15 August 2007 By Moeung Tum – Radio Free Asia Translated from Khmer by Socheata A meeting held by members of Committee No. 4 of the Cambodian National Assembly to discuss on a plan to visit former Monk Tim Sakhorn in his jail cell in Vietnam, took place one day after numerous Khmer Krom people have agreed with the Khmer Kampuchea facilitating committee to issue an official joint statement, on 13 August, addressed to the Royal Cambodian Government, the Cambodian supreme patriarch (Tep Vong), Cambodian government ministers involved with local and international civil society affairs, asking them to help intervene to find legal justice for Monk Tim Sakhorn. The Khmer Kampuchea Krom facilitating committee in the world views and considers the actions taken by the Cambodian and Vietnamese governments which defrocked Monk Tim Sakhorn by force, deported him by force to Vietnam, and arrested and jailed in Vietnam, are illegal actions both from laymen and from Buddhism point of views. Cambodian-Canadians call for pressure on the Vietnamese government The Alliance of Cambodians in Canada which includes representatives from Buddhist associations and organizations, civil society organizations regrouping 12 organizations in Canada, has cooperated to issue a statement date 14 August calling the International community to exert pressure on the Vietnamese government, forcing it to unconditionally agree to the release and the dismissal of charges brought against Monk Tim Sakhorn, and forcing it to guarantee the safety of Monk Tim Sakhorn, as well as his return back to Cambodia. The Alliance of Cambodians in Canada is concerned by the actions taken by the Cambodian and Vietnamese authorities in the case of Monk Tim Sakhorn. The Alliance considers these actions as a threat and an intimidation on Cambodian monks and Cambodian people so that they are scared to practice their freedom rights and their religious freedom rights which are protected by national and international treaties. Khmer Krom in Australia plan to hold a demonstration to demand the release of Monk Tim Sakhorn In Australia, Khmer Krom people living there plan to hold a demonstration tomorrow, in front of the Vietnamese embassy in order to demand the release of former Monk Tim Sakhorn. The demonstration is planned to take place in Canberra, on Thursday, with the participation of Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach, the leader of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) who is currently visiting Australia to seek for intervention help to exert pressure on the Vietnamese regime so that it releases Monk Tim Sakhorn. Thach Ngoc Thach said: “On 16 August, our Khmer Krom brothers and sisters, as well as our Cambodian brothers and sisters will demonstrate in Canberra, Australia, in front of the Vietnamese embassy. This is a plan set up by KKF because I have to attend a meeting in Sydney on Saturday and Sunday, the demonstration was organized on Thursday, one day before the agreed upon date. Demonstration will be held in Cambodia and in Washington DC on 17 August, and the demonstration in France will take place on 19 August. One week later, a demonstration will also be held in Ottawa, Canada.” Up until now, no Vietnamese embassy officials have reacted to the demonstration plans organized by Khmer Krom people all over the world.
