UNESCO is criticized after Cambodia evicts thousands around World Heritage site Angkor Wat

By GRANT PECK
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Amnesty International is strongly criticizing UNESCO and its World Heritage program for not challenging the Cambodian government’s mass evictions of people around the centuries-old Angkor Wat complex. The human rights group said Tuesday the evictions of an estimated 10,000 families violated international and national law. It said the evicted people have received little or no compensation and the two main resettlement sites have inadequate roads, water and electricity supplies and sanitation. Amnesty said the heritage center responded that it had an advisory role and couldn’t enforce standards. But Amnesty said UNESCO should take a stand because Cambodia used the World Heritage designation as an excuse to move people away from the ancient temple site.