The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) won the Wild Asia’s 2007 Responsible Tourism Award. WCS is an ecotourism project in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear, Cambodia. They were given the recognition for their successful safeguarding of the rare breed of Ibises like the Giant and the White-Shoulder. These Ibises are mostly found in the forests of the Preah Vihear. Many ecotourism spots can be found in Cambodia especially in their provinces. Cambodia earned the Responsible Ecotourism award for the best practice of responsible ecotourism in the country.

The Government of Germany announced that they will be providing 1.5 Million Euros equivalent to $2.4 million to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. The German Embassy located in Phnom Penh stated that the main objective of the contribution is to make the victims play a greater role in the proceedings and help the court support all of its activities. Germany’s generous act was done as an answer to the appeal made by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) last June in New York. They declared that the court needs financial support of $142.6 million to accomplish the court’s activities that will continue up to 2010. Prior to this, Germany has already backed up the ECCC with $5.5 million between 2005 and 2007.

After being hospitalized for having stroke, ex- Khmer Rouge head of State Khieu Samphan remains in detention. Based on the examination for his health condition, Peter Foster, the tribunal spokesman said that Samphan is fit and stable enough to be kept in detention despite his recent hospitalization. According to the medical report released by the UN-assisted tribunal, there is no need to worry for immediate risks to Khieu Samphan’s health. Samphan, along with other four senior Khmer Rouge Senior leaders, was put in detention while waiting for trial regarding charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy found no judge to receive his evidence against the defamation charges filed against him. Rainsy went directly to the local court to submit documents for his defense over the charges Hor Namhong who is presently the Deputy Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs filed against him last April at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. The lawsuit is in relation to the remarks Rainsy made alleging Namhong that he was a former member of the Democratic Kampuchea which was held responsible for the death of more than 1.7 million people in the 1970’s. “The Prosecutors all fled. They are scared by Sam Rainsy” Rainsy stated as he left the court.

A Cambodian journalist who worked for an opposition newspaper was shot dead last Friday by unknown gunmen. Khim Sam Bo, 47 was shot twice resulting to his death while his son who was with him at the time got seriously wounded. Khim who worked for the Khmer Conscience newspaper worked on stories showing criticisms in the senior government officials as well as corruption in the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen who is said to be running for re-election in July 27. Investigators said that they don’t know the motive for killing yet and an investigation is currently ongoing.