Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Khmer Krom monks are threatened and tailed

20 March 2007
By Sophorn
Radio Free Asia

Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

The group of Khmer Krom monks residing at the Samaki Raingsey pagoda, Sangkat Stung Meanchey, Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh city, claims that they are facing threats and are being tailed by suspicious people. These activities led the monks to worry about their safety and security.

Monk Yoeung Sin, the president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Monks Association (KKKMA) told RFA today that the Khmer Krom monks have been threatened over the phone by unknown people, furthermore, group of suspicious looking men came to the pagoda by motorcycles and tried to find out details about some Khmer Krom monks.

Monk Yoeung Sin said the activities of these suspicious men took place at the Samaki Raingsey pagoda on 16 March, the same day a group of about 60 Khmer Krom monks attempted to enter the Tronum Chreung pagoda, located in Kandal province, to hold a religious ceremony for the deceased Khmer Krom monk named Eang Sok Thoeun, and to demand for an investigation into the cause of death of the monk.

Monk Yoeung Sin said: “There are numerous incidents occurring by phone, by the presence of groups of 7 to 8 motorcycles bearing the Flying Tiger (police force) which came to the pagoda at past 9 PM, they made a lot of noise with their engine, and they entered the monks residence by yelling that they were lost. During daytime, there are people who came to inquire about the number of monks in the pagoda, where the monks are, how come the monks cannot be seen in the pagoda. I told them that the monks went out, they went to school etc… These activities took place more than a week ago, they started when Khmer Krom monks asked to dig out the body of monk Eang Sok Thoeun. Since then, all these incidents occurred.”

Local police authorities cannot be contacted for clarifications.

Sim Saphon, the deputy police chief in Khan Meanchey, said today that he never received the information reported by Khmer Krom monks, because he is not involved in legal cases.

Sim Saphon said: “I did not receive [this information]. I am only in charge of statistics, as far as threats etc…, I am not in charge of them … I am in charge of other works that are of different type.”

RFA made several attempts to contact Khieu Sopheak, the spokesman of Ministry of Interior, to obtain additional information about these threats, however, he refused to accept the call.

Ung Sen Karuna, an official of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Human Rights Organization (KKKHRO), recognizes that there are worrisome activities which took place at the Samaky Raingsey pagoda where numerous Khmer Krom monks are currently residing. He confirmed that there are suspicious people who are following the activities of the monks residing in the pagoda, he said that his organization received the same attention as well.

Ung Sen Karuna said: “In this pagoda, it’s not only the monks [who are affected]. During the incident period, I gave Mr. Son Savang a motorcycle ride from the pagoda to Phsar Deum Kor so he can take the bus to Takeo province, they even tailed us during the motorcycle trip. So much so that we have to flee from them, it’s only when they lost our trace that I dropped him at the bus station. In this pagoda (Samaky Raingsey), there are suspicious people who come and go, and they are always investigating everybody. The other day, we went for a meeting at the UNHCR office, when we got out, there was someone taping us with a camera right in the middle of the street. These surveillance activities took place a while ago already.”

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The double Vietcong agents are everywhere in Cambodia and they are working hard to keep Cambodian people as their fucken slave!!!

Cambodian people need to understand that AH HUN SEN is already a Vietcong slave and now Cambodian people must be the Vietcong slave too?? Hell no!!!

The Vietcong will pay!!!!
AH HUN SEN Vietcong slave former Khmer Rouge will pay!!!

I think the Vietcong probably had realized by now that they are in competition with many major powers and I suggest all the fucken Vietcong better get the fuck out of Cambodia before it is too late!!

If nothing can crack the Vietcong open then the Cambodian billion oil revenue will crack the Vietcong open like a little clam..

AH HUN SEN Vietcong slave former Khmer Rouge is buying time for the Vietcong to find an exit strategy!!!ahahahahahahah