The Khmer women are pleased that Vietnam has completed its obligation under CEDAW to write the report and meet with CEDAW. We hope that this spirit of cooperation continues with the Khmer people, the other main ingredient in international protection and promotion of human rights, the citizens of the respected country reporting. The Khmer people were not consulted in the drafting of this report. We seek a role in the implementation of the recommendations issued by the committee. These are real people with real problems and unless something is done immediately, the fate of these indigenous peoples will be mortally challenged.
The Khmer women aren’t asking for special privileges just the equal protection and promotion of human rights recognized under CEDAW. We believe it is important to build upon the cooperation of the Committee and Viet Nam. We believe the next step to reaffirm the government’s commitment to women is the adoption and ratification of the Optional Protocol. We agree with the government that the Optional Additional Protocol to CEDAW has been designed to positively protect women’s rights and prevent the violation of CEDAW. However, we disagree with the analysis of the government that the procedures of complaint and denunciation indicated in the Optional Protocol are different from the domestic law of Viet Nam. Therefore, Viet Nam should take the logical step of signing the Optional Protocol so all women’s rights are protected and promoted.