Khmer M’chas Srok: 20 years after the Paris Peace Agreements, peace in Cambodia is an empty shell

Demonstration at the Trocadero Human Rights Plaze in Paris

23 October 2011
By Chheang Bopha
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Soch

20 years ago in France, on 23 October 1991, representatives from 18 countries and 17 representatives of various Cambodian factions, signed the Paris Peace Accords on Cambodia. On 23 October 2011, two international meetings organized by the Khmer M’chas Srok Movement (KMS) were held.

This year, on the 20th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia, the US-based Khmer M’chas Srok movement organized an international meeting at a hotel in Paris. Surya Subedi, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Cambodia, joined the meeting on Sunday 23 October 2011 where he discussed about the important tools used in the review of human rights issues. According to Mrs. Chak Sakhonn, the KMS president, the resident human rights representative in Cambodia is supposed to attend today’s meeting as well and he will discuss the topic of “people and human rights in Cambodia”.

On Sunday afternoon, like every year, Cambodian associations and members of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and of the Human Rights Party (HRP), as well as a number of other Cambodians, held a demonstration at the Trocadero Human Rights plaza near the Eiffel Tower.

The 23 October 1991 accords led to an end the civil war in Cambodia which followed the fall of the KR regime. France, who was the co-president of the Paris meeting with Indonesia, greeted the 20th anniversary of the signing of these agreements by issuing today a communiqué.

For France, the Paris Peace Agreements helped Cambodia set up a new constitution, democratic(?) institutions, an election and the repatriation of Cambodian refugees from camps in Thailand. It also led to the setting of a tribunal to try the former KR leaders.

During these 20 years, France contributed to help Cambodia to stand up again. For that, France is happy to see that Cambodia is moving to its future and that it is opening a new chapter in its economy. France, which was a signatory of the agreements, promises to help Cambodia to develop in the future.

Mrs. Chak Sakhonn agreed that Cambodia returned to peace following the Paris Peace Agreements, but it is just an empty shell-peace only. Cambodia moves forward but very slowly. She indicated that freedom rights for the opposition parties are restricted at the National Assembly. Furthermore, Cambodians are facing more dangers because not only do they lose their human rights, but they also lose their right to live. For example, under the name of economic developments, Cambodians are embroiled in numerous land disputes. Also corruption is rampant and a tribunal system that lacks independence discourages foreign investors.

Impunity on corrupt officials slows down the government even further in its march toward democracy. In Summary, 20 years after the Paris Peace Agreements, a number of positive steps were taken by the government, but a number of other issues which are prescribed by the constitution are not being put into application by the government, in particular in regards to the universal respect of human rights.

Khmer M'chas Srok's Conference in Sydney, Australia - 5-6 August 2011

Dr. Chak Sakhonn, President of Khmer Mchas Srok

Mr. Shwe Myint, the representative of the Burmese Association in Australia

Mr. Kat Dittavong, president of the Lao Community in Australia

Profesor Paul Redmond Chair; Diplomacy Training Program.
Former Dean Faculty of Law ,University of New South Wales.

Professor Hon. Gareth Evans

The Cultural  Khmer Music Band welcomes the Conference.

Professor Hon. Gareth Evans & Dr. Chak Sakhonn.

Non-independence of the Cambodian judicial system & Parliamentary Member Mu Sochua’s case

Click on the communiqué in Khmer to zoom in

Dr. Sakhonn CHAK

COMMUNIQUE

Non-independence of the Cambodian judicial system & Parliamentary Member Mu Sochua’s case

(Paris, July 14, 2010)

The majority of Cambodians as well as national and international observers, especially the UN Member States, authors of the 91 recommendations for Cambodia UPR (Universal Periodic Review) held at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 17, 2010 have expressed disappointment and regrets at the ruling of the Cambodian Court to prepare for a verdict to have Mrs. Mu Sochua imprisoned at Prey Sar State Prison. The 91 recommendations are for Cambodia to implement in order to improve the situation on the respect of human rights in the country.

On that day, March 17, 2010, in front of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Cambodia solemnly declared to accept all the 91 recommendations unreservedly. Therefore, Cambodia is bound according to recommendations 5, 6 and 41 to “reform the judicial system to ensure independence and justice”.

On June 17, 2010, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Surya Prasad Subedi, at the end of his ten-day fact-finding mission on the functioning of the judiciary, had also criticized the Cambodian judicial system. He raised specific concerns relating to the judiciary’s role in protecting freedom of expression, and the narrowing of political space for critical debate in society, “due to the disproportionate use of defamation, disinformation and incitement lawsuits against journalists, human rights activists and political opponents.”

If the Cambodian Court will issue the verdict to take Mrs. Mu Sochua to the prison, this will be an enormous proof to the world that Cambodia is not a country that respect human rights, and it seriously violates the agreements which the government signed with the international community especially with the United Nations (UN), such as the recent pledge made on March 17, 2010 to commit itself to reform and improve the country’s judicial system to ensure its “independence, impartiality and fairness” in the respect of human rights of its citizen.

On the contrary, the human rights of the Cambodian people have been violated in all aspects, not just the innocent Khmer people, the poor and the marginalized are victimized, but the high-ranking legislative parliamentary members also were abused such as the case of opponent party members, Sam Rainsy and Mu Sochua.

Khmer M’Chas Srok (KMS) sincerely admires and praises both PM (Parliament Member) of the opposition Party for their courage, especially Mrs. Mu Sochua who has bravely brought the case against the Cambodian Prime Minister to a court which she is fully aware that it is nothing but political tool and lone possession of the ruling Cambodian People Party (CPP). The main purpose is to reveal the face and to show the world, the absolute power of the current Cambodian government as well as to press for reform of the Cambodian judicial system for its independence which is necessary to ensure justice for Cambodia society.

We would like to remind that the acknowledgement and the promise made by the Cambodian Representative in his intervention “to ensure the reform of the judicial system to be absolutely independent” was duly noted by the international community, and all activities of the Cambodia government pertaining to this matter will be closely monitored and recorded.

Khmer M’Chas Srok (KMS) realized that the imprisonment of Mrs. Mu Sochua, PM Kampot province, in the next day, is a political suicide of the Cambodian government and the CPP (Cambodia People Party) because the government will be summoned to provide clarification about the reason of its non-respect (non-compliance) with the promise it made in the declaration to the United Nations in Geneva on March 17, 2010.

Khmer M’Chas Srok (KMS) continues to monitor and opposes all activities which violate the rights and freedom of the Khmer People and will resolutely fight for their end.

Paris, July 14, 2010

President of Khmer M’Chas Srok (KMS)
Dr. Sakhonn CHAK

Khmer M'chas Srok Team at the UN Universal Periodic Review in Geneva

Dr. Chak Sakhonn (in brown vest) gives her speech at the UN UPR

Click here to read the speech given by Dr. Chak Sakhonn

Khmer M'Chas Srok communique regarding January 7th, 2010

Dear Compatriots

Please find the following Khmer M'Chas Srok communique regarding January 7th, 2010.

Khmer Mchas Srok

Click on the statement in Khmer to zoom in

Khmer Mchas Srok Movement activities in Washington DC and New York, USA

Dr Chak Sakhonn proudly showing the Cambodian flag
Dr Chak Sakhonn and Mr. Sean Masavang
Dr Chak Sakhonn
Dr Chak Sakhonn

Dear Khmer Mchas Srok, Dear Compatriots

I have the honor to report the program of the Delegation of KMS in Washington DC and New York, USA last week (17 Nov-23 Nov-2009) to prepare the 6th Session of UPR in Geneva in December 2009:

1 - 19/Nov/2009 10:00: meeting with the UN Mission in Washington DC, USA

2 - 19/Nov/2009 at 11:30: meeting with the Officer for Asia Pacific at the State Department in Washington DC, USA

3 - 20 / Nov/2009 at 9:00 to 12:00: Participating in the ceremony of "20th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children" at the UN headquarters in New York (Opening remarks Mr. Ban Ki-moon), followed by a friendly lunch at the UN
4 - 20/Nov/2009 at 14:00: Meeting with the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN headquarters in New York
5 - 21/Nov/2009 afternoon: Meeting / Discussion with representatives of the Khmer Association in Washington DC on the current and future situation in Cambodia,

6 - 22/Nov/2009 10:00 - 17:00: Seminar followed by a Meeting / Public Debate, with the Khmer compatriots and Media (VOA and RFA) in Washington DC on Vietnamization in Cambodia

All these interviews and meetings with the international and Khmer community are actually beneficial to advance the objectives of KMS. They bring a wealth of information and encouragements to peacefully resolve the problems of Cambodia.

You will find enclosed some pictures of our mission in Washington DC and New York.

Good luck to you all for KMS Rally on 04 December 2009!

With all my Best regards

Dr Chak Sakhonn
Président de KMS
_________________________
Chers Khmer Mchas Srok, Chers Compatriotes

J'ai l'honneur de vous communiquer le programme de la Délégation de KMS à Washington DC et à NewYork -USA de la semaine dernière (17 Nov- 23 Nov-2009) pour préparer la 6ème Session de UPR à Genève en Décembre 2009 :
1- Le 19/Nov/2009 à 10:00: Entretien avec la Mission de l’ONU à Washington DC-USA,

2- Le 19/Nov/2009 à 11:30: Entretien avec le Responsable du Secteur Asie Pacifique au State Departement à Washington DC-USA,

3- Le 20 /Nov/ 2009 à 9:00-12:00: Participer à la cérémonie du "20e Anniversaire de la Convention de l'ONU sur les Droits des Enfants", au Siège des Nation à New York (Discours d'ouverture prononcé par M. Ban Kimoon), suivi d'un déjeuner amical à l'ONU,

4- Le 20/Nov/ 2009 à 14:00: Réunion avec le Haut Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme au siège des Nations Unies à New York,
5- Le 21/Nov/ 2009 après midi: Réunion/Discussion avec Les représentants des Associations Khmères à Washington DC sur la situation actuelle et future au Cambodge,
6- Le 22/Nov/ 2009 10:00 à 17:00: Séminaire suivi d'une Réunion/Débat Public, avec les compatriotes Khmers et les Médias (VOA et RFA) à Washington DC sur la Vietnamisation au Cambodge,

Tous ces entretiens et Réunions avec la Communauté Internationale et Khmère sont réellement bénéfiques pour faire avancer les objectifs de KMS. Ils nous apportent énormément d’informations et d’encourragements pour résoudre pacifiquement les problèmes du Cambodge.

Vous trouverez ci-joint quelques photos de notre mission à Washington DC et à New York.

Bon courage à vous tous pour le Manif du 04 Décembre 2009 !!!
Avec toutes mes considérations
Dr Chak Sakhonn
Président de KMS

Groups Push Adherence to Paris Accords

Please don't turn your computer screen! This photo simply shows the current status of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords: it's UPSIDE DOWN!

By Kong Sothanarith and Neou Sarem, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh and Washington
23 October 2009

Click here to listen to the audio program (MP3)

Cambodia had not yet reached “full liberty and freedom” - Sam Rainsy

Marking the anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords, which ended Cambodia’s civil war in 1991, opposition officials and rights groups on Friday urged signatory countries to use the agreement to settle a number of problems facing the country.

The peace agreement, signed by warring Cambodian factions and 18 nations, outlined a framework of sovereignty and independence, neutrality and national unity.

The groups pointed to the military standoff on the Thai border, weakened democratic mechanisms, attacks on freedoms, and the gap between rich and poor as reasons to renew efforts to follow the accords.

The Human Rights Party said in a statement the agreement had brought elections, non-governmental organizations, pluralism and an independent media. But, the party said, Cambodia still faces weaknesses in its democratic process, illegal immigration, incursions by foreign countries and a large gap between rich and poor.

“Those problems are concerns of Cambodian citizens,” HRP President Kem Sokha said. “The spirit of the Paris agreement was to bring development to Cambodia, but only rich men and powerful men benefit the most.”

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teacher’s Association and representative of the Cambodia Watchdog Council, insisted that Cambodian leaders respect the agreement.

Signatories of the agreement should be approached to stop an “invasion” by Thai soldiers, he said, referring to a military standoff in a border dispute near Preah Vihear temple.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said Cambodia did not need “foreign intervention.”

Cambodia was developing by the spirit of the accords, he said, including in “the development in the area of human rights, in the economy, in national defense and in democracy.”

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Friday Cambodia had not yet reached “full liberty and freedom.”

Ahead of the anniversary, groups in France urged more adherence to the accords, as well.

Before Prime Minister Hun Sen visited France in July, to celebrate that country’s independence day, the Cambodian community in France sent letters, e-mails and petitions to the office of the president, claiming the Paris accords had been abused over the past 18 years.

Cedric Goubet, chief of the French Cabinet, replied in a letter, saying the office was taking the complaints under consideration and had communicated concern to the French Foreign Ministry and the European Union’s office of Foreign Affairs.

The French advocates said the response gave them hope the accords were not dead.

“We have to unite among ourselves to find ways to convince France to pay more attention to the actual situation in Cambodia, to scrutinize respect of the Paris Peace Agreement by the [Cambodian] government, and ask all signatory countries to reconvene the Paris peace agreement,” said Chak Sakhonn, president of the French-based Khmer Mchas Srok Movement.

Sean Pengse, president of the Cambodian Border Committee, based in Paris, said his group was “happy” the French government continued “to respect the Paris Peace Agreement.”

“From now on, perhaps France will understand what we mean,” he said.

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the peace accords had been breached long ago, with the Khmer Rouge withdrawing from the deal to fight a campaign against the government and its then-new peace partners.

“That means the Paris Peace Agreement was already dead,” he said. “It is thanks to the goodwill of the State of Cambodia at the time that we continued to respect it.”

Cambodia’s thousands of non-governmental organizations, in a country of roughly 14 million, along with the start of a Khmer Rouge tribunal, were signs the government was following the spirit of the accords, he said.

That statement prompted a letter of response by the Khmer Mchas Srok movement in France, and Seng Pengse, requesting that the matter be brought before the UN.

“It is very good that Mr. Sean Pengse has brought up the matter of the abuse of this agreement by the Hun Sen government, to inform the French government, as [Cambodia] seems to have been taken advantage of by other countries,” said Ong Thong Hoeung, author of “J’ai cru aux Khmers rouges.” “If the Paris Peace Agreement is already dead, it means that [Cambodia] has no borders, because this agreement was a promise to help Cambodia have solid borders. For those who say the Paris Peace Agreement is already dead, it means people have no respect for the…borders.”

Dy Kareth, vice president of the Cambodian Border Committee, said international treaties such as the Paris Accords “never die.”

“For example, the French-Siamese agreement about [Cambodian] and [Thai] borders, in 1904 and 1907, was more than 100 years ago,” he said.

“I know that the Paris Peace Agreement is still in effect until now,” Son Soubert, a member of the Constitutional Council, said. “But please look back at the UN, which, while implementing the Paris Peace Agreement in Cambodia had violated it, and no one dared to protest. Some superpowers didn’t pay attention to it, and now it’s too late to correct it.”

Submission of the KMS Report for Universal Periodic Review 6th Session - Cambodia

Dear Readers,

On 01 October 2009, the Khmer M'Chas Srok (KMS) movement distributed the following letter and report to 192 members of the UN and NGOs defending Human Rigths in Cambodia, for the upcoming UN Human Rights Universal Period Review which will take place in Geneva between 30 November and 11 December 2009.

KI-Media

----------

October 01, 2009

FYI

Please find in the attachment file the:

Submission of the KMS Report for Universal Periodic Review 6th Session - Cambodia

As members of the Khmer M’Chas Srok (KMS) movement, we write to urge all Missions to the United Nations to participate actively in the Human Rights Council's review of Cambodia during the 6th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The Khmer M’Chas Srok (KMS) is a movement formed based on ideas and actions to bring all Khmer volunteers to serve the common interests of the Khmer people and the Khmer Nation. Our mission is to steer the Khmer society toward peace, prosperity, independence and national sovereignty and to defend the territorial integrity of Cambodia, as well as the rights and freedom of the Khmer people.

The UPR process offers a unique opportunity to assess publicly the human rights records of UN Member States. Cambodia will submit itself to the examination by the Human Rights Council during the 6th session in December 2009. As you know, any Member State can pose questions to the Government of Cambodia during the review and we hope you fully participate to assist in reviewing our human rights record in the spirit of positive cooperation to ensure the realization of human rights.

We believe that it is imperative for the UPR to include a full accounting of human rights conditions in Cambodia, including the multitude of abuses detailed by other NGOs, Stakeholders, as well as OHCHR Report on Human Rights Practices in Cambodia. Toward that end, the KMS has worked with the advice from the OHCHR to develop the enclosed 5 pages report under title “The Perpetual Violation Of The Khmer People’s Rights: An Extension Of The Khmer People Genocide?”

This report focuses on the selection of five major rights violations in Cambodia, each of them accompanied by suggested questions and recommendations for the review of Cambodia in December 2009. These questions cover a wide range of critical issues and abuses, including the Cambodian government's continuing crackdown on democracy activists, journalists, human rights defenders, its restrictions on freedom of expression, and widespread arbitrary detention and deprivation of due process. However, the last section brought by KMS, the “Warning Signs Of Perpetual Cultural Genocide – A Continuation Of Cruelty” will be essential, for the Human Rights Council to properly understands Cambodia.

The Cambodian people still require assistance from the outside world to confront the fact that former Khmer Rouge leaders are still in control of power in the current Cambodian government. In fact, it is this same group of former Khmer Rouge leaders who deny their participation in the genocide and have threatened Khmer people in order to prevent the prosecution and trial of additional Khmer Rouge leaders.

Sincerely,

(Signed)
Dr. Sakhonn CHAK
President of Khmer M'Chas Srok
Cell : +33-6-12 87 27 93 +33-6-12 87 27 93

President of Khmer Mchas Srok Movement visits Minnesota

Dr Chak Sakhoon, President of the Khmer Machas Srok Movement
Dr. Chak Sakhonn and Mr. Sean Masavang of the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement

Monday, September 28, 2009
Source: Khmer Mchas Srok Movement

Dr. Chack Sakhonn visits Minnesota in a second times to meet her supporters and update the current situation in Cambodia and the Khmer Mchas Srok‘s policy. On September 26. 2009 at 2:00pm about 100 supporters came to listen to her emotional speech and a presentation of real tragic pictures from Cambodia.
On her speech, Dr. Sakhonn focused on the critical issues that our people and nation are facing today: illegal immigrants, borders issues with neighboring countries, land grabbing by the powerful and rich, widespread corruption, national debt, unemployment, poverty, human rights violation, bias justice system, and unfair election.

Furthermore, Dr. Sakhonn accused Vietnam of trying to control Cambodia through the CPP puppet regime. She gave an example that the so-called Triangle Development Zone which contains 20 percent of Cambodia’s size and 30 percent of natural resources of the country but has only two hundred thousand Khmer population to joint with Vietnam’s 3 provinces that has more than 6 million population as a first step toward full Indochina Federation in the future.

At the end of her speech, Dr. Sakhonn appeal to all Khmers who live outside and inside the country to use their rights and voices as the Khmer Mchas srok to demand independence, sovereignty, and eternal peace for our nation, which guaranteed by the Paris Peace Accord in 1991.

For additional information about the Khmer Mchas Srok Movement, click here.

Cambodia is moving into the Indochinese Federation abyss: A Seminar Presented by Khmer M'Chas Srok Movement in Long Beach

Click on the English and Khmer announcements to zoom in

VENUE

When:
Saturday August 29, 2009
from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Where:
Guesthouse Hotel
5325 East Pacific Coast Hwy.
Long Beach, CA 90804
Room #293 - phone # (562) 597-1341

For additional information about the Khmer M'Chas Srok Movement, click here.

The 60th anniversary of the Human Rights of 10th December 1948: Khmer M'chas Srok

KMS-COM–DH-NY-10 DEC-08-32A

COMMUNIQUE

The 60th anniversary of the Human Rights of 10th December 1948

Esplanade of United Nations– New York - USA

According to the United Nations universal declaration on Human Rights in Paris, of 10th December 1948, all UN countries have fully endorsed the principle that: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights ... Everyone has the right to live and to have sufficient means to ensure the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care ...."

All democratic countries have established these rights and enabled laws at the national level to recognize respect and promote these fundamental rights for all human beings.

On the 60th anniversary of the universal declaration of the United Nations on Human Rights, citizens who live in the non-legislative nations, still suffer and endure abuse of their basic Human Rights.

Although Cambodia has pledged to comply with the Paris Peace Agreements dated 23rd October 1991 and to respect Human Rights by adopting a democracy and to rebuild the country, at present, Cambodia is not a legislative nation. Because of this, politicians, journalists, and patriots, are definitely not able to enjoy the value of genuine basic Human Rights. The latest clear evidence was during the elections of the 4th term of the legislative in July 2008. They include:

• Millions of Khmer people had been deliberately stripped of their right to vote by the government and names erased from the electoral rolls
• Several Khmer journalists and politicians have been intimidated, abused and oppressed and their right to speak freely violated when they exposed sensitive issues concerning the problems of bad governance. Some violations resulted in death. Legal proceedings are also been used as a tool to serve the dictatorship.
• Hundreds of thousand of Khmer people are without the right to have shelter, own land, feed the family, etc ... because the authorities have taken their land and forced them to move from their homes. Examples were the evacuation of the residents of Boeung Kak district, Sambok Chap and Dey Kraham villages etc…

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure and guarantee the respect for fundamental rights and defend the rights of innocent people. But this is not the case, however, as the Government of Cambodia, like any other dictatorship, deliberately violated the rights of its people. Even the international community has acknowledged the abuse which has been committed by the Cambodian Government and which still continues today and which the international community has had no effective method of preventing and protecting the rights of the Khmer citizens such as those described in the Universal Declaration of 10th December 1948.

In considering the cases cited above, and on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of the United Nations on Human Rights, Khmer M'Chas Srok is launching an appeal to the international community represented by the United Nations (UN) to establish a "Permanent International Mechanism" that provide the victims a special status, and immediate assistance from the International Red Cross (or other international organization within the Framework of Human Rights) and protection via the Permanent Security Council of the UN.

Only the existence of such a "Permanent International Mechanism" can reflect the true value of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the 10th December 1948, and its intrinsic value to defend the human dignity or any person of any people of our planet.

Paris 10th December 2008

Dr. Sakhonn CHAK
President of Khmer M'Chas Srok

Congratulation to Khmer M'chas Srok Movement for receiving honorific US Congressional Proclamation

Dr. Chak Sakhonn of the Khmer M'chas Srok movement showing the US Congressional Proclamation

Click on the translation in Khmer to zoom in

CONGRESSIONAL PROCLAMATION

In recognition of

Khmer M’Chas Srok

The national Union movement of all Khmer people for Real peace in Cambodia

WHEREAS: Khmer M’Chas Srok has dedicated itself to the independence , sovereignty, and peace of Cambodia and;

WHEREAS: Khmer M’Chas Srok is committed to the encouragement and promotion of cultural awareness and preservation among the Khmer people, and;

WHEREAS: we recognize the Khmer M’Chas Srok for having educated so many people on the current condition of Cambodia and on the vital importance for every country to be self-reliant and have a strong economy, and;

WHEREAS: The Fifth Congressional District has a large and active Cambodian community that invest their efforts into building peace in Cambodia, and;

WHEREAS: Khmer M’Chas Srok is devoted to prosperous future for all Khmer generation to live.

THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, That Khmer M’Chas Srok for their outstanding commitment to the Khmer people and for providing a positive message of community involvement and contribution, be hereby officially recognized for their exceptional dedication, and their continual commitment to establishing Real Peace in Cambodia.

Given this 30th day of August, in the year 2008, and in the 232nd year of the independence of the United States. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Congress of the United States.

NICOLA S. TSONGAS
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

SEAL of the U.S HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVE