Capitol Hill: KKF Delegates Meets Senators to Discuss Khmer Krom Issues

On the 20th of July 2007, three delegates representing the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation and Dr. Joshua Cooper, KKF-UNPO Advisor headed to Capitol Hill, Washington DC and met up with several key Congressmen and Senators to discuss Khmer Krom issues. Mr. Tran Mannrinh, Mr. Lenny, Mr. Tran Giap and Dr. Joshua Cooper took the opportunity to inform the politicians of the increasing social and political unrest in Vietnam as well as recent events in Cambodia, including the recent disappearance of defrocked Venerable Tim Sakhorn.

KKF delegates with Senator Daniel Akaka The unfolding events in both countries have caused great concerns and attention amongst human rights groups and watchdogs including the United States Department. The defrocking of at least nine Buddhist monks in Khleang (renamed Soc Trang) in February has sparked protests around the world. The following issues were brought up by KKF delegates in their discussions to Mr. Chris Smith (NJ), Mr. Tom Lantos (CA), Mr. Neil Abercrombie (HI) and the Honourable Mr. Frank Lautenberg (NJ) and Mr. Daniel Akaka (HI), Senators. Khmer Krom Buddhism:

1. The trial on May 10, 2007 which saw five Khmer Krom Buddhist monks originally from Khleang (renamed Soc Trang) facing two to five years in prison.
2. Khmer Krom Buddhist monks in Cambodia staged a peaceful demonstration at Vietnam Embassy and in front Royal Palace and were injured by the actions Tep Vong’s monks.
3. Venerable Tim Sakhorn in Phnom Denh, Takeo province, Cambodia was ordered to disrobe and deported back to Vietnam. He is currently missing.

Khmer Krom in Vietnam:

1. VN government tries to eliminate Khmer Krom without bleeding and unseen by International eyes by destroying the farmlands belonging to Khmer Krom people making it uninhabitable and causing large populations of Khmer Krom people to leave the country to Cambodia. For example, the shrimp farming project in Bac Lieu: In order to raise shrimp, they have to make canal to the sea to get salt water inland. Such actions cause to environment issues, firstly it causes land destruction and secondly causes land to be contaminated with salt water.
2. In other areas Khleang and Prey Tapeng Provinces, Khmer Krom face a different sort of oppression: For example, when Khmer Krom people begin the rice growing season, the prices of seeds, pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers become astronomically high. The harvested crops are often sold at very low prices, barely making enough for day to day living.

Khmer Krom in Cambodia:

1. The Cambodian government has announced that when Khmer Krom come to Cambodia they are automatically recognized as a Cambodian citizen. Unfortunatelyit is not so in the legal system of Cambodia. . Most of Khmer Krom in Cambodia are undocumented. If anyone wanted to register, they must change their names and birth places. This is a racial eradication.
2. The KKF are concerned for the safety the Khmer Krom people, in a country without any defined justice for those seeking refuge.

The KKF delegates appealed to the key congressmen and senators to help resolve the elevating conflicts and potential dangerous situation of the Khmer Krom people who are being targeted by Cambodia and Vietnam for standing up for the basic human rights.