Tuesday, 21 July 2009 14:02 Cheang Sokha and Sebastian Strangio Phnom Penh Post
Asylum seekers deported to Poipet say they have struggled to survive since their arrival, with no family or other support in Cambodia.
A GROUP of 23 Khmer Krom asylum seekers hiding out in Banteay Meanchey province after being deported by Thai immigration authorities earlier this month say they continue to grapple with a lack of food and medical care. Since their July 3 deportation, 33 members of the group of 56 have left the Poipet border town to move in with friends and relatives scattered across the country. But the remaining 23 deportees, who claim they were born in southern Vietnam and have no family in the country, are now stranded at a small property about 15 kilometres from Poipet, where they face food shortages and increasing bouts of illness. "We do not have enough food to survive," said one deportee, who declined to be named. "We are coughing, and we are afraid that we will contract swine flu, but we do not have the money for treatment." The deportee said the Phnom Penh office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had made no attempt to contact them since the deportation, leaving them in a state of increasing uncertainty. "We cannot live here much longer," he said. "We do not know what will happen to us in the future." Chao Veasna, a Khmer Krom living in Poipet who has provided some support to the recent arrivals, said they had received a bag of rice from a Christian charity and that they were going into the fields to seek additional food. "They do not have any support right now, and I do not know who can help them," he said, adding that their food supplies would only last through today.Forgotten peopleThe situation for the deportees seems set to worsen, with local and international organisations saying they are unable to aid the Khmer Krom refugees.
We cannot live here much longer. We do not know what will happen to us...
Toshi Kawauchi, head of the UNHCR office in Phnom Penh, said his mandate did not extend to the deportees because all ethnic Khmers technically have the automatic right to Cambodian citizenship. "We are not able to process their cases as long as they are in Cambodia," he said. "I am still in discussions with our regional office in Bangkok to see what actions we might be able to take."Ang Chanrith, executive director of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Human Rights Organisation, also said his office did not have any means to support the people and could only provide legal support. "We do not know how to help them," he said. "They are Khmer, but they did not have any documents to prove it, so we will wait and see." A Human Rights Watch report released in January cited the "severe and often shrouded methods" used by the Vietnamese government to stifle dissent among the country's large Khmer minority.
Showing posts with label Khmer Krom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Khmer Krom. Show all posts
Tim Sakhorn receives asylum in Europe
.jpg)
02 July 2009
By Sam Borin
Radio Free Asia
Tim Sakhorn, the former abbot of the Phnom Den North Pagoda, received full protection from the UNHCR and a European country also gave him asylum.
Venerable Thach Berong, deputy head monk of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), indicated that the vow taking ceremony for Tim Sakhorn prior to the Vossa season (rainy season) is currently delayed because the former abbot received legal refugee status from the UNHCR and a European country agreed to provide him with asylum. This choice is much better than having him taking his Buddhist vow again [for now].
Regarding the other 5 monks from Khleang province, Kampuchea Krom (current South Vietnam), who were forced-defrocked by the Viet authority during an unrest period in 2007, there is no schedule set for their vow taking ceremony yet.
Venerable Thach Berong told RFA over the phone from Thailand past midnight yesterday: “KKF has organized the vow taking ceremony for Tim Sakhorn and the other 5 [Khmer Krom] monks. Now, KKF is preparing documents with a number of other NGOs, we are not organizing the vow taking ceremony yet because the UNHCR indicated that Tim Sakhorn received the legal authorization to travel to a third country. Therefore, currently, former abbot Tim Sakhorn is under the protection of the UNHCR.”
Venerable Thach Berong indicated also that KKF would like to see the other 5 defrocked Khmer Krom monks receiving the same treatment as Tim Sakhorn: “For the safety protection of the 5 defrocked Khmer Krom monks, I am preparing their paper works so that the UNHCR recognize their [refugee] status and that it would intervene to protect their safety. This is what we are preparing for. Our goal is for them to receive the same treatment as Tim Sakhorn so that a third country provides legal asylum for them. This is our hope, and the KKF is also contacting embassies and refugee institutions, as well as the UNH
Human Rights in Viet Nam: 500 Indigenous Khmer Krom Make Themselves Heard at the United Nations
On 08 May 2009, Viet Nam's human rights record was examined for the first time by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). While the country's participation in the new Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism is an important step, words are outweighed by facts. Disappearances, censorship, institutionalised discrimination, cultural "homogenisation", lack of fair justice, lack of religious freedom, lack of freedom of association, marginalisation of indigenous peoples are all abuses which characterise current-day Viet Nam. On this historic occasion, 500 indigenous Khmer Krom traveled to Geneva to make themselves heard. Staging a massive 10-hour demonstration outside the UN and organising a side-event inside the UN, right next door to the Human Rights Council, Viet Nam's indigenous Khmer Krom called upon the international community for action.
A disappointing Universal Periodic Review
The sharp contrast between Viet Nam's self-congratulatory UPR report and those prepared for the Council by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) denotes a sad truth: while the regime has officially accepted to participate in this process, it has chosen not to take a critical look at its human rights record. This is an eloquent manifestation of the country's approach to cooperation with the United Nations. While the documents of the OHCHR and the submissions of human rights NGOs pointed to institutionalized human rights abuses in numerous fields, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh dismissed them as "unfounded reports" and rejected "allegations of ill will about democracy and human rights in Viet Nam". In his opening statement, he reasserted that "it is the consistent policy of the State to respect and guarantee human rights", adding that "the protection and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights in Viet Nam have made significant progress". The commitments made by Viet Nam on this occasion were not without reservations and consisted mainly of promises to fulfil their obligations under the treaties to which the country is already a party (an implied obligation of any country ratifying a treaty), to consider joining a number of key human rights instruments and to envisage inviting some of the Council's special procedures to Viet Nam (the ones whose work focuses on poverty, education, development and debt - but not the ones working on religion, freedom of expression, racism or the independence of judges). The country's report and the Vice Minister's statement therefore raised very serious questions on Viet Nam's intentions to collaborate with the United Nations in the field of human rights.
Indigenous Khmer Krom take the streets... and the Palais
Gathered outside the UN on Geneva's Place des Nations from 8AM till 6 PM, 500 indigenous Khmer Krom called upon the international community for action to protect human rights in Viet Nam. After joining hands in a human chain circling the Place des Nations, indigenous Khmer Krom performed a Visak Bochea (Buddhist rite) and read a letter addressed to High Commissioner for Human Rights N. Pillay [see attachment]. Buddhist monks deplored the lack of religious freedom in Viet Nam and denounced specific persecutions targeted at Khmer Krom Buddhists. In parallel, a Khmer Kampuchea-Krom delegation held a side-event inside the UN in which the situation of Viet Nam's indigenous peoples was discussed. Chairing the meeting, Hawaii Institute for Human Rights Director Joshua Cooper underlined Viet Nam's elusion of indigenous peoples in its UPR report and stressed that only state-controlled NGOs had been consulted in its preparation. Human Rights Watch's Geneva representatives presented the findings of their latest report on indigenous Khmer Krom in Viet Nam and expressed great concern at the current situation. Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation President Thach Ngoc Thach added that much remained to be done but rejoiced both in the mobilisation of indigenous Khmer Krom around the world. Already looking ahead to the upcoming meeting of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Thach Ngoc Thach explained that his movement's peaceful work for human rights was "today's demonstration was a landmark, but we will go on, we will not stop until the discriminations against our people do not stop, we will not stop until human rights are guaranteed in Viet Nam. There is only one thing to do: resist, insist, persist".
A disappointing Universal Periodic Review
The sharp contrast between Viet Nam's self-congratulatory UPR report and those prepared for the Council by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) denotes a sad truth: while the regime has officially accepted to participate in this process, it has chosen not to take a critical look at its human rights record. This is an eloquent manifestation of the country's approach to cooperation with the United Nations. While the documents of the OHCHR and the submissions of human rights NGOs pointed to institutionalized human rights abuses in numerous fields, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh dismissed them as "unfounded reports" and rejected "allegations of ill will about democracy and human rights in Viet Nam". In his opening statement, he reasserted that "it is the consistent policy of the State to respect and guarantee human rights", adding that "the protection and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights in Viet Nam have made significant progress". The commitments made by Viet Nam on this occasion were not without reservations and consisted mainly of promises to fulfil their obligations under the treaties to which the country is already a party (an implied obligation of any country ratifying a treaty), to consider joining a number of key human rights instruments and to envisage inviting some of the Council's special procedures to Viet Nam (the ones whose work focuses on poverty, education, development and debt - but not the ones working on religion, freedom of expression, racism or the independence of judges). The country's report and the Vice Minister's statement therefore raised very serious questions on Viet Nam's intentions to collaborate with the United Nations in the field of human rights.
Indigenous Khmer Krom take the streets... and the Palais
Gathered outside the UN on Geneva's Place des Nations from 8AM till 6 PM, 500 indigenous Khmer Krom called upon the international community for action to protect human rights in Viet Nam. After joining hands in a human chain circling the Place des Nations, indigenous Khmer Krom performed a Visak Bochea (Buddhist rite) and read a letter addressed to High Commissioner for Human Rights N. Pillay [see attachment]. Buddhist monks deplored the lack of religious freedom in Viet Nam and denounced specific persecutions targeted at Khmer Krom Buddhists. In parallel, a Khmer Kampuchea-Krom delegation held a side-event inside the UN in which the situation of Viet Nam's indigenous peoples was discussed. Chairing the meeting, Hawaii Institute for Human Rights Director Joshua Cooper underlined Viet Nam's elusion of indigenous peoples in its UPR report and stressed that only state-controlled NGOs had been consulted in its preparation. Human Rights Watch's Geneva representatives presented the findings of their latest report on indigenous Khmer Krom in Viet Nam and expressed great concern at the current situation. Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation President Thach Ngoc Thach added that much remained to be done but rejoiced both in the mobilisation of indigenous Khmer Krom around the world. Already looking ahead to the upcoming meeting of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Thach Ngoc Thach explained that his movement's peaceful work for human rights was "today's demonstration was a landmark, but we will go on, we will not stop until the discriminations against our people do not stop, we will not stop until human rights are guaranteed in Viet Nam. There is only one thing to do: resist, insist, persist".
History of Khmer Kampuchea Krom In South Vietnam
When the French left Khmer Krom to be control by Vietnam, it was a big blow for the Khmer people. Despite many Vietnamese attempts to assimilate the Khmer people culture when they took control of Khmer Krom, the Khmer people still find a way to keep their traditions and culture alive. Living under Vietnamese rule was hard for the khmer people. It is only in the recent years that the lives of the khmer people have become a little easier, but this privilege did not come easy Many Khmer people have died fighting, and many more have endured great suffering in order to gain their freedom from Vietnamese rule.
Kampuchea Krom means South Cambodia or Cambodia Lowland but it is also the name of the people who live there. The Khmer people are an ethnic diverse group that arrived in Southeastern Asia in 2000B.C. Khmer Krom is located on the southernmost area of the Khmer Empire and southwestern part of Vietnam. The Kampuchea Krom is a land that was once part of the Great Khmer Empire. From the first century A.D until 1867 the French occupied Cochin China and illegally signed it over to Vietnam on June4 ,1949. In Convention the Khmer Krom people disagreed with the French decision but the French gave it over to Vietnam anyway.
As a result of the French reckless or handling of South Cambodia, many Khmer Krom people suffered from unfair treatment. Some of them started fighting for their rights and identities. They were even killed or tortured in Vietnam, their new old home. The khmer Krom population in South Vietnam is about 8-10 million. The majority, 80 percent of Khmer Krom live in the Mekong Delta. The rest of the Khmer Krom live in small number scattered all over Southern Vietnam. The Khmer Krom speak Khmer, but the official business language of the khmer Krom is the Vietnamese language not Khmer. The Khmer lauguage is spoken in all communities and families of Khmer. In all of the Khmer Krom people 10 percents of them can write and speak Vietnamese correctly. (Thach B. Internet) Beacuse of the tropical climate the land in Khmer Krom is very fertile so most of Khmer Krom are farmers. The main religion of the Khmer Krom is Buddhism. 95 percents of Khmer Krom are Buddhists, practicing Hinayanna Buddhism.Today there are abuot 10,000 of monks with more than 500 Buddhist Temples throughout Khmer Krom. The Kampuchea land in Vietnam consists of 4 main provinces which were later divided into 21 small provinces. The four main provinces were Do Nai, Lon Ho, Mot Chrouk and Peam.
Kampuchea Krom or Southern Cambodia was part of the Khmer Empire. The Khmer Empire was a monarchy. The Empire was very rich. One Chinese resident took about its elegance, the cultural, and artistic abilities of the Khmer. The Ancient Khmer were smart people. They constructed many great temples. One of the greatest temples was the ancient Temple of Angkor Wat. Most of all the temples and ancient capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire remained hidden until the middle of the 1800s when a French explorer Henri Mouhot to discover Angkor Wat, according to Mirsky (Thach S.146-48) The Khmer, Empire once at its dazzling points has now declinied as the Vietnamese grew prosperous and more aggressive. By the 11th century the Vietnamese had extended their populations and were able to resist the Chinese attack. In the 1076. Besides resisting the Chinese attack, the Vietnamese also fought off the Khmer attacks from the west. Then for the next 80 years the Vietnamese led on continuous assaults on the Khmer and Champ. At the time Vietnam was regarded by its neighbor as the most aggressive state in the Southeast Asia.
In the 16th century, Cambodia was under the rule of King Jay-Jettha II (1618-1628). The King of Khmer according to the Khmer Krom he married a Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Van. Since this time Vietnamese were allowed to settle on Khmer Krom land. In 1623 a Nguyen warlord asked the Court of Udong to perform trade in Morea (mordern day Barea) and Prei Nokor (Saigon). Since King Jay-Jettha II married the Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Van, he gave permission to Vietnamese to trade. Some historians agree that these covert acts was intended to rob the Khmers of their land Later on the Vietnamese court of Hue had another request to use certain areas in Prei Nokor (now Saigon) for military exercises to prepare for war against the Chinese ( known to Khmer as Chen) . The agreement was that it would be returned back to Cambodia in 5 years. Then when King Jay-Jettha II died, everything changed. The Vietnamese started to took Cambodian land. By 1651, Do nai, Toul Ta Mauk and Kampong Sraka Trey (Bien Hoa) had become Vietnam controlled. And Instead of handing Prei Nokor (Saigon) back to Cambodian authority in 1696, it come under Vietname control, Morea (Baria) was also took 1696.
In the late 17th century the Khmer Empire was ruled under King Ang Eng (1779-1796). At the time of King Ang Eng rulership there was an uprising in the Vietnamese Kingdom. A fugitive Vietnamese Emperor Gia Long was going against his warlord to get control over Vietnam. Srok Preah Trapeang (Cambodia Province) decided to give asylum to Emperor Gia Long. Ang Eng decided to give military support to the fugitive Emperor Gia Long of Vietnam. Gia Long of Vietnam was became the Emperor because Srok Trapean and the King Ang Eng had helped him. It is obvious that this Emperor did not show gratitude in any way
During Gia Long rulership many Khmer Krom were force to dig his canal project and many of the Khmer Kroms were killed or even buried alive according to the Khmer Krom, some men were buried alive so that the Vietnamese soldiers could use their heads as stove stands to boil tea water for their master. In Khmer the Canal is called "Chum Nik Prek Teng" and in Vietnam it is called "Vinh Te". This canal stretches from the Bassac River to the Gulf of Siam. It is about 25 meters wide and 53 kilometer long. The project started in 1813 and ended in 1820. After the project was finished the Vietnamese soldiers locked Khmer Krom workers in pillories. It was estimated that two to five thousand workers was locked The Anamites or Vietnamese soldiers did it to prevent workers from running away. The Anamites free the dam water and since the pillories are located in the canal, all the workers locked in there were drowned, murdered, killed, or massacre. Once again this was their way of showing their gratitude towards the Khmer Krom. Today their is a song that remind of those time when the Anamites made Khmer work and buried them to use as stove stand. The song is called Te Ong Anussa" It means the MasterTea Memo.
Twenty-two years later after Emperor Gia Long is death came the reign of King Thieu Tri (1841-1847). In the time King Thieu Tri the Khmer Krom were forced to leave their Buddhist belief of Theravada practice to Mayahana Buddhist belief, the Anamites did not just force the Khmer Krom to leave their beliefs but, traditions, customs, and language as well. Oknha(General) Son Kuy, a brave governor of Srok Prea Trapeang refused to give up his rights and exchanged his head and life for it. The governor was beheaded in 1841. This made the Khmer people very angry with the Vietnamese, and all the Khmer Krom people retaliated against the Anamite. According to the article, the Khmer Krom people stood alone in this fight back without the support of their King Ang Doung. Today the Tomb of governor Son Kuy is still present at the Bodhisalaraj (Chua Ong Met)Temple.
After the governor of Srok Preah Trapeang was killed, a retaliation force was formed by a provincial administrator named Lam Saum. The treaty was made in Chap Phleung also called Tap Son( in Vietnamese name) of Tracu District ( Thkauv in Khmer name). The battle took place in Phnor Don also known as O Dung. The battle was a victory for him and his soldiers but he was later captured and was executed in Hue. Then 12 years later, after King Thieu Tri reign was over, there was another Khmer Krom uprising in 1859. Sena Sous took command of Srok Kleang (Vietnamese called Trang)and once again another battle took place for 3 years the battle of Mahatup and Chong Ballang was going well for the Khmers. But just as things was going well the Khmer Krom forces were infiltrated by an undercover Vietnameses agent. The undercover agent become Sena chief and later poison Sena.
Khmer Krom identity was really starting to fade out until the Nhu Diem\'92s regime ( 1955-1963 ) when they had to change their Khmer name into Vietnamese. Names and writings, in Khmer were not allowed to be taught in schools. For many who not follow the law they were sent to jail. During Diem Nhu regime the Khmer Krom religious freedom was take from them or restricted allowed to get together in groups of more than 3 people. Even though Khmer Krom\'92s existence was over, there were still people who were willing to stand up against the Nhu Diem regime. One was the Free Khmer Movement or Khmer SEREI also know as the Mike Force( Led by Dr. SON NGOC THANH (1905-1977)). This was an Anti-Communist group supported by the U.S. Also during this time another group started. Theravada Budhist Asscociation led by Ven. KIM SANG (1922-1987). They were the only help the Khmer Krom had. These two groups made it possible for the Khmer Krom to escape the communist
Mr.Thach Xe is a Cambodian native and refugee who has had first- hand experience of Khmer Krom history. In an interview he was asked about the French Occupation of Khmer Krom and when it was handed over to Vietnam. He said that the French occupation of Khmer Krom lasted for 82 years, from 1867 to 1949. President Vincent Auriol of France formally signed it over to the Vietnamese Emperor Bao Dai in the Elys Agreements. In 1853, before the French took Kampuchea Krom, King Ang Duong of Cambodia secretly sent a letter to Emperor Napoleon III to verify the friendship between Cambodia and the French, and in the letter King Ang Doung requested that if the Anamite (Vietnam) would offer French land not to accept areas because its belonged to Cambodia.
When the French signed over Kampuchea Krom to Vietnam, the Khmer people did not agree with the French decision to give up Cochin China to Vietnam. The Khmer Krom reacted to this with great sadness. They felt betrayed and cheated. The Vietnamese outnumbered them in their own land. At the time of the French occupation over Khmer Krom, the Khmer Kroms people were being treated very badly and even worse when they left the Khmer Krom right into Vietnamese hands. In the personal interview, Mr. Thach, mentioned that the reason for this treatment was the people were forced to do their work When asked how were they being treated he replied The young men were forced to join the army during World War II, in 1914 to 1918 to fight Germany. They even forced the Buddhist monks to become laypersons. And similarly in 1939 to 1945 young Khmer Krom men were forced to fight the French war against the Japanese troops in the Pacific. Mr. Thach also said that the Khmer Krom did not benefit from either war. Instead they suffered many losses of young men and good monks. When asked him a about when French took certain part of Khmer Krom land to its occupation, Mr. Thach said that the French added Prey Nokor ( Saigon ) on February 17, 1869. The French took Saigon because it was an important trade port. Also on March 28, 1862, Long Ho (Vinh Long ) was taken for the French under the command of Commander Bonard ( French Commander ). They took Mot Chruok ( Chau Doc ) on June 22, 1867, and then Peam Banteay Meas ( Ha Tien ) on June 24, 1867.
According to Mr. Thach the Khmer Krom went through many forced changes by the Vietnamese when the French signed Cochin China over to Vietnam. There were many changes for the Khmer Krom. Some of the cultural changes were changes of the belief, the language. Vietnamese language strictly was enforced in business, and their way of life was different now. Khmer Krom were not allowed to teach Khmer language or how to read and write it in schools. Most of Khmer Krom leaders who protest were jailed or killed, includins the monks. After this discussion we went on to discuss future and present situation of Khmer Krom in Vietnam. Mr.Thach was asked once again, how the Khmer Krom were being treated today. According to him they are better than before. Then, finally, Mr. Thach, was asked, \'93What is the future for the Khmer Krom people? Will they gain the freedom they desire so much for so long He replied affirmatively.
Today the Khmer Krom people are holding the French responsible for the non-cooperation and giving their lands to Vietnam instead Cambodia. The Khmers Kampuchea Krom Federation today has joined the (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization). UNPO and has been accepted and became a full members of UNPO on July15,2001. This organization might be the only hope to help out the Khmer Krom people to get their (Self-Determination) freedom back..
Kampuchea Krom means South Cambodia or Cambodia Lowland but it is also the name of the people who live there. The Khmer people are an ethnic diverse group that arrived in Southeastern Asia in 2000B.C. Khmer Krom is located on the southernmost area of the Khmer Empire and southwestern part of Vietnam. The Kampuchea Krom is a land that was once part of the Great Khmer Empire. From the first century A.D until 1867 the French occupied Cochin China and illegally signed it over to Vietnam on June4 ,1949. In Convention the Khmer Krom people disagreed with the French decision but the French gave it over to Vietnam anyway.
As a result of the French reckless or handling of South Cambodia, many Khmer Krom people suffered from unfair treatment. Some of them started fighting for their rights and identities. They were even killed or tortured in Vietnam, their new old home. The khmer Krom population in South Vietnam is about 8-10 million. The majority, 80 percent of Khmer Krom live in the Mekong Delta. The rest of the Khmer Krom live in small number scattered all over Southern Vietnam. The Khmer Krom speak Khmer, but the official business language of the khmer Krom is the Vietnamese language not Khmer. The Khmer lauguage is spoken in all communities and families of Khmer. In all of the Khmer Krom people 10 percents of them can write and speak Vietnamese correctly. (Thach B. Internet) Beacuse of the tropical climate the land in Khmer Krom is very fertile so most of Khmer Krom are farmers. The main religion of the Khmer Krom is Buddhism. 95 percents of Khmer Krom are Buddhists, practicing Hinayanna Buddhism.Today there are abuot 10,000 of monks with more than 500 Buddhist Temples throughout Khmer Krom. The Kampuchea land in Vietnam consists of 4 main provinces which were later divided into 21 small provinces. The four main provinces were Do Nai, Lon Ho, Mot Chrouk and Peam.
Kampuchea Krom or Southern Cambodia was part of the Khmer Empire. The Khmer Empire was a monarchy. The Empire was very rich. One Chinese resident took about its elegance, the cultural, and artistic abilities of the Khmer. The Ancient Khmer were smart people. They constructed many great temples. One of the greatest temples was the ancient Temple of Angkor Wat. Most of all the temples and ancient capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire remained hidden until the middle of the 1800s when a French explorer Henri Mouhot to discover Angkor Wat, according to Mirsky (Thach S.146-48) The Khmer, Empire once at its dazzling points has now declinied as the Vietnamese grew prosperous and more aggressive. By the 11th century the Vietnamese had extended their populations and were able to resist the Chinese attack. In the 1076. Besides resisting the Chinese attack, the Vietnamese also fought off the Khmer attacks from the west. Then for the next 80 years the Vietnamese led on continuous assaults on the Khmer and Champ. At the time Vietnam was regarded by its neighbor as the most aggressive state in the Southeast Asia.
In the 16th century, Cambodia was under the rule of King Jay-Jettha II (1618-1628). The King of Khmer according to the Khmer Krom he married a Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Van. Since this time Vietnamese were allowed to settle on Khmer Krom land. In 1623 a Nguyen warlord asked the Court of Udong to perform trade in Morea (mordern day Barea) and Prei Nokor (Saigon). Since King Jay-Jettha II married the Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Van, he gave permission to Vietnamese to trade. Some historians agree that these covert acts was intended to rob the Khmers of their land Later on the Vietnamese court of Hue had another request to use certain areas in Prei Nokor (now Saigon) for military exercises to prepare for war against the Chinese ( known to Khmer as Chen) . The agreement was that it would be returned back to Cambodia in 5 years. Then when King Jay-Jettha II died, everything changed. The Vietnamese started to took Cambodian land. By 1651, Do nai, Toul Ta Mauk and Kampong Sraka Trey (Bien Hoa) had become Vietnam controlled. And Instead of handing Prei Nokor (Saigon) back to Cambodian authority in 1696, it come under Vietname control, Morea (Baria) was also took 1696.
In the late 17th century the Khmer Empire was ruled under King Ang Eng (1779-1796). At the time of King Ang Eng rulership there was an uprising in the Vietnamese Kingdom. A fugitive Vietnamese Emperor Gia Long was going against his warlord to get control over Vietnam. Srok Preah Trapeang (Cambodia Province) decided to give asylum to Emperor Gia Long. Ang Eng decided to give military support to the fugitive Emperor Gia Long of Vietnam. Gia Long of Vietnam was became the Emperor because Srok Trapean and the King Ang Eng had helped him. It is obvious that this Emperor did not show gratitude in any way
During Gia Long rulership many Khmer Krom were force to dig his canal project and many of the Khmer Kroms were killed or even buried alive according to the Khmer Krom, some men were buried alive so that the Vietnamese soldiers could use their heads as stove stands to boil tea water for their master. In Khmer the Canal is called "Chum Nik Prek Teng" and in Vietnam it is called "Vinh Te". This canal stretches from the Bassac River to the Gulf of Siam. It is about 25 meters wide and 53 kilometer long. The project started in 1813 and ended in 1820. After the project was finished the Vietnamese soldiers locked Khmer Krom workers in pillories. It was estimated that two to five thousand workers was locked The Anamites or Vietnamese soldiers did it to prevent workers from running away. The Anamites free the dam water and since the pillories are located in the canal, all the workers locked in there were drowned, murdered, killed, or massacre. Once again this was their way of showing their gratitude towards the Khmer Krom. Today their is a song that remind of those time when the Anamites made Khmer work and buried them to use as stove stand. The song is called Te Ong Anussa" It means the MasterTea Memo.
Twenty-two years later after Emperor Gia Long is death came the reign of King Thieu Tri (1841-1847). In the time King Thieu Tri the Khmer Krom were forced to leave their Buddhist belief of Theravada practice to Mayahana Buddhist belief, the Anamites did not just force the Khmer Krom to leave their beliefs but, traditions, customs, and language as well. Oknha(General) Son Kuy, a brave governor of Srok Prea Trapeang refused to give up his rights and exchanged his head and life for it. The governor was beheaded in 1841. This made the Khmer people very angry with the Vietnamese, and all the Khmer Krom people retaliated against the Anamite. According to the article, the Khmer Krom people stood alone in this fight back without the support of their King Ang Doung. Today the Tomb of governor Son Kuy is still present at the Bodhisalaraj (Chua Ong Met)Temple.
After the governor of Srok Preah Trapeang was killed, a retaliation force was formed by a provincial administrator named Lam Saum. The treaty was made in Chap Phleung also called Tap Son( in Vietnamese name) of Tracu District ( Thkauv in Khmer name). The battle took place in Phnor Don also known as O Dung. The battle was a victory for him and his soldiers but he was later captured and was executed in Hue. Then 12 years later, after King Thieu Tri reign was over, there was another Khmer Krom uprising in 1859. Sena Sous took command of Srok Kleang (Vietnamese called Trang)and once again another battle took place for 3 years the battle of Mahatup and Chong Ballang was going well for the Khmers. But just as things was going well the Khmer Krom forces were infiltrated by an undercover Vietnameses agent. The undercover agent become Sena chief and later poison Sena.
Khmer Krom identity was really starting to fade out until the Nhu Diem\'92s regime ( 1955-1963 ) when they had to change their Khmer name into Vietnamese. Names and writings, in Khmer were not allowed to be taught in schools. For many who not follow the law they were sent to jail. During Diem Nhu regime the Khmer Krom religious freedom was take from them or restricted allowed to get together in groups of more than 3 people. Even though Khmer Krom\'92s existence was over, there were still people who were willing to stand up against the Nhu Diem regime. One was the Free Khmer Movement or Khmer SEREI also know as the Mike Force( Led by Dr. SON NGOC THANH (1905-1977)). This was an Anti-Communist group supported by the U.S. Also during this time another group started. Theravada Budhist Asscociation led by Ven. KIM SANG (1922-1987). They were the only help the Khmer Krom had. These two groups made it possible for the Khmer Krom to escape the communist
Mr.Thach Xe is a Cambodian native and refugee who has had first- hand experience of Khmer Krom history. In an interview he was asked about the French Occupation of Khmer Krom and when it was handed over to Vietnam. He said that the French occupation of Khmer Krom lasted for 82 years, from 1867 to 1949. President Vincent Auriol of France formally signed it over to the Vietnamese Emperor Bao Dai in the Elys Agreements. In 1853, before the French took Kampuchea Krom, King Ang Duong of Cambodia secretly sent a letter to Emperor Napoleon III to verify the friendship between Cambodia and the French, and in the letter King Ang Doung requested that if the Anamite (Vietnam) would offer French land not to accept areas because its belonged to Cambodia.
When the French signed over Kampuchea Krom to Vietnam, the Khmer people did not agree with the French decision to give up Cochin China to Vietnam. The Khmer Krom reacted to this with great sadness. They felt betrayed and cheated. The Vietnamese outnumbered them in their own land. At the time of the French occupation over Khmer Krom, the Khmer Kroms people were being treated very badly and even worse when they left the Khmer Krom right into Vietnamese hands. In the personal interview, Mr. Thach, mentioned that the reason for this treatment was the people were forced to do their work When asked how were they being treated he replied The young men were forced to join the army during World War II, in 1914 to 1918 to fight Germany. They even forced the Buddhist monks to become laypersons. And similarly in 1939 to 1945 young Khmer Krom men were forced to fight the French war against the Japanese troops in the Pacific. Mr. Thach also said that the Khmer Krom did not benefit from either war. Instead they suffered many losses of young men and good monks. When asked him a about when French took certain part of Khmer Krom land to its occupation, Mr. Thach said that the French added Prey Nokor ( Saigon ) on February 17, 1869. The French took Saigon because it was an important trade port. Also on March 28, 1862, Long Ho (Vinh Long ) was taken for the French under the command of Commander Bonard ( French Commander ). They took Mot Chruok ( Chau Doc ) on June 22, 1867, and then Peam Banteay Meas ( Ha Tien ) on June 24, 1867.
According to Mr. Thach the Khmer Krom went through many forced changes by the Vietnamese when the French signed Cochin China over to Vietnam. There were many changes for the Khmer Krom. Some of the cultural changes were changes of the belief, the language. Vietnamese language strictly was enforced in business, and their way of life was different now. Khmer Krom were not allowed to teach Khmer language or how to read and write it in schools. Most of Khmer Krom leaders who protest were jailed or killed, includins the monks. After this discussion we went on to discuss future and present situation of Khmer Krom in Vietnam. Mr.Thach was asked once again, how the Khmer Krom were being treated today. According to him they are better than before. Then, finally, Mr. Thach, was asked, \'93What is the future for the Khmer Krom people? Will they gain the freedom they desire so much for so long He replied affirmatively.
Today the Khmer Krom people are holding the French responsible for the non-cooperation and giving their lands to Vietnam instead Cambodia. The Khmers Kampuchea Krom Federation today has joined the (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization). UNPO and has been accepted and became a full members of UNPO on July15,2001. This organization might be the only hope to help out the Khmer Krom people to get their (Self-Determination) freedom back..
Vietnamese Newspaper claim Khmer Krom are not the indigenous people of Vietnam
False claims by Vietnamese Newspaper, Thong Luan
"Khmer Krom have been in their homeland for thousand of years! They are not the new arrivals as the Thong Luan" A Vietnamese Newspaper claimed!
November 8, 2005 by Mr. Kim Hoai Xuan, kim_hoai_xuan@yahoo.com
This is to response to Mr. Nguyen Van Huy, Editor of the article about Khmer Community in South Vietnam.
Mr. Nguyen Van Huy: I do commend your ability to use writing skills to convey the history and anthropology to readers of Thong Luan. Unfortunately, in your writing about the Khmer Krom organization and about the history of community in South Vietnam, your article has left out missing important pieces. I wonder, that is an intended or un-intended act?
Before touching the issue of missing pieces above, it is necessary to reiterate what Mr. Pham Dinh said: The righteous understandings of ethnic communities who are present in Vietnam are important for social administration. At the same time, Vietnam is a country built on those communities according the Tap Hop Chinh Tri Dan Chu Da Nguyen. Therefore, an understanding of their bad time as well as good time and their history as well as political aspiration, are very important.
On the issue of Khmer Krom organization presently, if you have observed deeper its accomplishments on the international political arena of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), you would have retracted your comment of the purpose of the KKF is to demand the return of the sovereignty of Southern Vietnam to the Khmer Krom. In facts, the desire and purpose of the KKF is not for the sovereignty. The issue of sovereignty is not the main purpose of this organization. Of course, its purpose is to struggle for the respect of human rights of the Khmer Krom People. Their overall desire is the achievement of their rights to self-determination in according with Charter of the United Nations.
In summary, the purpose of the KKF is to struggle on the basic of human rights, freedom and democracy as determined by the international law. The Vietnamese People as well as other Peoples who are presently in Southern Vietnam have nothing to worry about their political future when the Khmer Krom achieved their self-determination. The law shall determine the peaceful co-existence of all Peoples on that fertile land in according with the proverb: "It is in-different of who we are, we must love and share".
On the other important issue, the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation of the Khmer Krom in Southern Vietnam today are more progressive in comparison with the old stereo-typical thoughts which people used to look down on the indigenous Khmer Krom People. Since formation in 1996 until today, the KKF has become member of four different organizations of international status. Firstly, it is a member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). Secondly, it is a member of the Un-represented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). Third, it is a member of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). And lastly, it is a member of the Transnational Radical Party (TRP).
On the issue of those communities of Southern Vietnam, your article has claimed that the Khmer Krom were present in Southern Vietnam after those of the Vietnamese and the Chinese. In fact this claim actually conflict with materials of Vietnam history, which has long been publicized. That was the Southward March (Nam Tien) of the Vietnamese to occupy Central Vietnam, the land of Champa People and to occupy the Mekong River Deltas in Southern Vietnam of the Khmer People. These indigenous Peoples (the Khmer and the Champa) have been in those areas for thousand of years before the Vietnamese People has arrived. The historical relics have proven such claims. The Khmer Krom People has been the legacy of the Kingdom of Funan before the First century to the end of the Fifth century, then evolved to the Kingdom of Chenla since the beginning of the Sixth century to the end of the Ninth century and finally became the Khmer Empire at the Tenth century until today.
Vinh Hung Monument of 5.6m Wide, 6.9m Length, and 8.9m Height.Vinh Hung MonumentThe Vinh Hung monument is in Bac Lieu province, built approximately in 892A.D. This monument has been amongst the oldest relics with Angkor architecture of the Khmer People preserved in the Mekong River Deltas. The project has been built over 1100 years ago. This could be traced backed to the end of the Kingdom of Chenla at the end of the Ninth century.
The Kop Treng Buddhist Temple Location: The Kop Treng temple locates in Kop Treng hamlet, To commune, Triton District, An Giang province.Special Features: The Kop Treng is the oldest temple in An Giang province. It is over 1600 years old, the temple was built in 400A.D. This has been the legacy of the Oc Eo Civilization of the Kingdon of Funan and continuous theory about the name of An Giang.
The Ang Temple Location: The temple is 7km from the provincial district, mingles with oldest trees of Sras-kou pond. It locates on the 4ha of land in the 8th commune, Provincial District, An Giang province. Special Features: The Ang Temple is among the oldest temples in Travinh province. It is over 1100 years old. The temple was built in 990A.D. This has been the oldest and most appealed architecture mixing with natural beauty. The Ang Temple has been accepted by the Vietnam Department of Culture and Information as a National Cultural Treasure.
The Kh'leang Temple Location: The Khleang temple locates at 71 Mau Than Street, 5th Hamlet, 6th Commune, Provincial District, Soctrang province. Special Features: The Khleang is the oldest temple in Soctrang province. It is over 500 years old and the temple was built in 1533A.D. This has been the legacy that links with the continuous theory about the name of Soctrang province.
"Khmer Krom have been in their homeland for thousand of years! They are not the new arrivals as the Thong Luan" A Vietnamese Newspaper claimed!
November 8, 2005 by Mr. Kim Hoai Xuan, kim_hoai_xuan@yahoo.com
This is to response to Mr. Nguyen Van Huy, Editor of the article about Khmer Community in South Vietnam.
Mr. Nguyen Van Huy: I do commend your ability to use writing skills to convey the history and anthropology to readers of Thong Luan. Unfortunately, in your writing about the Khmer Krom organization and about the history of community in South Vietnam, your article has left out missing important pieces. I wonder, that is an intended or un-intended act?
Before touching the issue of missing pieces above, it is necessary to reiterate what Mr. Pham Dinh said: The righteous understandings of ethnic communities who are present in Vietnam are important for social administration. At the same time, Vietnam is a country built on those communities according the Tap Hop Chinh Tri Dan Chu Da Nguyen. Therefore, an understanding of their bad time as well as good time and their history as well as political aspiration, are very important.
On the issue of Khmer Krom organization presently, if you have observed deeper its accomplishments on the international political arena of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), you would have retracted your comment of the purpose of the KKF is to demand the return of the sovereignty of Southern Vietnam to the Khmer Krom. In facts, the desire and purpose of the KKF is not for the sovereignty. The issue of sovereignty is not the main purpose of this organization. Of course, its purpose is to struggle for the respect of human rights of the Khmer Krom People. Their overall desire is the achievement of their rights to self-determination in according with Charter of the United Nations.
In summary, the purpose of the KKF is to struggle on the basic of human rights, freedom and democracy as determined by the international law. The Vietnamese People as well as other Peoples who are presently in Southern Vietnam have nothing to worry about their political future when the Khmer Krom achieved their self-determination. The law shall determine the peaceful co-existence of all Peoples on that fertile land in according with the proverb: "It is in-different of who we are, we must love and share".
On the other important issue, the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation of the Khmer Krom in Southern Vietnam today are more progressive in comparison with the old stereo-typical thoughts which people used to look down on the indigenous Khmer Krom People. Since formation in 1996 until today, the KKF has become member of four different organizations of international status. Firstly, it is a member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). Secondly, it is a member of the Un-represented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). Third, it is a member of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). And lastly, it is a member of the Transnational Radical Party (TRP).
On the issue of those communities of Southern Vietnam, your article has claimed that the Khmer Krom were present in Southern Vietnam after those of the Vietnamese and the Chinese. In fact this claim actually conflict with materials of Vietnam history, which has long been publicized. That was the Southward March (Nam Tien) of the Vietnamese to occupy Central Vietnam, the land of Champa People and to occupy the Mekong River Deltas in Southern Vietnam of the Khmer People. These indigenous Peoples (the Khmer and the Champa) have been in those areas for thousand of years before the Vietnamese People has arrived. The historical relics have proven such claims. The Khmer Krom People has been the legacy of the Kingdom of Funan before the First century to the end of the Fifth century, then evolved to the Kingdom of Chenla since the beginning of the Sixth century to the end of the Ninth century and finally became the Khmer Empire at the Tenth century until today.
Vinh Hung Monument of 5.6m Wide, 6.9m Length, and 8.9m Height.Vinh Hung MonumentThe Vinh Hung monument is in Bac Lieu province, built approximately in 892A.D. This monument has been amongst the oldest relics with Angkor architecture of the Khmer People preserved in the Mekong River Deltas. The project has been built over 1100 years ago. This could be traced backed to the end of the Kingdom of Chenla at the end of the Ninth century.
The Kop Treng Buddhist Temple Location: The Kop Treng temple locates in Kop Treng hamlet, To commune, Triton District, An Giang province.Special Features: The Kop Treng is the oldest temple in An Giang province. It is over 1600 years old, the temple was built in 400A.D. This has been the legacy of the Oc Eo Civilization of the Kingdon of Funan and continuous theory about the name of An Giang.
The Ang Temple Location: The temple is 7km from the provincial district, mingles with oldest trees of Sras-kou pond. It locates on the 4ha of land in the 8th commune, Provincial District, An Giang province. Special Features: The Ang Temple is among the oldest temples in Travinh province. It is over 1100 years old. The temple was built in 990A.D. This has been the oldest and most appealed architecture mixing with natural beauty. The Ang Temple has been accepted by the Vietnam Department of Culture and Information as a National Cultural Treasure.
The Kh'leang Temple Location: The Khleang temple locates at 71 Mau Than Street, 5th Hamlet, 6th Commune, Provincial District, Soctrang province. Special Features: The Khleang is the oldest temple in Soctrang province. It is over 500 years old and the temple was built in 1533A.D. This has been the legacy that links with the continuous theory about the name of Soctrang province.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
