By Lenny Thach, HR Advocacy

“The Three Khmer-Krom Buddhist Monks want to see Vietnamese government respect the human rights, religious freedom and Buddhist Education in Kampuchea-Krom (Southern Vietnam today)”. - Former Defrocked Monks

Picture (left to right): Ven. Tim Sakhorn, Ven. Danh Tol, Ven. Kim Muol

Today, members of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation and three KK Buddhist Monks had a busy schedule at the Nation’s Capital, Washington DC. The first meeting was with Scott Busby, the National Security Council official in charge of human rights and refugee issues held in the Wilson Room of the White House Conference Center. Next stop was to the U.S State Department where they met with Peter J. Kovach, Director Office of International Religious Freedom and Sara Colm from Human Rights Watch. A meeting with UNHCR Officers and U.S Congressman Staff gave the KKF Delegations the opportunity to raise the issues of the Khmer Krom refugees, human rights, religious freedom and Buddhist education in Vietnam. The meeting with the US Congress was a collective effort by KKF to try to improve human rights, religious freedom and Buddhist education in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Pi-i Debby Lin an Indigenous Taiwanese - Amis speaks on behalf of the Indigenous Youth Caucus

Nagi’ho, ci Lapic Kalay ko ngangan no mako.

Good Morning, Mister Chairperson.

Thank you for making Youth Caucus part of the planning for the future work of the Permanent Forum, we would like to hereby stress on couple emerging issues pertinent to indigenous youths.

Economic sovereignty is the key for the overall sovereignty of our peoples. However, as the result of industrialization, the transition to a cash economy and urbanization, we are becoming more susceptible to the fluctuation of global economy. The recent global economic crisis had worsened the poverty condition and livelihoods of indigenous families. With financial difficulties, indigenous youth workers are forced to work longer hours to sustain income. This had threatened our right to education and equal opportunities.

Members of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation and the general Khmer community in Philadelphia, USA are today celebrating the arrival of Khmer Krom latest heroes and human rights activists, Tim Sakhorn, Danh Ton and Kim Mouen.

Members of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation Youth Committee and KKF are attending the Ninth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues this week in New York City, USA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pennsauken, NJ, USA, 2 April 2010

On April 1, 2010, a Khmer-Krom Buddhist monk, Venerable Thach Vesna flying from Bangkok to Prey Nokor (renamed Ho Chi Minh) city was denied entry into the country. A student monk studying in Thailand and the holder of a Cambodian passport, Venerable Thach Vesna was planning to celebrate the Cambodian New Year with his family in Preah Trapeang (renamed Tra Vinh) province.

At 9a.m, Venerable Thach Vesna arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and handed his Cambodian passport to a Vietnamese immigration officer. The Vietnamese immigration officer denied his entry stating that it was of “National Security Concern”.

Posted by UNPO Tuesday, 16 March 2010

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has considered the eighth to thirteenth periodic report of Cambodia on its implementation of the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. In connection with the review, a hearing was held with the Khmer Krom.

Office of the President No: 313 /KKF/S/2010
08 March 2010
Pennsauken, NJ, USA

To Whom It May Concern:
On behalf of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation, we would like to bring to your immediate attention Vietnam’s injustice against a Khmer-Krom couple for harvesting rice on their ancestral lands.

Background
In 1979, many Khmer-Krom people in Moth Chrouk (renamed An Giang) province were forced to leave their homes, lands and relocated to Khleang (renamed Soc Trang) and Pol Leav (renamed Bac Lieu) province. When they were allowed to return back, most of their lands were inhabited by Vietnamese people. Mr. Chau Ra Quon, like many thousands of Khmer-Krom people tried to file for the return of their confiscated farmlands but received no response from the Vietnamese government. Taking matters into their own hands, Mr. Chau Ra Quon and his wife, Mrs. Neang Chanh Thon decided to plant rice crops last season on their ancestral farmlands.