01 March 2007 By Kim Pov Sottan Radio Free Asia Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy of KI Media At least 100 Australian-Cambodians and Khmer Krom monks are demonstrating in Canberra, Australia, on Thursday, the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation claims. The demonstration was held to demand the release from jail and protesting the defrocking of Khmer Krom monks in Kampuchea Krom as well as demanding for their religious reinstatement. Kim Vannara, one of the participants in the demonstration from Sidney, told RFA by phone that the group will protest until the arrested monks are released. “We are very hurt because we respect monks, when they put monks in jail like this, we cannot accept it.” The demonstrators, equipped with loudspeakers and banners, have gathered in front of the Vietnamese, German, and US embassies, and in front of the Australian Parliament. Kun Liv, the chief Khmer Krom monk in the world, said that the demonstrators are demanding that Australia and other superpowers, such as the US, apply pressure on the Vietnamese government to urgently release the monks who have been arrested and reinstate them back in their religious life. Monk Kun Liv added that the demonstration was welcomed by Australian MPs and several embassies, but it was not acknowledged by the Vietnamese embassy. “No matter what, Khmer Kampuchea Krom are not satisfied, we must unite with other organizations to apply pressure on the Vietnamese, pressure them to respect human rights, and force them not to oppress Khmer Kampuchea Krom.” This is the first demonstration held in Australia after it was learnt that 9 Khmer Krom monks have been defrocked by the Viet authority, and incarcerated recently. Most of the monks defrocked and arrested were studying religion in Teuk Pray pagoda, Ta Meun pagoda, and Serey Ta Sek pagoda. The Viet authority accused them of demonstrating against them, after the monks protested to the Viet authority for preventing 200 Khmer Krom monks from going out of the pagoda to beg for their alms in Khleang province (Soc Trang in Vietnamese). In 02 March, Khmer Krom people and monks will hold another demonstration in Samaki Raingsey pagoda, in Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh, after they received the authorization from the Phnom Penh municipality. Demonstration organizers said that they do not expect large participation in the 02 March demonstration, because monks who have participated in the previous demonstration have been threatened. Related Links – Cambodian monks protest as Vietnamese president visits, alleging religious persecution – Cambodian Monks Allege Religious Persecution