UNESCO Calls for Halt to Forced Evictions at Angkor Wat

Amnesty International report alleges violations of international law, as evicted families face inadequate resettlement conditions.

UNESCO urges Cambodian authorities not to carry out forced evictions at the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex, after Amnesty International detailed the impact on evicted residents.
Amnesty International's report alleges that the evictions of an estimated 10,000 families by Cambodian authorities since last year violated international and national law.
The evicted people have reportedly received little or no compensation and the government’s two main resettlement sites have inadequate facilities in terms of roads, water and electricity supplies and sanitation.
UNESCO has now ordered Cambodia to submit a new report on the state of conservation of Angkor Wat by Feb. 1, and says that it should include a response to Amnesty’s findings.
Cambodia is keen to develop the area for tourism, which lapsed during the coronavirus pandemic.