ទមិឡវាយបង្ក្រាប ព្រះសង្ឃខ្មែរ - Devil CPP cops beating Cambodian monks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TSINVOaRLM

[Khmer Krom] Monks await justice

Khmer Krom and Buddhist monks gather yesterday at the grave of the venerable Eang Sok Thoeun. (Meng Kimlong/Phnom Penh Post)

Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Tep Nimol
The Phnom Penh Post

Khmer Krom and Buddhist monks gathered yesterday in the capital for a ceremony to mourn the five-year anniversary of the venerable Eang Sok Thoeun’s death, who was found with his throat slit in February 2007.

The body of Eang Sok Thoeun, a Khmer Krom monk, was found at the Tronum Chhroeung pagoda in Kandal the morning after he protested with some 300 other monks at the Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh, demanding improved treatment for ethnic Khmers in southern Vietnam.

Officials and monks from the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Association gathered yesterday at their murdered brethren’s grave in Dangkor district, calling for the government to arrest those responsible for his death.

“The authorities have not arrested the killer,” Kim Sisomna, a leader for the association said.

Incitement claim: Monk called to court over land protest

Ven. Sieng Sovannara

Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Tep Nimol
The Phnom Penh Post

A Kampuchea Krom monk was issued a summons yesterday to appear in a Phnom Penh court tomorrow to face accusations of incitement.

In a letter obtained by the Post yesterday, the investigating municipal judge, Duch Kimson, ordered Sieng Sovannra, a monk at the Samaki Raingsey pagoda, to attend an inquiry into his role in a protest led by Stung Meachey villagers and his fellow monks over a land dispute with a wealthy trader.

Duch Kimson said the summons marked the opening of an inquiry into the case.

He was not able to comment on the identity of the plaintiff, but said the case was filed “according to procedure.”

Khmer-Krom Buddhist Monk Defrocked by Vietnam Authority

http://www.box.com/s/c96ukm2lkg9dhmq956lm

Eulogy and funeral for Ven. Thach Moi

http://issuu.com/thepreynokornews/docs/thach_moi

Funeral for Ven. Yoeung Sin

The Extraordinary Buddhist Funeral Services for An Heroic Buddhist Monk, Ven. Vijaratanapanna Maha Yoeung Sin, on Oct. 29, 2010 at Wat Samakkiraingsey on the final day prior to the traditional Khmer Buddhist cremation cermony, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia

Friday October 29, B.E.2554, A.D.2010 Year of the Tiger

Click here to view more photos

Appeal for Ven. Thach Preichea Koeun in Cambodia

KHMERS KAMPUCHEA-KROM FEDERATION

Asia – Australia – Europe – North America.

P.O. Box 0193 • Pennsauken • NJ • 08110 • U.S.A. • Tel: (856) 655-3838 • Fax: (856) 583-1503
http://www.khmerkrom.net / www.khmerkrom.org • Email: thach.thach@khmerkrom.org

Urgent Appeal on the Case of Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach in Cambodia

To:

• International Human Rights Organizations,
• UN Human Rights Council,
• Democratic Governments,
• International Media

Precarious Situation of Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach:

• Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach is under constant threat of arrest by the Cambodian authorities in Cambodia

Reason for Threat of Arrest:

• Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach is currently a columnist/writer of the Prey Nokor newspaper in Cambodia.

Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach was born on January 20, 2981 in Giong Dau hamlet, Hoa An commune, Cau Ke district, Tra Vinh province, south Vietnam. Ven. Koeun Preichea Thach is currently a Cambodian citizen and resides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Ven. Koeun Preichea Thach is actively participated many conferences on Human Rights and International Religious Freedom in the Region.

Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach’s situation in Cambodia is as follow:

On April 5, 2010 the security agents from the Ministry of Religion and other officials from other agencies of the Government of Cambodia in Phnom Penh Capital came to arrest Ven. Koeun Preichea Thach at Botum Vadey temple in Phnom Penh where he resided at the time. The reason they came to arrest because the Venerable had hired some young men to circulate Prey Nokor newspaper on the streets of Phnom Penh Capital. The first attempt of arrest, Ven. Koeun Preichea Thach fled his residence at Botum Vadey temple for one night. After the intense negotiations by Mr. Ly Chuonn, the Editor of Prey Nokor newspaper, with the secret agents and officials of the government, and in the end a formal apology issued by the editor on behalf of the newspaper. On April 6, 2010, Ven. Koeun Preichea Thach was able to return to his residence at Botum Vadey temple without arrest.

On June 1, 2010, Ven. Koeun Preichea Thach decided to leave his residence at Botum Vadey temple for his personal security reason. Ven. Koeun Preichea Thach went to seek new residence at Ang Phor Thi Nhien temple in Meanchey district, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. On August 21, 2010, the secret agents from the Ministry of Religion of Cambodia government and the secret agents of the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen came to hold intensive talks with the Abbot of Ang Phor Thi Nhieng temple for the whole day on the case of the Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach’s taking-up residence at the temple. At 8:00pm of that same day, the Abbot of Ang Phor Thi Nhieng temple, Venerable Nouch Veasna demanded that Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach leave his temple immediately. Upon that demand by the temple Abbot, Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach departed the Ang Phor Thi Nhieng temple at 11pm the same day.

On August 27, 2010, Venerable Danh That, the Abbot of the Angtaminh temple in Don Ko district, Phnom Penh, Cambodia permitted Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach to take up residence on a temporary basis. However, his presence at the Angtaminh temple was not even a full day, the officials from the Cambodian Ministry of Interior under the directives of the officials from the Vietnamese Embassy to Cambodia, and the Vietnamese communist government in Hanoi, telephoned directly to Venerable Danh That to expel Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach from the Angtaminh temple without conditions. At 9:00PM August 27, 2010, Venerable Danh That asked Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach to leave his temple immediately if not leave Ven. Koeun must sign an agreement not to involve in Prey Norkor News. On August 29, 2010, the interior police ordered chief Monk Ven. Danh That to cease Ven. Koeun passport and Monkhood book.

For the above cases, we fear for Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach’s own safety and security under the constant threats from both repressive governments: the Cambodian government and the Vietnam government. On behalf of Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach, we seek the urgent attention of the international community to:

• Help closely monitor and help investigate the case of Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• Request that Cambodia and Vietnam uphold their commitments to human rights and to immediately stop terrorizing Venerable Keoun Preichea Thach on ground that he is a writer/columnist.
• Urge the Cambodia government and the Vietnam government to respect the rights of Venerable Koeun Preichea Thach.
• Urge the Vietnamese government to stop interfering with the Cambodia’s internal affairs.

(Signed) Thach Ngoc Thach
KKF President

Editor-in-chief of Prey Nokor News threatened and harassed by the Cambodian authority and the Viet embassy in Phnom Penh

Venerable Thach Preichea Koeun, Editor-in-chief of the Prey Nokor News

Venerable Thach Preichea Koeun threatened by the Cambodian authority for his involvement with Prey Nokor News

31 August 2010
VOKK.net
Translated from Khmer by Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

A letter sent over by Venerable Thach Preichea Koeun, the Editor-in-chief of the Prey Nokor news, that the Voice of Kampuchea Krom (VOKK) Radio received today, indicated that the Cambodian authority threatened him by accusing him of involvement with the Prey Nokor newspaper.

The report indicated that on 05 April 2010, a group of cops, officials from the ministry of Cult and Religion, the city hall, as well as cops from Phnom Penh city’s Daun Penh district, came to surround monk housing No. 17 located at Wat Botumvatey Pagoda, the residence of Ven. Thach Preichea Koeun, with the intention of arresting him. However, Ven. Thach Preichea Koeun fled his residence on time as he did not feel safe there.

He then went to stay at Wat Ang Pothinhean Pagoda at the outskirt of Phnom Penh city until this past 26 August. Then, he met with the same problem again when a group of cops and officials from the ministry of Cult and Religion came to threaten him for the second time. Due to lack of security and his fear of being arrested by the Cambodian authority, on 27 August, he fled to live at Wat Ang Taminh Pagoda, located in Dangkao district, Phnom Penh city. As soon as he arrived at Wat Ang Taminh, cops from the ministry of Interior and officials from the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh, as well as Vietnamese cops from Hanoi called to force the abbot of Wat Ang Taminh Pagoda to refuse to provide refuge for Ven. Thach Preichea Koeun.

Up to now, Ven. Thach Preichea Koeun is still staying at Wat Ang Taminh Pagoda, but cops from the ministry of Interior ordered the abbot of the pagoda to confiscate his ID card and his passport on 29 August.

In his letter, Ven. Thack Preichea Koeun, the Editor-in-chief of the Prey Nokor News, called on the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation (KKF), on the various local and international human rights organizations to help intervene in his case and to help provide safety for him as well.

Vietnam Authority Denies a Khmer Krom Buddhist Monk to Visit His Family in His Ancestral Land

Venerable Thach Vesna

KHMERS KAMPUCHEA-KROM FEDERATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pennsauken, NJ, USA, 2 April 2010

On April 1, 2010, a Khmer-Krom Buddhist monk, Venerable Thach Vesna flying from Bangkok to Prey Nokor (renamed Ho Chi Minh) city was denied entry into the country. A student monk studying in Thailand and the holder of a Cambodian passport, Venerable Thach Vesna was planning to celebrate the Cambodian New Year with his family in Preah Trapeang (renamed Tra Vinh) province.

At 9a.m, Venerable Thach Vesna arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and handed his Cambodian passport to a Vietnamese immigration officer. The Vietnamese immigration officer denied his entry stating that it was of “National Security Concern”.

When Venerable Thach Vesna asked them to explain what they meant by “National Security Concern”, the Vietnamese immigration officers could not give a legitimate answer. Instead, they tried to force him to fly back to Bangkok.

When the Vietnamese immigration officers realised that Venerable Thach Vesna refused to go back to Bangkok, they summoned thirty police officers to monitor him. Three of them closely followed Venerable Thach Vesna even when he went to use the restroom. They denied his attempts to contact the Cambodian Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City.

With officers surrounding and monitoring his movements, Venerable Thach Vesna could not go and find food for his once a day meal. According to Theravada Buddhism, the Buddhist monks cannot eat food after 12p.m., thus he did not eat anything since the 12p.m. the previous day.

When the plan to convince Venerable Thach to go back Bangkok failed, the officers tried to recruit Venerable Thach Vesna as a secret agent to monitor the activities of the Khmer-Krom living abroad. Venerable Thach Vesna refused to cooperate with them.

With the last flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok leaving at 6p.m. and Venerable Thach Vesna refusing to leave, the Vietnamese polices resorted to the use of physical force to remove him from the immigration area to the gate of the airplane.

Vietnam has been elected as the President of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2010. Vietnam should set an example by respecting the visa exemption agreement between Cambodia and Vietnam to allow their citizens to freely travel between their two countries.

Venerable Thach Vesna is merely a Khmer-Krom Buddhist monk, who practices the non-violence principles of Buddhism and carries a legitimate Cambodian passport. He has no criminal record; all he wanted to do was visit his family during the Cambodian New Year.

In this regards, we would like to urge the Vietnamese government to stop using tactics and excuses of “National Security Concern” to stop Khmer-Krom living abroad from visiting their families in their ancestral land of Kampuchea-Krom. Especially, if the Vietnamese authorities do not have a valid excuse to deny Venerable Thach Vesna’s right to visit his family.

Kamnap: Th'ngai Na Toeub Khmer P'nheak Kluon, a Poem in Khmer by Son Samrach

Pictures from the Funeral & Memorial Services of The Most Ven. Sovannapanno Thach Suon

Respected Venerables,
Compatriots, Press,
Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please find below the link to the recent pictures taken during the 15th and 16th days of the Funeral and Memorial Services for The Most Venerable Sovannapanno Thach Suon. His Most Ven. passed away at the age 80 at Wat Kampuchea Krom in Northern Virginia.

http://www.templenews.info/galleries/galleries.htm

His Most Ven. Sovannapanno Thach Suon was born in Kampuchea Krom (former territory of Cambodia). His holy body will be transported back to his hometown from the United States.

He fled Kampuchea Krom due to human and religious rights oppression and crackdown in the 1980s by communist Vietnamese authorities.

France transferred Kampuchea Krom to Vietnam on June 4, 1949.

Templenews TV and staff have the final opportunity to capture the activities at the services.

We wish to share these auspicious and sad events with you, your family, Buddhist clergies, and our beloved compatriots.

Please kindly visit us again as Templenews staff continue to upload more pictures from the ceremony.

Loving Kindness and Compassion,

Templenews

Obituary

On behalf of Khmers Kampuchea-Krom, we would like to sadly announce the passing of Respectful Venerable Thach Suon, 80 years old, at Noon, on Saturday, January 26, 2008, in Virginia State, USA.

Before passing away, Venerable Thach Suon stayed at Wat Khmer Kampuchea Krom in Virginia State, USA. He originally came from Wat Sla-Pang, Rumdoul Commune, Tra Kou district, Preah Trapeang Province, Kampuchea Krom.

Our deepest sympathy and prayers go to the surviving relatives of Venerable Thach Suon. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

For more information regarding to the funeral of Venerable Thach Suon, please contact

• Mr. Thach Ngoc Chia at 703-220-1109 or
• Mr. Thach Phol at 703-434-9703

Thank you!

Khmer Krom Monks prevented from commemorating a “Bang Skol”

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir
Unofficial translation from French by Luc Sâr

Click here to read Cambodge Soir’s original article in French

In the province of Kandal, a group of Khmer Krom monks was not authorized to organize a ceremony for one of their brethren who was found dead in his room on February 28, under unclear conditions.

Yesterday, a group of Khmer Krom monks could not organize a religious ceremony, “Bang Skol,” in the Tronum Chroeung pagoda, Boeng Thom commune, Kandal province, in order to “free” the spirit of their brethren, Ieng Sokthoeun, who was found dead in his room on February 28. The police then concluded that is was a suicide due to drug, a conclusion which is questioned by the Khmer Krom compatriots of the deceased monk.

The refusal by the provincial authority to the request of the religious commemoration is an act of non-respect to religion, Yoeun Sin, President of the Khmer Krom Monks Association, stormed about. “This is the second time that we try to pay a tribute to him. The first time, the authorities blamed us of not making an official request. But this time, we sent an official request to all the authorities involved, they all rejected it by pointing to another group as being responsible for making the decision. It is unbelievable! We just want to organize a small ceremony, it’s not much, why they prevent us?” he stormed about, while deploring at the same time that the legal investigation on the death of Monk Ieng Sokthoeun did not progress at all.

As soon as the government officials will return to work, the untiring President of the Khmer Krom Monks will send in another request to the Phnom Penh municipality, but this time, it is for a demonstration. According to him, “all the Khmer Krom associations want to gather this Friday to denounce the tortures and all kinds of repressions perpetrated by the Vietnamese authorities against the Khmer Krom monks.” He added that this demonstration will be echoed all around the world, wherever Khmer Krom people are living.

Khmer Krom monks are threatened and tailed

20 March 2007
By Sophorn
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

The group of Khmer Krom monks residing at the Samaki Raingsey pagoda, Sangkat Stung Meanchey, Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh city, claims that they are facing threats and are being tailed by suspicious people. These activities led the monks to worry about their safety and security.

Monk Yoeung Sin, the president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Monks Association (KKKMA) told RFA today that the Khmer Krom monks have been threatened over the phone by unknown people, furthermore, group of suspicious looking men came to the pagoda by motorcycles and tried to find out details about some Khmer Krom monks.

Monk Yoeung Sin said the activities of these suspicious men took place at the Samaki Raingsey pagoda on 16 March, the same day a group of about 60 Khmer Krom monks attempted to enter the Tronum Chreung pagoda, located in Kandal province, to hold a religious ceremony for the deceased Khmer Krom monk named Eang Sok Thoeun, and to demand for an investigation into the cause of death of the monk.

Monk Yoeung Sin said: “There are numerous incidents occurring by phone, by the presence of groups of 7 to 8 motorcycles bearing the Flying Tiger (police force) which came to the pagoda at past 9 PM, they made a lot of noise with their engine, and they entered the monks residence by yelling that they were lost. During daytime, there are people who came to inquire about the number of monks in the pagoda, where the monks are, how come the monks cannot be seen in the pagoda. I told them that the monks went out, they went to school etc… These activities took place more than a week ago, they started when Khmer Krom monks asked to dig out the body of monk Eang Sok Thoeun. Since then, all these incidents occurred.”

Local police authorities cannot be contacted for clarifications.

Sim Saphon, the deputy police chief in Khan Meanchey, said today that he never received the information reported by Khmer Krom monks, because he is not involved in legal cases.

Sim Saphon said: “I did not receive [this information]. I am only in charge of statistics, as far as threats etc…, I am not in charge of them … I am in charge of other works that are of different type.”

RFA made several attempts to contact Khieu Sopheak, the spokesman of Ministry of Interior, to obtain additional information about these threats, however, he refused to accept the call.

Ung Sen Karuna, an official of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Human Rights Organization (KKKHRO), recognizes that there are worrisome activities which took place at the Samaky Raingsey pagoda where numerous Khmer Krom monks are currently residing. He confirmed that there are suspicious people who are following the activities of the monks residing in the pagoda, he said that his organization received the same attention as well.

Ung Sen Karuna said: “In this pagoda, it’s not only the monks [who are affected]. During the incident period, I gave Mr. Son Savang a motorcycle ride from the pagoda to Phsar Deum Kor so he can take the bus to Takeo province, they even tailed us during the motorcycle trip. So much so that we have to flee from them, it’s only when they lost our trace that I dropped him at the bus station. In this pagoda (Samaky Raingsey), there are suspicious people who come and go, and they are always investigating everybody. The other day, we went for a meeting at the UNHCR office, when we got out, there was someone taping us with a camera right in the middle of the street. These surveillance activities took place a while ago already.”

Investigation into deceased Khmer Krom monk ordered, but it may be already too late

Court orders an investigation into the death of Khmer Krom monk

19 March 2007
By Sav Yuth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

An official of the Kandal court indicated that an order has been issued to the police authority to initiate an investigation into the case of a Khmer Krom monk who died in the Tronum Chreung pagoda, Boeng Thom commune, Ang Snuol district, Kandal province.

Huot Vuthy, the prosecutor of the Kandal province court, said that on Monday, he summoned the Kandal province police authority and ordered an investigation into a number of doubtful proofs [body marks left on the monk’s body at the time of his death].

Huot Vuthy said: “We are currently investigating, I summoned the police for questioning already, soon we will travel to the pagoda to question at the pagoda …”

Human rights group said that they welcome the decision to investigate this case, however, the group believes that it may be already too late for an investigation because the monk body may already have been decomposed by now and crucial investigation proofs may have already been lost.

Proofs on the monk body may be lost

Dr. Pung Chiv Kek, president of the Licadho human rights group, was not pleased about the situation because the proofs [of possible murder] left on the body of the Khmer Krom monk could have been lost already.

Dr. Pung Chiv Kek said: “It is regretful that it may be too late already. When the monk recently died, the investigation should have been initiated so that the results may be known by everybody, especially by the monk’s family members and by the Khmer Krom Human Rights Organization which is following this case. We believe that it has been too long and there is no result at all from the police authority. It is very regretful.”

Khmer Krom monk Eang Sok Thoeun was found dead for no apparent reason at the Tronum Chreung pagoda in the evening of 27 February, and his body was buried in haste at 3:00 AM in the early morning of 28 February. The death occurred right after a group of Khmer Krom monks held a demonstration in front of the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh.

Khmer Krom monks association and human rights groups had pushed the Kandal province court twice to order an investigation into doubtful marks reported on the monk’s body.

On 16 March, a tense confrontation took place between more than 300 villagers supporting the abbot of the Tronum Chreung pagoda – who prevented the removal of the dead monk body from his grave – and 60 Khmer Krom monks along with a group of human rights activists who wanted to hold a prayer at the deceased monk burial ground.

Cambodian authority, like its communist VN counterpart, prevents Khmer Krom monks from praying for dead monk

Khmer Krom Monks praying in the middle of a rice field under the scorching sun. (Photo: Huntington News Network)

Authority prevents Khmer Krom monks from praying

16 March 2007
By Sav Yuth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A mixed police force spread on the road leading to the Tronum Chroeung pagoda located in Boeng Thom commune, Ang Snuol district, Kandal province, since early Friday morning to prevent a group of about 60 Khmer Krom monks, human rights activists, and reporters from approaching the grave of a Khmer Krom monk who died under mysterious circumstance recently.

At least two Khmer Krom monks collapsed when the police was trying to prevent them to pray near the grave. The monks did not budge and they sat down and prayed in a empty rice field under the scorching sun of the dry season.

Monk Yoeung Sin, President of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom monks, said that he and several Khmer Krom monks came to this location for only one reason: to pray for the deceased monk, however, the police prevented them from approaching the grave. The police officers claimed they received their order from their superiors.

Monk Yoeung Sin said: “The cops are standing there, they said that they have gathered people to prevent us from approaching [the grave] to pray. I don’t know what to do now because … they are preventing us from going nearby, it’s a shame.”

Yesterday, Mean Samnang, the deputy police chief of Ang Snuol district, did not explain why the police took this action. He only said that he does not know about the situation because he is busy attending a meeting in Takhmao. “I am in Takhmao right now, I am in a meeting,” he said.

Human rights activists attempted to approach the area also but they were prevented by the police which did not allow anyone the entrance to the Tronum Chroeung pagoda where the grave of the deceased Khmer Krom monk is located.

Dr Pung Chiv Kek, President of the Licadho human rights group, said that she attempted to enter the Tronum Chroeung pagoda in order to help mediate the disagreement between the Khmer Krom monks and the police force, but she was prevented by the police to enter the pagoda.

Dr Pung Chiv Kek said: “I arrived there, they stopped me right in front of the pagoda, they did not let me in. Licadho had sent our observers in the early morning, some of whom were already inside the pagoda. This situation is not right because several monks, about 50 to 60 of them, first they asked to remove the body out the grave for a cremation according to the custom, but they were not successful. Then, secondly, the monks said, if it is too difficult, they are only asking to pray there, and even that they were prevented to do so because the police is afraid of violence because of the presence of a group of people who do not allow the removal of the dead monk body. So much prevention, I just don’t understand. I saw people who committed very serious crimes, like Saddam Hussein, but when he was sentenced to be hanged, his body was returned back to his family.”

NGO human rights groups said that the confrontation between the villagers who are supporting the abbot of the Tronum Chroeung pagoda who prevented the Khmer Krom monks from entering the grave site, was quite worrisome.

Chan Saveth, an Adhoc human rights observer, said: “The mixed police forced did not allow human rights activists and reporters to follow or observe the situation. Furthermore, a large number of villagers in the Tronum Chroeung pagoda – about 300 of them – were standing ready to use violence against the Khmer Krom monks to prevent them to pray at the grave site. The representative of the Khmer Krom monks attempted to negotiate with the abbot of the Tronum Chroeung pagoda, but the abbot refused to come out to discuss and he also refused any demand. It seems like all these villagers are angry with the group of Khmer Krom monks. According to some of the villagers, they said that they are unhappy with the fact that radio and newspapers reported that the [deceased Khmer Krom] monk was killed in the Tronum Chroeung pagoda. This news report greatly affects their pagoda, the place of their worship.”

In a letter sent to the Khmer Krom monks on 15 March, Oum Nhean, the abbot of the Tronum Chroeung pagoda, absolutely refused the removal of the body of deceased Khmer Krom monk, Eang Sokthoeun, and giving him a proper religious final rite.

The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) which regroups 23 organizations, issued a statement today saying that the prevention by the authority is a serious violation on the freedom of cultural and religious gathering rights which are guaranteed by the constitution of the kingdom of Cambodia.

Death of a Khmer Krom monk: Some associations denounce the lack of investigation

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

By Ung Chansophea
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Click here to read Cambodge Soir's original article in French

Several associations have denounced the slowness of the justice following the mysterious death of a Khmer Krom monk in a Kandal province pagoda.

The death of a monk from Kampuchea Krom, who was found with a slit throat in his room on 28 Feb, in the Boeng Thom commune, Ang Snuol district, Kandal province, still remains shrouded with mystery. Local authorities maintain the suicide under the influence of drug motive, whereas the associations suspect an assassination.

On March 5, six NGOs, including Licadho and Adhoc, sent a letter to the Kandal provincial court asking for an investigation into the case. Ang Chanrith, the executive director of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Human Rights Organization (KKHRO), denounced the lack of reaction from the Kandal court which did not respond to a request for an autopsy of the monk who was buried at night on the same day of his death.

Monk Yoeun Sin, President of the Association of Khmer Krom Monks based in Phnom Penh, also demanded up to now, in vain, for an investigation and an autopsy.

Huot Vuthy, the prosecutor in charge of this affair, answered that an investigation was opened, but that it must be conducted step by step, according to the legal procedure.

Human Rights Groups push for investigation in the death of a Khmer Krom monk

07 March 2007
By Sav Yuth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

A local human rights activist group, the Khmer Krom Human Rights Organization (KKHRO), and 5 representatives of the committee for the defense of human rights in Cambodia, met and discussed with court officials from the Kandal province yesterday morning, to push the court to revisit doubts on the murder of a Khmer Krom monk who was found dead recently. Their aim was to find a way to open the way for a proper investigation into this case.

An investigator with the Adhoc human rights group, one among the group of 4 other human rights activists, who went to meet and talk with court officials yesterday morning, said that human rights group demanded that Huot Vuthy, the prosecutor of the Kandal province, investigate on a number of points where doubts remain: “We demanded that (1) the prosecutor recognizes that doubts still exist regarding possible assassination; (2) we demanded him to investigate on a number of points which civil societies are raising doubts on. If we cannot count on the prosecutor to fulfill these investigations, then the entire case would be a complete failure.”

Huot Vuthy refused to provide any comment on how the court will decide. He claimed that he was too busy [to talk with a reporter].

On 27 February, the same date that several Khmer Krom monks have demonstrated in front of the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh, to demand that Vietnam put an end to the oppression it was exerting on Khmer Krom monks, one Khmer Krom monk, monk Eang Sok Thoeun, who stayed at Tronom Chroeng pagoda, Boeng Thom commune, Ang Snuol district, Kandal province, died under mysterious circumstances, and his body was buried in haste in the middle of the night.

Kandal police claimed that the monk death was caused by suicide, however human rights group and the opposition party denied the police claim because it was observed that the victim bore several suspicious marks which include stabbing and burns. Furthermore, the monk body was buried in secret.

Regarding the case of Khmer Krom monks [defrocked and jailed by the Vietnamese authority], on Wednesday, the Khmer Kampucha-Krom association sent a letter to Hor Namhong, the vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, asking him to intervene with the Vietnamese government to immediately end the arrest of 9 Khmer Krom monks, and to demand their release from the Khleang province (Soc Trang in Vietnamese) jail. The jailing of the 9 monks is a violation of their religious freedom.

Will the Hun Sen regime heed Khmer Krom call on the gov't to intervene in the detentions of Khmer Krom monks by Vietnam? Where's the King?

Appeals Continue for Ethnic Group in Vietnam

Chun Sakada
VOA Khmer
Washington
07/03/2007

Adding its voice to a chorus of appeals, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Association Wednesday called on the government to intervene in the detentions of ethnic minority monks living in Vietnam.

Vietnam authorities have defrocked as many as 16 monks since late February, and a number of them are held in prison, Thach Setha, president of the association, said Wednesday.

"Either the Vietnam authorities lessen their grip or they release those monks," Thach Setha said. "Two hundred monks are facing arrest, Khmer schools are closed and Buddhist monks at some pagodas are prevented from leaving the temples. The human rights situation in the Khmer Kampuchea Krom region is serious."

The issue of such imprisonments and other alleged rights abuses in Vietnam is incendiary among Cambodian activists who claim the lower Mekong Delta region, where many members of the ethnic group live, does not rightfully belong to Vietnam. Several groups in recent weeks have made similar appeals.

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the government does pay attention to the minority group, but that appeals should be made through Cambodian diplomatic channels in Vietnam, not through Cambodian media.

"The governments must talk between governments," he said. "Cambodian diplomats defend Cambodians who live in Khmer Kampuchea Krom," but if groups issue appeals through the press "it will not solve the problem."

This appeal comes less than a month before scheduled elections in Cambodia. In the past, the plight of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom people has been used as a political rallying point for different parties.

Opposition party leader Sam Rainsy made an appeal Wednesday to the United Nations and the international community to intervene in human rights abuses, especially Cambodian Buddhist monks in Vietnam.

"The Sam Rainsy Party condemns Vietnamese authorities who put pressure on our compatriots in Khmer Kampuchea Krom," he said.

Muth Chantha, spokesman for the Norodom Ranariddh Party, called the arrests "a serious human rights abuse."

"The Norodom Ranariddh Party, especially prince Norodom Ranariddh, is very saddened by the news of the arrest of 16 Buddhist monks and their imprisonment, as they were peacefully protesting their rights," he said.

The latest appeal follows a demonstration last month in front of the Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh where monks and activists gathered to demand more rights for the group. That demonstration coincided with the first official visit of Vietnam's president to Cambodia, and, shortly after, a monk was found dead, his throat slit, in what activists say was likely murder but police maintain was suicide.

Khmer Krom monks demonstrating at Samaky Raingsey Pagoda [in Phnom Penh]

Khmer Krom monks holding banners and voicing their protest using loudspeakers (Photo: Uk Sav Bory, RFA)

Khmer Krom monks holding a large banner saying: "Down with the atheist Vietnamese government" (Photo: Uk Sav Bory, RFA)

03 March 2007
By Uk Sav Bory
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Almost 100 Khmer Krom Buddhist monks held a peaceful demonstration at Samaky Raingsey pagoda, located in Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh in the afternoon of Friday 02 March. The demonstration was help to demand that the Vietnamese government put an end to the defrocking of Khmer Krom monks in Khleang province (Soc Trang in Vietnamese) and asking Vietnam to reinstate the 9 monks who have been defrocked by its government.

Several banners were raised and the demonstrators used loudspeakers to voice out their protest against the defrocking of monks, as well as against the threats made to defrock several hundreds other Buddhist monks in Khleang province by the Viet authority.

Monk Yoeung Sin, President of the association of Khmer Kampuchea Krom monks, said that the 9 Khmer Krom monks who were defrocked by the Vietnamese last month, are still being jailed in Khleang province.

Monk Yoeung Sin said: “We are all trying to preserve our national culture, our customs, our literature, but the communist Vietnamese authority is trampling on them all the time. Even though we are now in the 21st century with a lot of progress made in the world, the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is still trampling on the religious freedom of Khmer Krom people, the Viets are discriminating against other nationalities.”

Monk Yoeung Sin said that even the peaceful demonstration held today was authorized by the Phnom Penh municipality, several hundreds of other Khmer Krom monks who are residing in other pagodas in the city were prevented from attending today’s demonstration.

Khmer Krom monks coming from Botumvatey pagoda (Wat Botum) who participated in the demonstration, said that in pagodas where Khmer Krom monks reside, the abbot of the pagoda warned them that any Khmer Krom monk who participate in Friday’s demonstration will face the consequence regarding monk rules which prevent them from being involved in politics. Nevertheless, to express their desire for freedom, to let the world know the hardship of Khmer Krom people, the Botum pagoda monks must participate in this demonstration. They said: “We are facing a lot of difficulties to come to participate in today’s demonstration. We have to take several detours in order to get here.”

Monk Em Virak who lives in Ounalom pagoda, said that there is no pressure in his pagoda to force them not to participate in the demonstration. However, he said that information about the demonstration sent by the association of Khmer Krom monks was not received by all pagodas, therefore, some monks were not able to come and demonstrate.

Monk Em Virak said: “The request to hold the demonstration looked like a private request, there was no general announcement made so that all monks know about it.”

Chan Savet, an official with the Adhoc human rights organization, said that the authorization for the Friday peaceful demonstration was given only to show to the world that Cambodia has democracy. However, democracy in Cambodia is in fact very limited because not all monks could leave their pagodas to come and participate in the demonstration. Furthermore, the municipality only allows the demonstration to be held for 1 hour only, therefore Khmer Krom monks do not have enough time to speak out to the public about the hardships faced by Khmer Krom monks.

The demonstration held on Friday afternoon was allowed after the unsuccessful demonstration held on 27 Feb [in front of the Viet embassy].