This is a direct translation from the Khmer RFA report on 10 January 2007. The leader of the international organization representing Khmer-Krom monks announces that they will participate in the United Nations conference next week to seek help for Khmer-Krom after insistent reports of Vietnamese abuses and oppression toward Khmer-Krom monks and people. Venerable Liv Pov, Head monk of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation* residing in Australia said he will seek support from the United Nations to put pressure on the Prime Minister of Vietnam to take action. “This is a matter for discussion in the international conference. What the Vietnamese authorities are doing is clear. I have also appealed to the UNPO to take this matter with the Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.” Late 2006, in the province of Preah Trapeang [renamed Tra Vinh], a Khmer-Krom monk was imprisoned but later escaped to Cambodia. Recently in the Kleang [rename Soc Trang], province, a Khmer-Krom uprising against the Vietnamese authorities regarding land dispute have met fierce responses. Also during this time, many Khmer-Krom monks were summoned frequently for questioning and accused of contacting international Khmer-Krom organization. The representative of Khmer-Krom monks in Kampuchea-Krom, Venerable May Vinh Ho said currently the monks’ rights are even more severely oppressed. “Nowadays they are oppressing in every form. For example, many temples in Soc Trang, Vietnamese authorities are monitoring the movement of Buddhist monks, even to the extent of following the monks when they go to accept food from the followers,” says Venerable May Vinh Ho. RFA was unable to contact Vietnamese embassy for comments regarding the matter of the Khmer-Krom. According to the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation documents, Kampuchea-Krom currently known as South Vietnam with the capital city of Sai Gon fell into Vietnamese control in 1949. Since then there are frequent reports of human rights abuses and oppression toward the Khmer-Krom population. The International Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation organization, well known at the United Nations will take the matter up during the conference to be held from January 15 to 17. *His Venerable is the Head monk of the United Association of Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks. Read & Listen to RFA Report in Khmer
