Cambodian-​Australian​s and Their Strong Ties to Cambodia

23 April 2012

By Mu Sochua

A very moving visit with Cambodian-Australians to celebrate Khmer New Year as well as listening to what our compatriots have to say about democracy in Cambodia.

The first wave of Cambodian refugees reached Australia around the early 1980's, with a few who went there as students.

Among those early refugees where those families I met and assisted when working in Khoa-I-Dang camp and the camps along the Cambodian/Thai border. Many sweet memories, many hours trying to catch up with our lives in the past two decades or more.

I am very moved by the determination of each family in building a new life in their new home. Australian social security system and other public services give the refugee community the needed support and hope.

I am also very moved by our people's close relationship with their relatives back in Cambodia. They have not and will not let go their Khmer heritage.

Surely, our people in Australia are benefiting from the true sense of democracy in Australia and that freedom that comes with democracy is what we discussed at each gathering.

I was very encouraged to see how connected Cambodian-Australians, like Cambodians outside of Cambodia are connected to news back home. All this thanks to independent media.

The Sam Rainsy Party in Australia is solid and growing.

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Mrs MU SOCHUA ( SRP Party) visiting Australia - B/C Mond 12/4/12

21 April 2012

SBS Australia (Khmer)

In this interview, Mrs Mu Sochua, Member of Parliament & Former Minister for Women and Veterans' Affairs of the Kingdom of Cambodia answered our questions about combating the tragedies of human trafficking, the problems facing Cambodian maids working in Malaysia, the future of Mr Sam Rainsy and so on.

Click the control below to listen to the interview:

Click here to listen or download the interview in MP3

Family Footsteps

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September 17, 2008
Samantha Day, reviewer
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)

Kevin Taing returns to Cambodia to indulge in his family's heritage and culture.

Kevin Taing returns to Cambodia to indulge in his family's heritage and culture, where his usual diet of meat pies and sausage rolls is replaced with fried tarantulas and crickets.

Seemingly open to the new experience, he has reservations. When things take an unexpected and dramatic turn, Kevin is moved from the village of Chhlong to a five-star resort, making these family footsteps more like a tourist's footsteps. Back out on the streets of Phnom Penh, however, he tries to make up for lost experiences and unites with family members he has never met.

This interesting episode of a fascinating program gives great insight into how prejudices have the potential to overshadow a rewarding overseas experience.

Call to provide help to Khmer Krom Monk Tim Sakhorn

15 August 2007
By Moeung Tum
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A meeting held by members of Committee No. 4 of the Cambodian National Assembly to discuss on a plan to visit former Monk Tim Sakhorn in his jail cell in Vietnam, took place one day after numerous Khmer Krom people have agreed with the Khmer Kampuchea facilitating committee to issue an official joint statement, on 13 August, addressed to the Royal Cambodian Government, the Cambodian supreme patriarch (Tep Vong), Cambodian government ministers involved with local and international civil society affairs, asking them to help intervene to find legal justice for Monk Tim Sakhorn.

The Khmer Kampuchea Krom facilitating committee in the world views and considers the actions taken by the Cambodian and Vietnamese governments which defrocked Monk Tim Sakhorn by force, deported him by force to Vietnam, and arrested and jailed in Vietnam, are illegal actions both from laymen and from Buddhism point of views.

Cambodian-Canadians call for pressure on the Vietnamese government
The Alliance of Cambodians in Canada which includes representatives from Buddhist associations and organizations, civil society organizations regrouping 12 organizations in Canada, has cooperated to issue a statement date 14 August calling the International community to exert pressure on the Vietnamese government, forcing it to unconditionally agree to the release and the dismissal of charges brought against Monk Tim Sakhorn, and forcing it to guarantee the safety of Monk Tim Sakhorn, as well as his return back to Cambodia.

The Alliance of Cambodians in Canada is concerned by the actions taken by the Cambodian and Vietnamese authorities in the case of Monk Tim Sakhorn. The Alliance considers these actions as a threat and an intimidation on Cambodian monks and Cambodian people so that they are scared to practice their freedom rights and their religious freedom rights which are protected by national and international treaties.

Khmer Krom in Australia plan to hold a demonstration to demand the release of Monk Tim Sakhorn

In Australia, Khmer Krom people living there plan to hold a demonstration tomorrow, in front of the Vietnamese embassy in order to demand the release of former Monk Tim Sakhorn.

The demonstration is planned to take place in Canberra, on Thursday, with the participation of Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach, the leader of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) who is currently visiting Australia to seek for intervention help to exert pressure on the Vietnamese regime so that it releases Monk Tim Sakhorn.

Thach Ngoc Thach said: “On 16 August, our Khmer Krom brothers and sisters, as well as our Cambodian brothers and sisters will demonstrate in Canberra, Australia, in front of the Vietnamese embassy. This is a plan set up by KKF because I have to attend a meeting in Sydney on Saturday and Sunday, the demonstration was organized on Thursday, one day before the agreed upon date. Demonstration will be held in Cambodia and in Washington DC on 17 August, and the demonstration in France will take place on 19 August. One week later, a demonstration will also be held in Ottawa, Canada.”

Up until now, no Vietnamese embassy officials have reacted to the demonstration plans organized by Khmer Krom people all over the world.