Forced to Scam: Cambodia’s Cyber Slaves

 

101 East investigates human trafficking and enslavement by Chinese cyber-scam operations in Cambodia and their links to the government and elite.

Chinese cyber-scam operations are stealing tens of billions of dollars from victims around the world.

But few realise that thousands of those perpetrating these frauds are victims too.

Young men and women are enslaved, tortured and forced to scam in countries like Cambodia.

The Buried Mysteries Of Angkor Wat | The City Of God Kings | Timeline

 

Cambodia: The forgotten temple of Banteay Chhmar

 

Deep in the jungle of Cambodia lies a jewel from the Khmer Empire: the temple of Banteay Chhmar. Half devoured by plants and long forgotten by most people, the 800-year-old complex is being rediscovered, slowly.

Plundering Cambodia's Forests | 101 East

101 East investigates how illegal loggers are plundering some of Cambodia's last remaining forests.

Cambodia has witnessed some of the most rapid deforestations in the world over the past decade.

But a brave local activist is desperately trying to save some of the country's last remaining forests.

Leng Ouch has infiltrated logging syndicates across the country and recorded reams of damning evidence using hidden cameras, drones, GPS trackers and informants.

His data indicates an environmental apocalypse carried out by powerful syndicates who seem to operate with near-total impunity on a national scale.

Will Brexit push Cambodia into economic crisis?

As the UK prepares to leave the EU, we look at Brexit's potential effect on Southeast Asian economies.

Cambodia has been one of the best performing economies in the world over the past two decades. But there are threats on the horizon, including the UK's impending exit from the European Union.

The German Development Institute has studied how a no-deal Brexit could affect least developed countries, and it found Cambodians living on the brink of poverty are at risk - that's if the country's garment producers lose access to UK markets.

The country's economy has been largely built on agriculture and textile exports, two sectors it very much relies on. Cambodia's textile industry is a major supplier to the UK fashion industry and it has favourable entry terms under the EU's Everything But Arms (EBA) trade scheme, which unilaterally grants duty- and quota-free access to 49 least developed countries - excluding weapons.

Meet Donald Trump's Enemies Of The People

Donald Trump loves to call news that criticizes him fake and those that report on his misadventures and constant lying enemies of the people.  Are those mentioned below enemies of the people and purveyor’s of fake news. No. They were just attempting to due their jobs

Al Jazeera corespondent Mahmoud Hussein has been in prison for 575 days in Egypt without having ever been charged with a crime.

Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were jailed in Myanmar accused of stealing state secrets after they attempted to report on human rights violations by the army against over the killing of 10 Rohingya men in Rakhine state.

Already more than four dozen journalists killed in 2018

Twenty-two journalists - including 11 in Afghanistan and two in Palestine - have died in targeted killings this year, frequently in retaliation for their work on exposing corruption or the activities of crime syndicates

Four journalists were killed while covering conflicts or civil unrest, and another 

Hun Sen taking Donald Trump’s fake news complaints to the next level

Cambodia 'fake news' crackdown prompts fears over press freedom

Cambodia’s media has under come increasing pressure after the closure of one independent newspaper and sale of another

The Cambodian government is extending its crackdown on “fake news”, just weeks before the increasingly authoritarian government of prime minister Hun Sen heads to the polls.

A new directive aimed at fake news posted on websites and social media platforms could see violators jailed for two years and fined US$1,000, according to a report in the Khmer Times.

Websites will now also be required to register with Cambodia’s information ministry. Pos Sovann, an official from the ministry said the directive was effective immediately.five died while on assignment. Of the 49 journalists killed, four were women.

Cambodia's Election Crackdown

A look at alleged corruption by Cambodia's elite as the ruling party cracks down on critics leading up to elections.

In late July, Cambodians will go to the polls for what critics say is a sham election.

Having dissolved the main opposition party and closed down media outlets critical of the government, the world's longest-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen stands accused of using violence and intimidation to silence dissent.

The crackdown has extended to those who dared to critically report on the country's politics. Newspapers have been forced to close after they were issued massive tax bills. Cambodia's head of taxation, Vibol Kong, denies accusations that the tax bills were designed to silence critical reporting.

Cambodia: Circus of Hope

Can a Cambodian circus pull children out of poverty by training them to become top-class performers?

All eyes are on Nov Sreyleak as she launches onto centre stage with acrobatic stunts at the Phare Cambodian Circus big top. The crowd erupts.

She is living out her childhood dream. It is a big leap from selling rice snacks on the streets to feed her family.

One in five Cambodians live below the poverty line, even more in rural villages.

Back in Sreyleak's hometown, children still scavenge dumpsites to help their families survive.

Forced Back To Cambodia

101 East explores how the US continues to deport Cambodian Americans who have committed a crime and served their time.

Many came to the US as babies, fleeing the Cambodian genocide with their families. But now, growing numbers of Cambodian Americans who have committed a felony are being deported to Cambodia.

Some have no family there. Others cannot speak Khmer and know little about Cambodia. But US law states that non-citizens who commit an offence will be deported after serving their time.

More than 800 have already been deported. More are waiting to hear when their time will be up.

Cambodia's Deadly Politics

101 East investigates the suspicious murder of a political activist in Cambodia.

They've endured genocide, war and grinding poverty, and now, the people of Cambodia appear to be battling another enemy: a crackdown on opposition voices.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for 31 years and his family is reaping the benefits. Experts estimate the family's combined wealth is between $500m and $1bn - an unimaginable fortune for the 40 percent of Cambodians who live in poverty.

Cambodia, My New Home

We follow refugees who hoped to live in Australia as they are resettled in Cambodia in a controversial transfer deal.

For thousands of asylum seekers, Australia represents the country of their dreams. But the government has declared that anyone who comes to Australia by boat will not be allowed to stay.

Instead, they are sent to detention centres on the island nations of Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

Unable to remain there indefinitely, refugees have been offered the chance to start a new life in Cambodia. But critics say the country is plagued by poverty and corruption. To date, only five refugees have taken up the offer.

Cambodia: Unlicensed to Heal

101 East investigates Cambodia's healthcare system and asks if unlicensed village medics are the best hope for the sick.

He never finished medical school, but for the villagers of Rael in Cambodia's remote countryside, Chek Cheoum is a lifesaver. 

He only charges what his patients can afford, and is always nearby.

With 0.2 doctors for every 1,000 people, Cambodia has one of the world's lowest ratios, forcing many to rely on unlicensed physicians like Cheoum.

But when a village suffered a widespread HIV outbreak after contaminated needles were used on patients, the government banned all unlicensed medics.

Cambodia's News Blackmailers

Hundreds of Cambodian journalists make a living by uncovering news and then extorting bribes to bury the story.



Journalism has become synonymous with blackmail in Cambodia. Growing numbers of reporters are combing the country for news, only to extort money from people who have broken the law in return for hiding their findings.

Of 400 registered newspapers in the country, only 20 publish regularly.

Hundreds of journalists use their skills to uncover crime and misconduct - often in remote areas where illegal logging is rampant - and demand bribes to keep it under wraps. In recent times, journalists have been assaulted and even murdered in retaliation.

Cambodia: Circus of Hope

Can a Cambodian circus pull children out of poverty by training them to become top-class performers?



All eyes are on Nov Sreyleak as she launches onto centre stage with acrobatic stunts at the Phare Cambodian Circus big top. The crowd erupts.

She is living out her childhood dream. It is a big leap from selling rice snacks on the streets to feed her family.

One in five Cambodians live below the poverty line, even more in rural villages.

Back in Sreyleak's hometown, children still scavenge dumpsites to help their families survive.

Phare Circus is on a mission to train destitute children to become top-class circus performers of risky stunts, but can they succeed?

Cambodia's News Blackmailers

Hundreds of Cambodian journalists make a living by uncovering news and then extorting bribes to bury the story.

Journalism has become synonymous with blackmail in Cambodia. Growing numbers of reporters are combing the country for news, only to extort money from lawbreakers in return for hiding their findings.

Out of 400 registered newspapers in the country, only 20 publish regularly.

Hundreds of journalists use their skills to uncover crime and misconduct - often in remote areas where illegal logging is rampant - and demand bribes to keep it under wraps. In recent times, journalists have been assaulted and even murdered in retaliation.

Truth or Lies: Somaly Mam

101 East talks to Cambodia's fallen anti-sex trafficking icon as she fights to restore her reputation and save her NGO.


Cambodia's anti-sex trafficking icon, Somaly Mam, has been accused of being a fraud.

Named one of Time Magazine's Most Influential People, Somaly generated millions of dollars and celebrity backing for her work against sexual slavery.

But following reports that she lied about her past, the foundation bearing her name closed.

Now, she is fighting to rebuild her reputation and to look after the girls and women in her care.

China: If We Built It. It Must Be Ours

China has in the last several years become quite aggressive if not arrogant in making territorial claims in both the South and East China seas.  In November of last year China unilaterally declared a no fly zone over two thirds of the  East China sea to include territory which clearly belongs to South Korea and Japan.  Following that the Chinese government issued a map which claimed China controlled almost the entirety of the South China sea.     In April China moved an oil drilling rig into disputed waters with Vietnam which set off anti Chinese riots resulting in several deaths, destruction of property and they evacuation of its citizens from Vietnam.   China seems to believe these unilateral actions will be a fait accompli except China never its actions might lead to mutual defense agreements between Japan and the countries of Southeast Asia   currently in facing China's territorial land grabs.  After all China beats  the Japan "is coming for your country" like a cheap drum.  That seems to have backfired.

Now China is constructing artificial islands to further boost its claims.


 Pity the poor mapmaker assigned to the South China Sea. The hotly disputed waters in the Pacific are torn between competing claims from all the countries that surround it. China, especially, has been aggressive and sly. It's now dumping sand onto small reefs and shoals, building whole new islands to bolster its territorial claims.

The long list of countries with a claim to the South China Sea also includes Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand, and many are not happy about China's island building. Why do they care so much about this tiny patch of the Pacific? A third of the world's shipping passes through the South China Sea, and huge oil and gas reserves are believed to lie beneath it.

There's no shortage of islands in the sea already; China has just decided to circumvent natural geography. Hundreds of tiny, mostly uninhabited islands dot the South China Sea, and it's ownership of these islands that determines who can lay claim to the surrounding waters. Since January, China has built three or four new islands in the Spratly archipelago near the Philippines.

Hundreds Fired Over Strike at Nike Garment Factory in Cambodia

I realize most people would rather keep their heads in the sand over these issues.  What's most important better working and living conditions for those manufacture clothes and shoes for Nike or cheaper prices?  Most people choose cheaper prices.


 

PHNOM PENH, June 11 (Reuters) - Nearly 300 Cambodian garment workers who produce clothing for U.S sportswear company Nike have been dismissed for taking part in strikes seeking higher pay that turned violent, according to their union and dismissal notices.
A union grouping some of the workers at the plant said 288 workers had been fired on June 6 and 7. It says they were dismissed for going on strike.
"This is completely illegal," Free Trade Union President Chea Mony said of the dismissals, adding the company had only fired people who said they had witnessed violence by the authorities.
"The strikes are legal," he said, adding Sabrina had repeatedly refused to hold negotiations.
According to dismissal letters seen by Reuters, the workers were sacked for flouting labour law and the factory's internal rules during the protests on June 3 and on May 27, when strikers clashed with police outside the plant.

Don't forget Nike has a social conscious  that's why they have garment factories in places like Cambodia.  So, they can avoid paying their workers a living wage.