Somalin Thach’s emotional speech at the UNPFII attracts the attention to Khmer Krom plight
29 May 2009
By San Suwith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
In a speech given at the forum for Indigenous People held at the UN headquarters in New York City yesterday, a Khmer Krom woman indicated that all that Khmer Krom people want is to be able to live with their Khmer identity preserved and be able to practice their cultural Khmer heritage.
Somalin Thach, a representative of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), broke down with emotion during her speech given at the United Nation of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York yesterday, while reminiscing about her parents’ flight from Kampuchea Krom (current South Vietnam) because of the discrimination of Khmer Krom people by the Hanoi regime, and also because of their unique Khmer cultural heritage.
Somalin Thach told the audience, that in her name as a Khmer Krom people, her hope is to live in her homeland and to practice her unique cultural heritage. It was time for Viet Nam to move beyond preventing her people from speaking at this Forum. She declared: “I want nothing more but to live in my homeland, as my ancestors have been speaking our indigenous language and practicing our cultural heritage. Madam Chair, we strongly believe that it is time that Vietnam move beyond the denial of our rights to speak at this permanent forum and put into practice our rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the very own constitution of the UN…”
RFA was not able to obtain Ms. Somalin Thach’s comment on her speech because she is currently flying back to her home in Seattle, Washington.
Nevertheless, Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach, KKF executive director who is still leading the Khmer Krom delegation in the meeting in New York, indicated that Ms. Somalin Thach’s speech caught the attention of the foreign forum participants.
Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach said: “The chairwoman of the forum was attracted [by the speech] and she shared Khmer Krom sufferings. She said that the identity of each nationality is very important around the world, and this is the reason why security of indigenous people is protected here. Furthermore, we noted that a number of countries also got the attention and they came to shake hand and encourage Ms. Somalin Thach, even NGOs came to ask for copies of her speech. Therefore, I am calling on all Khmer Krom people who live outside of the country, as well as all Khmer Krom people who now live in countries with freedom, to join in. Only us who live overseas have a voice to represent our voiceless people who are victimized both in Kampuchea Krom and in Cambodia.”
Somalin Thach, a representative of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), broke down with emotion during her speech given at the United Nation of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York yesterday, while reminiscing about her parents’ flight from Kampuchea Krom (current South Vietnam) because of the discrimination of Khmer Krom people by the Hanoi regime, and also because of their unique Khmer cultural heritage.
Somalin Thach told the audience, that in her name as a Khmer Krom people, her hope is to live in her homeland and to practice her unique cultural heritage. It was time for Viet Nam to move beyond preventing her people from speaking at this Forum. She declared: “I want nothing more but to live in my homeland, as my ancestors have been speaking our indigenous language and practicing our cultural heritage. Madam Chair, we strongly believe that it is time that Vietnam move beyond the denial of our rights to speak at this permanent forum and put into practice our rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the very own constitution of the UN…”
RFA was not able to obtain Ms. Somalin Thach’s comment on her speech because she is currently flying back to her home in Seattle, Washington.
Nevertheless, Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach, KKF executive director who is still leading the Khmer Krom delegation in the meeting in New York, indicated that Ms. Somalin Thach’s speech caught the attention of the foreign forum participants.
Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach said: “The chairwoman of the forum was attracted [by the speech] and she shared Khmer Krom sufferings. She said that the identity of each nationality is very important around the world, and this is the reason why security of indigenous people is protected here. Furthermore, we noted that a number of countries also got the attention and they came to shake hand and encourage Ms. Somalin Thach, even NGOs came to ask for copies of her speech. Therefore, I am calling on all Khmer Krom people who live outside of the country, as well as all Khmer Krom people who now live in countries with freedom, to join in. Only us who live overseas have a voice to represent our voiceless people who are victimized both in Kampuchea Krom and in Cambodia.”
28 comments:
I'm also very impressed by representative of our fellow Khmers suffering from the pressure from Vietnam. Frree Khmer Krom!
Never give up as long as the sun keep rising, free Khmer Krom.
SRP senior member
Remembered.
All Khmers support the initiative of fighting for our Freedom and Peace on the same tracks as our ancestor did before.
Tout cela me crispe le coeur. Je ne comprends pas et ne pourrai jamais accepter qu'une de nos "HAUTES" personnalités nationales du royaume n'aient jamais eu les "conviction & détermination" politiques de soumettre à l'insistance onusienne.A croire que le 1er Royaume était exempte d' "incompétence" diplomatique en soulageant le 2è --né de l'ONU lui attestant toutes les clauses favorisant les intégrités nationales-- qui ne fait que profiter de la situation pour en remettre sur la responsabilité du premier: l'état de "vaut-rien" historique pour les générations des Khmers futurs (kh.krom, kh Surin et Nokor reach).
Bravo à notre patriote Somalin face aux occupants qui guettent.
Come to mind help self first before god will... Khmer Krom takes own initiative to demand rights from the ruler,Viet, since mid 1700.
Other hand Khmers in Laos and Siam never raised voice since 1768 after that Teocheow King seduced them to collaborate Siam and secede from Khmer sovereign.To date they do not have networks or group to seriously demand Siam or Laos for self autonomy.They did
best to entertain Siam or Laos with Kantrim or Phleng hao Arak prey.
In all fronts included present Cambodia, Khmers have to take own initiative to be deliberated from suppressors before outide gods can help.
Khmer Krom moves warranted respect and supprt from other Khmers.
nice to read your comments
I fully support the Khmer Krom from the Oppressors. Keeps it going, only then will Vietnamese Gov flex its muscle. I hope the International will look into this plight to right of the indigeneous people.
There is no such South Vietnam. It is the land that belong to Kampuchea Krom and its people. The land that Vietnamese stole in broad daylight from Khmer Krom some 60 years ago.
Yes, now more then ever is the time when we (Khmer) from every part of the world must unite. I also welcome those that non-Khmer to do the same. We must send a strong msg to the Viet and current Cambodia gov't that the world is watching and listening. They must stop their oppression, and start treating Khmer Krom as equal, same msg to the Cambodian gov't; stop treating your own ppl as your enemy,also stop being dictated by another country. You owed it to your country and her people to do the right- it's never too late to turn over a new leaf!
Peace,
Khmer Power!
Kaun Khmer-Krom stand up to protect their own Land and Freedom. Youn never said they abuse our people and still the Land.
This is the time Youn government need to facing the true.
Somalin speach is shaking the world to see how Youn's dishonor to the world.
I would like to encourage all Khmer-krom and all Khmer people this is the time to reveal and bring back all the cost that Youn government have been taken away from us.
Kaun Khmer in Blood
Please continue and tell the UN or the world more about YOUN. They are the most barbaric and brutal nation on earth. They have slaughtered and continue threaten us to slaugher us more and more.
We will be the next Kosovo and East Timore. Khmer Krom will get indpendent soon.
Khmer Krom all the way!!!!!!!!!
Remember the Greece was once the mighty nation but later they have decline and the Turk has contolled them for +400 years. And Greece managed to freed themself out of the Turk. For us it is just 1945 or 1954 and recently so we can do this.
Please stand us and rise to fight for our cost. We must unite to free ourself!!!
Khmer Krom PP,
Congratulation for speaking up!!
Now we beind heard all over the world.
Very wonderful job brothers/sisters Khmer Krom!!!!!
Keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of us, if not all, have learn Khmer History. Kampuchea Krom used to be part of Cambodia. Anything happened to Khmer krom should be considered as all Khmer affairs. All Khmer should bear the same responsibilities and duty on our lost land. Since Khmer Krom strugle seems to be a very important role ,( if not the only way)to tacle Vietnam on their mMrch to the West, please join together for the cause. Solidarity prevails!
Khmer
I totally agree with the Khmer Krom movement. All Khmers need to unit to help push the Vietnamese hegemony over Southeast Asia. The most surely and predictable way to do that is from within Vietnam. Help raised and strengthen Khmer Krom people in Kampuchea Krom and Vietnam will feel the need to do something. Plus as Khmer Krom is gaining more support from the International communities, Vietnam would have to obey international laws.
Therefore, the international communities will hit Vietnam where it hurt from the outside and Khmer Krom people from within will poke Vietnam where it hurt from the inside and sooner or later Vietnam will cry and its hegemony over Southeast Asia will stop.
Help support Khmer Krom oversea organization such as KKF and its affiliates.
Thank you and looking forward to communicate with you all down the road.
ឋាននរករង់ចាំ សីហនុ ជានិច្ច តែកុំយូរពេក
ណា៎ សីហនុ?
Sihanouk, l'enfer t'attend alors, vas-y vite!
Sihanouk, hell awaits you, be prompt like NOW!
ហង្សា គឹត
To all Khmers Please rise up chase the thieves out of our land.
One's life to live and die, if we die we must die of honor.
We die we will go to heaven.
The thieves dies they will be burn in Hell!
5:07AM Why are you Je Sdech, are Jkuoth! Oth Buoch!
We'll be united, and let me share your sufferings.
Surya
Whatever you're planning to do, it's your prerogatives, and these prerogatives must be exercised gingerly; however, it is critically imperative to remember that there's "law" and "order," and the law and order must not be violated, because if they violated, grave consequences will ensue. Again, remember to keep this in mind.
Pi Anh: PPU
Viet If you people know a bout law you would not robbed in the first place.Time will comes and your sory ass will be burn in Hell.
This is 21st century and you Viet so dumb and Cruelty as the cave Men.You are trying to fool the world, the only you are the FOOL!
MEE Jkuot Jruok has demonstrated that, in fact, she has a rare neurological disease -- and yes -- she does require to do a neurological detailed evaluation to ascertain whether or not she has developed alzheimer's.
Pi Anh: PPU
I think we should propose a new university in Phnom Penh (or on the outskirts of the capital), and name if after the popular "PPU." The new university shall be named the "People's Party University."
What do you think, Manat?
PPU
Great Job Khmer Krom.
We are behind you 110%
Ah Chen must have helped this poor girl.
Fighting something that does not have a "cause," I don't know what to call it. Caskets? Coffins? I still don't know.
Pi Anh: PPU
12:20 AM
I think you're overexcited and overzealous about the prospect, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
What about you, Ah Chen?
Pi Anh: PPU
Ah chhkuot chhrouk "PPU" still don't leave Khmer business alone. What's wrong with him?
7:15 PM
Why should I? I have my business to be taken care of and other things. Sorry, I'm not fortunate enough to collect my welfare like you guys.
Pi Anh: PPU
I am so proud of you all. Especially Somalin. I am very touch with your speech. Keep up the good work. Your voice will be heard.
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