Abstract

The following thesis examines forced evictions due to development and resettlement in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and tries to understand if there is scope for the victims of forced evictions to be labeled internally displaced persons (IDPs). Development-induced displacement fails to receive the same attention as violence or conflict-induced displacement. Furthermore, when assistance providers recognize the need for better monitoring of IDPs by including development-induced displacement on their agenda- large and small scale, it is commonly the larger-scale projects that take precedent. A gap remains in addressing the needs of the victims of small-scale development such as the projects unfolding in Phnom Penh. Numerous development projects have displaced thousands of families. Their victims, often fall through the cracks of assistance and one of the potential causes for this, we believe to be the conceptual ambiguities. Forcefully evicted Cambodians are not covered by a comprehensive label such as that of IDPs which is internationally recognized and confers a certain degree of legitimacy to their case. Among the negative consequences of development in Phnom Penh are human rights violations in the form of forced evictions and inadequate compensation and resettlement.

Using qualitative and inductive research approaches, we analyze if there is potential of labeling these people as IDPs. We analyze some of the benefits which might come by doing so. We conclude that there is a double advantage in using this label for the forcefully evicted of Phnom Penh. On One hand it will raise awareness, internationally, about their grievances and needs of assistance. On the other hand it will confer international NGOs and donor agencies leverage to put pressure on the Royal Government to assume responsibility over upholding human rights.