Nov 22, 2006

Khmer Krom: Vietnamese Authorities Continue Crack Down on Human Right


Vietnam as a country may have promoted peace amongst the nations, however, internal chaos continues in the Khmer provinces.

Below is an article published on the Khmer-Krom-Network’s website:

While the ethnic Vietnamese people are celebrating their recent entry into the World Trading Organisation, the indigenous Khmer-Krom people of the Mekong Delta are facing severe oppressions as Vietnamese authorities continue to crackdown human right activities.

In light of the APEC meeting held in Hanoi, just a week ago, Vietnam has tried to convince the international community of it changing ways by promoting peace and human rights. Vietnam as a country may have promoted peace amongst the nations, however, internal chaos continues in the heavily populated Khmer provinces.

Peace is non existent as more Khmer-Krom civilians and Buddhist monks are accused of possessing human rights materials. More recently is the arrest of Mr. Chau Kim Sot and his wife, Mrs. Neang En for watching the controversial DVD produced by the Khmer-Krom Production about the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation activities at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) during its Fourth Session.

According to an inside source, a Khmer-Krom Buddhist monk leader has been ordered by members of the Vietnamese Communist Party to prohibit Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks residing in Kom Pong Chrey temple located in Chau Thanh District in the province of Preah Trapeang (Tra Vinh) from watching KKF related activities including the UNPFII DVD, patriotic music as well as KKF newsletter. Threats of disrobement and jail sentences have been announced by the local Vietnamese authorities in an effort to further suppress and limit the fundamental rights and freedoms of the indigenous peoples of the Mekong Delta.

Such actions committed by the local Vietnamese authorities are a violation to the very agreement that Vietnam signed earlier in 2005 during the former Vietnam Prime Minister, Phan Van Khai’s visit to the USA.

The inside source has also revealed that on November 21st , Mr. Lam Ren of Khmer-Krom descendent and a member of the Vietnamese Communist Party from the Khleang province has been told to inform Venerable Som Sina of his required presence at the local police station.

Venerable Som Sina has expressed his concern at the pending visit to the local police station later today.

The outcome of Mr. Chau Kim Sot and his wife, Mrs. Neang En recent arrest remains unknown.