By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Pang Sina
A Khmer Krom, arrested by ten Vietnamese police in this late May because of land dispute, has not released yet so far. A 43-year-old Khmer Krom monk, a Khmer Krom Federation in Cambodia, said “The act of VN severely abused human rights. If the dispute whether or not can resolved, the proposal and demand of Khmer Krom and other indigenous people – the owners of the land – should be replied. They should not use authority to threaten those innocent people because it violated the stipulated Vietnamese Constitution.”
VIN BAR's wife who asked for anonymous, told the RFA that, “My husband is detaining in prison. I am very frightened, and I dared not to tell anyone about his arrest. I am going to my homeland as soon as possible. I cannot do anything but ask "MEK and DEY" or "Sky and Land" for good wish for my husband. Please do not ask me about it because I am very scary.”
A Buddhist monk, THACH VIMEAN, added that other Khmer Krom families in other provinces are also frightened.
According to people who observed the living situation of Khmer Krom people, 47 year-old VIN BAR, is a farmer in Khmer Krom. He used to involved in a land protest in 2003, and he was arrested by VN policed on 30 June 2009, for he joined a protest of land dispute over hundred hectares of land which was grabbed illegally in 1979 for hundred families of Khmer Krom. They lost their land because they escaped from their hometown during of the fighting between Khmer Rouge soldiers and Vietnam’s. While they were away from their hometown, VN soldier took the land and claimed to be the owner.
It is noticed that the arrest of Khmer Krom, VIN BAR, happened on 30 May 2009, and it took place before the World Khmer Krom Federation was preparing a peaceful demonstration made by Khmer Krom from various countries such as French, Canada, USA and Cambodia.This demonstration is held in order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the loss of Khmer Krom which was given to Vietnam by French colonial on 4th June 1949 without the agreement from Khmer.
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