PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
Land and human rights activist Tep Vanny started her journey yesterday to Washington D.C where she will receive the Vital Voices Global Leadership in Public Life Award.
Vanny is one of the most prominent leaders of the controversial Boeung Kak community, whose members regularly take to the streets of Phnom Penh to protest against forced evictions and to demand real solutions to their problems.
In 2007, the Boeung Kak area was granted for commercial and housing development on a US$79 million, 99-year lease to Shukaku Inc.—headed by a senator of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
“The Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards honor and celebrate women leaders around the world who are the unsung heroines working to strengthen democracy, increase economic opportunity, and protect human rights.”
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Tep Vanny, at a demonstration in front of the Appeal Court, demands Bopha and Sakmony’s release after over 2 months of their detention. Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Nov 07 2012. ©Erika Pineros
Tep Vanny protests as she finds out fellow activist and friend Yorm Bopha was sentenced to three years in jail. Dec 12 2012. ©Erika Pineros
Tep Vanny at the home cleaning a poster of Hillary Clinton before a demonstration in Phnom Penh. Nov 19 2012. ©Erika Pineros
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Boeung Kak’s prominent leader and land rights activist Tep Vanny says good-bye to fellow demonstrators at Pochentong International airport in Phnom Penh. Mar 20 2013. ©Erika Pineros
Boeung Kak community members join Tep Vanny at the airport before her journey to receive The Vital Voices Global Leadership Award. Mar 20 2013. ©Erika Pineros
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