KKC (The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community) to request Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to incorporate Khmer Kampuchea Krom history into curriculum
Thu the 4th Waning Moon of Poṭṭhapāda
BE2559, October 1, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Public Meeting with Thach Setha in Lyon, France on SEPT. 05
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
These priceless historical Khmer Krom documents to benefit the whole Khmer nation, not Khmer Kampuchea Krom people due to Khmer Krom, Khmer Kandal, Khmer Ler and Khmer Islam are 'One Khmer.'
Sat the 7th Waning Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2559, September 5, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Can these French-drawn maps be verified with the government’s maps?
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
These priceless historical Khmer Krom documents to benefit the whole Khmer nation, not Khmer Kampuchea Krom people due to Khmer Krom, Khmer Kandal, Khmer Ler and Khmer Islam are 'One Khmer.'
Mon the 10th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2559, August 24, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Thach Setha and KKC & KYAD delegation visit Austria on AUG 18
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
Wed the 5th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2559, August 19, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Map of Indochina that drawn by colonial French administration contained Khmer village, Vietnamese village
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
Tue the 4th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2559, August 18, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Mr. Thach Setha and KKC & KYAD delegation visited Italy on AUG 14
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
Fri the 15th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, August 14, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Mr. Thach Setha, Mr. Vann Vannarin, KKC & KYAD delegation continue their research of historical Khmer Krom documents on AUG 11 & 12
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
Thu the 14th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, August 13, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Thu the 14th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, August 13, AD2015 Year of the Goat
PHNOM PENH (11 August 2015) – Today, OHCHR finalized and shared with the Constitutional Council its human rights analysis of the Law on Associations and NGOs, which hold profound implications for the ability of persons to exercise through associations and NGO's their internationally and consitutionally recognized rights to freedom of expression and association.
Ban Ki-moon: The United Nations is not to be understood to officially endorse or accept the boundaries and names shown on the maps concerned.
[The U.N. Secretary General wrote to RGC on August 5, B.E.2559 A.D.2015]
Thu the 7th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, August 6, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Thach Setha: Today found map of Kampuchea (Cambodia), which the French colonial administrators cartographed manually in 1932-1933. August 5, B.E.2559 A.D.2015
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
Thu the 7th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, August 6, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Thach Setha: Today [KKC & KYAD delegation] found map of Koh Tral Island, which is undeniably Khmers’ and the French also called Koh Tral Island. August 5, B.E.2559 A.D.2015
[Mr. Thach Setha, KKC & KYAD delegation had conducted research on historical Khmer Krom documents at A.N.O.M. for the second time in the post-2014 Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history after Vietnam failed to apologize to the Khmers publicly for falsely claiming Kampuchea Krom belongs to Vietnam for a long time.]
Thu the 7th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, August 6, AD2015 Year of the Goat
DAY 05 and Final Day PHASE 02: KKC & KYAD Research Team at A.N.O.M. in France on JUL 31
Khmers in solidarity in pursuit of research, contribution, studies, safeguard and uplift Khmer history
Fri the 1st Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 31, AD2015 Year of the Goat
DAY 04 PHASE 02: KKC & KYAD Research Team at A.N.O.M. in France on JUL 30
Khmers in solidarity in pursuit of research, contribution, studies, safeguard and uplift Khmer history
Thu the 15th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 30, AD2015 Year of the Goat
DAY 03 PHASE 02: KKC & KYAD Research Team at A.N.O.M. in France on JUL 29
Khmers in solidarity in pursuit of research, contribution, studies, safeguard and uplift Khmer history
Wed the 14th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 29, AD2015 Year of the Goat
KKC & KYAD Delegation (The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community and Khmer Youth Alliance for Democracy) continues mission two to research historical Khmer Kampuchea Krom documents at A.N.O.M. in France on July 27, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 (Interview 2/2)
Tue the 13th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 28, AD2015 Year of the Goat
គណៈប្រតិភូសហគមន៍ខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ទៅប្រមូលឯកសារប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ ស្តីពីទឹកដីកម្ពុជាក្រោម នៅប្រទេសបារាំង ថ្ងៃទី 27-07-2015 Part 2
KKC & KYAD Delegation (The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community and Khmer Youth Alliance for Democracy) continues mission two to research historical Khmer Kampuchea Krom documents at A.N.O.M. in France on July 27, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 (Interview 1/2)
Tue the 13th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 28, AD2015 Year of the Goat
គណៈប្រតិភូសហគមន៍ខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ទៅប្រមូលឯកសារប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ ស្តីពីទឹកដីកម្ពុជាក្រោម នៅប្រទេសបារាំង ថ្ងៃទី 27-07-2015 Part 1
DAY 02 PHASE 02: Khmer Krom Research Team at A.N.O.M. in France on JUL 28
Khmers in solidarity in pursuit of research, contribution, studies, safeguard and uplift Khmer history
Tue the 13th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 28, AD2015 Year of the Goat
The 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor Khmer heroes on June 4, B.E2559 A.D.2015 in Phnom Penh, Kampuchea (Cambodia).
June 4, B.E.2493 A.D.1949 is the date when France transferred Khmer land called Kampuchea Krom to Vietnam to continue colonizing, plundering her until today.
Sun the 11th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 26, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Thach Setha: Today I saw the words ‘Yuon’ and ‘Khmer Krom’ at the French Foreign Affairs Ministry used in 1945.
Thach Setha: La recherche au Ministère Français des Affaires Étrangères, a vu aujourd'hui la Yuon et Khmer Krom au Ministère Français des Affaires Étrangères en 1945.
Wed the 7th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 22, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Mr. Thach Setha, delegation chief of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community and Khmer Youth Alliance for Democracy (KKC & KYAD), conducting research on maps of Kampuchea (Cambodia) at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 20, B.E.2559 A.D.2015
Mon the 5th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 20, AD2015 Year of the Goat
A Transfer Ceremony of Historical Khmer Kampuchea Krom Documents to Mr. Thach Setha on July 13, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 in France
Sat the 3rd Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 18, AD2015 Year of the Goat
(Mr. Thach Setha is delegation leader of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community and Khmer Youth Alliance for Democracy to France, president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community and representative of Khmer Youth Alliance for Democracy)
Meeting of Khmer Krom Research Subcommittee to transfer over founded documents to Mr. Thach Setha held in Marseille, France, on July 13, B.E.2559 A.D.2015
Mon the 13th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 13, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Photos courtesy Vann Vannarin
KKC & KYAD request Senior Minister Var Kimhong, Chairman of the Cambodian Border Committee, to raise 7 points with Vietnam in the Siem Reap meeting on Cambodia-Vietnam border issues on Jul 06 - 08
Wed the 8th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 8, AD2015 Year of the Goat
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam must stop invading the territories of Cambodia immediately
KKC & KYAD vehemently condemn the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for causing violence upon the Khmer Buddhist monks and citizens that caused serious injury to 04 people and minor injury to 12 people
Thu the 2nd Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, July 2, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Book in Khmer describing exactions by the Yuon (the word "Vietnamese" did not exist at that time) on the Cambodian people
Mon the 7th Waxing Moon of Āsāḷha BE2559, June 22, AD2015 Year of the Goat
សៀវភៅ "រឿងកំពប់តែអុង" ដែលជារឿងពិត
កាលពីជំនាន់យួនគ្រប់គ្រងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា
នៅសតវត្សរ៍ទី១៩ នៃគ្រិស្តសករាជ។ សៀវភៅនេះ គឺដកស្រង់ពីឯកសារ
ជាប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ និពន្ធដោយព្រះតេជគុណ បទុម បារមី ពេជ្រ
ហើយដែលអ្នកស្រាវជ្រាវបានរកឃើញ ក្នុងសាស្ត្រាវត្តក្រូច
ឃុំក្រូច ស្រុកព្រៃឈរ ខេត្តកំពង់ចាម។
ដើម្បីអានសៀវភៅនេះទាំងស្រុង សូមចុច
Book in Khmer describing exactions by the Yuon (the word "Vietnamese" did not exist at that time) on the Cambodian people when the Yuon colonized our country in the first half of the 19th century. The two-hundred-year-old historical document has been translated into French by the late Khmer scholar Khin Sok when he was doing research in France, Cambodia's colonial protector until B.E.2497 A.D.1953.
Keynote Address of Hon. Thach Setha in the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration
Tue the 8th Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, June 9, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Hon. Thach Setha
Brave Khmer Krom leader who stands up to gigantic Vietnam
Advocating human rights for Khmer Krom Buddhist monks and people in Kampuchea Krom and Kampuchea (Cambodia)
<< សូម្បីតែធ្វើជាមេភូមិក៏យួនមិនឲ្យធ្វើផង កុំថាឡើយធ្វើជានាយករដ្ឋមន្ដ្រី រដ្ឋមន្ដ្រី ប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា អនុប្រធានរដ្ឋសភា អ្នកតំណាងរាស្ដ្រ ប្រធានគណៈបក្ស សម្ដេចសង្ឃរាជ អភិបាលខេត្ដ នៅពេលបាត់បង់មាតុភូមិ បាត់បង់ទឹកដី >> លោក ថាច់ សេដ្ឋា មេដឹកនាំខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ថ្លែងសុន្ទរកថានៅក្នុងទិវាកាន់ទុក្ខជាតិខ្មែរ ខួបគម្រប់ ៦៦ឆ្នាំ នៃថ្ងៃអាណានិគមបារាំងកាត់ផ្ទេរទឹកដីខ្មែរ ហៅកម្ពុជាក្រោម ឲ្យទៅប្រទេសយួនធ្វើអាណានិគមបន្ដរហូតមកដល់សព្វថ្ងៃនេះ នាថ្ងៃទី០៤ ខែមិថុនា ព.ស.២៥៥៩ គ.ស. ២០១៥ វត្ដពោធិយារាម ហៅវត្ដចាស់ ភូមិមួយ សង្កាត់ជ្រោយចង្វា ខណ្ឌជ្រោយចង្វា រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា
“When country...territories...lost, even the rank of village chief, not prime minister, not state minister, not parliament leader, not deputy parliament leader, not parliamentarian, not party leader, not sangharaja, not provincial governor, Vietnam will not give to you,” Thach Setha, Khmer Krom leader, addresses the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration on June 4, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 held in Village 1, Jrauy Jangva commune, Jrauy Jangva district, Phnom Penh
Sun the 6th Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, June 7, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Tune in now:
Thach Setha urges CPP and CNRP to raise Kampuchea Krom issue through Culture of Dialogue, not just about Kampuchea (Cambodia)
Thu the 3rd Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, June 4, AD2015 Year of the Goat
The 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration
Khmers from Kampuchea Krom mourn the loss of their homeland on June 4, B.E.2493 A.D.1949 when France transferred Kampuchea Krom territories to Vietnam to continue colonizing, plundering her until today.
Most [human] rights have been prohibited upon the Khmers.
Thu the 3rd Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, June 4, AD2015 Year of the Goat
The 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration
Khmers from Kampuchea Krom mourn the loss of their homeland on June 4, B.E.2493 A.D.1949 when France transferred Kampuchea Krom territories to Vietnam to continue colonizing, plundering her until today.
Most [human] rights have been prohibited upon the Khmers.
Wed the 2nd Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, June 3, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Loss of Rights, Freedom & All Aspects of Life in Kampuchea (Cambodia) and Kampuchea Krom, Not in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia & Other Countries.
Tue the 1st Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, June 2, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Wat Bodhiyarama a.k.a. Wat Jaas located in Village 1, Chrauy Changva commune, Chrauy Changva district, Phnom Penh is the venue (location) for the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor heroic Buddhist monks, heroic kings, heroes and patriots on June 4, B.E.2559 A.D.2015. Wat Bodhiyarama is on the Chrauy Changva Peninsula between Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, across from the Royal Palace.
His Royal Highness Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, wholeheartedly granted KKC’s (the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community) request by granting Her Royal Highness Princess Sisowath Pongneary Monypong as the King's Highest Representative to preside over the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor heroes on June 4, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 in his place.
Mon the 15th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, June 1, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Chief Monk Maha Thera Sovannapanno Meas Sakhorn of Wat Bodhiyarama a.k.a Wat Jaas granting permission to KKC (the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community) to organize the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor heroes on June 4, B.E.2559 A.D.2015
Sun the 14th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, May 31, AD2015 Year of the Goat
The Phnom Penh Municipality denied KKC’s request on organizing
the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the
Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor heroic
Buddhist monks, heroic kings, heroes and patriots on June 4, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 at Democracy Square
Sun the 14th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, May 31, AD2015 Year of the Goat
KKC notified the Phnom Penh Municipality on the venue for the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor heroic Buddhist monks, heroic kings, heroes and patriots on June 4, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 at Wat Bodhiyarama a.k.a. Wat Jaas located in Village 1, Chrauy Changva commune, Chrauy Changva district, Phnom Penh
Fri the 12th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, May 29, AD2015 Year of the Goat
The Phnom Penh Municipality denied KKC’s request on organizingthe 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor heroic Buddhist monks, heroic kings, heroes and patriots on June 4, 2015 at Democracy Square
Fri the 12th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, May 29, AD2015 Year of the Goat
The Phnom Penh Municipality Denied Request of Khmer Krom to organize the 66th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offering Ceremony to 1,949 Buddhist monks to honor heroes on June 4 at Democracy Square.
ថាច់ សេដ្ឋា: មហិច្ឆតា និងឧត្តមភាព មុខមាត់ គឺជាគ្រោះថ្នាក់សម្រាប់ជាតិខ្លាំងណាស់
Thach Setha: Greed and a love for fame are very dangerous to the nation
Tue the 2nd Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2559, May 19, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Sure, TPP Is 'Win-Win'... Unless You Care About Human Rights
Mon the 10th Waning Moon of Visakha BE2559, May 12, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Courtesy HRW
To hear the Obama Administration tell it, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, is a win-win and cure-all. It will create jobs in the U.S., improve labor and environmental protections, improve business transparency internationally, and help consummate a relationship with Asia that has until now been mostly an overture, the administration says.
Many U.S. lawmakers, however, are unconvinced. The administration needs “fast track” authority to finish negotiating the TPP, and a key vote is likely to come up in the Senate this week. Opposition to the deal is bubbling up across Washington’s political and ideological spectra. In a twist, the opposition is meta-partisan. The Republican leadership of the Senate, and most of the party, support fast track, but the Democratic leadership opposes it. Both parties have members who disagree on the deal.
The TPP’s partners will include oppressive undemocratic countries like Vietnam and Brunei, and other countries with problematic human rights records like Malaysia, Singapore, and Mexico. Lawmakers who focus on religious freedom may be alarmed at how Vietnam locks up leaders of unsanctioned churches. Advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are horrified at anti-LGBT laws in Malaysia and Brunei.
And just about everyone is alarmed at pledges made by the Sultan of Brunei to operationalize a form of Sharia (Islamic law) that would mandate whipping homosexuals and stoning to death persons engaging in sexual activity out of wedlock.
Meanwhile, health and human rights advocates are concerned at proposed provisions on patent protections that would extend pharmaceutical companies’ profits at the expense of public health efforts to improve the availability of generic versions of life-saving drugs.
Other groups are worried about the agreement’s provisions on investor dispute resolution, which allow corporations to sue governments for damages when they enact or enforce health, safety or environmental laws or policies that impact corporate profits. Mechanisms of this type have been used, for instance, by a tobacco company to sue Australia for passing anti-smoking legislation, and by a metal smelting company to sue Peru after its government took action to force the company to clean up massive pollution it had caused.
In the face of this evidence, the Obama administration nonetheless maintains the agreement is top notch. The TPP, the administration says, will obligate countries like Vietnam to improve respect for human and labor rights. The agreement’s labor chapter, it says, will contain standards requiring countries to protect workers’ rights, end government control over unions in countries, and defend workers’ rights to organize. The provisions on investor disputes will prevent the kinds of problematic cases that have occurred in the past.
There is no way to know what is actually in the agreement, however, because negotiated text is secret. The administration has only shared texts with congressional members and staff with security clearances.
To the administration’s credit, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has worked to improve key parts of the agreement, like the labor chapter, and the administration has attempted to use the negotiations overall as leverage to compel countries to improve their records. From statements by the USTR and information provided by those who have seen the agreement, it seems that the labor chapter now provides that TPP members have to adopt core labor standards, including the right to form unions.
The problem, however, is that little of this will have real-world impact. Administration officials, and President Obama himself, repeat the word “enforceable” almost every time they talk about the TPP’s labor provisions. The truth, however, is that the TPP’s labor chapter is not enforceable in practice. And the administration’s broader efforts to use the agreement to leverage improvements in human rights records—in problem countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei—have largely been ineffective.
The situation with Vietnam puts the issues in sharpest relief. The United States has been pressing Vietnam for almost four years to improve its human rights record and labor rights record in particular, using not only the TPP but closer military ties as the leverage. All that the United States has received in response is a few pledges, baby steps, and a handful of political prisoner releases. (If one can call the releases that: One released prisoner was in poor health and died within weeks of his release, two others were only paroled into exile in the United States.)
The Vietnamese government still uses its penal code, which contains provisions criminalizing free speech and freedom of association, to lock up dissidents and critics. More than 150 have been convicted over the last four years, in the same period in which the US was negotiating with Vietnam on the TPP.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s labor rights record remains abysmal. Independent unions outside the umbrella of the government-controlled Vietnam General Confederation of Labor are forbidden and the act of trying to organize one is punished as a crime against the state. Labor activists such as Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung and Doan Huy Chuong remain behind bars. And tens of thousands in administrative detention for alleged drug use are forced to work for nothing, or near to nothing. The fact that this forced labor program of supposed “drug treatment” is operated by Vietnam’s labor ministry tells you everything you need to know.
The administration insists that the TPP’s labor chapter will compel Vietnam to improve its labor record, because Hanoi will need to change its laws to allow independent unions—factory-level unions, incidentally, not sectoral unions or federations.
But with neither a functioning and objective labor dispute system, nor an independent judiciary, it is difficult to imagine how these paper reforms would come to reality.
Worse, without additional reforms to the other problematic parts of the legal system, Vietnamese labor organizers will still be vulnerable to prosecution under penal code provisions that criminalize supposed anti-party or anti-government activities—which in the government’s view has included handing out pamphlets or having park picnics at which participants read the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The administration contends that the labor chapter is enforceable, but it’s not evident how. Should the TPP come into effect and Vietnam is still crushing workers’ rights, what will be the remedy? That non-existent unions will use non-existent labor dispute mechanisms to bring worker complaints before Vietnam’s non-existent independent judiciary?
At best, international or U.S. labor rights groups may be able to petition the United States to file a complaint against Vietnam in a trade tribunal, but this would only get to abuses in general, not specific complaints.
What’s lacking in the agreement is specific mechanisms to enforce commitments that governments make on labor rights. Why would Vietnam be compelled to do anything more, once it receives the benefits of TPP membership? The better course of action would be to negotiate an agreement where key benefits are withheld if Vietnam or other countries fail to meet their commitments.
The Obama administration needs to be more realistic in describing what can be accomplished by the TPP. It’s already bad enough to forego human rights protections for the sake of free trade. It’s even worse to attempt to sell the agreement by invoking supposed rights protections when they don’t exist.
The Obama administration needs to press harder on TPP members to improve their rights records—for real. The United States shouldn’t move ahead with the TPP until it can demonstrate more serious commitments to creating truly enforceable provisions on labor rights protections and better addressing human rights concerns generally. In the meantime, Congress should focus more closely at the specifics of the deal and exercise strong oversight. There is no need to rush, and with flaws this big, the stakes are too high.
John Sifton (@johnsifton) is Asia Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch.
Khmer Krom leader Hon. Thach Setha, KKC and KKC-North America members pay respect to the late Mr. Kim Nhor, a 2-star military general and former KKC Treasurer, who passed away on May 4, B.E.2559 A.D.2015 in Preah Vihear.
May the spirit of the late Mr. Kim Nhor reside in a peaceful abode.
Photos courtesy តូច ថឹង, Thach Setha
APPEAL: THE 66TH ANNUAL KAMPUCHEA KROM LOSS COMMEMORATION IN PHNOM PENH ON JUNE 04, B.E.2559 A.D.2015
Mon the 2nd Waning Moon of Visakha BE2559, May 4, AD2015 Year of the Goat
June 4, 2015 is the 66th Anniversary of Kampuchea Krom Loss (June 4, 1949 – June 4, 2015) of the day the French colonialists transferred Kampuchea Krom, land size 68,965 square kilometers (equivalent 26,628 square miles), to colonial Vietnam to continue colonizing to the present time and it is the day that the Khmers suffered the most in our history.
To remember this historic great loss and to pay our gratitude (honor) to our heroic Buddhist monks and heroes, who sacrificed their lives in this noble cause of defending the Khmer race to this present day, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community has observed (marked) June 4th annually as the Saddest Day of Khmer Nation and organizing a Memorial Service by inviting 1,949 Buddhist monks to pray, chant, and emanate the merits to honor the fallen Buddhist monks, heroes, and compatriots, who defended the Nation, Religion and Kampuchea Krom with their lives fearlessly.
This year, like any other years, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community in Kingdom of Cambodia and abroad have unanimously decided to observe the 66th Annual Memorial Service by holding the ceremony in Phnom Penh with the eminent presence of 1,949 Buddhist Monks and anticipating thousand people to attend. Organizing expenses from previous years come from our members, compatriots, donors, and especially the members, compatriots and donors from abroad. With your generous contributions, this event becomes successful and visible annually.
As Organizing Committee Chair, I wish to appeal to members of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community and our compatriots to make your charitable contributions to help cover the cost of holding the historic event like years past.
This appeal is also a request for your honor presence to the venerable Buddhist monks, members, compatriots, and the public.
Your attendance and contributions will help serve the interest of the Khmer people and motherland Kampuchea Krom by honoring and paying our gratitude to the heroic Buddhist monks and heroes.
The Organizing Committee and I wish to express our profound appreciations in advance for your patriotism in giving and supporting this landmark memorial service.
Memorial Service commences on June 4, 2015 from 7:30AM - 11:00AM at Freedom Park, Phnom Penh, auspiciously presides by His Majesty The King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni’s Highest Royal Representative.
May You, The Most Venerable Buddhist Monks, Venerable Buddhist monks, members, and lay-persons achieve the 4 blessings of the Lord Buddha: Longevity, Brightness, Healthiness and Strength in eternity.
Thach Setha
Executive Director
Former Senator of Cambodia
To Make Donations, please contact:
In Cambodia:
012 908 882
012 880 388
077 373 736
010 419 998
In North America:
Mr. Sakal Kim 978.596.5126
Mr. Vithi Kim 864.494.1991
Mr. Suvong Kim 647.783.1551
Mr. Saret Kim 978.328.4435
Mr. Sina Son 267.242.3608
Mr. Sarom Theb 418.208.5313, 418.208.7981
For residents of U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other countries, please kindly make payable personal check, traveler’s check or money order and send it to:
RA THACH
P.O. BOX 37502
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19148
U.S.A.
KKC AND STAFF ARE VOLUNTEERS.
Thank you very much for your charity in advance.
Related video
ទិវាកាន់ទុក្ខជាតិខ្មែរ ខួបគម្រប់ ៦៥ឆ្នាំនៃថ្ងៃអាណានិគមបារាំងកាត់ទឹកដីខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ឲ្យអាណានិគមវៀតណាម
THE 65TH ANNUAL KAMPUCHEA KROM LOSS COMMEMORATION IN PHNOM PENH ON JUNE 04, B.E.2558 A.D.2014
Sun the 1st Waning Moon of Visakha BE2559, May 3, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Courtesy USCIRF
The Vietnamese government continues to control all religious activities through law and administrative oversight, restrict severely independent religioius practice, and repress individuals and religious groups it views as challenging its authority, including Buddhists, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Catholics, and Protestants.
Sat the 15th Waxing Moon of Visakha BE2558, May 2, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Courtesy the Phnom Penh Post
Human rights groups yesterday slammed the government’s refusal to consider asylum applications for Montagnard asylum seekers from Vietnam, calling for the immediate registration of a group of 40 currently in Phnom Penh.
The statement by Human Rights Watch and Licadho came after the Post confirmed this week that nearly 1,000 troops deployed across the Vietnamese border in Ratanakkiri had been ordered to stop Montagnards fleeing reported religious and political persecution in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
The authorities’ refusal to register asylum claims of about 100 asylum seekers since January, as well as the deportation of 54 back to Vietnam, were labelled a “dismal failing to abide by international refugee law”.
“The government should ensure that the country is open to asylum seekers from Vietnam, and that they are allowed to register so that they can receive a fair and independent determination of their claims of persecution,” director of Licadho Naly Pilorge said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak yesterday maintained the department was unaware of Montagnards in Phnom Penh.
Asked whether Cambodia was failing in its responsibility under international refugee laws, he said: “If they come to Cambodia without proper papers they are illegal immigrants … we are doing the same as other countries.”
Sopheak hung up before he could be asked further questions about the troop deployment, which a soldier on the border told the Post was requested by the Vietnamese government.
However, government spokesman Phay Siphan yesterday said the soldiers were there to protect Cambodia’s interests and sovereignty.
According Licadho and HRW some of the Montagnards in the capital had presented themselves at the Interior Ministry’s Refugee Department, while others were told they would not be allowed to register at the department.
Among the group are six children including a 15-month-old baby, the groups said.
In March, the government granted provisional refugee status to 13 Montagnards who were escorted to Phnom Penh by the UN.
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Representative in Cambodia Wan-hea Lee said the UN was continuing discussions with authorities to help the new group.
“Denying them that access is contrary to both the 1951 Refugee Convention and Cambodia’s domestic asylum legislation,” she said.
GENEVA (16 April 2015) – Human rights and freedoms should not be sacrificed for political convenience in the fight against terrorism, two United Nations human rights experts have said today. "It is only by strict adherence to international human rights standards that counter-terrorism strategies can ultimately succeed," said Ben Emmerson, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism and Heiner Bielefeldt, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. Click below for Khmer | English.
សេចក្តីអំពាវនាវលើការចំណាយសម្រាប់ការថតចម្លងឯកសារប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ
Appeal for funds to help pay for 5,000 pages of historical Khmer Krom document printing costs
Mon the 3rd Waxing Moon of Visakha BE2558, April 20, AD2015 Year of the Goat
Human Rights Committee's findings on Cambodia's implementation of civil and political rights
Fri the 15th Waxing Moon of Citta BE2558, April 3, AD2015 Year of the Horse
Courtesy UNOHCHR
Phnom Penh (2 April 2015) – The UN Human Rights Committee has published its findings on Cambodia on 2 April 2015. The findings, officially termed concluding observations, contain positive aspects of the respective State's implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and also main matters of concern and recommendations.
Cambodia was examined by the UN Human Rights Committee on 17 and 18 March during its latest session.
The Human Rights Committee, composed of 18 international independent experts, monitors implementation of the ICCPR by States that have ratified the Covenant. To download the concluding observations, Click here in
Tue the 12th Waxing Moon of Citta BE2558, March 31, AD2015 Year of the Horse
Photo courtesy the Phnom Penh Post, Heng Chivoan
Viet Nam: Since joining the Human Rights Council in 2014, Vietnam has been one of the Council members least supportive of the mandate to respond to country situations
Thu the 7th Waxing Moon of Citta BE2558, March 26, AD2015 Year of the Horse
UN Rights Council: Voting Records Exposed
Analysis of Members That Protected Rights – or Didn’t
Geneva - The records of United Nations Human Rights Council members in addressing egregious rights violations in individual countries are scrutinized in the updated “VotesCount” website, Human Rights Watch announced today. The website shines a spotlight on the votes taken by members of the council on situations in individual countries during 2014.
“Countries often hide behind their regional groups or the political dynamics at the Human Rights Council, but each has a role in the council's successes and failures,” said John Fisher, Geneva director at Human Rights Watch. “Each council member should be held accountable for its votes and for its leadership, which our VotesCount website makes easily accessible.”
The Human Rights Council is the main UN body with a mandate to address situations of gross and systematic violations of human rights and to respond to human rights emergencies. Since its creation in 2006, it has successfully established investigation and monitoring mechanisms for grave violations in North Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Iran. But it has failed to take on abuses in other countries and situations, such as in Egypt, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay, and China.
On March 26 and 27, 2015, the Human Rights Council is expected to adopt resolutions on the human rights situations in North Korea, Iran, Burma, and Libya.
While many council members from all regions are willing to confront governments responsible for human rights violations, a few refuse outright to support any council engagement with specific countries, despite the council's explicit mandate to do so. A large number of countries have been inconsistent in their votes, supporting action in some situations, but opposing steps to deal with even more dire circumstances in other countries.
VotesCount is a unique online resource that reveals how each member has voted on resolutions concerning individual countries during 2014, as well as whether countries have demonstrated leadership or participated in key debates. The website compiles a picture of the performance by the member countries that is difficult to glean from other sources, and provides a perspective about how individual countries have performed.
Countries with a mixed or poor record in addressing situations concerning individual countries should make a commitment to fully carry out the council’s mandate and to base their positions on an assessment of the violations committed, Human Rights Watch said. Countries that have a strong voting record should assume greater leadership roles in mobilizing action on situations that the council has not addressed.
“The Council’s most worrying trend is the small number of countries that are willing to show leadership in putting situations requiring council action on the table," Fisher said. “More governments need to step up and play a role in helping the council fulfill its mandate to provide real relief to those facing human rights violations in numerous countries across the globe.” March 24, 2015. Courtesy HRW
Viet Nam: Since joining the Human Rights Council in 2014, Vietnam has been one of the Council members least supportive of the mandate to respond to country situations.
HRC Membership
2014-2016
Region
Asia Group
Currently a member?
Yes
2014 Analysis
Vietnam’s voting record highlights its hostility towards the Council’s mandate to address country situations and respond to emergencies. It was one of very few members to oppose the resolution on North Korea, despite the gravity of the situation on the ground. It also voted against the resolutions on Iran, Belarus and Sri Lanka, and on the latter, supported a hostile non-action motion aimed at adjourning the substantive debate before the vote. After abstaining twice on the resolutions on Syria, it rejected the September 2014 resolution on the situation.
At the same time, Vietnam supported all resolutions focusing on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories (OPT). The contrast between Vietnam’s votes on the resolutions on the OPTs and its votes on all other situations raises serious questions about double standards and selectivity in its approach to the Council.
Vietnam’s lack of support for the Council’s mandate to address country situations is further evidenced by the fact that it belongs to a small group of members that failed to co-sponsor any country-specific resolution. In its few interventions during country-specific plenary debates, Vietnam generally adopted a congratulatory tone towards governments concerned. It emphasized its support for the principles of sovereignty, constructive cooperation and genuine dialogue, and failed to raise concerns for violations by states of their international human rights obligations.
Vietnam should commit to fully implementing the Council’s mandate to address and prevent situations of violations, and base its positions on an assessment of the situation on the ground, the needs of victims, and the international obligations of the government concerned.
Voting record in 2014
HRC 25/1 - Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka
No
HRC 25/1 - Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka - No action motion
Yes
HRC 25/1 - Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka - Vote on paragraph 10
No
HRC 25/23 - Continuing deterioration of human rights in Syria
Abstention
HRC 25/24 - Human rights in Iran
No
HRC 25/25 - Human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
No
HRC 25/27 - Right of Palestinians to self-determination
Yes
Meeting with Thach Setha on Historic Mission to France
Thu the 1st Waning Moon of Phagguṇa BE2558, March 5, AD2015 Year of the Horse
KKC and other Khmer Krom NGOs and associations convene to receive results presenting by Hon. Thach Setha on the historic mission to France to research and collect Kampuchea Krom dossiers
Photos courtesy Tauch Thoeng, Son Yoeung
Mr. Thach Setha, Mr. Sean Pengse inspecting map firstly cartographed by the French explorers
Thu the 1st Waning Moon of Phagguṇa BE2558, March 5, AD2015 Year of the Horse
Oxfam: '1% will soon own world's wealth while 1 in 9 go hungry'
Mon the 15th Waning Moon of Phussa BE2558, January 19, AD2015 Year of the Horse
Courtesy BBC
Oxfam report says the wealthiest 1% will own more than 50% of the world's wealth by 2016. The charity's research shows that the share of the world's wealth owned by the richest 1% increased from 44% in 2009 to 48% last year.
Katie Wright is Head Global External affairs at Oxfam. She said: "The world talks about having the ambition to end poverty but that simply isn't going to happen until we tackle this vast and growing inequality."
This clip is originally from Breakfast on Monday 19 January 2015.
Cambodia: 30 Years of Hun Sen Violence, Repression
Tue the 9th Waning Moon of Phussa BE2558, January 13, AD2015 Year of the Horse
Courtesy HRW
Donor Countries Should Promote Democracy, Human Rights
<<After 30 years of experience, there is no reason to believe that Hun Sen will wake up one day and decide to govern Cambodia in a more open, inclusive, tolerant, and rights-respecting manner. The international community should begin listening to those Cambodians who have increasingly demanded the protection and PROMOTION of their basic human rights, Brad Adams, Asia director>>
New York – The 30th anniversary of Hun Sen’s rule in Cambodia highlights the need for influential governments and donors to strengthen efforts for human rights and democratic reforms, Human Rights Watch said in a new report today. January 14, 2015, marks 30 years since Hun Sen took office as PRIMEminister on January 14, 1985.
Hun Sen is now the sixth-longest serving political leader in the world, just behind Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and ahead of Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
“For three decades, Hun Sen has repeatedly used political violence, repression, and corruption to remain in power,” said Brad Adams, Asia director and author of the report. “Cambodia urgently needs reforms so that its people can finally exercise their basic human rights without fear of arrest, torture, and execution. The role of international donors is crucial in making this happen.”
The 67-page report, “30 Years of Hun Sen: Violence, Repression, and Corruption in Cambodia,” chronicles Hun Sen’s career from being a Khmer Rouge commander in the 1970s to his present role as PRIME minister and head of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). The report details the violence, repression, and corruption that have characterized his rule under successive governments since 1985.
Hun Sen has ruled through violence and fear. He has often described politics as a struggle to the death between him and all those who dare to defy him. For example, on June 18, 2005, he warned political opponents whom he accused of being “rebels” that “they should prepare coffins and say their wills to their wives.” This occurred shortly after he declared that Cambodia’s former king, Norodom Sihanouk, who abdicated to express his opposition to Hun Sen’s method of governing, would be better off dead.
In a speech on August 5, 2009, he mimicked the triggering of a gun while warning critics not to use the word “dictatorship” to describe his rule. On January 20, 2011, responding to the suggestion that he should be worried about the overthrow of a dictator in Tunisia at the time of the “Arab Spring,” Hun Sen lashed out: “I not only weaken the opposition, I’m going to make them dead ... and if anyone is strong enough to try to hold a demonstration, I will beat all those dogs and put them in a cage.”
Just after his Cambodian People’s Party suffered major electoral setbacks in the National Assembly elections of July 28, 2013, despite systematic fraud and widespread election irregularities orchestrated by his government, he proclaimed that only “death or incapacitation to the point of being unable to work” could unseat him from the summit of power.
“Although in recent decades he has allowed limited space for political opposition and civil society, the patina of openness has concealed an underlying reality of repression, and his government has been quick to stifle those who pose a threat to his rule,” Adams said.
Human Rights Watch examined Hun Sen’s human rights record during various Cambodian governments since 1979, and in particular the current Royal Government of Cambodia, which has been in place for more than 20 years. Since Hun Sen maneuvered to stay in office after rejecting the results of a United Nations-administered election in 1993, he and the CPP have remained in power by manipulating the elections held every five years since.
The report is based on materials in Khmer, English, Vietnamese, and Chinese, including official and other Cambodian documents; interviews with Cambodian officials and other Cambodians; interviews with journalists, academics, and nongovernmental organizations; and UN records, foreign government reports, and Cambodian COURT RECORDS.
The report describes:
Hun Sen’s early life in Kampong Cham province;
His decision to join the Khmer Rouge after the ouster of Prince Norodom Sihanouk in 1970;
His role as a Khmer Rouge commander in the 1970s in areas where crimes against humanity were committed;
His responsibility in the 1980s as prime minister for a notorious forced labor PROGRAM and systematic imprisonment of dissidents, and for death squads during the UN peacekeeping operation in 1992-93;
The role of his personal bodyguard unit in the deadly March 30, 1997 grenade attack on opposition leader Sam Rainsy;
His bloody coup of July 5-6, 1997, and its aftermath, in which more than 100 mostly royalist opposition party members were summarily executed; and
The repression and corruption of the past decade during which political and social activists, trade union leaders, and journalists have been killed in connection with their opposition to CPP policies and practices.
In recent years, a government-generated land crisis affecting the urban and rural poor has adversely affected hundreds of thousands of Cambodians, while Hun Sen has openly obstructed accountability for international crimes perpetrated in 1975-1979 by the Khmer Rouge, relying on his control of a Cambodian judiciary that also ensures CONTINUING impunity for abuses.
Human Rights Watch called on influential governments and donors to end their passive response to these decades of rights abuses, repression, and massive corruption, and to make a renewed commitment to support Cambodians who struggle for free and fair elections, the rule of law, an end to corruption and land grabs, and respect for basic rights such as freedom of expression, association, and assembly.
“After 30 years of experience, there is no reason to believe that Hun Sen will wake up one day and decide to govern Cambodia in a more open, inclusive, tolerant, and rights-respecting manner,” Adams said. “The international community should begin listening to those Cambodians who have increasingly demanded the protection and PROMOTION of their basic human rights.”
Khmer Krom Coalition and Khmer Youth Alliance request the Cambodian Prime Minister to raise a number of issues with visiting Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang
Sun the 1st Waxing Moon of Phussa BE2558, December 21, AD2014 Year of the Horse
40 NGOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD URGE ICC PROSECUTOR TO ACT ON ICC CAMBODIA COMMUNICATION
Sat the 7h Waning Moon of Māgasira BE2558, December 13, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Courtesy Global Diligence
On 12 December 2014, FIDH, Global Witness and Richard J Rogers sent a joint letter to the ICC Prosecutor attaching a statement from 40 civil society organisations from around the world, expressing support for the ICC Communication on Cambodia. The Communication – which had been filed by Rogers on 7 October 2014 – alleges that the Cambodian Ruling Elite committed crimes against humanity against Cambodian civilians.
The Communication has attracted considerable interest from civil society organisations from all over the world who are concerned that: “Land grabbing and the associated forced evictions of people from their homes and farmland is increasingly a global human rights problem that has reached a crisis point in a number of poor countries.”
To demonstrate their support for the Communication, 40 civil society organisations have signed onto the statement: “Civil Society Statement Supporting the Case Filed Against the Cambodian Ruling Elite in the International Criminal Court.” The signatories, who come from a broad-range of geographical, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds “urge the Office of the Prosecutor to initiate a Preliminary Examination with a view to opening a full investigation.”
The signatories stress that:
“The International Criminal Court accepting the case would have a hugely positive impact, not just in Cambodia, but globally. It would send a powerful message that when land grabbing is widespread or systematic, and reaches a certain level of gravity, international criminal law becomes engaged. We have a duty to protect the victims of land grabs and associated forced evictions who have no chance of obtaining justice in their own countries.”
The text of the Statement follows:
Civil Society Statement Supporting the Case Filed Against the Cambodian Ruling Elite in the International Criminal Court
12 December 2014
The undersigned civil society organisations from across the world wish to express strong support for the case filed against the Cambodian Ruling Elite at the International Criminal Court on 7th October 2014 (the “Communication”).
The case alleges that the widespread and systematic crimes that have accompanied the Ruling Elite’s massive land grabbing campaign amount to a crime against humanity. The land grabbing, which has been perpetrated for well over a decade, has affected an estimated 770,000 people. We come together to urge the Office of the Prosecutor to initiate a Preliminary Examination with a view to opening a full investigation.
Land grabbing and the associated forced evictions of people from their homes and farmland is increasingly a global human rights problem that has reached a crisis point in a number of poor countries. National and foreign investors are acquiring cheap land for everything from agriculture to mining, and this phenomenon continues to grow as population growth, consumption, and financial speculation drive demand upwards.
Land deals are often conducted in secret so available figures are likely to be a gross underestimate. But we know that over the last decade as much as 49 million hectares have changed hands or are under negotiation. The majority of these land deals are taking place in countries where the rule of law is weak, allowing governments and companies to ignore due process with impunity.
The victims of these land grabs are routinely evicted from their homes and forced away from the land and other natural resources that have sustained them and their families, often for generations. In the vast majority of cases, victims lose their sources of livelihood without receiving compensation and, as a consequence, are pushed deeper into hunger and poverty. Associated human rights violations are common. Opposition is often met with violence and armed state forces are used to quash the resistance of communities brave enough to defend their rights. In short, land grabbing has become one of the major causes of human rights violations of our age.
Something must be done. Land tenure security is vital to meeting global aims around poverty alleviation, climate change and the fulfilment of universal human rights. By contrast, the current global land grabbing crisis is displacing poor urbanites and creating a generation of landless farmers, therefore driving political unrest in many of the world’s most volatile countries.
The International Criminal Court accepting the case would have a hugely positive impact, not just in Cambodia, but globally. It would send a powerful message that when land grabbing is widespread or systematic, and reaches a certain level of gravity, international criminal law becomes engaged. We have a duty to protect the victims of land grabs and associated forced evictions who have no chance of obtaining justice in their own countries.
The Prosecutor should not be concerned about ‘opening the floodgates’ by acting on this Communication. Not all forcible evictions or transfers are as widespread and systematic as those in Cambodia; not all land grab situations will meet the elements of ‘crimes against humanity’.
The following civil society organisations have signed-on to this letter:
11.11.11- Coalition of the Flemish North-South movement, Belgium
AFREWATCH, African Resources Watch
Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network (AEFJN)
Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma) – Burma
Alyansa Tigil Mina (Alliance Against Mining), Philippines
American Jewish World Service
AsM Law Office – Promoting Sustainability, Prosperity and Justice, Indonesia
Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoter (HRDP), Burma
CBCP-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs, Philippines
CNCD-11.11.11, Belgium
Comisión Ecuménica de Derechos Humanos (CEDHU), Ecuador
Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de Derechos Humanos (CMDPDH), Mexico
Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Indonesia
Community Resource Centre, Thailand
EarthRights International
Environmental Investigation Agency
Family Farmers’ Association, UK
Find Your Feet, UK
Focus on the Global South
Friends of the Earth International
Global Witness
GRAIN
HAK: Hukum, Alam & Keadilan (Rights, Nature and Justice), Indonesia
Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)
Kachin Peace Network, Burma
Kachin Women Peace Network, Burma
“Justice for All” law firm, Burma
Lao Movement for Human Rights (LMHR), Laos
Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Research Center, Vietnam
Namati
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Philippines
SAWIT WATCH
Share Mercy, Burma
Terra Nuova
The Corner House
The Gaia Foundation
The Oakland Institute, USA
Timor Leste Land and Housing Justice Network
UK Food Group
Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR), Vietnam
Khmer Krom leader Thach Setha bids farewell to the late Chan Soveth, Human Rights Defender
Thu the 5h Waning Moon of Māgasira BE2558, December 11, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Human rights day statement: High Commissioner
Tue the 3rd Waning Moon of Māgasira BE2558, December 9, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Courtesy OHCHR
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights": in perhaps the most resonant and beautiful words of any international agreement,
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights promises, to all, the economic, social,
political, cultural and civil rights that underpin a life free from want and fear.
These human rights are not country-specific. They are not a reward for good
behaviour, or particular to a certain era or social group. They are the inalienable
entitlements of all people, at all times and everywhere, 365 days a year.
They are the rights of people of every colour, from every race and ethnic group; whether
or not they have disabilities; citizens or migrants; no matter their sex, their class,
their caste, their creed, their age or sexual orientation.
The commitments made to
the people of the world through the Universal Declaration are in themselves a mighty achievement – discrediting the tyranny, discrimination and contempt for human beings
that have so painfully marked human history. And since the Declaration was adopted,
countless people have gained greater freedom.
Violations have been prevented.
Independence and autonomy have been attained. Many people – though not all– have been able to secure freedom from torture, unjustified imprisonment, summary
execution, enforced disappearance, persecution and unjust discrimination, as well
as fair access to education, economic opportunities, rich cultural traditions and adequate
resources and health-care.
They have obtained justice for wrongs, and national and
international protection for their rights, through the strong architecture of the international
human rights legal system.
The power of the Universal Declaration is the power of ideas
to change the world. It tells us that human rights are essential and indivisible – 365 days
a year.
Every day is Human Rights day: a day on which we work to ensure that all people
can gain equality, dignity and freedom. The UN Human Rights Office stands with the millions
of people around the world whose voices are denied. And I look forward to you joining us,
whether you do so via social media or in person.
Together, we must demand what should be
guaranteed: our human rights, universal, indivisible, inalienable, for everyone, 365 days a year.
មានពីរភាសា ខ្មែរ និង អង់គ្លេស Available in Khmer and English
Appeal for funds for trip to France to acquire historical Kampuchea Krom dossiers that France transferred Kampuchea Krom to Vietnam
Fri the 7th Waxing Moon of Māgasira BE2558, November 28, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC requested the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch Non Nget to intervene to release the 03 Buddhist monks from Prey Sar Penitentiary and to re-ordain and restore their status as Buddhist monks
Tue the 4th Waxing Moon of Māgasira BE2558, November 25, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC Letter No.: 080/14
Pay Homage To
H.H. Non Nget
The Supreme Buddhist Patriarch of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Subject: Request for an intervention to release 3 Buddhist monks that the Phnom Penh City Hall authority arrested, forced to defrock and detained at the Prey Sar Penitentiary
Per subject above, please allow me to provide Your Holiness on the incidence that taken place on November 11, 2014. The Phnom Penh City Hall authority arrested Venerable Son Hay, forced him to defrock against his will and transported to be detained at the Prey Sar Penitentiary. On the same day of November 12, 2014, Phnom Penh authority arrested two more Buddhist monks: Venerable Khit Vannak and Venerable Thach Sang, forced them to defrock against their will and transported them to be detained at the Prey Sar Penitentiary.
To apply the 227 Dhammavinaya (Buddhist rules) for the Buddhist monks in Buddhism, there are 4 rules (defeats) that the Buddhist monks can be defrocked (disrobed): The 4 parajikas (defeats) and they do not fall under the authority of laypeople (Phnom Penh City Hall authority).
Action of the Phnom Penh City Hall authority violated Buddhist institution and the Constitution, article 4 on Motto of Cambodia: Nation, Religion, King; article 43: Buddhism is the religion of the State.
The allegation of the Phnom Penh City Hall authority that the Buddhist monks hindered the work of the public works official and cause traffic jam does not apply to the 4 parajikas (defeats).
KKC views that the institution of the Supreme Patriarch of the Mohanikay Buddhism plays an important role in the protection of and organizing Buddhism in dignity in accordance to Buddhism in conjunction to the motto of Cambodia and the Constitution, the supreme law of the land.
Therefore, KKC appeals to you to take an effective measure to get the 3 Buddhist monks freed for the authorities forcefully defrocked them against their will and Buddha Dhamma in Pol Pol-style and to re-ordain and restore their monkhood accordingly.
KKC has confidence that in your capacity as the Supreme Patriarch overseeing the Buddhist monks nation-wide surely feels pain and will not allow the authorities to trample on Buddhism.
Please, Your Holiness, accept my highest respect.
Phnom Penh, November 24, B.E.2558 A.D.2014
KKC President
[Signed]
Thach Setha
-Advisor to the First Vice President of Parliament
with Minister-portfolio
-Former Senator
Wat Khmer Trigoda Jotannano Chuon Nath appeals to the two Supreme Patriarch in Cambodia and Minister of Cult & Religions to intervene to release and re-ordain Ven. Son Hay, Ven. Khit Vannak and Ven. Thach Sang
Sun the 2nd Waxing Moon of Māgasira BE2558, November 23, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KYAD, KKC and Hon. Thach Setha Appeal for Funds for Trip to France to Acquire Historical Kampuchea Krom Dossiers that France Transferred Kampuchea Krom to Vietnam
Wed the 14th Waning Moon of Kattikā BE2558, November 20, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KYAD, KKC, the Buddhist monks, and Mr. Thach Setha will travel to France on January 20, B.E.2558 A.D.2015 to collect historical documents on Kampuchea Krom that France during colonial eras transferred her to Vietnam on June 4, B.E.2493 A.D.1949.
The French Embassy responded to the petition that KYAD and KKC delivered in person in past summer on occasion of the Mass Demonstration against Vietnam to protect Khmer history and national dignity of Kampuchea (Cambodia). Thousands of Buddhist monks, youth and compatriots take part in those events.
The delegation members need help with the followings:
1. Airfares
2. Passports
3. Transportations
4. Lodges & meals
To DONATE & CONTACT INFO for Fundraising Committee:
Miss Srey Na 096 73 49 348
Miss Reaksmey 010 41 99 98
Mrs. SaVat 096 83 87 774
Miss Sothea 077 529 262
Miss Mey 098 29 28 15
Your donations are appreciated in advance.
Cambodia: "Judicial harassment for political purposes must stop" – UN Special Rapporteur
Tue the 13th Waning Moon of Kattikā BE2558, November 19, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Courtesy OHCHR
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia, Surya P. Subedi, today urged the Cambodian Government to respect the law and the principle of judicial independence. At the same time, he called on the country's judiciary to strictly exercise judicial authority independent of any external influence. "It saddens me to see the courts being used again and again as a tool of the executive," Mr. Subedi said in response to the recent series of arrests and immediate convictions of land activists and opposition party members. Read full media statement in English.
Mon the 11th Waning Moon of Kattikā BE2558, November 17, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Courtesy the Phnom Penh Post
លោក ថាច់ សេដ្ឋា ប្រធានសហគមន៍ខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ក្នុងបាតុកម្មតវ៉ាមុខស្ថានទូតវៀតណាម។ ម៉ៃ វីរៈ
Thach Setha, KKC president, leading Mass Demonstration in front of the Vietnamese embassy. Vireak Mai
Thach Setha, the president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, says he is planning to lead a group to an unlikely destination: France, the country he accuses of illegally handing over Kampuchea Krom to the Vietnamese in 1949.
But Setha isn’t interested in touring the Riviera or exploring medieval cathedrals.
Rather, he plans to visit French archives in the hope of obtaining colonial-era documents that would be used to force Vietnam to apologise for a spokesman’s remark that southern Vietnam had been Vietnamese – and not Cambodian – land for many centuries.
At a meeting yesterday, Setha told his supporters that he is acting on a reply from the French Embassy to a petition the group filed during demonstrations on October 6.
“The response, dated October 13, told us to select representatives to go to France to pick up coded documents in the archives. Since we do not have money, we postponed this,” Setha said.
But now, the time has come for the trip to become a reality, said Setha, explaining that more than 10 representatives will be selected to go.
Buddhist monks and supporters block a road in front of the Vietnamese Embassy last month during a Khmer Krom protest. Vireak Mai
But French Embassy spokesman Nicolas Baudouin said yesterday that the embassy never indicated that Cambodian representatives should to be sent to France to investigate the issue.
“We accepted the petition and responded by saying that regarding this matter, he can very well consult the national overseas archives [in Aix-en-Provence],” said Baudouin.
“Let me be clear: These archives are open to the public, anyone can use them. This is not a favour granted to the president of the association.”
In June, Vietnamese Embassy spokesman Trung Van Thong said in a radio interview that Vietnam had ruled Kampuchea Krom for a “very long time”.
The comments sparked protests in Phnom Penh led by Setha, which have continued periodically since.
Van Thong was quietly removed from his post in Cambodia in September, but the nation itself has not apologised
KKC condemns in strong language upon Phnom Penh City Hall authority for arresting, detaining and defrocking Ven. Son Hay on November 11, 2014
Wed the 6th Waning Moon of Kattikā BE2558, November 12, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Unofficial translation
This is a serious violation of the Cambodian constitution, Article 4: Motto of Cambodia: Nation, Religion, King; Article 43: Buddhism is the religion of the State.
Buddha Dhamma has 227 Vinaya (or rules) for the Buddhist monks (Especially the Bhikkhu). There are 4 rules that the Buddhist monks can be defrocked (disrobed): The 4 pārājikas and not the authority of Phnom Penh City Hall authority. Action of the Phnom Penh City Hall authority violates Buddhism and the Constitution.
The Khmer Krom Coalition appeals to the Minister of Cult and Religion including the two Supreme Patriarch to intervene to re-ordain Ven. Son Hay and restore his status as a Bhikhhu in accordance to the Buddhist rules.
USCIRF Helps Launch International Parliamentary Coalition to Advance Religious Freedom
Tue the 5th Waning Moon of Kattikā BE2558, November 11, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Donations: If you wish to donate, please contact Mr. Thach Setha at 012 90 88 82 or you can transfer your donations via Western Union under his name. It’s fast and lower transferring fees. E-mail: thachsetha13@gmail.com.
For overseas residents, please contact Sina Son 267.242.3608, Vithi Kim 864.491.1991, Sakal Kim 978.596.5126. Your donations will reach the organizing committee at the exact amounts without transferring fees deduction. E-mail: kkcpressoffice@yahoo.com.
Donations: If you wish to donate, please contact Mr. Thach Setha at 012 90 88 82 or you can transfer your donations via Western Union under his name. It’s fast and lower transferring fees. E-mail: thachsetha13@gmail.com.
For overseas residents, please contact Sina Son 267.242.3608, Vithi Kim 864.491.1991 . Your donations will reach the organizing committee at the exact amounts without transferring fees deduction. E-mail: kkcpressoffice@yahoo.com.
Video: វេទិកាសាធារណៈ ស្តីពីទឹកដីកម្ពុជាក្រោម និងការអនុវត្តន៍ច្បាប់អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ នៅប្រទេសកម្ពុជា នៅថ្ងៃសៅរ៍ ទី០៦ កញ្ញា ព.ស.២៥៥៨ គ.ស.២០១៤
The SEPT 06 Public Forum on Kampuchea Krom and Immigration Law Enforcement in Cambodia at Democracy Square in Phnom Penh
Sat the 13th Waxing Moon of Poṭṭhapāda BE2558, September 6, AD2014 Year of the Horse
វេទិកាសាធារណៈ ស្តីពីទឹកដីកម្ពុជាក្រោម និងការអនុវត្តន៍ច្បាប់អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ នៅប្រទេសកម្ពុជា នៅថ្ងៃសៅរ៍ ទី០៦ កញ្ញា ព.ស.២៥៥៨ គ.ស.២០១៤
The SEPT 06 Public Forum on Kampuchea Krom and Immigration Law Enforcement in Cambodia at Democracy Square in Phnom Penh
Sat the 13th Waxing Moon of Poṭṭhapāda BE2558, September 6, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Video: The 65th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration
Thu the 11th Waxing Moon of Poṭṭhapāda BE2558, September 4, AD2014 Year of the Horse
ទិវាកាន់ទុក្ខជាតិខ្មែរ ខួប ៦៥ឆ្នាំនៃថ្ងៃអាណានិគមបារាំងកាត់ទឹកដីខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ឲ្យអាណានិគមវៀតណាម និង ពិធីបុណ្យរាប់បាត្រព្រះសង្ឃចំនួន ១៩៤៩អង្គ ប្រារព្ធនៅថ្ងៃទី០៤ ខែមិថុនា ព.ស.២៥៥៨ គ.ស.២០១៤
The 65th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offerings Ceremony to 1949 Buddhist Monks to honor heroic Buddhist monks, heroes and fallen compatriots for sacrificing their lives to defend, protect Kampuchea and Kampuchea Krom, Khmer identity, religion, freedom, democracy, heritage, culture, custom, language, literature, tradition and way of life in Phnom Penh on June 04, B.E.2558 A.D.2014
Donations: If you wish to donate, please contact Mr. Thach Setha at 012 90 88 82 or you can transfer your donations via Western Union under his name. It’s fast and lower transferring fees. E-mail: thachsetah13@gmail.com.
For overseas residents, please contact Sina Son 267.242.3608, Vithi Kim 864.491.1991 . Your donations will reach the organizing committee at the exact amounts without transferring fees deduction. E-mail: kkcpressoffice@yahoo.com.
សេចក្តីថ្លែងការណ៍រួម Joint Statement
Tue the 9th Waxing Moon of Poṭṭhapāda BE2558, September 2, AD2014 Year of the Horse
On August 31, 2014, SNCKK and KKC (the Supreme National Council of Kampuchea Krom and the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community) convened in the City of Los Angeles, California and agreed to the followings:
1. Both organizations agreed to cooperate in serving the national cause.
2. Both organizations agreed to lend their supports to one another in domestic and overseas activities.
3. Both organizations call on all Khmer Krom organizations and associations to be unified, united in serving the national interest.
Los Angeles, August 31, 2014
[Signed] [Signed]
Thach Tan Dara Sakal M.P. Kim
SNCKK President KKC Representative
Original text Khmer
ខ្មែរតែមួយ ONE KHMER UN KHMER
ខ្មែរតែមួយ មានន័យថា ទង់ជាតិតែមួយ ប្រវត្តិសាស្រ្តតែមួយ
One Khmer One Flag One History Un Khmer Un Drapeau Une Histoire
Fri the 12th Waning Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 22, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Khmer Krom leader, KKC president and former Senator Thach Setha leads a delegation to meet with DPM and FAIC Minister Hor Namhong on petition to summon Vietnam’s ambassador to provide clarification on Kampuchea Krom at the Ministry
Tue the 9th Waning Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 19, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC (The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community) requests Heng Samrin, NA president, to raise the fabrication of Khmer history issue with Vietnam on occasion of his state visit to Vietnam on AUG 18 -28
Tue the 9th Waning Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 19, AD2014 Year of the Horse
The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Coalition and youth on August 11, B.E.2558 A.D.2014 demonstrated and marched to deliver petitions to embassies of ASEAN countries and Vietnam and to demand public apology to the Khmers for fabricating Khmer history
Mon the 1st Waning Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 11, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Mass Demonstration to protect Khmer history on AUG 11 against Vietnam to be held at Democracy Square
Sat the 14th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 9, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Vietnam’s Ambition on Kampuchea by Mr. Thach Setha
Brave Khmer Krom leader, KKC president, former Senator and
Kampuchea Krom-born Thach Setha on August 7, B.E.2558 A.D.2014 in public forum in Phnom Penh organized by Foundation of Patriotic Buddhist Monks
Sat the 14th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 9, AD2014 Year of the Horse
DONATE NOW:
In Kampuchea (Cambodia):
Mr. Thach Setha 093 47 47 06 or 078 360 898
Miss Raksmey 010 41 99 98
Via bank account: FTB Thach Setha, account number: 010-30-400-025747-5.
For faster service and low wiring fees, please transfer to Mr. Thach Setha via Western Union.
In North America:
Sakal Kim 978.596.5126, Mr. Sina Son 267.242.3608, Mr. Vithi Kim 864.494.1991, or Mr. Saret Kim 978.328.4435. If you wish to donate via KKC-NA leaders, we will transfer your funds completely in whole without deducting any transfer fees.
KKC notifies Phnom Penh Municipality of its 3-day resumed mass demonstration against Vietnam to protect Khmer history on AUG 11 – 13
Mon the 9th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 4, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC (the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community) and League of Khmer Youth for Democracy, LKYD, to resume mass demonstration against Vietnam’s embassy on August 11 – 13 to protect Khmer history
Mon the 9th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 4, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC [The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community] to resume Mass Demonstration in the nearest future when Vietnam failed to comply with the demand of Khmer Buddhist monks and people
Fri the 6th Waxing Moon of Sāvaṇa BE2558, August 1, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC is determined to protect Khmer history and demanding that Vietnam apologizes or acknowledges Khmer history that Kampuchea Krom territories are formerly Kampuchea's not Vietnam's land for a long time.
MASS DEMONSTRATION TO PROTECT KHMER HISTORY TO RESUME WHEN RESPONSE FROM VIETNAM IS UNACCEPTABLE OR NO RESPONSE WITHIN TWO WEEKS, 22 JULY - 04 AUGUST
Thu the 13th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 24, AD2014 Year of the Horse
The Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, KKC, would like to inform the Venerable Buddhist monks, youth, members and compatriots that a mass demonstration to protect Khmer history will start again when Vietnam fails to respond or the response is not acceptable within two weeks starting on July 22 through August 04.
PETITION DELIVERED TO H.E. NGUYEN TAN DUNG PRIME MINISTER OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM via Phnom Penh Municipality today, July 22, to be transmitted to [Kampuchea] Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for examination prior to be delivered to Vietnam within two weeks and respond to the Khmer Krom Coalition, FCIS, & LiKY
Thu the 13th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 24, AD2014 Year of the Horse
MASS DEMONSTRATION ON JULY 21 TO PROTECT KHMER HISTORY
Mon the 10th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 21, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Sun the 9th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 20, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC vehemently condemns the Phnom Penh authorities for violently cracking down on non-violent protesters with a pre-meditated intention to kill the protesters irrefutably
Thu the 6th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 17, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Khmer Krom Coalitioin, Khmer youth, and IDEA vehemently condemn Vietnam for bullying Kampuchea
Wed the 5th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 16, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Join Mass Demonstration on JULY 21 in Phnom Penh to Protect Khmer History
Fri the 15th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 11, AD2014 Year of the Horse
វេទិកាសាធារណៈ ស្តីពី ទឹកដីកម្ពុជាក្រោម ថ្ងៃទី០៦ ខែកក្កដា ព.ស.២៥៥៨ គ.ស.២០១៤
Public Forum on Kampuchea krom on July 6, B.E.2558 A.D.2014
Former Senator Thach Setha, Khmer Krom leader, president of KKC-the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community and Forum Chair
Tue the 12th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 8, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KKC and Khmer Krom continue to condemn Vietnam for repeated offenses on fabricating Khmer history and the occupation by Vietnam in Kampuchea Krom today is another French-style colonial administration and illegal
Tue the 12th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 8, AD2014 Year of the Horse
THE ILLEGAL PHNOM PENH AUTHORITIES VIOLENTLY CRACKDOWN ON PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS TO PROTECT THEIR KHMER HISTORY
Tue the 12th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 8, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Khmer Krom Lectures Vietnam on Kampuchea Krom Is Khmers'
Sun the 10th Waning Moon of Āsāḷha BE2558, July 6, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Prince Sisowath Thomico takes part in the meeting. Former Senator Thach Setha, Khmer Krom leader and president of KKC, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community teaches Vietnam on Kampuchea Krom history.
សេចក្តីប្រកាសព័ត៌មាន ស្តីពី វេទិកាសាធារណៈ ស្តីអំពី ទឹកដីខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម លើកទៅធ្វើនៅ ថ្ងៃទី០៦ ខែកក្កដា ព.ស.២៥៥៨ គ.ស.២០១៤ វិញ
THE KAMPUCHEA KROM PUBLIC FORUM POSTPONED TO JULY 6, B.E.2558 A.D.2014
Tue the 12th Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 24, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Vietnam appointed Khmer Krom as Vietnam’s Ambassador to Kampuchea and Deputy Foreign Minister
Fri the 8th Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 20, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Before accepting the new role, Mr. Thach Du held the post of Vice Secretary of Preah Trapeang (Tra Vinh) provincial Party Committee and Deputy Head of the provincial delegation of the 13th National Assembly and is serving as stint as Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia in the 2014-2017 term.
VIETNAM government WILL NOT APOLOGIZE PUBLICLY TO KHMER CITIZENS ON THE FABRICATED HISTORY THAT SAID KAMPUCHEA KROM BELONGS TO VIETNAM FOR A LONG TIME
Vietnam failed to show real evidence to support its claim that Kampuchea Krom is part of Vietnam for a long time. Communists are good at lying, denying and fabricating.
Fri the 1st Waning Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 13, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Courtesy the Phnom Penh Post
Human Rights Watch Submission for the Review of Cambodia by the Human Rights Committee
Thu the 15th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 12, AD2014 Year of the Horse
KHMER KROM CITIZENS IN KAMPUCHEA TO DEMONSTRATE PEACEFULLY AGAINST VIETNAM’S GOVERNMENT IF MR. TRAN VAN THONG OR THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT DID NOT APOLOGIZE PUBLICLY TO THE KHMER CITIZENS ON THE FABRICATED HISTORY
Wed the 14th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 11, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Khmer Krom condemn Vietnam for fabricating history that Kampuchea Krom does not belong to Kampuchea
Sat the 10th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 7, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Letter of Appreciation to the Buddhist Monks, Compatriots and Youth
for Participating in the 65th Annual Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration
to Honor Khmer Heroes on June 4, B.E.2558 A.D.2014
Thu
the 8th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 5, AD2014 Year of the Horse
The 65th Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration on June 4, B.E.2558 A.D.2014
Wed
the 7th Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, June 4, AD2014 Year of the Horse
L-R: HRP president Son Soubert, CNRP president Sam Rainsy, CNRP vice president Kem Sokha. Courtesy Srey Na
Phnom Penh City Hall summons [again] Hon. Thach Setha, president of KKC-the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community, to city hall on JUN 02 to discuss KKC request to organize the JUN 04 Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and Public Forum on Khmer Krom Issues
Sat the 3rd Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, May 31, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Cambodian king Norodom Sihamoni granted Her Royal Highness Princess Sisowath Pongneary Monypong as His Highest Royal Representative in the June 4 Kampuchea Krom Loss Commemoration and the Offerings Ceremony to 1949 Buddhist monks to honor Khmer heroic Buddhist monks, emperors, kings, heroes, heroines and compatriots
Sat the 3rd Waxing Moon of Jeṭṭha BE2558, May 31, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Declare the Areng Valley of Koh Kong, SW Cambodia, a world heritage site, NOW
Thu the 3rd Waxing Moon of Visakha BE2557, May 1, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Courtesy Mother Nature Cambodia
USCIRF Issues its 2014 Annual Report - 15th Anniversary Retrospective: Renewing the Commitment
Wed the 2nd Waxing Moon of Visakha BE2557, April 30, AD2014 Year of the Horse
Courtesy USCIRF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2014 | USCIRF
Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal advisory body the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) created to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad, today released its 2014 Annual Report, and recommended that the State Department add eight more nations to its list of “countries of particular concern,” defined under law as countries where particularly severe violations of religious freedom are tolerated or perpetrated: Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam. USCIRF also recommended that the following eight countries be re-designated as “countries of particular concern,” or CPCs: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan.
This year’s report, the 15th since the Commission’s creation in 1998, documents religious freedom violations in 33 countries and makes country-specific policy recommendations. The report also examines U.S. international religious freedom policy over the past decade and a half, reviewing what IRFA requires, assessing the record on implementing its provisions, and recommending ways to strengthen U.S. engagement on and promotion of religious freedom.
“With religious freedom abuses occurring daily around the world against people of all faiths and those without religious faith, the United States must by words and deeds stand in solidarity with the persecuted,” said USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George. “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right recognized by international law that guarantees to all human beings the freedom to believe or not believe as their conscience leads, and live out their beliefs openly, peacefully, and without fear. Religious freedom also is essential to national and global security. Thus, the defense of religious freedom is both a human rights imperative and a practical necessity and merits a seat at the table with economic, security and other key concerns of U.S. foreign policy.”
Along with recommending CPC designations, USCIRF also announced the placement of 10 countries on its 2014 “Tier 2” list, a USCIRF designation for governments that engage in or tolerate violations that are serious, but which are not CPC-level violators. USCIRF urged increased U.S. government attention to these countries, which include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Russia, and Turkey.
The USCIRF report also highlights religious freedom concerns in countries/regions that do not meet the Tier 1 (CPC) or Tier 2 threshold, but should also be the focus of concern, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, and Western Europe.
“America’s commitment to religious freedom abroad, embodied in the IRFA law enacted more than 15 years ago, must be renewed and strengthened,” said Chairman George. “IRFA was prescient in recognizing that religious freedom needs to be a key component of U.S. foreign policy. The United States must fully utilize IRFA’s provisions including: faithfully designating CPCs each year, ensuring that the CPC list expands or contracts as conditions warrant, and consider taking Presidential actions unique to each situation.”
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact USCIRF at media@uscirf.gov or 202-786-0613.
Khmer Krom leader Thach Setha touring the Orphan Child Center, OCC, on April 3, B.E.2557 A.D.2014
Wed the 4th Waxing Moon of Citta BE2557, April 3, AD2014 Year of the Snake
Khmer Krom leader, KKC Exec. Dir. and CNRP Permanent Committee member and former SRP Senator Thach Setha touring the Orphan Child Center, OCC, on April 3, B.E.2557 A.D.2014. Photo Op with Hon. Son Soubert, OCC Director, KKC Council President, former Parliamtary Vice President and former Constitutional Council member
Cambodia's National Deficits, International Loans and Borrowings top about $5.5-Billiion from B.E.2537 A.D.1993 to DEC 31, B.E.2556 A.D.2012
Khmer children will pay for these loans.
Tue the 2nd Waxing Moon of Citta BE2557, April 1, AD2014 Year of the Snake
Courtesy Thmeythmey
Sat the 15th Full Moon of Phagguṇa BE2557, March 15, AD2014 Year of the Snake
U.S. State Department's 2013 Annual Human Rights Report on Vietnam
Thu the 13rd Waning Moon of Māgha BE2557, February 27, AD2014 Year of the Snake
Courtesy USDoS
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an authoritarian state ruled by a single party, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and President Truong Tan Sang. The most recent National Assembly elections, held in 2011, were neither free nor fair. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Security forces committed human rights abuses.The most significant human rights problems in the country continued to be severe government restrictions on citizens’ political rights, particularly their right to change their government; increased measures to limit citizens’ civil liberties; and corruption in the judicial system and police.Specific human rights abuses included continued police mistreatment of suspects during arrest and detention, including the use of lethal force as well as austere prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention for political activities; and denial of the right to a fair and expeditious trial. Political influence, endemic corruption, and inefficiency continued to distort the judicial system significantly. The government limited freedoms of speech and press and suppressed dissent; increasingly restricted internet freedom; reportedly continued to be involved in attacks against websites containing criticism; maintained surveillance of dissidents; and continued to limit privacy rights and freedoms of assembly, association, and movement. Although authorities allowed more than 100 new places of worship to register, hundreds of others remained unable to register, and citizens who tried to exercise their right to freedom of religion continued to be subject to harassment, differing interpretations and applications of the law, and inconsistent legal protection, especially at provincial and village levels. Police corruption persisted. The government maintained its prohibition of independent human rights organizations. Violence and discrimination against women as well as trafficking in persons of men, women, and children continued, as did gender-based sex selection and sexual exploitation of children. Although societal discrimination based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV/AIDS status persisted, a lively public debate about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights took place, and LGBT persons were generally tolerated. The government maintained limits on workers’ rights to form and join independent unions and did not enforce safe and healthy working conditions adequately. Child labor persisted.The government inconsistently took steps to prosecute and punish officials who committed abuses, and police officers sometimes acted with impunity. Read Report on Vietnam
Viet Nam Review - 18th Session of Universal Periodic Review
Thu the 7th Waxing Moon of Māgha BE2557, February 6, AD2014 Year of the Snake
Courtesy the UN
Original version
English version
LIST OF SPEAKERS
H.E. Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs – Head of Delegation (Introduction)
Norway, Mr. Erling Hoem
Oman, Mr. Yousef Al Amri
Pakistan, Mr. Afaq Ahmad
Thailand, Mr. Thani Thongphankdi
Poland, Mr. Jerzy Baurski
Portugal, Ms. Manuela Teixeira Pinto
Republic of Korea, Mr. Choi Seok-Young
Republic of Moldova, Ms. Olga Bogdan
Hungary, MS. Ellen Van Thiel
Russian Federation, Ms. Anastasia Bagdatieva
Senegal, Mr. Mouhamadou Dia
Serbia, Mr. Aleksandar Tomic
Singapore, Mr. Steven Pang
Slovakia, Mr. Fedor Rosocha
Slovenia, Ms. Spela Kosir
South Sudan, Mr. Ramadan Tombe
Spain, Mr. Victorio Redondo
Sri Lanka, Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinha
Poem narrating about Khmer hero Oknha Son Kuy
Sat the 2nd Waxing Moon of Māgha BE2557, February 1, AD2014 Year of the Snake
Courtesy Savona Yuthpung
Cambodia Review - 18th Session of Universal Periodic Review
Tue the 13th Waning Moon of Phussa BE2557, January 28, AD2014 Year of the Snake
Courtesy the UN
Original version
English version
LIST OF SPEAKERS
H.E. Mr. Mak Sambath, Vice Chair of the National Human Rights Committee - Head of Delegation (Introduction)
Slovenia, Mr. Matjaz Kovacic
Spain, Mr. Vicente Cacho
Sri Lanka, Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinha
State of Palestine, Ms. Nada Tarbush
Sweden, Ms. Irina Schoulgin Nyoni
Switzerland, Mr. Alexandre Fasel
Indonesia, Mr.. Triyono Wibowo
Timor-Leste, Mr. Marcino Da Silva
Tunisia, Mr. Slim Ghariani
Turkmenistan, Mr. Esen Aydogdyev
United Kingdom, Mr. Bob Last
United States of America, Mr. David Sullivane
Uruguay, Mr. Patricio Silva
Uzbekistan, Mr. Javohir Nurmetov
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Mr. Edgardo Toro
Viet Nam, Mr. Thanh Nguyen
Algeria, Mr. Antar Hassani
Angola, Mr. Andre Kitoko
This is the second time that Cambodia comes under a UPR review and the last one takes place in 2009.
Khmer Krom leader, KKC president and former Senator Thach Setha leads a delegation of Khmer Buddhist monks and NGOs to meet with MoFA State Secretary Ouch Borith late last year, 2013
Human Rights Are For Everyone
Mon the13th Waxing Moon of Phussa BE2557, January 13, AD2014 Year of the Snake
