Both Kek and the Venerable spoke at the event. I was backstage, so I did not see the standing ovation when it started- I heard it first. Cheers came from the 400+ audience immediately after their personal stories about how LICADHO and communities at risk of forced evictions are using video to document and to advocate for their rights. Here are excerpts from their speeches:
Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek speaks at the WITNESS' Focus for Change Benefit Dinner & Concert 2010
“When you see with your own eyes a community that has been robbed of its land, that has been violently attacked, and that has nowhere to go – you cannot argue with this injustice. We believe that through video, minds can be changed and justice can be won.”
- Dr. Pung Chhiv Kek
________________
The Venerable Luon Sovath at WITNESS' 6th Annual Focus for Change Gala
“Communities facing forced eviction are now using cameras in their struggle. We have been threatened, but we won’t stop – because these images tell the truth.”
- The Venerable Luon Sovath
Everyone went home that night wearing a krama, a traditional Cambodian scarf, as a sign of solidarity with communities resisting the take over of their land, homes and livelihood through forced evictions.
We won’t forget the Venerable reminding us that “See it. Film it. Change it.” is more than a catch phrase – but a call to action. That’s a good message for all of us on this Human Rights Day – it will be mine!
1 comment:
Khmerization,
Thank you so much for the article and the video about this brave Cambdodian monk.
I think you should ask KI Media Team to post this good video and article on their site as well and they would benefit a lot of readers.
Once again, thank you very much.
Anet Khmer
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