Cambodian villagers honor slain environmentalist [Chut Wutty]

The Washington Post

More photos here.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Friday, May 11, 2012 (AP) — More than 500 Cambodian villagers have paid tribute to a prominent environmentalist who was shot dead by a military policeman last month after investigating illegal logging.

Human rights activist Ou Virak says Friday’s memorial service in the forest in Koh Kong province, near where Chut Wutty was killed, was meant to honor him as a protector of the forests and show illegal loggers that the struggle to stop them will continue.

Chut Wutty’s killing on April 26 drew worldwide condemnation and highlighted conflicts over land in Cambodia.

The government says a military policeman shot Chut Wutty during a heated argument, and then killed himself.

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Hundreds mourn killed Cambodian activist

Friday, May 11, 2012 

VEAL BEI, Cambodia (AFP)- Hundreds of Cambodians held a memorial service Friday in a remote forest where a prominent environmental activist was shot dead two weeks ago, vowing to keep his legacy alive.

Some 300 villagers whose lives have been affected by deforestation and land grabs lit incense and paid respects at the spot where Chhut Vuthy was gunned down by a military policeman on April 26.

Many of the mourners also held up photographs of the activist with the caption: "I am Chhut Vuthy".

Vuthy, 45, was killed after he refused to hand over photographs of illegal logging to the military policeman. His death rocked the country, turning a spotlight onto the increasingly violent nature of land disputes.

Vuthy's supporters said they were determined to protect Cambodia's rapidly dwindling natural riches despite the risks and pledged to continue forest patrols - an initiative spearheaded by the late activist.

"The people will work to create more Chhut Vuthys, his death is not a threat to us," said Doung Deoum, a farmer from the northwestern province of Siem Reap.

"We will step up our activities against forest crimes," the 60-year-old said, wiping away tears as he watched mourners lay incense sticks and small branches at the site of the activist's death in Veal Bei commune, southwestern Koh Kong.

Vuthy's eldest son Chheuy Oudom Reaksmey, 19, said he was "shocked" by recent events. "It's painful to see the spot where my father was killed. He died with honour," he told AFP.

The officer who shot Vuthy was then himself accidentally killed with his own weapon when a private security guard tried to disarm him, according to a government probe. The guard has been charged with involuntary homicide.

Campaigners say Cambodia has recently seen a rise in violence against citizens involved in land conflicts, often at the hands of armed government security forces acting in the interests of private companies.

The government announced on Monday it was temporarily suspending the granting of new land concessions to firms to put the brakes on deforestation and forced evictions.