Tim Sakhorn to be released by Vietnam22 September 2007
Kim Pov Sottan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
A meeting was held among Khmer Krom people on Friday afternoon, at Wat Samaki Raingsey Pagoda to celebrate the United Nations adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and more importantly, to push for the release of former Monk Tim Sakhorn.
Venerable Yoeung Sin, a Khmer Krom monk leader, said that this celebration took place smoothly, and did not meet with any problem, even though earlier, the authority came to issue threats to the gathering of Khmer Krom group.
Monk Yoeung Sin said: “On 20 (September), the deputy district governor, the city and district cult officials, the deputy commune chief, and police officials came to this pagoda, telling me to sign an agreement stating that if there is any carelessness, or if people would come to cause trouble to me, I will be held responsible in front of the law. Then, I told them that I am not signing any agreement at all.”
The first day of celebration was organized with Buddhist rituals under tight surveillance from the police. During the subsequent days of the celebration, foreign embassy officials, NGO officials and Khmer Krom people also came to participate in the celebration.
On that occasion, US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli gave his reaction on Khmer Krom issues for the very first time, he indicated that he praises the freedom (atmosphere) during this gathering. He added that the US will continue to closely follow up on the case of former Khmer Krom Monk Tim Sakhorn.
Ambassador Mussomeli said: “We are very concerned about this case, and the USA will continue to closely follow up on this case.”
Regarding the case of former Monk Tim Sakhorn, the Vietnamese TV station in An Giang province declared that Monk Tim Sakhorn will be released in the next few days, after the former monk confessed [most likely under duress] that he was influenced by propaganda made by a number of people which led him to undertake activities to undermine the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam.
Chau In, a representative of people who are protesting their land problems in Kampuchea Krom, said: “The An Giang province television station issued a broadcast … they talked about me and Venerable Tim Sakhorn who are involved with the (Khmer Kampuchea-Krom) Federation, they claimed that we will change ourselves, and they told the venerable to confess his mistakes. Based on what they said, they will release him in 2 to 3 days because, right now, they are looking for a doctor to take care of him.”
Monk Tim Sakhorn, the former abbot of Phnom Den pagoda in Takeo province, was defrocked by force by the Cambodian authority at the end of June, and he was accused of undermining the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam, he was later deported to South Vietnam to be jailed there.
After the defrocking and the imprisonment of a Khmer Krom monk in this manner, several organizations took turn to protest and condemn the Cambodian and the Vietnamese authorities, even until now.
Venerable Yoeung Sin, a Khmer Krom monk leader, said that this celebration took place smoothly, and did not meet with any problem, even though earlier, the authority came to issue threats to the gathering of Khmer Krom group.
Monk Yoeung Sin said: “On 20 (September), the deputy district governor, the city and district cult officials, the deputy commune chief, and police officials came to this pagoda, telling me to sign an agreement stating that if there is any carelessness, or if people would come to cause trouble to me, I will be held responsible in front of the law. Then, I told them that I am not signing any agreement at all.”
The first day of celebration was organized with Buddhist rituals under tight surveillance from the police. During the subsequent days of the celebration, foreign embassy officials, NGO officials and Khmer Krom people also came to participate in the celebration.
On that occasion, US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli gave his reaction on Khmer Krom issues for the very first time, he indicated that he praises the freedom (atmosphere) during this gathering. He added that the US will continue to closely follow up on the case of former Khmer Krom Monk Tim Sakhorn.
Ambassador Mussomeli said: “We are very concerned about this case, and the USA will continue to closely follow up on this case.”
Regarding the case of former Monk Tim Sakhorn, the Vietnamese TV station in An Giang province declared that Monk Tim Sakhorn will be released in the next few days, after the former monk confessed [most likely under duress] that he was influenced by propaganda made by a number of people which led him to undertake activities to undermine the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam.
Chau In, a representative of people who are protesting their land problems in Kampuchea Krom, said: “The An Giang province television station issued a broadcast … they talked about me and Venerable Tim Sakhorn who are involved with the (Khmer Kampuchea-Krom) Federation, they claimed that we will change ourselves, and they told the venerable to confess his mistakes. Based on what they said, they will release him in 2 to 3 days because, right now, they are looking for a doctor to take care of him.”
Monk Tim Sakhorn, the former abbot of Phnom Den pagoda in Takeo province, was defrocked by force by the Cambodian authority at the end of June, and he was accused of undermining the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam, he was later deported to South Vietnam to be jailed there.
After the defrocking and the imprisonment of a Khmer Krom monk in this manner, several organizations took turn to protest and condemn the Cambodian and the Vietnamese authorities, even until now.
6 comments:
We are going to pursue with all the legal possible means until Khmer Kampuchea Krom becoming an independent state!
Congratulation! When we are united We win!
Dear Khmer Compatriots.... We have to remember and be aware of vietnam's tactics.We have to be smart and humble but maintaining consistently our goals of our nation.We have to and continue claim our independent nation back from invaders and oppressors through international laws and United Nations supports.Keep up our precious actions for our children.
I agreed with you all my khmer brother. Let not stop here because the vietcong never gonna stop until they destroy everything that is khmer.
Khmer history and khmer education for the next generation is crucial.
its all our responsibility to continue the flame on and on.
""" we will unite """ the law is out there. if there is no demand, there will be no justice.
law is only good if its is enforced and demand of !!
khmer people must support and show up at every protest.
no voice, no justice.
Khmer people need justice.
alot of violation and oppression put upon khmer and cambodia.
too much, too many.
let stand up in anyway or forms,
let them know that we are speaking up and demanding justice.
let continue the work that needed to be done. for all khmer, for those who die during the pol pot error.
That make the Hanoi's servant CPP unhappy. Next time the CPP will not send unwanted khmer krom to Vietnam, but they will simply make them desappear.
AH KHNHOM YUON!
I hope he learn his lesson not to use religion as an instrument in politic.
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