March 27, 2007 KHMER KROM UPDATE: Rebecca Sommer Stands by Her Reporting of Oppression of Khmer Krom Indigenous Peoples by Hanoi Regime; U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Weighs In; Khmer Krom Spokesman Says Story is Factual
By David M. Kinchen
Editor, Huntington News Network
We recently reported on the plight of the Khmer Krom -- an indigenous people in southern Vietnam, making a valiant effort to preserve their culture, language, Buddhist religion and way of life as a distinct, differentiated ethnic and cultural group. Click here, for the link to the story.
Society for Threatened Peoples International representative Rebecca Sommer has traveled to the area and spent time with the Khmer Krom and takes issue with a letter to me, David M. Kinchen, from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi in which the ambassador, Michael W. Marine, saw no oppression. The letter is printed below, along with Sommer’s response. We also received a letter from a Khmer Krom spokesman who stated that the March 17, 2007 story was correct; his letter is also included in this report, following Sommer’s.
Sommer says international human rights organizations are increasingly alarmed about Vietnam's oppression of the freedom of speech and religion of the Khmer Krom. Numerous reports on severe human rights violations have been reported, but little has been done by the international community, she told HNN.
First, the letter from the U.S. Embassy:
Dear Mr. Kinchen: I would like to clarify some of the events you describe in your article of March 17 on Rebecca Sommer’s Report “Khmer Krom in Southern Vietnam Face Oppression from Hanoi Regime” which reports that U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine visited a Khmer Buddhist temple in Soc Trang Province that had a heavy police presence. The Ambassador did indeed visit the temple in early March, but in fact there was no heavy security presence and he did not see any evidence of protest during his visit. Furthermore, a senior Khmer Buddhist monk at the temple told him in private that there was no government crackdown against Khmer Buddhists.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. Sincerely,
Angela P. Aggeler
Press and Cultural Attaché
American Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam
Some background on the Khmer Krom, courtesy of Rebecca Sommer:
“The Khmer Krom, who originated as the "first peoples" in the Mekong River Delta, usually live in villages surrounded by rice fields. The majority of the deeply religious Khmer Krom population sustain themselves with farming, fishing and hunting.”
Letter from Rebecca Sommer:
Dear Mr. Kinchen. First of all I would like to thank you for writing articles which one usually doesn't find in the mainstream media. You ensure that the voices of many desperate peoples are heard, loud and clear, in the public -- around the globe. The very same peoples, which are silenced by force, intimidation, and misinformation propaganda by powerful entities.
The information which I provided to you and which was included in your recent article on the Khmer Krom in southern Vietnam, is just one example of many - on how indigenous people are oppressed and silenced. I am not astonished that the Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine did not find any "heavy" security presence while visiting the scene of the most recent atrocities against the Khmer Krom Buddhist monks.
It’s certain that the military and police presence was ordered to step back into the background while the Ambassador made his prominent visit. Wouldn't you do the same, if you know that someone important is coming to investigate something which you do not want to be visible to the outside world? I am also not astonished that the Ambassador was told in "private" by a senior monk, that there was no government crackdown against Khmer Krom Buddhists.
Let me explain that I visited numerous temples while traveling through the traditional land of the first peoples of southern Vietnam, the Khmer Krom. What struck me during my many conversations, (also in private), with monks, villagers, and refugees outside Vietnam -- was their collective voice explaining that the Buddhist temples, and Buddhist schools, are severely infiltrated and controlled by the Vietnamese authorities.
I may not have made that clear to you -- the Buddhist temples chief monks are in most cases put in their positions by the governmental authorities. This --- I have been told in so many cases, that I would say -- the claims were countless. In some very few cases, Chief monks are able to hold their positions, by juggling a balance of acting as traitors -- but secretly protecting their very own peoples.
This, Mr. Kinchen, I have been told by the very same chief monks, or senior monks, on filmed tapes -- and heard this with my own ears. It is left to our imagination, who this senior monk was serving. With my eyes I saw the fear of Chief monks -- any monks for that matter -- who informed to be targeted for any whatsoever small issues, and explained to be under constant intimidation by local authorities which do not halt to enter and day and night into the temples for investigations, and placing into the temples their spies.
Yes, "spies", because that is how the Khmer Krom described them, not in one temple, in all temples I visited and in every village I heard this claim, over and over again. Many voices, but one collective voice with the same story. Usually, every monk, and every villager said that they know who the "spies" are, but what can they do? Report them to the governmental authorities? The sad part is that this forced infiltration and surveillance has caused many disappearances and imprisonment of Khmer Krom people -- or simply such intimidation that they are too afraid and silenced.
I met many of them who were released and told me their story. Not one or two stories. Especially those are targeted, which are loved by their Khmer Krom communities --- those who truly engage in social and cultural activities for the betterment of their communities --- the way the communities wants and needs them..
Beautiful, peaceful and kind people- who have committed no crime, but were targeted for their leadership roles and good examples they set within their communities. The Khmer Krom, a deeply religious people, say that they are not to be allowed to truly have their religion. That they are supposed to have another religion, which means, praying and following the communist doctrines of the country in which they live.
That they are not allowed to study certain ancient text of Buddha's teachings, or the pure Sanskrit language in the Pali schools. Everything is controlled, changed, and communist propaganda included, other parts are excluded and if taught in the temples, once again, is arrested.
They are not allowed to transmit their full knowledge of their peoples’ history which goes back to the Funan culture, because it would mean that the future generations of Khmer Krom would remain with their pride and feeling of belonging as an informed people, with their distinct identity as the Khmer Krom.
It appears to me, that the Khmer Krom are to be Vietnamized until they vanish as a people, and are simply “Vietnamese.” Therefore, I thank you for reporting on the latest incident, where the Khmer Krom temples and the monks stood up on behalf of their communities and their religious belief system, and peacefully protested against this ongoing oppression. That needed a lot of courage of the monks, and a lot of devotion, as for sure, they have to pay now a heavy price. many are hiding, others fled to Cambodia, some were arrested, some are under surveillance, they all pay a heavy toll. They knew it, but they did it, regardless. Because they want to have the right to their own religion, and traditional way of life.
Sadly, Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine was pulled aside by one of those senior monks, who decided for his individual gain and security to play the rules of the game established by Hanoi, by misinforming the Ambassador that there was no government crackdown against Khmer Buddhists.
For sure, this senior monk will walk free, while the others don't. But the good part is, that the outside world can have its own informed opinions, and luckily the Khmer Krom, the poorest of the poor in southern Vietnam, the most marginalized and disadvantaged and oppressed, use these days modern tools, even so they endure raids in their offices, temples, computers are checked on a monthly bases by the authorities, are arrested and imprisoned for having listened to foreign radio such as Radio Free Asia, or Voice of America, or checking in the internet information on human rights laws from the UN -- Some few Khmer Krom have cameras today, they will continue using them, and the internet or phone, messengers and letters, to inform the outside world.
This information flow cannot be stopped, only denied - if at all. Wouldn't the world be a better place, if human rights and the truth would not any longer be pushed aside --- for the sake of diplomacy and globalization interests?
Rebecca Sommer,
Representative of the NGO Society for Threatened Peoples International, in consultative status to the United Nations ECOSOC and in participatory status with the Council of Europe. Indigenous Peoples Department,
USA website: http://www.gfbv.de
e-mail: rebeccasommer@earthlink.net .
Finally, a letter to me from the Khmer Krom spokesman:
Dear Huntington News Network Editor:
We would like to thank your public the article on Khmer-Krom’s issue which made the world known who we are.
I, on behalf of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) representing the indigenous Khmer-Krom people of the Mekong Delta (South Vietnam) and the Khmer Krom diasporas around the world, would like to confirm that the information absolutely true and the unjust prosecution of Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks, in Soc Trang province in South Vietnam, for the alleged crime of organizing and participating in a peaceful demonstration partaking with 200 Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks on 8th February 2007 to request for religious freedom.
The two hundred Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks taking part in the demonstration and members of their immediate families have and continue to be subjected to elevated acts of intimidation, harassment and oppression as Vietnamese authorities continue to crack down on human right related activities.
On 22nd February 2007, nine Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks were forced to disrobe:
1. Thach Do aged 27 from Wat Ta Sek, Vinh Hoa commune, Vinh Chau district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
2. Ly Hoang aged 22 from Wat Sam Rong, Phuong 5, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
3. Ly Tang Thong aged 23 from Wat Sam Rong, Phuong 5, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
4. Ly Thanh Suoi aged 28 from Wat Teok Praiy, Long Phu district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
5. Thach Xuan Hien aged 21 from Wat Ta Meon, Vinh Binh commune, My Xuyen district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
6. Tang Phien aged 22 from Wat Ta Meon, Vinh Binh commune, My Xuyen district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
7. Ly Suong aged 21 from Wat Teok Praiy, Long Phu district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
8. Kim Muon from Wat Ta Sek, Vinh Hoa commune, Vinh Chau district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
9. Thach Thuong aged 28 from Wat Teok Praiy, Long Phu district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
As current, several of the disrobed monks have been apprehended by Vietnamese authorities and taken to an unknown location while others continue to face harassment, torture and are placed under heavy surveillance. Many are prohibited from communicating with outside organisations and others have placed under house arrest. The fate and well being of the apprehended former Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks remains unknown.
The US Ambassador in Hanoi, Mr. Michael W. Marine, has visited and talked with the senior monk who is not the victim. And his visit was 3 weeks after the incident.
Forced disrobement of these Buddhist monks continues to be used as a discriminatory mean punish these monks for taking part in a non violent demonstration. It serves to further prohibit the rights of the Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks and civilian to practice their religion and customs according to their indigenous ways. Such acts can also be seen as means to undermine the minority communities and to halt the important role that Buddhist monks alone play in preserving and passing of the Khmer-Krom language, customs and values.
Unfortunately, the recently prosecution of these Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks by the Vietnamese Communist government is a clear reflection of the increasing human rights and religious violations against the Khmer-Krom people. I personally believe that there will continue to be civil unrest and further prosecution for such acts and if left unresolved may potentially cause greater instability in the Asian Pacific region.
Respectfully Yours,
Thach Ngoc Thach
President of Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation
www.khmerkrom.org, www.khmerkrom.net,
Email: thach.thach@khmerkrom.org
By David M. Kinchen
Editor, Huntington News Network
We recently reported on the plight of the Khmer Krom -- an indigenous people in southern Vietnam, making a valiant effort to preserve their culture, language, Buddhist religion and way of life as a distinct, differentiated ethnic and cultural group. Click here, for the link to the story.
Society for Threatened Peoples International representative Rebecca Sommer has traveled to the area and spent time with the Khmer Krom and takes issue with a letter to me, David M. Kinchen, from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi in which the ambassador, Michael W. Marine, saw no oppression. The letter is printed below, along with Sommer’s response. We also received a letter from a Khmer Krom spokesman who stated that the March 17, 2007 story was correct; his letter is also included in this report, following Sommer’s.
Sommer says international human rights organizations are increasingly alarmed about Vietnam's oppression of the freedom of speech and religion of the Khmer Krom. Numerous reports on severe human rights violations have been reported, but little has been done by the international community, she told HNN.
First, the letter from the U.S. Embassy:
Dear Mr. Kinchen: I would like to clarify some of the events you describe in your article of March 17 on Rebecca Sommer’s Report “Khmer Krom in Southern Vietnam Face Oppression from Hanoi Regime” which reports that U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine visited a Khmer Buddhist temple in Soc Trang Province that had a heavy police presence. The Ambassador did indeed visit the temple in early March, but in fact there was no heavy security presence and he did not see any evidence of protest during his visit. Furthermore, a senior Khmer Buddhist monk at the temple told him in private that there was no government crackdown against Khmer Buddhists.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. Sincerely,
Angela P. Aggeler
Press and Cultural Attaché
American Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam
Some background on the Khmer Krom, courtesy of Rebecca Sommer:
“The Khmer Krom, who originated as the "first peoples" in the Mekong River Delta, usually live in villages surrounded by rice fields. The majority of the deeply religious Khmer Krom population sustain themselves with farming, fishing and hunting.”
Letter from Rebecca Sommer:
Dear Mr. Kinchen. First of all I would like to thank you for writing articles which one usually doesn't find in the mainstream media. You ensure that the voices of many desperate peoples are heard, loud and clear, in the public -- around the globe. The very same peoples, which are silenced by force, intimidation, and misinformation propaganda by powerful entities.
The information which I provided to you and which was included in your recent article on the Khmer Krom in southern Vietnam, is just one example of many - on how indigenous people are oppressed and silenced. I am not astonished that the Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine did not find any "heavy" security presence while visiting the scene of the most recent atrocities against the Khmer Krom Buddhist monks.
It’s certain that the military and police presence was ordered to step back into the background while the Ambassador made his prominent visit. Wouldn't you do the same, if you know that someone important is coming to investigate something which you do not want to be visible to the outside world? I am also not astonished that the Ambassador was told in "private" by a senior monk, that there was no government crackdown against Khmer Krom Buddhists.
Let me explain that I visited numerous temples while traveling through the traditional land of the first peoples of southern Vietnam, the Khmer Krom. What struck me during my many conversations, (also in private), with monks, villagers, and refugees outside Vietnam -- was their collective voice explaining that the Buddhist temples, and Buddhist schools, are severely infiltrated and controlled by the Vietnamese authorities.
I may not have made that clear to you -- the Buddhist temples chief monks are in most cases put in their positions by the governmental authorities. This --- I have been told in so many cases, that I would say -- the claims were countless. In some very few cases, Chief monks are able to hold their positions, by juggling a balance of acting as traitors -- but secretly protecting their very own peoples.
This, Mr. Kinchen, I have been told by the very same chief monks, or senior monks, on filmed tapes -- and heard this with my own ears. It is left to our imagination, who this senior monk was serving. With my eyes I saw the fear of Chief monks -- any monks for that matter -- who informed to be targeted for any whatsoever small issues, and explained to be under constant intimidation by local authorities which do not halt to enter and day and night into the temples for investigations, and placing into the temples their spies.
Yes, "spies", because that is how the Khmer Krom described them, not in one temple, in all temples I visited and in every village I heard this claim, over and over again. Many voices, but one collective voice with the same story. Usually, every monk, and every villager said that they know who the "spies" are, but what can they do? Report them to the governmental authorities? The sad part is that this forced infiltration and surveillance has caused many disappearances and imprisonment of Khmer Krom people -- or simply such intimidation that they are too afraid and silenced.
I met many of them who were released and told me their story. Not one or two stories. Especially those are targeted, which are loved by their Khmer Krom communities --- those who truly engage in social and cultural activities for the betterment of their communities --- the way the communities wants and needs them..
Beautiful, peaceful and kind people- who have committed no crime, but were targeted for their leadership roles and good examples they set within their communities. The Khmer Krom, a deeply religious people, say that they are not to be allowed to truly have their religion. That they are supposed to have another religion, which means, praying and following the communist doctrines of the country in which they live.
That they are not allowed to study certain ancient text of Buddha's teachings, or the pure Sanskrit language in the Pali schools. Everything is controlled, changed, and communist propaganda included, other parts are excluded and if taught in the temples, once again, is arrested.
They are not allowed to transmit their full knowledge of their peoples’ history which goes back to the Funan culture, because it would mean that the future generations of Khmer Krom would remain with their pride and feeling of belonging as an informed people, with their distinct identity as the Khmer Krom.
It appears to me, that the Khmer Krom are to be Vietnamized until they vanish as a people, and are simply “Vietnamese.” Therefore, I thank you for reporting on the latest incident, where the Khmer Krom temples and the monks stood up on behalf of their communities and their religious belief system, and peacefully protested against this ongoing oppression. That needed a lot of courage of the monks, and a lot of devotion, as for sure, they have to pay now a heavy price. many are hiding, others fled to Cambodia, some were arrested, some are under surveillance, they all pay a heavy toll. They knew it, but they did it, regardless. Because they want to have the right to their own religion, and traditional way of life.
Sadly, Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine was pulled aside by one of those senior monks, who decided for his individual gain and security to play the rules of the game established by Hanoi, by misinforming the Ambassador that there was no government crackdown against Khmer Buddhists.
For sure, this senior monk will walk free, while the others don't. But the good part is, that the outside world can have its own informed opinions, and luckily the Khmer Krom, the poorest of the poor in southern Vietnam, the most marginalized and disadvantaged and oppressed, use these days modern tools, even so they endure raids in their offices, temples, computers are checked on a monthly bases by the authorities, are arrested and imprisoned for having listened to foreign radio such as Radio Free Asia, or Voice of America, or checking in the internet information on human rights laws from the UN -- Some few Khmer Krom have cameras today, they will continue using them, and the internet or phone, messengers and letters, to inform the outside world.
This information flow cannot be stopped, only denied - if at all. Wouldn't the world be a better place, if human rights and the truth would not any longer be pushed aside --- for the sake of diplomacy and globalization interests?
Rebecca Sommer,
Representative of the NGO Society for Threatened Peoples International, in consultative status to the United Nations ECOSOC and in participatory status with the Council of Europe. Indigenous Peoples Department,
USA website: http://www.gfbv.de
e-mail: rebeccasommer@earthlink.net .
Finally, a letter to me from the Khmer Krom spokesman:
Dear Huntington News Network Editor:
We would like to thank your public the article on Khmer-Krom’s issue which made the world known who we are.
I, on behalf of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) representing the indigenous Khmer-Krom people of the Mekong Delta (South Vietnam) and the Khmer Krom diasporas around the world, would like to confirm that the information absolutely true and the unjust prosecution of Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks, in Soc Trang province in South Vietnam, for the alleged crime of organizing and participating in a peaceful demonstration partaking with 200 Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks on 8th February 2007 to request for religious freedom.
The two hundred Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks taking part in the demonstration and members of their immediate families have and continue to be subjected to elevated acts of intimidation, harassment and oppression as Vietnamese authorities continue to crack down on human right related activities.
On 22nd February 2007, nine Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks were forced to disrobe:
1. Thach Do aged 27 from Wat Ta Sek, Vinh Hoa commune, Vinh Chau district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
2. Ly Hoang aged 22 from Wat Sam Rong, Phuong 5, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
3. Ly Tang Thong aged 23 from Wat Sam Rong, Phuong 5, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
4. Ly Thanh Suoi aged 28 from Wat Teok Praiy, Long Phu district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
5. Thach Xuan Hien aged 21 from Wat Ta Meon, Vinh Binh commune, My Xuyen district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
6. Tang Phien aged 22 from Wat Ta Meon, Vinh Binh commune, My Xuyen district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
7. Ly Suong aged 21 from Wat Teok Praiy, Long Phu district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
8. Kim Muon from Wat Ta Sek, Vinh Hoa commune, Vinh Chau district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
9. Thach Thuong aged 28 from Wat Teok Praiy, Long Phu district, Kleang (Soc Trang) province.
As current, several of the disrobed monks have been apprehended by Vietnamese authorities and taken to an unknown location while others continue to face harassment, torture and are placed under heavy surveillance. Many are prohibited from communicating with outside organisations and others have placed under house arrest. The fate and well being of the apprehended former Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks remains unknown.
The US Ambassador in Hanoi, Mr. Michael W. Marine, has visited and talked with the senior monk who is not the victim. And his visit was 3 weeks after the incident.
Forced disrobement of these Buddhist monks continues to be used as a discriminatory mean punish these monks for taking part in a non violent demonstration. It serves to further prohibit the rights of the Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks and civilian to practice their religion and customs according to their indigenous ways. Such acts can also be seen as means to undermine the minority communities and to halt the important role that Buddhist monks alone play in preserving and passing of the Khmer-Krom language, customs and values.
Unfortunately, the recently prosecution of these Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks by the Vietnamese Communist government is a clear reflection of the increasing human rights and religious violations against the Khmer-Krom people. I personally believe that there will continue to be civil unrest and further prosecution for such acts and if left unresolved may potentially cause greater instability in the Asian Pacific region.
Respectfully Yours,
Thach Ngoc Thach
President of Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation
www.khmerkrom.org, www.khmerkrom.net,
Email: thach.thach@khmerkrom.org
6 comments:
Thank you very much Rebecca for your helps to Khmer Krom.
Youn is like a snake and a whore. if you really want to know the background, the truth, you have to watch their action not only words.
VN TRICKED AND SLAPPED US INTO SUBMISSION DURING THE VN WAR AND POKED HER EYES AGAIN WITH US-POW AND NOW BLINDFOLD US ON KHMER KROM AND HIGHLANDERS ISSUES.
US IS BEING PUT TO SLEEP BY VN ON THE ISSUE OF CHINA BEING EXPANDING HER INFLUENCE IN ASIA AND REGION.
OPPRESSIVE MINORITY ISSUES ARE BEING KEPT IN THE DARK
Keep fighting! Keep fighting for your freedom! I support you all the way.
Koun Khmer Kampuchea Krom will prevail!
How much longer will the Vietcong continue to lie and to hide the 10 million Khmer Krom as their fucken slave???
Well! Thank to Rebecca Sommer for doing such an excellence job as a reporter and now the Vietcong can no longer hide the truth from international community!!!
The Vietcong have only two choices to make either to kill off all the Khmer Krom people or set free all the Khmer Krom people!!! The Khmer Krom people can no longer be treated as bird in a cage!!!!!
The Vietcong will pay for what they did to the Khmer Krom people!!
Thank you very much Rebecca Sommer for standing up for KhmerKrom's suffering and justice.
Sorry Mr. Michael Marine, but I personally think you have been fooled by the Vietcongs again.
We all know the Vietcongs have many dirty tricks,and the past Vietnam-American war should reveal many Viet's tricks to the world, in particular to the US's soldiers and army officers. Mr. Michael Marine's past career was the former US army officer in the past war in the region. Has Mr. Marine learned any lesson from the Vietcongs???How about Vietcongs dress as civilian during the day and dress as killer at night!!!
I hope Mr. Marine learn the Vietcongs' tricks soon, before the situation can turn in the Vietcongs'favour again!!!
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