Human Rights

By Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
10 June 2009
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Calls for freedom and more unity among Khmer Kampuchea Krom have become the main demand during gatherings worldwide to mark the 60th anniversary of the loss of Kampuchea Krom (lower Cambodia now part of Southern Vietnam).

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Fourth Session
New York, 16-27 May 2005
Item 4(c): Indigenous Women

Since being a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in 2001, the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation has been relentlessly working around the clock to advocate for the right

Adopted by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007

Download in pdf l Download Khmer version of this declaration

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,and good faith in the fulfilment of the obligations assumed by States in accordance with the Charter,

Affirming that indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples, while recognizing the right of all peoples to be different, to consider themselves different,and to be respected as such,

Affirming also that all peoples contribute to the diversity and richness of civilizations and cultures, which constitute the common heritage of humankind,

Affirming further that all doctrines, policies and practices based on or advocating superiority of peoples or individuals on the basis of national origin or racial, religious, ethnic or cultural differences are racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust,

Reaffirming that indigenous peoples, in the exercise of their rights, should be free from discrimination of any kind,

Concerned that indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of, inter alia, their colonization and dispossession of their lands, territories and resources, thus preventing them from exercising, in particular, their right to development in accordance with their own needs and interests,

Recognizing the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous peoples which derive from their political, economic and social structures and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, especially their rights to their lands, territories and resources,

Recognizing also the urgent need to respect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples affirmed in treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements with States,

Welcoming the fact that indigenous peoples are organizing themselves for political, economic, social and cultural enhancement and in order to bring to an end all forms of discrimination and oppression wherever they occur,

Convinced that control by indigenous peoples over developments affecting them and their lands, territories and resources will enable them to maintain and
strengthen their institutions, cultures and traditions, and to promote their development in accordance with their aspirations and needs,

Recognizing that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment,

Emphasizing the contribution of the demilitarization of the lands and territories of indigenous peoples to peace, economic and social progress and development, understanding and friendly relations among nations and peoples of the world,

The Hague, 20 August 2007 – After Australia and the United States of America, it was France’s turn to stage a Khmer Krom demonstration. Organised by the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) numerous members of the Khmer Krom Diaspora, Buddhist Monks, and supporters filled Paris’ “Esplanade de Droits des l’Homme” (Human Rights Plaza) on Sunday 19 August 2007, raising awareness of the human rights violations from which their communities continue to suffer.

Finally, IFPRERLOM wishes to draw attention to discrimination experienced by the Khmer-Krom, an indigenous people who lived in the former Cochin China, occupied by the French colonial Government from 1867 to 1949 and now constituting the southern part of present-day Vietnam.

2007-05-21

In a joint statement to the Sixth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), held from 14 to 25 May 2007 at the UN headquarters in New York, UNPO, its Members, and its partners, focuses on the environment and suggests 'Climate Change' as the thematic context of the Seventh Session.

As with previous years, The Vietnamese Communist (VC) government representative was shamelessly lying at the United Nations Permanent Forum on the Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) of their hard works to improving the living conditions of the 53 ethnics in Vietnam.

The first ever video documentary produced about the Khmer Krom people.