Looking back and being thankful for the wonderful memories of previous year and the hope for beautiful time ahead. We would like to say thank you for every member and supporters around the world for making our peaceful movement possible. With loved to our people back home and the motherland that no one can tear us apart.
We should not dwell on the past but continue forward and let our people know that they are always and forever in our heart and soul. 2012 was a great year for all of us, Khmer-Krom, because the world knows who we are and more importantly what our people want.
From January 2012 till the mid of December, members of the KKF have worked effortfully to voice the concerns of our Khmer-Krom people by participating at international conferences such as CERD, CRC, ASIAN Forum, and the UNPFII as well as corresponding with the US Department of State, the Canadian Foreign Affairs, Australian Trade and Foreign Affairs, and the European Union regarding to the religious freedom and human rights of the Khmer-Krom in our homeland.
The 2012 was also a historically year for KKF that the Committee on Non-Government Organizations of the ECOSOC voted to grant KKF Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC by consensus decision of all members on the NGO Committee. Vietnam launched an aggressive campaign to request ECOSOC Member States to vote stripping off the KKF’s accreditation with ECOSOC. Even we were not accepted this, but the fact that we were supported by many powerful and democratic countries and NGOs has elevated our Khmer Krom issue to a higher level than we anticipated. The Wall Street Journal even published an article “Vietnam invents a U.N. procedure to silence critics” to condemn Vietnam trying to silence KKF at the UN.
We will continue to work harder to change what our people face at this present time. We know for a fact that no one can stop us because we are the Indigenous Peoples of that land, the Kampuchea-Krom.
KKF has put forward the best practices for 2013.
MARCH TO KAMPUCHEA-KROM
1. INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES
- Magnify, amplify and add the KKF voices by working and forming alliance with human rights organizations and other indigenous and minority groups as well as on specific issues important to Kampuchea-Krom
- Develop policy changes and decisions to protect the Khmer-Krom farmers, displaced landless farmers, and peoples moved across the border because of climate changes and global warming on the Mekong Delta
- Coordinate lobby weeks in the Capitol with elected officials in supporting states
2. KAMPUCHEA-KROM BEST PRACTICES
- Increase activities for self-determination on specific issues
- Complete the 11 points’ survey after returning from Kampuchea-Krom
3. REGIONAL BEST PRACTICES
- Conduct trainings and seminars for KKF Local Chapters
- Increase networking of women and youths’ activities
- Continue to provide and support school construction in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Let us hope and pray that this New Year be the one, where all of our dreams will come true with unity in spirit and a joyful heart to put a strong start to this year anew.
On behalf of all the Khmer-Krom people, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year 2013.
May our Lord Buddha bless everyone and our beloved people back home.
Sincerely,
ThachN.Thach
KKF President