Cambodian Online Social Network

CAMBODIA experienced a second consecutive month of deflation in November, according to month-on-month consumer price index (CPI) statistics released Wednesday, a sign that demand for goods continues to flag, and that the economy is a long way from recovery, analysts said.

AUTHORITIES will expand a controversial drug treatment programme using a little-known herbal medication, officials said Monday, following the end of a 10-day trial that has drawn outrage from rights groups and concern from UN officials.

Twenty-one people – drug users plucked from the streets in dragnets widely condemned by rights groups – were released Monday after 10 days of detoxification treatment involving a Vietnamese-manufactured herbal medication called Bong Sen.

“The 10-day programme trained our doctors to become experts to cure addicted people by using Bong Sen,” said Neak Yuthea, director of the Legislation, Education and Rehabilitation Department of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD). “This treatment by using Bong Sen is very effective.”

Neak Yuthea said authorities have formed a committee, including officials from the Social Affairs and Health ministries, as well as the NACD to look at expanding the programme – likely within the capital.

“There are many interpretations about our treatment,” Neak Yuthea said. “But we did not arrest people or force them into an experiment. We cured them.”

News of plans to expand the programme was greeted with outrage by rights groups.

“If by expanding the trial they mean continuing with arbitrary arrests, then that would be outrageous,” said Mathieu Pellerin, a consultant with local rights group Licadho.

Eight people have been summoned to appear in Svay Rieng provincial court today and Wednesday for questioning in connection with an October incident in which opposition leader Sam Rainsy joined local residents in uprooting posts marking the border between Cambodia and Vietnam.

THREE women who were doused in acid while sitting in front of a Takeo province karaoke parlour on Thursday are expected to arrive in Phnom Penh soon for medical treatment, and the governor of the district in which the incident occurred announced plans to shut down karaoke facilities district-wide amid fears of copycat attacks. The women – Vong Sina and Vong Sreyly, both 22, and 24-year-old Seung Vann – all sustained injuries to their heads, hands, legs and faces in the attack outside Srey Mach Karaoke house, in the third acid attack in just over a week. A fourth woman, 30-year-old Keo Sreo Ya, sustained only minor injuries and was discharged from the hospital Monday, said Ziad Samman, programme coordinator of the Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity. Kirivong district Governor Tek Song Lim said he hoped the closure of all karaoke facilities would deter copycat attacks. “I have not set the date when they will be closed yet, but this is to inform the local people to not use acid as a weapon when they are angry,” said Tek Song Lim. “This is the first time that an acid attack has happened in my district. I am very surprised.” Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the threat of copycat attacks is legitimate. “They see it in the news, and they can get away with it,” he said. “They believe the victims deserve this kind of punishment.” Takeo provincial deputy prosecutor Chan Ransy said no hearing had been set for Om Chhi, the 21-year-old wedding shop owner who police say confessed to the attack and who has been charged with causing intentional injury.

Scarred survivors Theav Chanda, 35 , and her daughter Nita, who was just 2 at the time they were attacked, share a meal at the Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity in Phnom Penh on Monday. They were attacked with acid by two young men on a motorbike after stopping on the roadside near their home. Nita, now 4 years old, was sitting in front of her mother and received burns to her entire body. Meas Chu, 37, and his family, who were doused with acid as they slept, wait for treatment at the Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity in Phnom Penh on Monday.