The Hague, 25 April 2007 – At a time when international attitudes towards Vietnamese authorities appear to be softening, its central authorities have become increasingly repressive with respect to its treatment of religious minorities. UNPO is disturbed a number of recent reports suggesting ongoing and widespread persecution, harassment, and detention of Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks, as well as members of the Khmers Kampuchea Krom Federation (KKF), a UNPO Member organisation noted for its nonviolent principles.

This represents not only a significant transgression of the Human and Religious Rights of the indigenous Khmer Krom people of Vietnam, but also a violation of Vietnam’s obligations under treaties such as the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

On 22 April 2007 a number of Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks were disrobed for their alleged association with the KKF or other Human Rights related activities, these included;

Venerable Thach Minh Thi, (17) of Kanchoung Kampong LeivTemple in Travinh Province
Venerable Son Cheng Cheon (24) of Thno-Krom Temple in Travinh Province
Venerable Thach Than (26) of Kanchoung Kampong Leiv Temple in Travinh Province 

Venerable Thach Ratana (17) of Kanchoung Kampong Leiv Temple in Travinh Province was also disrobed for recording the disrobing of the Venerable Thach Than, with a number of other Monks also threatened with similar punishments.

Reports now suggest Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks are disrobed on almost a weekly basis, following as an inevitable consequence of any organized efforts to promote their rights to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

On 19 April 2007 around 300 Khmer Krom People marched from An Giang Province to Ministerial Offices in Prek Reussey Province with the intention of demanding a resolution to decisions regarding the confiscation of their farmland. Whilst spending the night at a Khmer Krom Buddhist Temple near Ba Rach City, they were surrounded and harassed by large numbers of Vietnamese plainclothes policemen. Warned by government officials that their safety could not be ensured, the marchers chose to return to their homes on a bus provided by Vietnamese authorities. Their case remains to be heard, and with their land confiscated, countless Khmer Krom communities continue to live in poverty.

UNPO is alarmed by these reports, and in particular by the decline in religious freedom in Vietnam, as well as freedom of expression and association. These are both fundamental human rights and central to preserving the distinct identity of Vietnam’s many indigenous communities.

UNPO has therefore appealed to Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Vietnam to:

Call upon Vietnamese authorities to end their arbitrary and unlawful persecution of Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks;

Raise the issue of human rights, in particular in relation to minorities such as the Khmer Krom, in Your relations with Vietnamese authorities;

Remind the Government of Vietnam of its obligations under internationally recognized human rights standards to provide for freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion, as well as their duty to protect those promoting the cause of human rights.