CALD Resolution No. 5 S. 2014

CALD Resolution No. 5 S. 2014

CALD resolution calling for a halt in the planned construction of hydroelectric dam in Cambodia’s Areng Valley

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD):

Emphasizing that CALD recently held a conference dealing with the protection and empowerment of minorities and indigenous peoples, where extensive discussions took place on the impact of development projects on marginalized communities;

Noting that a statement adopted during the said conference “emphasizes the need to observe Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of indigenous communities especially in relation to the planning and implementation of development projects affecting them”;

Recalling as well the CALD Statement on Climate Change in 2012 which recognizes that “unequal development leads to potentially destructive demographic change”;

Aware that in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province, indigenous communities, Buddhist monks, environmental activists, and human rights groups have formed a multi- sectoral front to oppose the construction of Cheay Areng hydroelectric dam in Areng Valley, southwest Cambodia;

Recognizing that Areng valley is an important part of the Central Cardamom Protected Forest – one of the largest forests in Southeast Asia – which serves as home to Chourng indigenous peoples and extremely rare species of flora and fauna;

Mindful that the construction of the Cheay Areng hydroelectric dam could flood a broad, flat valley that is densely populated and includes the richest agricultural land as well as some of Cambodia’s rarest and most threatened wildlife;

Hereby:

Calls for a halt of the planned construction of Cheay Areng hydroelectric dam, which could flood up 50,000 acres of forest, destroy the way of life and livelihood of indigenous peoples, harm the biodiversity of flora and fauna, and open up adjacent rainforest to further logging, poaching and land encroachment;

Condemns that this project was forced upon the indigenous peoples without any kind of consent or dialogue, and that its impacts could possibly breach the International Convention on Biological Diversity, to which Cambodia is a signatory;

Concerned that this project would not only obliterate the area’s culture and biodiversity, but would also generate a minimal amount of electricity and require a very high investment;

Urges all relevant government decision makers to immediately cease all activities relating to the planned construction of the hydroelectric dam in Areng Valley, to ensure that all their subsequent actions with regard to this project are guided by transparency and accountability, and are in line with national and international laws and standards.

For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats:

Oyun Sanjaasuren

Chairperson 24 April 2014

 Final CALD Resolution 5, S. 2014

Categorised in: Resolutions

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