Phnom Penh, April 8, 2024: A senior advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia has labeled Amnesty International's recent report on the resettlement of squatters from the Angkor Archaeological Park as baseless and misleading.

During a press conference held on April 5 at the Ministry of Information, advisor Raoul Marc Jennar, alongside Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra, dissected what they described as flaws in the report, accusing it of being ill-willed and discriminatory.

The Cambodian government has implemented a resettlement plan for squatters from the famed Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, part of a broader sustainable development strategy. The plan involves moving affected residents to new locations in Run Taek and Peak Sneng areas, complete with necessary infrastructure and facilities, while minimizing social and environmental impacts.

Jennar criticized Amnesty International for issuing a report that, in his view, failed to accurately represent the government's efforts and unduly politicized the resettlement process. He stressed the importance of presenting the facts to defend the government's actions, which aim to benefit the Cambodian people.

Minister Neth Pheaktra reiterated the sentiment, emphasizing the public's right to accurate information and the government's commitment to addressing misinformation.

The press conference also served as a platform for the launch of a new book titled "Resettlement of the Squatters from Angkor Park," authored by Raoul Marc Jennar, who is also a lecturer at the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations (NIDIR). The book aims to provide a detailed account of the resettlement process and the government's objectives.