Tuesday, August 24, 2010

KKC denounces the detention of former Khmer Krom Monk Thach Sophon by Vietnam


The Statement

The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, KKC, strongly condemns the authorities of colonial Vietnam for detaining Mr. Thach Sophon, former Buddhist Abbot of Wat Kampong Khsanda in Preah Trapeang provincial town (Vietnamese renamed Travinh), on July 29, 2010, after His Venerable freshly left the monkhood, by accusing him of working for the Khmer Kampuchea Krom movement to oppose the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. At the present time, Mr. Thach Sophon is being detained and tortured in the Preah Trapeang provincial prison of southern region of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Since the day of his arrest up to now, the authorities of colonial Vietnam does not allow his family to visit him or notify them the detaining location of Mr. Thach Sophon. This is a serious human right violation committing upon the Khmer Kampuchea Krom people, the indigenes of Kampuchea Krom (South Vietnam).

KKC appeals to the authorities of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release Mr. Thach Sophon unconditionally so that he is free to reunite with his family, and the Royal Government of Cambodia, and the national and international organizations to intervene through legal means to have the authorities of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release Mr. Thach Sophon immediately and unconditionally.

KKC, both in the kingdom and abroad, reaffirms that our activities fall under the legal human rights framework as stipulated in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United Nations Charter, is not using political or military force to oppose or overthrow the Hanoi government.

Phnom Penh August 22, 2010
KKC Executive Director
[ Signed & Sealed ]

Thach Setha
Phnom Penh Councilman
Senator of Cambodia, 1999-2006

No comments: