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October 2, 2012
by John Vink
Luon Sovath, the 'multimedia monk' and land rights activist, was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. Follows the Martin Ennals text about Luon Sovath's nomination: 'Venerable Luon Sovath, Cambodia. In March 2009, Luon Sovath, a Buddhist monk from Siem Reap, Cambodia witnessed his family and fellow villagers being forcibly evicted from their homes. Forced evictions remove families from their homes, often with no compensation. Despite threats of violence, arrest and disrobing, the venerable Sovath, a non-violent Buddhist monk, uses videos, poems and songs to defend the right to housing, but his advocacy touches powerful economic interests. The threats against the venerable Sovath are very real.'

Luon Sovath is featured in the 'Quest for Land' story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.
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