31/12/07 RFA Khmer Report by Sam Borin Selected extracts translated by KKF Listen to original report The World Cambodian Congress (WCC) has appealed to all Khmer Americans from the 50 States to contact their local congress representatives so that they can support the HR 3096 law, which can be used to pressure Vietnam to stop violating human rights as soon as possible. Mr. Kal Morn, President of the WCC, located in Oregon has said to RFA that although they have finished sending an appeal to 100 senators in America, he believes that it will only be successful and complete if all the Khmer residents from all the different states send the same letter to the senators in their own states. RFA has reminded its audience of the HR 3096 law that was put forward by Christopher Smith, Congress from New Jersey and received support from 12 other members was passed by US congress. HR 3096 law won support by 14 voices and 3 opposing voices. Currently, the law is in the hands of the international department of US Congress. Mr. Kal Morn has also appealed that the names of the Khmer Krom victims be included as part of the HR 3096 when they submit it to their local Congress. “We want the American Senators to know that human rights violations do not only occur towards its Vietnamese citizens but also against Khmer Krom,” says Mr. Kal Morn. The HR 3096 law states that the US must not give aid to Vietnam in 2008 more than in 2007, if Vietnam does not take actions to release political and religious freedom prisoners. It requires Vietnam to be more open towards religious freedom and the rights of indigenous peoples. It also states that the financial aid be given to organizations outside of the government who support the promotion of human rights. RFA also interviewed Mr. Prak Sereivuth, Vice President of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation about the importance of the HR 3096 law in bringing Vietnam to the table and speaking about Khmer Krom by peaceful means. “In order for communist Vietnam to come in, there must be pressure from the US as the economic donor and it needs to initiate the HR 3096 law in the house of regulations so the violations lessen.” “Don’t forget that Vietnamese armies withdrew from Cambodia due to international pressure. Therefore, we want such pressure in resolving the Khmer Krom issue and other races.” “We also want them to release the prisoners such as Venerable Tim Sakhorn and five others from Srok Khleang [renamed Soc Trang],” says Mr. Prak. During the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues earlier in May this year, the Vietnam government representative stated that KKF only attempts to separate its society and has no benefits towards the indigenous peoples. After providing a testimony to the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Mr. Prak has said that Vietnam must look carefully into it human rights violations that they committed against the Khmer Krom people. “Communist Vietnam government must think whether or not we want our children to fight like the Palestine and kill themselves for the next 100 years or so. We must not continue.” “If communist Vietnam government does not stop oppressing our people, we continue to move forward. The rich fertile land of the Mekong Delta provides enough food for the whole of Vietnam and more. They are currently ranked 2nd in world rice export after Thailand. As for the Khmer Krom, as indigenous peoples, they have no lands to farm or live on and are dying because of lack of food.” “This cannot be continued,” says Mr. Prak Sereivuth.