SRP MP Son Chhay's Letter to the Viet Ambassador Demanding for the Release of Monk Tim Sakhorn

KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA
Nation - Religion - King

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

H. E. Mr. Nguyen Chien Than
Ambassador of SR of Vietnam
Vietnam Embassy #436, Preah Monivong Blvd
Phnom Penh.

Ref: NA5.041/08
September 8, 2008

Excellency,

On the occasion of the celebration of Vietnam's 63rd National Day, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate you and the Vietnamese people on Vietnam's success which has increasingly been recognized by the world especially on the economic achievement, where the country has maintained a high economic growth and is expanding its economic ties with foreign countries.

Unfortunately my reason for writing this letter is to bring to Your Excellency's attention, the plight of the Cambodian people, particularly the father of former monk Tim Sa Khorn who wishes to see his son return back to Cambodia after fully served the prison term of one year in Vietnam.

In according to an official document from Vietnamese Ministry of Interior which was obtained by my committee of foreign affairs, international cooperation and media (see the attached document), Tim Sa Khorn was released on June 30, 2007 and was ordered to return to his village of Ta Lau, Phnom Din commune, Kirivong district of Takeo province in Cambodia by July 2, 2008. But what actually happened is that Tim Sa Khorn has not yet been back to his village in Cambodia. There are rumors that he was taken by Vietnamese authority for a trip to Hanoi for re-education purpose and some said that he is now under a house arrest in Vietnam or being forced against his will from returning to be with his family in Cambodia but instead the authority is trying to get him marry and stay on living in Vietnam.

If all of these accusations are true, I wish to request for Your Excellency to kindly intervene for immediately allowing Tim Sa Khorn to return to Cambodia so that he can be one again with his family otherwise the explanation is needed on why Tim Sa Khorn is still in Vietnam.

I am planning to make a private trip to visit Tim Sa Khorn and hopefully will bring Tim Sa Khorn's father Mr. Tim Thieng with me, so that we can see for ourselves what actually has happened to Tim Sa Khorn and will bring the news back to Cambodia.

As a member of parliament representing the people of Cambodia, it is my duty to protect my people and also a moral obligation to protect those who are facing unnecessary suffering and I am writing because I believe that, Your Excellency can help to ease the tension and unhappiness among our people.

I am confident that I can depend on You Excellency in this matter. I have no doubt that Your Excellency understand that we have a duty to protect people and together with the bonds of friendship we have forged, we can carry out this task and ensure that no more unnecessary suffering are imposed on the innocent people.

Looking forward to your kind response, I renew the expression of my highest consideration.

(Signed) Son Chhay

Yours sincerely,

MP Son Chhay
Chairman of the 5th Committee

CC:

• Cabinet of His Majesty the King
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and media