Mar 30, 2007

UNPO Members Meet with UN Special Rapporteur


UNPO Members Representatives from East Turkestan and Khmer Krom met on 28 March 2007 with Ms. Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, to brief her on the currently deteriorating state of religious freedom facing both communities.

Geneva, 29 March 2007 - Representatives of two UNPO Members, Eastern Turkestan and Khmer Krom met on 28 March 2007 with Ms. Asma Jahangir, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief of the UN Human Rights Council, at the United Nations.

During the meeting, Ms. Jahangir received a detailed briefing about the state of religious freedom in Eastern Turkestan from Ms. Rebiya Kadeer, President of World Uyghur Congress. 

In regards to the situation in Khmer Krom, the Special Rapporteur heard from Mr. Thach Thach, President of Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation, on the recent crackdown on Khmer Krom monks and Buddhist institutions in Vietnam.

Several representatives from UNPO Member communities have brought current issues to the attention to the Human Rights Council at its Fourth Session, including representatives from the Aboriginals of Australia, Assyria, East Turkestan, Khmer Krom, Southern Cameroons, and Tibet.

UNPO Geneva Representative, Ngawang Drakmargyapon