KKC deplores Takeo court for convicting 3 persons and a Khmer Krom Buddhist Monk
Tuesday August 31, B.E.2554, A.D.2010 Year of the Tiger
The Statement
The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, KKC, strongly deplores the decision of the Takeo provincial court for convicting Mr. Thach Le, Mr. Thach Vannak, Mr. Leang SokJoeun, NGO LICADHO employee, to 2 years term and 2 million riels fine to each, and tried the Venerable Thach Kong Phuong in absentia to 3 years and 6 million riels fine (U.S. $1,430) on August 30, 2010 for disinformation for their alleged roles in distributing leaflets opposing the January 7th .
According to the 1993 Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, article 41 stated as followed:
Khmer citizens shall have freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly. No one shall exercise this right to infringe upon the rights of others, to affect the good traditions of the society, to violate public law and order and national security. The regime of the media shall be determined by law. The charges by the Takeo provincial court levied upon Thach Le, Thach Vannak, Leang SokJoeun, and Ven. Thach Kong Phuong are unjust and not acceptable. For those opposed the January 7th and marked as the day Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia, are the national and the international communities that led the international community to pressure Vietnam to withdraw its troops from Cambodia and armed resistance along the Khmer-Thai borders to oppose the January 7th and ultimately led to the October 23, 1991 Paris Peace Accord. Currently, the opposition party and media strongly criticize the January 7th day. Why are they not being penalized?
On the contrary, Thach Le, Thach Vannak, Leang SokJoeun and Ven. Thach Kong Phuong oppose the January 7th day to gain what benefit for they are not the opposition party and a struggle movement to topple the government?
Based on the investigation conducted by the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, all the accused are not related to the charges levied by the Takeo provincial court.
KKC appeals to the Appeals Court and Supreme Court to re-examine the decision of the Takeo provincial court and to dismiss the charges against Thach Le, Thach Vannak, Leang SokJoeun and Ven. Thach Kong Phuong.
Phnom Penh, August 31, 2010
[ Sealed ]
The Secretariat
The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community
KKC requests King Norodom Sihamoni to help ease the situation of Khmer citizens in Kampuchea Krom when His Majesty is expected to meet visiting VN president Nguyen Minh Triet
Tuesday August 24, B.E.2554, A.D.2010 Year of the Tiger
KKC Letter No. 39/10
KKC, on behalf of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom associations-organizations, on Aug. 24, 2010 writes to King Norodom Sihamoni to discuss 3 Khmer Krom issues with the planned three-day, Aug. 26 - 28, state visit of VN president Nguyen Minh Triet to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:
1. Releases all Khmer people being detained and imprisoned in land dispute and freedom of expression cases.
2. Allows Khmers to establish associations and civic organizations on their own land.
3. Allows Khmers to study Khmer language, literature, practice their custom and eliminate all forms of intimidation and harassment.
KKC condemns the authorities of colonial Vietnam for detaining former Buddhist Abbot of Wat Kampong Khsanda Thach Sophon in Preah Trapeang provincial prison
Monday August 23, B.E.2554, A.D.2010 Year of the Tiger
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
Tuesday August 17, B.E.2554, A.D.2010 Year of the Tiger
Courtesy The Voice of America Radio, Men Kimseng
Retired VOA Khmer staff Meas John and Ang Khen dropped by the service, to celebrate VOA Khmer's 55th anniversary. Photo Im Sothearith
The Voice of America's Khmer service has been on the air for 55 years, providing news to Cambodians around the world and maintaining a mission of timely, objective news.
At the same time VOA Khmer is developing its programming to keep up with new technology and expanding from radio into television and the Internet. Coverage of Cambodia itself is also increasing. Full Story
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July
The 61st Kampuchea Krom Loss Memorial Buddhist Service to honor past heroic Khmer Buddhist leaders, clergies, heroes and fallen armed forces personnel and Commemorate June 4, 1949 France gives Khmer land, Kampuchea Krom, to authorities of colonial Vietnam until today.
The Keynote Address of the Honorable Thach Setha, KKC
Executive Director, Phnom Penh Councilman (SRP), Senator of Kampuchea 1999-2006, given during the 61st Kampuchea Krom Loss Buddhist Memorial Service to honor the souls of heroic Buddhist clergies, heroes, and fallen compatriots for their patriotism in sacrificing for Kampuchea, Buddhism, heritage, civilization, culture, custom, tradition, national language, and way of life, especially Kampuchea Krom, at Wat Samakkiraingsey Phnom Penh, Kampuchea, on June 4, 2010
Left: Heroic Buddhist Patriarch Most Ven. Ganda Dhammo Kim Toc Chon; center: Khmer hero Oknha Son Kuy; right: Heroic Buddhist Patriarch Most Ven. Dhamma Viriyo Kim Sang, and many more heroes, heroines, patriots, both known and unknown not listed here.
Historically, Kampuchea, her emperors, kings, and various successive governments and regimes, whether they are protectorate state, kingdom, republic or communist, had and has never religuished her sovereign rights over the territory of Kampuchea Krom including all islands and waters.
Quote, "No Suffering is greater than the loss of Kampuchea
Krom and become
an ethnic minority on own Motherland."
The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community (KKC) has an honor to cordially invite you, the eminent venerable Buddhist monks, compatriots, youth and students, inclusive and non-discrimination to political affiliations and religions, to participate in its convention with the Honorable Thach Setha, KKC Executive Director, Phnom Penh Councilman, and former Senator of Cambodia, in Toronto city, Canada.
To view the 60th Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration click here
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The Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports denies
KKC's request to use the National Olympic Stadium to hold the 61st Kampuchea Krom Commemorative Anniversary on June 4, 2010
Unofficial translation in brief:
KKC Letter No. 12/10
On May 31, 2010, KKC-The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community writes a letter to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports for facility, the Olympic Multi-Sports Stadium to hold the Buddhist Offerings to the eminent 1949 Buddhist Monks Ceremony on June 4, 2010 as recommended by Phnom Penh City Hall.
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Phnom Penh City Hall Letter No. 307
On May 31, 2010, Phnom Penh City Hall replies to the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community-KKC by recommending KKC to request the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to use facility, the Olympic Multi-Sports Stadium to hold the Buddhist Offerings to the eminent 1949 Buddhist Monks Ceremony on June 4, 2010. If the Ministry denied, Phnom Penh City Hall would permit KKC to hold the ceremony at its headquarters at the address: House 10B, Street 238, Tuk La Ak 3 commune, Tuol Kork district, Phnom Penh.
cc:
- The Council of Ministers
- The Ministry of Interior
- The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
- The Phnom Penh Police Commission
- The Phnom Penh Royal Military Command
- Daun Penh District Office
- Chamkarmon District Office
- Tuol Kork District Office
- Archive
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The MoEYS Letter No. 1944
On June 1, 2010 the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports sends a denial letter to the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community-KKC to use a facility, the National Olympic Multi-Sports Stadium by citing there is a scheduled international ping pong competition on June 3 - 5, 2010 to be participated by 10 countries and to be followed by the national-level competitions already in the plan.
cc:
- The Cabinet of the Prime Minister
- The Council of Ministers
- The Ministry of Interior
- The Phnom Penh City Hall
- Archive
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The KKBM Letter No. 27
On May 31, 2010, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Buddhist Monks Association based in Wat Samakkiraingsey notifies the Phnom Penh City Hall that on June 4, 2010 Wat Samakkiraingsey, located in Stung Meanchey commune, Meanchey district, will hold the Buddhist Offerings to the eminent 1949 Buddhist monks Ceremony to honor the heroic Buddhist monks, heroic kings, and heroes, heroines for their sacrifice in national cause, religion, Khmer land and seas, especially Khmer race, religion and territories in Kampuchea Krom.
preside over the 61st Kampuchea Krom Commemorative Anniversary to honor past heroic Khmer Buddhist leaders, Buddhist monks, heroic kings, heroes, and fallen compatriots in the public garden in front of Wat Padmavatei (Botumvatei) on June 4, 2010
Unofficial translation in brief:
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Letter No. 15
On May 20, 2010, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Him Chhem writes to all the heads, deputy prime ministers, senior ministers, ministers, and state secretaries of ministries and institutions on the shut-down period of 40 days for renovations of the Chaktomuk National and International Conference Hall beginning May 20 through June 31, 2010
cc:
- Chief Cabinet of the Prime Minister
- Chief Cabinet of the Royal Palace
- Senate Secretariat
- Parliament Secretariat
- Chief Cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An
- Archive
The Royal Palace Letter No. 244/10
On May 26, 2010, the Minister in charge of the Royal Palace Chhea Horn informs KKC Executive Director Hon. Thach Setha that HM The King Norodom Sihamoni grants/dispatches Her Royal Highness Princess Sisowath Pongneary Monypong as His highest representative to preside over the Buddhist Offerings Ceremony to the eminent 1,949 Buddhist monks to be organized by the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community (KKC) on June, 4, 2010 in front of Wat Padmavatei (Botumvatei).
cc:
- All relevant departments
- Archive
KKC Letter No. 11/10
On May 26, 2010, KKC Executive Director, Phnom Penh Councilman, and former Senator Thach Setha writes to the Phnom Penh Mayor Kep Chuktema for the second time, except this time, KKC requests to use the National Olympic Stadium to hold the Buddhist Offerings Ceremony to the eminent 1,949 Buddhist monks as KKC has organized every year.
Background
Colonial France on June 4, 1949 after losing the war to the allied forces in World War II gives Khmer land, Kampuchea Krom, to another colonial ruler, Vietnam, to continue its colonialism until today.
KKC Writes to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
after Phnom Penh City Hall denies permit to hold the 61st Kampuchea Krom Loss Buddhist Memorial Ceremony to honor past heroic Khmer Buddhist leaders, Buddhist monks, heroic kings, heroes, and fallen compatriots in the public garden in front of Wat Padmavatei (Botumvatei) on June 4, 2010
Unofficial translation in brief:
KKC Letter No. 10/10
On May 25, 2010, KKC Executive Director, Phnom Penh Councilman, and former Senator Thach Setha writes to the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts requesting the Chaktomuk National and International Conference Hall to hold a Buddhist Offering Ceremony by inviting the eminent 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor the past Buddhist leaders, heroic Buddhist monks, heroic kings, heroes and fallen compatriots for their brave and noble cause for the Khmer Nation, Theravada Buddhism, and country, especially the Khmer national identity, Theravada Buddhism and Kampuchea Krom every year and this year on June 4, 2010.
2,000 persons are anticipated to attend and to be presided by the highest representative of HM The King Norodom Sihamoni.
Enclosure: One copy of the dated 21.05.2010 Phnom Penh Letter
Phnom Penh City Hall Letter No. 285
On May 21, 2010, Phnom Penh Mayor Kep Chuktema declines to issue a permit to KKC, The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, to observe the 61st Kampuchea Krom Loss Buddhist Memorial Service to honor the heroic Buddhist leaders, Buddhist clergies, heroic kings, heroes and fallen compatriots by inviting the eminent 1,949 Buddhist monks and 2,000 person to attend to be presided by the highest representative of HM The King Norodom Sihamoni on June 4, 2010 in the public garden in front of Wat Padma (Botumvatei).
The mayor also suggests KKC to request the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts for the Chaktomuk National and International Conference Hall for better security and public order.
cc:
- The Council of Ministers
- The Ministry of Interior
- The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
- The Phnom Penh Police Commission
- The Phnom Penh Military Police Central Command
- The Daun Penh District Office
- Archive
Background
Colonial France on June 4, 1949 after losing the war to the allied forces in World War II gives Khmer land, Kampuchea Krom, to another colonial ruler, Vietnam, to continue its colonialism until today.
USCIRF's 2010 Annual Report on Vietnam [Kampuchea Krom]: Overall Human Rights Record Remains Poor
May 1, 2010
Courtesy The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
Vietnam
FINDINGS: The government of Vietnam continues to control government-approved religious communities, severely restrict independent religious practice, and repress individuals and groups viewed as challenging political authority. Religious activity continues to grow in Vietnam and the government has made some important changes in the past decade in response to international attention, including its designation as a “country of particular concern” (CPC). Nevertheless, individuals continue to be imprisoned or detained for reasons related to their religious activity or religious freedom advocacy; police and government officials are not held fully accountable for abuses; independent religious activity remains illegal; legal protections for government-approved religious organizations are both vague and subject to arbitrary or discriminatory interpretations based on political factors; and new converts to some Protestant and Buddhist communities face discrimination and pressure to renounce their faith. In addition, improvements experienced by some religious communities are not experienced by others, including the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), independent Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, and Protestant groups, and some ethnic minority Protestants and Buddhists. Property disputes between the government and the Catholic Church continue to lead to harassment, property destruction, and violence, sometimes by “contract thugs” hired by the government to break up peaceful prayer vigils. In the past year, the government harassed monks and nuns associated with Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh and forcibly disbanded his order. Complete Annual Report on Vietnam
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april
"Yuon, a Traditional Appellation
Yuon has been used by the Khmers continuously for over a thousand years. We can
not change and will not change.
Wednesday April 14, B.E.2553, A.D.2010 Year of the Tiger
Courtesy Touch Bora
KKC Statement on the Royal Government of Cambodia did not recognize the Khmers from Kampuchea Krom as Khmer citizens, contrary to the Constitution and Nationality Law
Monday February 22, B.E.2553, A.D.2010 Year of the Ox
The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, KKC, deplores and seriously concerns about the denial of Khmer nationality identification cards to the 22 Khmer people of Kampuchea Krom, who were deported and handed by the Thai authorities to the Cambodian authorities recently.
The denial of Khmer nationality identification cards to the Khmer people by the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia is a severe violation of their rights as inscribed in the Constitution in section 33 and Nationality Law in sections 2, 3, and 4. This act contradicts the legal principle and the proclamation made by the RGC that recognizes the Khmer people of Kampuchea Krom as the legal Khmer citizens [of Cambodia]. This is not the first time that the present Royal Government of Cambodia has shown her negative stance on the Khmer Kampuchea Krom people.
KKC Executive Director
SRP Phnom Penh City Councilman
SRP Senator of Cambodia, 1999-2006
In this case, if the Royal Government of Cambodia recognized the Khmer people of Kampuchea Krom as Khmer citizens as inscribed in the Constitution and Nationality Law as the RGC representative had claimed more than one times in the past, the Royal Government facilitates the nationality paper work for the Khmer people with no condition. Even though the Khmer people in Kampuchea Krom (South Vietnam) living under the power of colonial Vietnam in the past several hundreds of years and Kampuchea Krom had been colonized by France, then transferred this land to the authorities of [another] colonial Vietnam to continue colonizing [the land and the Khmers] until today, the Khmer people living there had not and have not surrendered their Khmer nationality, citizenship and identity in betrayal of their ancestors even once. Even the authorities of Vietnam issue the identification cards to the Khmer people still recognize them as Khmers. All royal Khmer governments, except the authoritarian communist Khmer government, had and continue to facilitate and encourage the Khmer Kampuchea Krom people in all aspects of their need.
The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community appeals to the Royal Government of Cambodia to provide the legal nationality paper work to the Khmer people of Kampuchea Krom as inscribed in the Constitution and Nationality Law without condition.
Phnom Penh February 22, 2010
KKC President
[ Signed ]
Cambodia is committing suicide as a nation because of her inadequate handling of border affairs: Norodom Sihanouk
February 1, B.E.2553, A.D.2010 Year of the Ox
Courtesy The Khmer Intelligence News
Royal seal courtesy www.norodomsihanouk.info
In a March 16, 2005 statement King-Father Norodom Sihanouk condemned the continuous border encroachment by the Vietnamese authorities. He mentioned the case of Svay Rieng province where opposition leader Sam Rainsy uprooted last October a so-called border post to defend Cambodian farmers who were victims of land grab associated with border encroachment. The King-Father specified that Vietnam had recently created "new borders" to her benefit. In conclusion, he accused the Vietnamese-subservient Hun Sen government of pushing Cambodia to commit suicide as a nation because of its weak stance on the border issue.
Full text of the Royal Statement in French with unofficial translation in Khmer
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Video: The Funeral and Memorial Service
for the late Mr. Son Than Lap
born in Kampuchea Krom, January 10, 1945 - December 28, B.E.2553, A.D.2009 Year of the Ox
KKC Executive Director Hon. Thach Setha, Phnom Penh Councilman-elect (SRP), and former Senator of the Kingdom of Cambodia (SRP), on December 16, 2009 writes to the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen to raise the Khmer Krom issues with the visiting communist Vietnam's Secretary General Nong Duc Manh from Dec. 17 - 19 in Phnom Penh
Communist Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh receives Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Nov. 5, 2008 in Hanoi
Statement
Hon. Thach Setha given on the occasion of the 61st Anniversary of the International Human Rights Day, Dec 10, B.E.2553, A.D.2009 in Phnom Penh organized by a coalition of Khmer Kampuchea Krom organizations in the Kingdom of Cambodia
Photo taken
during the 61st International Human Rights Day
Hon. Thach Setha, Executive Director of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, KKC; SRP Phnom Penh Municipality Councilman-elect; SRP Senator of Cambodia, 1999-2006
The Response of Cambodia's former King His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk to former Sen. Thach Setha
Monday November 23, BE2553, AD2009
Cambodia’s former King His
Majesty Norodom Sihanouk replies
to former Senator Thach Setha,
Executive Director of the Khmer
Kampuchea Krom Community,
KKC, on rendering him justice in
serving the Nation, Motherland
and citizens of Kampuchea on the
auspicious occasion of the 56th
Independence Anniversary.
The King wishes 4 blessings of the
Lord Buddha, to the senator, leaders,
and members of KKC to achieve longevity, status, healtiness, and strength.
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Tim Sakhorn in Sweden
Courtesy Pang Sokhoeun
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june
The French Act: June 4, 1949 - June 4, 2009
60 years later, the Khmer land, Kampuchea Krom, and the people still have no freedom
June 4, BE2553, AD2009
Courtesy: http://sacrava.blogspot.com/
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April
Former Buddhist Monk and Abbot Tim Sakhorn at his house in Phnom Den, Kirivong district, Takeo province, Kingdom of Cambodia on April 6, 2009
Former Buddhist monk and abbot Tim Sakhorn uses this S.R. Vietnam-issued international border pass to re-enter Cambodia on April 4, 2009.
Former abbot Tim Sakhorn in Vietnamese civilian clothe in his his Takeo home with KKC Executive Director and former SRP Senator Thach Setha holding Tim Sakhorn's Vietnam-issued international border pass book and identification card.
Former abbot Tim Sakhorn poses for picture with visiting domestic Khmer Krom human rights activists.
KKC Photos
Related materials can be found on KKC website in Press, Speech, Activities, and News Articles http://www.khmerkromngo.org
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march
May the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace bring peace to Kampuchea Krom
Giant jade Buddha to start world tour in Vietnam [Kampuchea Krom]
March 7, 2009
Courtesy Thanh Nien News
Hanoi, Vietnam -- The world’s largest jade statue of the Buddha will be displayed around Vietnam from March to May to begin its world tour.
<< “The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace,” the world’s largest jade Buddha statue, will tour Vietnam from this month
The statue, called “The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace,” measures 3.5 meters tall, including the lotus base and fan throne, and weighs 4.65 tons.
The statue is modeled on the Siddhartha Gautama Buddha inside the Mahabodhi Stupa in India’s Bodh Gaya.
This chheu teal tree [a kind of tree which is valuable and scarce] is planted upside down by the Khmer hero Oknha Son Kuy in 1821 before he makes his final courageous act by giving up his life to save the Khmer nation as we know today in Kampuchea Krom. The tree stands today in Preah Trapeang province.
No foreigners Love Khmers Than Khmers Love Khmers.
Any one serves foreign interest would be condemned by the Khmer nationals and history.
Phuchhuoy Kong is an example.
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Khmer Krom, Khmer Kandal, and Khmer Loeur are
Khmers.
