Phnong Ethnic Villagers in Kbal Romeas and Lao villager in Srekor 1&2 Village Publically Announce: We Refuse to be Resettled by the Lower Sesan 2 Dam
…[Villagers submitted] an open statement to [the] Chairperson of the Committee for Solving the Impacts of the Lower Sesan 2 Hydropower Dam Project, announcing that they refuse to be resettled by the project…Most villagers belong to the ethnic of Lao and Phnong minority and have been enjoying a life blessed with rich natural resources and cultural traditions…According to the 2010 EIA, LS2 will flood five villages in four communes and displace approximately 5,000 villagers in more than 1,000 households, including many ethnic minority families. A number of studies and research reports point out, however, much more serious negative impacts both domestically and regionally, including fish depletion and loss of livelihood among local communities…[T]he project’s construction has already started and the resettlement and compensation policy has been released without prior consultation and consent from affected villagers…[Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited China Huaneng Group, Royal Group & Vietnam Electricity to respond; they did not do so.]