kkf activities from jan to aug ,2012

KHMERS KAMPUCHEA-KROM FEDERATION

Asia – Australia – Europe – North America

P.O. Box 0193 • Pennsauken • NJ • 08110 • U.S.A. • Tel: (856) 655-3838 • Fax: (856) 583-1503

http://www.khmerkrom.net • Email: [email protected]

សកម្ មភាព

ACTIVITIES

ចាប់ព ីខែម្ករា ដល ់ខែសហីា ឆ្នា ំ២០១២

សហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម្

From January to August, 2012

Khmer Krom Youth front of Mahatma Gandhi Statue

During they were joining UNOG-OHCHR in Geneva

on July 09, 2012

Activities Jan-June, 2012 Month Date Place Activities

January 11 & 12 DC RFA and VOA

February 18th All Chapter

Commemorate Khmer-Krom Heros

21st - 22nd Geneva Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) (Thach N. Thach, Thach Vien, Joshua Cooper)

March 11th Washington DC

Meeting State of Department and US CIRF ( Thach N. Thach, Giap Tran, Lenny Thach Duong Hoang)

12th - 30th UN - NY UN Human Rights Commissioner for HR 104th session (Giap Tran & Lenny Thach)

30th - 31st Cambodia ASEAN in Cambodia - Civil Society Forum (Joshua Cooper)

April 3rd - 4th Cambodia ASEAN in Cambodia - Summit ( Joshua Cooper)

12th Canberra Meeting with Australian Department of Affairs and Trade (Thach N. Thach, Giap Tran and KKF Australia)

16th Washington DC

Meeting State of Department (Mannrinh Tran, Lenny Thach, Kok Ksor, Joshua Cooper)

May 7th - 18th UN - NY UNPFII

9th

12th

Washington DC

Philadelphia

Meeting State of Department and Commission of International Religious Freedom(KKF, Montagnard and

Taidam)

Khmer Krom Youth Coference

23rd

Canberra

Meeting with Australian Department of Affairs and Trade (KKF Australian Representatives)

29th - 30th Geneva Committee on the Rights of Child (CRC) (Thach N. Thach, Thach Vien & Joshua Cooper)

Page 02

KKF activities From January to August, 2012

Month Date Place Activities

June 4th All Chapter Commemoration lost of Kampuchea-Krom

10th - 15th DC Human Rights on The Hill (UDC School of Law)

14th - 15th EU Parliament EU Human Rights Commission Hearing

18th Geneva UN Human Rights Council

July 09th UNOG-OHCHR

August

04th Culture festival/ Montreal

08 th Meet with Canada Foreign Affairs Minister

10,11,12 th KKF’s Convention

KKF Delegate Meet with Canada Foreign

Affairs Minister, August 8, 2012

Page 03


International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial

Discrimination Adopted and opened for signature and

ratification by General Assembly resolution 2106

(XX) of 21 December 1965 entry into force 4 January 1969, in

accordance with Article 19

UNPO office, Brussels, Belgium

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(5) the International Convention on the Elimina-

tion of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

(CERD), which is monitored by the Commit-

tee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimina-

tion; VN signed

on 09/ July/ 1982

Article 5 - Eliminate racial discrimination.

guarantee rights of all to:

(a) right to equal treatment before tribunals,

justice organs (b) right to security of person (c) right to political rights, to vote, stand for

election, participate in election based on

universal suffrage (d) right to civil rights (i) right to freedom of movement (ii) right to

leave any country and return to own's

country (iii) right to nationality (iv) right to

marriage and choice of spouse (v) right to

own property (vi) right to inherit (vii) right to

freedom of thought, conscience and

religion (viii) right to freedom of opinion

and expression (ix) right to freedom of

peaceful assembly and association (e) right to economic, social and cultural

rights (i) right to work, choice of employment, just

conditions of work, protect against

unemployment, right to equal pay for

equal work, favorable remuneration (ii)

right to form and join trade unions (iii) right

to housing (iv) right to public health,

medical care, social security & services (v)

right to education and training (vi) right to

equal participation in cultural activities (f) right to access to place for general public

Page 05


OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH

COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS STATUS

OF RATIFICATIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TREATIES

As of 14 July 2006

The international human rights treaties of the United

Nations that establish committees of experts

(often referred to as "treaty bodies") to monitor

their implementation are the following:

(1) the International Covenant on Economic, Social

and Cultural Rights (CESCR), which is monitored

by the Committee on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights; (2) the International Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights (CCPR), which is monitored by the

Human Rights Committee; (3) the Optional Protocol to the International Cove-

nant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR-OP1),

which is administered by the Human Rights

Committee; and (4) the Second Optional Protocol to the Interna-

tional Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

aimed at the abolition of the death penalty

(CCPR-OP2-DP); (5) the International Convention on the Elimination

of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD),

which is monitored by the Committee on the

Elimination of Racial Discrimination; (6) the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which

is monitored by the Committee on the Elimina-

tion of Discrimination against Women; (7) the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against

Women (CEDAW-OP); (8) the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,

Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

(CAT), which is monitored by the Committee

Page 06


against Torture; (9) the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),

which is monitored by the Committee on the

Rights of the Child; (10) the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child (CRC-OP-AC) on the

involvement of children in armed conflict; (11) the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child (CRC-OP-SC) on the sale of

children, child prostitution and child pornogra-

phy. (12) the International Convention on the Protection

of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and

Members of Their Families (MWC).

From 18 to 21 June 2012, representatives of the

Kampuchea Krom Federation and the Degar

Foundation met in Brussels for meetings with

Members of the European Parliament, political

advisors, representatives of the Belgian

government, foundations, organized by

the UNPO.

Page 07


Allow the Khmer-Krom to have basic

freedoms so they are not living in fear.

They should be allowed to freely defend

themselves in front of the Vietnamese

judicial system. The Vietnamese govern-

ment should stop accusing Khmer-Krom

people of “disturbing the Vietnamese

society” using Article 87 of Vietnam’s

Panel Code to imprison them whenever

they stand up for their fundamental

rights. Ratify the Convention Against Torture so

Vietnamese police do not use torture

against prisoners. Mr. Chau Hen used to

be a healthy person. After being ar-

rested and imprisoned, he has been tor-

tured and has not been allowed to

speak to his wife when she visits. We urge

Vietnam to release Mr. Chau Hen and

Mrs. Tran Thi Chau without conditions. Provide a political environment to allow

the people in Vietnam to freely exercise

their rights to vote for the people and

party that they want without interfer-

ence from the government. Stop using Khmer-Krom officers who work

Recommendation to the Committee on the

Elimination of Racial Discrimination:

The Vietnamese government should be urged

to:

Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation

ASIA – AUSTRALIA – EUROPE – NORTH AMERICA

A MEMBER OF UNPO & IDBF

P.O. Box 193, Pennsauken, NJ 08110, U.S.A

Email: [email protected] -

http://www.khmerkrom.org

Page 08


for the government to oppress their own

people. The Khmer-Krom officers should

represent the Khmer-Krom to raise their

voice and protect their rights. Allow Khmer-Krom to travel abroad freely

and stop monitoring and sending police

to intimidate Khmer-Krom who come

from abroad to visit their relatives in

Vietnam. Allow Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks to

create an independent religious organi-

zation free from interference from the

government. Allow Khmer-Krom to freely

practice their Theravada Buddhism. They

should not have to ask for permission to

practice or even just to organize a simple

Buddhist ritual. Remind Vietnam that reli-

gious freedom is a right, not a privilege

granted by government. Allow Khmer-Krom to have freedom of

press, freedom of expression, and

freedom of belief. Also allow the free-

dom to organize the associations that

are already stated in the Universal Dec-

laration of Human Rights, (and even in

Vietnam’s constitution). Strengthen the pro-poor health policies

to ensure that all Khmer-Krom people

have access to quality health services. Implement policies and legislation to

protect Khmer-Krom girls and provide

active educational campaigns and in-

formational sessions in both Vietnamese

and Khmer so that they can be better

informed of the danger of human

trafficking. Allow the Khmer-Krom children to freely

Page 09


study their native language in public

schools starting from kindergarten. The

Khmer language should be recognized

as an official language in Kampuchea-

Krom. All applications including forms,

signs and legal documents should be

written in both Khmer and Vietnamese. Establish an Independent International

Human Rights Institution that would work

with the State party. Through this institu-

tion, the Indigenous Peoples, especially

the Khmer-Krom, would be able to ad-

dress their concerns and needs. The insti-

tution would also serve as an ideal place

for the wide dissemination of the steps

that have been taken to ensure de jure

and de facto equality of Indigenous

Peoples, as well as the further steps that

are required.

KKF at CERD on February 21, 22 , 2012 during

Vietnam periodic reports on 80th Session of

Committee on the Elimination of Racial

Discrimination (CERD)


http://preynokornews.blogspot.com/2012/02/80th-session-of-committee-on.html



KKF at UNHCHR headquarter in Geneva

on February 22, 2012

UNPO chairs a lunchtime briefing for CERD

Committee Members to receive first-hand

accounts from NGOs reporting on human rights

violations faced by Degar Montagnards, Khmer

Krom, and Hmong peoples on February 21, 2012.


“We cannot change The Past

but we can change The Future”

Khmer Krom and Montagnard delegation highlights to European

policymakers the continued disregard for rights despite

Vietnam’s economic progress

Brussels, 27 June 2012 - From 18 to 21 June 2012,

representatives of the Kampuchea Krom

Federation and the Degar Foundation met in

Brussels for meetings with Members of the

European Parliament, political advisors,

representatives of the Belgian government,

foundations, organized by the Unrepresented

Nations and People Organization (UNPO).

Representing the Khmer-Krom and the

Montagnards communities in Vietnam, the

delegation expressed their deep concern about

the continued violation of human rights by the

government of Vietnam, including restrictions on

religious freedom, right to education, freedom of

expression, freedom of assembly and movement.

The delegation brought attention to the 181

recommendations voiced by European countries

to improve human rights in Vietnam, but a large

number of which the government of Vietnam has

failed to consider or implement.

During constructive meetings it was agreed that

the situation in Vietnam was an issue of concern,

Page 13


that a dialogue with the government of Vietnam

had to be implemented regarding the human

rights. The current situation of Khmer-Krom

refugees in Cambodia were pointed out, and it

became clear that it was also a matter to which

European countries needed to give more

consideration.

The KKF called for Vietnam to recognize the 54

ethnic groups that compose the country and to

provide them all with basic rights, to be

considered equals. The people met committed to

plead in favors of Khmer-Krom recognition by

domestic and international law to their respective

institutions. This latest visit to Brussels marks the

continuation of ongoing advocacy efforts to arise

awareness amongst policy makers and will be

backdrop to further initiatives in Autumn 2012.

For media queries please contact

Andrew Swan +32 472 577 518

[email protected]

Julie Le Jallé +32 251 314 59

[email protected]

UNPO Advocacy Office Avenue Louise 52

Brussels 1050

Belgium Tel: +32 (0)251 31459

Fax: +32 (0)251 31495 Email: un-

[email protected]

UNPO Head Office Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517 AN The Hague The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)70 3646504 Fax: +31 (0)70 3646608 Email: [email protected]

Page 14


KKF at Committee on the Rights of Child (CRC),

Geneva on May 29, 30, 2012


KKF at RFA on Feb 2012


Ven.T.T.Dhammo and Hoang Dong

On Feb/02/2012, DC at NED (National Endowment

for Democracy on Fed ,2012

Ven.T.T.Dhammo at Mahaculalongkorn

Rajavidyalaya University for joining the United

Nations Day of Vevak hosted by UN in Thailand

from 31 May to 02 June, 2012


David Johnston, Governor General of Canada

visited Vietnam from November 16-19, 2011.

This his visiting on November 19, 2011 he toured the

Prasat Kong Khmer Krom Temple, which was built

in 1224. It is considered the oldest among some 90

temples located in the Khleang (Soc Trang)

province, Kampuchea Krom.

Ven. Chantha visited Kampuchea Krom


Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation Youth at UNOG-OHCHR , Geneva from 09 to 13 July, 2012


KKF at Stockton, CA , USA on Feb/ Mar/ 2012

KKF Team meet with Ambassador at Large for

International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson

Cook recently visited Vietnam, to host

aroundtable with interested NGOs to discuss her

visit, on Tuesday, July 10 pm 2012, at the U.S. State

Department.


Khmer Krom Mchas Sruk Day ‘s festival at

Montreal, Canada on August 03-04 , 2012 hosted

by Khmers Kampuchea –Krom Federation


About

The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation

The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) is a peaceful organization representing millions of voiceless Khmer-Krom people living in the Mekong Delta and its surrounding regions of current day Vietnam as well as

thousands living in exile.

KKF is a global organization ran by volunteers from around the world. Its human rights advocated activities

are funded by donations from Khmer-Krom communities and the sympathizers across the continents.

The aims and purposes of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) are, through the use of peaceful meas-ures and international laws, to seek freedom, justice, and

the right to self-determination for the Indigenous Khmer-Krom Peoples living under the oppression of the Viet-

namese government in Kampuchea-Krom (South Vietnam - Surrounding Mekong Delta region.

kkf activities from jan to aug ,2012

Documents