Feb 28, 2007

UNPO Condemns Arrests of Khmer Krom Monks


UNPO has informed Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Vietnam of the house arrest of Khmer Krom Monks responsible for peaceful demonstrations marking their right to religious freedom.

The Hague, 28 February 2007 – Reports of the ongoing harassment and arrest of Khmer Krom Buddhist Monks in Vietnam remains a cause of concern to UNPO. Recent attempts by Monks to mark their right to religious freedom through peaceful demonstrations have reportedly resulted in a new wave or arrests, with others forced into hiding or placed under house arrest in their temples.

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 Temple. The two monks were the Venerable Kim Nguon and the Venerable Son Thy Thon. Reports also indicate that Head Monk, the Venerable Thach Toan was threatened with imprisonment if he attempted to intervene.

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 Vietnam, as well as the Delegation of the European Commission to Vietnam and Members of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights 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 Vietnam of its obligations under internationally recognized human rights standards to provide for freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion, as well as their duty to protect those promoting the cause of human rights.