CAMBODIA: "O Khmer euy Khmer, chous ach knong srae" - ឱ ខ្មែរអើយ ខ្មែរ! ជុះអាចម៏ក្នុងស្រែ ជុះ អាចម៏ ក្នុង ស្រែ

CAMBODIA: "O Khmer euy Khmer, chous ach knong srae" - ឱ ខ្មែរអើយ ខ្មែរ! ជុះអាចម៏ក្នុងស្រែ ជុះ អាចម៏ ក្នុង ស្រែ

An article by Dr. An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission

Something is changing within the Khmer nation. Something is changing within the Khmer nation.

Those storied Khmer characteristics – the broad smile; the gentle, peaceful compassionate nature – and the centuries-old traditions of "korup, bamreur, karpier, smoh trang" -- "respect, serve, defend, be loyal (to leaders)" -- passed down through generations seem to be taking a new course . Those storied Khmer characteristics - the broad smile; the gentle, peaceful compassionate nature - and the centuries-old traditions of "korup, bamreur, karpier, smoh trang" - "respect, serve, defend, be loyal (to leaders)" - - passed down through generations seem to be taking a new course.

Protesters spell the word "Aphivath" or "Development" with their shoes (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post) Protesters spell the word "Aphivath" or "Development" with their shoes (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

A photo floating on the Internet shows Khmer villagers--from youth to middle age--standing barefoot under the hot sun as their colorful sandals are arranged in an empty lot nearby to make up the Khmer word "Aphivath," or "Development." Their symbolic protest is directed at Khmer leaders and at those around the world who are sympathetic to the disenfranchisement of the poor in contemporary Cambodia. A photo floating on the Internet shows Khmer villagers - from youth to middle age - standing barefoot under the hot sun as their colorful sandals are arranged in an empty lot nearby to make up the Khmer word "Aphivath," or "Development." Their symbolic protest is directed at Khmer leaders and at those around the world who are sympathetic to the disenfranchisement of the poor in contemporary Cambodia.

Photos and videos of government abuse of citizens' rights and of citizens' responses have inundated the Internet. Photos and videos of government abuse of citizens 'rights and of citizens' responses have inundated the Internet. Some postings inform and educate. Some postings inform and educate. I recommend recent postings on the Website of Radio Free Asia (February 1, " More Arrests Follow Land Clash "). I recommend recent postings on the Website of Radio Free Asia (February a, " More arrests Follow Clash Land ").

The beatings of women and children by riot police are routine -- and are routinely condemned by international and national rights groups. The too common sight of Khmer women with clothes torn or ripped off by police during peaceful protests is now replaced by the sight of women protesters taking off their clothes to highlight their protests as they face the police . The beatings of women and children by riot police are routine - and are routinely condemned by international and national rights groups. The too common sight of Khmer women with clothes torn or ripped off by police during peaceful protests is now replaced by the sight of women protesters taking off their clothes to highlight their protests as they face the police.

Cops ripping off shirt from a Boeung Kak Lake protester Cops ripping off shirt from a Boeung Kak Lake protester

A protester removes her clothing during a protest in Phnom Penh, Feb. A protester removes her clothing during a protest in Phnom Penh, Feb. 1, 2012. 1, 2012. (RFA) (RFA)

Going one step further, RFA posted on its website a photograph of a half-naked Khmer woman protester facing police in full riot gear. Going one step further, RFA posted on its website a photograph of a half-naked Khmer woman protester facing police in full riot gear. Her action was intended to highlight the plight of Cambodian villagers from the Borei Keila community, who were evicted by armed police from their homes, which were dismantled and the co-opted land given to Phan Imex Company for commercial development. Her action was intended to highlight the plight of Cambodian villagers from the Borei Keila community, who were evicted by armed police from their homes, which were dismantled and the co-opted land given to Phan Imex Company for commercial development.

Khmer women taking off their clothes in public to protest against authority is a new phenomenon. Khmer women taking off their clothes in public to protest against authority is a new phenomenon. But, it shows something else too: Submission to injustice has a limit, and "fear," a conditioned behavior, is being overcome . But, it shows something else too: Submission to injustice has a limit, and "fear," a conditioned behavior, is being overcome.

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