Chhunny Chhean

I am Cambodian-Chinese, born in Long Beach, California and now working in New York City.

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Latest posts by Chhunny Chhean

Cambodia: End of first Khmer Rouge Tribunal deemed a relative success

  28 November 2009

Many in the international community are calling the first Khmer Rouge Tribunal trial of Kaing Kek Iev, or Duch, a relative success as the trial closed. However, there are indications that Cambodian officials may not participate in future cases making it difficult to conduct a fair trial for the four Khmer Rouge members awaiting trial

Cambodia: Award honors sex slavery survivor

  22 October 2009

Sina Vann from Cambodia is an activist with the Somaly Mam Foundation helping fellow survivors of slavery as well as those still working in brothels. For her work, she was honored with the Frederick Douglass Award.

Cambodia: Miss Landmine Pageant Raises Questions

  12 August 2009

The Miss Landmine pageant intends to empower landmine victims and challenge traditional notions of beauty. The winner receives a high-tech prosthetic limb. But the Cambodian government canceled the pageant this month.

Cambodia, Thailand: ilovethailand website sparks controversy

  22 July 2009

The recently launched website ilovethailand.org is causing a stir online. Thailand's Prime Minister announced that the website is intended to restore the country's image and unify the nation in light of recent unrest. The controversy stems from the website's claims about Thailand's “lost territory” — territory that is present day Cambodia.

Cambodia, Thailand: Preah Vihear dispute continues

  20 July 2009

The ancient Temple of Preah Vihear rests on the Cambodian and Thai borders. Exactly which country can claim Preah Vihear has been a source of contention between the neighboring countries. Since the July 2008 inscription by UNESCO, there has been violence in the region between Cambodian and Thai soldiers.

Cambodia: Report outlines Khmer Rouge Tribunal's latest troubles

  22 June 2009

A report details the latest issues to plague the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. The report, released in late May 2009, states the Tribunal's legitimacy is threatened by charges of corruption and political interference. The Cambodian government has denied interfering with the Tribunal, including preventing judges of the court from interviewing witnesses who are current government employees.

Cambodia: Doubts over the Khmer Rouge Tribunal

  25 April 2009

The Khmer Rouge Tribunal is now weeks into its first trial with the prosecution of Duch for crimes against humanity and war crimes. But as the trial continues, many wonder how effective the Tribunal will be in achieving national reconciliation in Cambodia.

Cambodia: Evidence at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal

  31 March 2009

Former Khmer Rouge rebels doubt there will be sufficient evidence to convict the five leaders waiting to stand trial at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Because the events occurred 30 years ago, evidence and witnesses could be hard to come by.

Cambodia: Trial begins for Khmer Rouge leader

  31 March 2009

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia began the first public hearing of Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch. During the Khmer Rouge regime, Duch headed the infamous Tuol Sleng prison in Phnom Penh where thousands died.

Cambodia: Rice politics

  23 March 2009

Rice is more than a staple of the Cambodian diet. It also implicates land rights, trade and international relations. Some Cambodians are frustrated over land leases to neighboring Vietnam. They are concerned the leases will evolve into ownership changes, resulting in a reduction of Cambodian territory.

Cambodia: Foreign aid continues during economic crisis

  10 March 2009

Reports of foreign aid to Cambodia continue despite the global economic crisis. CAAI News Media shares news that the United States will give Cambodia $21 million USD over four years in a program to alleviate poverty in rural parts of the country.

Cambodian Public Opinion Survey

  2 March 2009

A survey of Cambodian public opinion was conducted by the International Republican Institute from October-November 2008. The survey found that 82 percent of Cambodians see their country as moving in the right direction, 59 percent of Cambodians said border issues and demarcation as the most concern followed by the prices of goods, and 85 percent of respondents wanted to elect their own village chief rather than having one imposed by the government.

Cambodia: Pushing for a more organic future

  18 February 2009

Bloggers at CAAI News Media and Khmer Stars feature a Phnom Penh Post article on the slow food movement that ran on February 10, 2009. The article discusses Slow Food's philosophy of creating food in a good, clean and fair manner and how that philosophy is applied in Cambodia. The...

Cambodia: Reactions as Duch opens Khmer Rouge Tribunal

  18 February 2009

Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, stands trial today at the UN-supported Khmer Rouge Genocide Tribunal in Phnom Penh for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Duch headed the infamous Tuol Sleng prison in Phnom Penh, where over 12,000 people died, according to the Guardian. KI-Media leads with a story...

Cambodia: Report accuses elite of theft

  7 February 2009

Global Witness, a non-governmental organization based in London released a report which warns that Cambodia risks descending into a kleptocracy, alleging that large sums of monies paid to the government are benefiting the ruling elite instead of the people of Cambodia