Only Poor, Retired Soldiers Get Free Land: PM

Thursday, 24 December 2009 04:23 DAP-NEWS

(CAAI News Media)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday confirmed that only the real poor and retired solders will be given land concessions, but the retired solders with high ranks will not receive land.

The premier said the redistribution will ensue an acceptable standard of living for the retied soldiers during a ceremony handing over land concessions to retied soldiers at Phnom Penh’s Chak-tomuk Center. “Retired soldiers who leave their units have to be ensured their standard of living, not leading them to see shortages and be poor. We have to provide them retirement compensation and land concessions allowing them to farm,” the premier said.

“If 10,000 soldiers retire, so 10,000 hectares of crop will be planted to help strengthen the economy and help develop society,” the premier added.

The policy and the premier’s declaration was welcomed by Cambodia’s opposition.

“It is good policy that we welcome, but the government officials have to work smoothly to be effective,” said Yem Pochrith, Human Rights Party Lawmaker.

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FIFA boss Sepp Blatter sorry for saying gays shouldn’t have sex in Qatar

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised for saying that gay football fans shouldn’t have sex in Qatar when the country hosts the 2022 World Cup.

Earlier this week, he dismissed concerns that the country is homophobic, despite laws punishing gay sex with up to five years in prison.

When asked about gay football fans visiting Qatar, he said: “I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities.”

Today, he said he was sorry if anyone had been offended by his comments.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, he said: “It was not my intention and never will be my intention to go into any discrimination.

“This is exactly what we are against. If somebody feels that they have been hurt, then I regret it and present apologies.”

Gay campaigners were furious at his earlier comments.

Former basketball star John Amaechi, who came out in 2007, said he was “enraged” at the comments and had made a complain to FIFA.

The Gay Football Supporters’ Network called on him to retract the remarks

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Labour council candidate harassed rival with anti-gay abuse

A Labour council candidate has admitting bombarding his openly gay rival with homophobic abuse.

David Bradley, 29, of Bristol, sent 33 text messages to Ed Bramall, 33, calling him “creepy” and “vile”.

The messages also called gay people “bum rapists” and “gay lords”, the Bristol Evening Post reports.

Bradley, a failed Labour candidate for the seat of Weston-Super-Mare in the general election, lost out to Mr Bramall in the contest to represent Whitchurch Park ward at this year’s local elections.

His hate campaign began shortly afterwards.

Bradley pleaded guilty to harassment at Bristol magistratres’ court and will be sentenced at a later date.

His solicitor Anna Van Wely said he had been suffering a “difficult period” in his life. She said he was now receiving counselling and had cut down his drinking.

“I think it is probably the case that this man has been suffering from a mental health problem for some time,” she said.

Mr Bramall said the messages were “unpleasant” but he was not frightened by them.

“[Bradley] clearly has some mental health issues,” he said. “I don’t really hold any malice towards him. I just think it’s sad that he has done it and got himself in this situation.”

A South West Labour spokesperson said Bradley had been suspended by

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Mother of gay suicide teen pleads for anti-bullying action

The mother of a California teenager who killed himself after he was bullied for being gay has pleaded with his school district to do more about the problem.

Seth Walsh, 13, died nine days after hanging himself in September. He had endured years of homophobic bullying at school.

His mother Wendy and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have asked Tehachapi school district to prevent another tragedy.

In a letter sent yesterday, they asked the school district to work with them and demanded that changes be made.

Mrs Walsh has also recorded a video (see below) about her son.

She said that teachers did not seem to care that her son was badly bullied and had done nothing to stop the harassment.

She said: “Seth told me he was gay when he was in the sixth grade. He was a wonderful, loving child, and I loved him for who he was.

“I can’t bring my son back. But schools can make a difference today to keep this from happening to any more young people. Schools need to take harassment and bullying seriously when parents or students tell them about it, and when they see it in the halls.”

According to Seth’s mother and close friends, some teachers even joined in the bullying. One allegedly called him “fruity” in front of a class of students.

Mrs Walsh said her son was a clever student but his grades had fallen as the harassment intensified. She said teachers were aware he was suffering but did not respond to her pleas for something to be done.


His friends said he had become depressed and frightened about using the bathroom or boys’ changing room before gym class.

He was taunted with abuse such as “fag” and “queer”, they said.

Seth hanged himself from a tree in the family garden on September 17th. He left a note criticising his school for not helping him and died in hospital on September 28th.

An investigation carried out by the ACLU said that school district officials were aware of the bullying but “largely ignored” it.

California law requires schools to protect students from harassment based on sexual orientation and the US Department of Education has also launched an investigation of the school district.

The ACLU says that at least 11 LGBT teenagers have killed themselves after suffering bullying in the last few months.

“Students have the right to be safe and supported at school for being exactly who they are. And parents deserve to know that their kids are going to school in a respectful environment where they are nurtured to reach their full potential,” said Elizabeth Gill, staff attorney with the ACLU LGBT Project and the ACLU of Northern California.

“Public schools have a duty to protect students from harassment based on sexual orientation, but too many schools get a failing grade in this respect.”

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