UNPO Condemns Arrests of Khmer Krom Monks
On 08 February 2007, the Vietnamese police surrounded and blocked all passage to the Ta Sek Temple in Soc Trang (Kleang) Province in an effort to prevent the resident Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks from staging a peaceful protest marking their right of religious freedom. Initial reports indicated that 60 Khmer Krom monks were stranded inside the temple, with no access to food or water.
Further reports suggest that on 20 February 2007, Vietnamese police forced their way into the temple in order to arrest two Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks who remained inside their
Since 22 February 2007 nine Khmer Krom Monks have been arrested by Vietnamese authorities and forcefully disrobed. This is not only a practice tremendously damaging to the individual, but also permits authorities to detain the Monks as civilians.
Three Monks have since been released, but are not permitted to return to their original Pali school;
Ly Suong (21) from Wat Teok Praiy in Long Phu district, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Kim Muon from Wat Ta Sek in Vinh Hoa Commune, Vinh Chau District, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Thach Thuong (28 )from Wat Teok Praiy in Long Phu District, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Two Monks have been released pending further investigation, but remain under close surveillance;
Thach Xuan Hien (21) from Wat Ta Meon in Vinh Binh Commune, My Xuyen District, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Tang Phien (22) from Wat Ta Meon in Vinh Binh Commune, My Xuyen District, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Four Monks remain however in custody at an undisclosed location;
Thach Do (27) from Wat Ta Sek in Vinh Hoa Commune, Vinh Chau District, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Ly Hoang (22) from Wat Sam Rong in Phuong 5, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Ly Tang Thong (23) from Wat Sam Rong in Phuong 5, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
Ly Thanh Suoi (28) from Wat Teok Praiy in Long Phu District, Kleang (Soc Trang) Province
UNPO is greatly concerned about the wellbeing of these Monks and is particularly disturbed by the continued persecution of Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks, as they play a crucial role in preserving both Khmer Krom culture and language.
[UNPO Press Release on this Subject]
UNPO has urged a number of Embassies and Diplomatic Missions to
Call upon Vietnamese authorities to end their arbitrary and unlawful persecution of the Khmer Krom community, including that of Buddhist Monks;
Raise the issue of human rights, in particular in relation to minorities such as the Khmer Krom, in Your relations with Vietnamese authorities;
Remind the Government of