The right to self-determination in international law is a hotly debated topic amongst the global community. A concept inspired in the 1960s, decolonization and self-determination poses as alternative solutions for indigenous peoples and organizations.
In fact, the right to determine one’s future without prejudice or discrimination is the inspiration of millions of oppressed Khmer-Krom people living in the Mekong Delta.
Since the transfer of Kampuchea-Krom, formerly known as Cochin China to Vietnam in 1949, the Khmer-Krom people have been subjected to untold horror and misery. Their basic rights and fundamental freedoms have been severely violated even to this day by Vietnamese authorities. Unfortunately for the Khmer-Krom people, it took over 60 years before the world was aware of their existence and immense suffering under the Vietnamese Communist regime.
Nonetheless, the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation is bringing a glimmer of hope to their people living in Kampuchea Krom. An indigenous organization, KKF has been actively advocating for the rights of the Khmer-Krom people from Geneva Switzerland to The Hague, Netherlands. Their latest conference, entitled Self Determination in International Law has created waves of respect and support from internationalized experts and indigenous peoples around the world.
The first of its kind, the three day conference has attracted over 120 participants worldwide, with a massive fifty percent of which were Khmer-Krom delegates coming together to witness this historic event. Khmer and Khmer-Krom representatives living in Australia, Canada, United States of America, Europe, France and the Netherlands have flocked to The Hague, Netherlands from on the 29th October until the 1st October 2006.
Organized collaboratively with the UNPO team and the Hawaii Institute of Human Rights, the success of conference have caught many people by surprise. In fact, thousands of people have long awaited such an event and are celebrating the phenomenon achievement of KKF to bring international attention to the Khmer-Krom issues as well as providing an opportunity for participants to increase their understanding of self-determination in the international law context.
The KKF in their mission to use peaceful measures and international law has opened the first chapter of Khmer-Krom history. Its inspirations are to pave the way for increasing freedom of information and speech as well as basic rights for the voiceless millions of Khmer-Krom people residing in their ancestral lands.
Mr. Pedro Pinto Leite, Secretary General of International Platform of Jurists for East Timor and Portuguese jurist was amongst the many speakers enlightened about Khmer-Krom’s sufferings. He expressed his surprise and concern after hearing about the misery and horror that the indigenous Khmer Krom people have been subjected to and continues to this day.
In light of the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Peoples being adopted by the newly formed Human Rights Council in Geneva, the conference comes in an opportune moment as it progresses through the General Assembly.
The KKF would like to express their thanks to all the supporters both at the conference, abroad and in Kampuchea Krom. Their contribution morally and financially has been vital to the success of conference. Special thanks to the UNPO and the KKF teams for their dedication and preparation of the conference.
