FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation Condemns Arrest and Defrocking of Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra by Vietnamese Authorities
WASHINGTON, D.C., 26 March 2024 — The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) expresses grave concern over the recent arrest and defrocking of Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra, the respected Abbot of Tro Nom Sek temple in Dai Tho hamlet, Long My village, Tam Binh District, Vinh Long province, on March 26, 2024.
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Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra, while returning from conducting a blessing at the Religious Hall in Tong Hung hamlet, was arrested by Vietnamese authorities along with Mr. Kim Khiem. After many hours of disappearance, the online newspaper of the Department of Internal Security of Vinh Long Provincial Police reports that Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra and Mr. Kim Khiem are being detained under the charge of “abusing democratic freedoms” (Article 331 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code), a charge frequently used against Khmer-Krom activists. On the same day, Mr. Thach Ve Sanal was also arrested under Article 157 for merely assisting in the defense of Tro Nom Sek temple when local gang members attacked the temple on November 22, 2023.
The background leading to this distressing incident dates back to December 3, 2023, when Vietnamese authorities and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) threatened to disavow Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra as a Buddhist monk. The Tro Nom Sek temple, a Khmer-Krom sanctuary, has been coerced into VBS affiliation despite the community’s deliberate decision to maintain autonomy and practice Theravada Buddhism independently. The VBS failed to defrock Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra due to the resistance of the Khmer-Krom community because he did not violate any Buddhist rules. Ironically, The Vietnamese authorities now arrest him and charge him with a different crime that he has not committed. He merely exercises his right to freely advocate for the right to practice Theravada Buddhism for his indigenous Khmer-Krom community.
We demand the immediate release of Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra, Mr. Kim Khiem, and Mr. Thach Ve Sanal and the dismissal of all charges against them. Venerable Thach Chan Da Ra should be allowed to be a Buddhist monk and continue leading his temple as the Abbot. The Vietnamese authorities must respect the Khmer-Krom’s right to practice their religion freely and without fear of persecution.
We implore the United Nations and international community to condemn the Vietnamese government’s suppression of religious freedom, calling upon Vietnam to fulfill its obligations as a member of the Human Rights Council and to demand respect for the autonomy and spiritual practices of the indigenous Khmer-Krom community.