Nov 27, 2006

Khmer-Krom: Viet-Nam Arrests Couple for Watching DVD


According to the Khmer-Krom Network Viet Nam arrested a Khmer Krom Couple for Watching a DVD produced by the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) related to their activities at the United Nations Forums for the Indigenous Issues.

Below is an article published by the Khmer-Krom Network:

On November 21, 2006, at 6AM, the Vietnamese Communist Authority of Chon-Co hamlet, Pothy (An Cu) commune, Ka-Bao (Tinh Bien) district, Mout-Chrouk (An Giang) province, arrested a Khmer Krom couple, Mr. Chau Kim Sot (45 years old) and his wife, Mrs. Neang En for watching a Khmer-Krom video.

The Vietnamese Communist Authority accused Mr. Chau Kim Sot and his wife for having watched a DVD produced by the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) containing its activities at the United Nations Forums for the Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in May 2005. The authorities have also threatened to use violent force to search the Khmer communes of Tinh Bien district to find out who else have watched the KKF’s DVD unless they come forward.

These arrests violated the Article 17, 18, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that is recognized by the United Nations which Vietnam is a member. Vietnamese Government bar their citizens to see the activities of the UNPFII, where they(KKF) have participated.

KKF appeals to Vietnamese government for immediate release of Mr. Chau Kim Sot and his wife without any condition and to stop arresting other innocent Khmer Krom. While KKF uses all peaceful force in its quest to find freedom and justice for the Khmer-Krom people, it cannot control the anger of the Khmer-Krom general population and warned that if the Vietnamese government does not release these innocent people, the Khmer-Krom people will not sit back and let this horrendous oppression continues. If there are any demonstrations or act of violent happen due to this arrest of the Khmer Krom, the Vietnamese Government must bear all responsibilities. - KKN