tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27577819069092228332024-03-05T13:18:53.596+07:00KHMER KAMPUCHEA KROM | 21 PPROVINCESThis page will be describe about the back ground of each provinces in Kampuchea Krom which have 21 provinces and cities, 171 districts, 1.368 communes, 14.778 villages and have two islands are Tral island and Tralach island and the surface of the earth consist of 68.965 square meters.Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-90300960057612909822012-08-06T16:13:00.000+07:002012-08-06T16:13:44.547+07:00Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha's speeches in Montreal (Khmer Krom festival)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pEOVm8HkUcM/UB9o4XLH31I/AAAAAAAADDU/jJ9JBRfKQng/s1600/488367_192252940906146_1856519023_n_235.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pEOVm8HkUcM/UB9o4XLH31I/AAAAAAAADDU/jJ9JBRfKQng/s1600/488367_192252940906146_1856519023_n_235.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;">Click the control below to listen or download the audio program</p>
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Report by <a href="http://thekhmerpost.com/"><strong>Meach Sovannara of the Khmer Post</strong></a>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Preynokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-61571057067349147132012-08-06T16:06:00.000+07:002012-08-06T16:15:58.694+07:00Khmer Krom Festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 04 August 2012 (Part 2)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;">
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ព្រះតេជព្រះគុណ ធី ធី ធម្មោ ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ឆ្វេងទៅស្ដាំ៖ លោក តោ គិម ថុង, លោក ថាច់ ង៉ុក ថាច់ និង លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">លោក សម រង្ស៊ី និង លោក កឹម សុខា ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">លោក សម រង្ស៊ី ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">បណ្ឌិត Joshua Cooper ទីប្រឹក្សាសហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ។</td>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Uil8vpWFpU/UB9NcVj4lvI/AAAAAAAAC_E/LF7oHuCxNyA/s1600/181107_192245507573556_264151739_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Uil8vpWFpU/UB9NcVj4lvI/AAAAAAAAC_E/LF7oHuCxNyA/s640/181107_192245507573556_264151739_n.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">លោក ថាច់ ង៉ុក ថាច់ ប្រធានសហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">លោក តោ គិម ថុង អធិបតីសហព័ន្ធខ្មែរកម្ពុជាក្រោម ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">លោក សម រង្សី ប្រធានគណបក្ស សម រង្ស៊ី ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">លោក កឹម សុខា ប្រធានគណបក្ស សិទ្ធិមនុស្ស ។</td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">លោក មាជ សុវណ្ណារា ខាងវិទ្យុខ្មែរប៉ុស្តិ៍ ។</td>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.192243817573725.44096.100003643236200&type=3" target="_blank">រូបថតច្រើនទៀតពី Facebook/Srolagn Khmer</a></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Preynokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-22593340311285967812012-08-06T16:02:00.000+07:002012-08-06T16:02:26.391+07:00Khmer Krom Festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 04 August 2012 (Part 1)<div style="text-align: center;">
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រូបថត៖ <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.323089291069114.83139.100001041379900&type=1" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/Lenny Tang </a></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com2Preynokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-47057675121696568612012-08-02T23:42:00.002+07:002012-08-02T23:42:31.405+07:00Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Orders to Defrock Khmer-Krom Buddhist Monk<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Originally posted at <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/km/node/4321">khmerkrom.net</a>:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOXsyhnuhhXQbgf3s1K3RIgqcIA2lyXaKQ4LcPcpO_3dIS3u5lrchfJtJ9xBj7lVHEZqdH8edOunB4rMRaFffmHyVkgL3ehJttvYUMF63X6uZCj-XNIq_qgRFD3wOr53xkVNoBFnn3XM/s1600/ven.+thachthuone.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOXsyhnuhhXQbgf3s1K3RIgqcIA2lyXaKQ4LcPcpO_3dIS3u5lrchfJtJ9xBj7lVHEZqdH8edOunB4rMRaFffmHyVkgL3ehJttvYUMF63X6uZCj-XNIq_qgRFD3wOr53xkVNoBFnn3XM/s1600/ven.+thachthuone.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On July 29, 2012, KKF released a Press Release regarding to a
Pronouncement that was issued by the Buddhist monk officer of the
Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) on July 28, 2012. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://khmerkrom.net/files/KKF_PressRelease_StopDefrockVen.ThachThuol.pdf">Click here to read Press Release</a><br /><a href="http://khmerkrom.net/files/VenThachThuol%27sPronouncementLetter.jpg">Click here to read Pronouncement in Vietnamese</a></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On August 1, 2012, around 5:30 pm, the representatives of VBS and
about 50 Vietnamese polices (not wearing uniform) came to Tra Set
temple. One of the representatives of VBS read the pronouncement and
asked Venerable Thach Thuol to defrock. Venerable Thach Thuol did not
agree because he does not violate any Buddhist rules. Fortunately, the
Vietnamese polices did not use violation to defrock Venerable Thach
Thuol. When they saw that Venerable Thach Thuol does not agree to
defrock, they just left the Tra Set temple.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">According to the Buddhist monks and Buddhist followers at Tra Set
temple, they are really surprised that Vietnamese polices just
surrounded their temple and did not even wear uniform when they came
into their temple. They believe that Vietnam must be under pressured of
the world community asking Vietnam to respect the right to freely
practice religion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After the representative of VBS and Vietnamese polices left the Tra
Set temple, suddenly the temple has power outages. The Vietnamese
authority does not want people from outside to contact the Buddhist
monks at this temple via telephone or via Internet. Hundred of Buddhist
followers come to the temple to protect the Buddhist monks; especially
they scare that the police might kidnap Venerable Thach Thuol when there
is no power.</span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Preynokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-41813830672999916992012-08-02T11:39:00.002+07:002012-08-02T23:50:57.203+07:00Vietnamese Authorities Defrock Khmer Monk<div style="text-align: justify;">
Originally posted at <a href="http://www.voacambodia.com/content/vietnamese-authorities-defrock-khmer-monk/1452380.html">voacambodia.com</a>:</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVMtKfvEKqq4lSV7AjYxFnAvXVgnAWwhM5o1RjTqRd1qhyphenhyphen1R8Y3aEpzXiw9sjyaYG2li90KVAp6UdWtqfFJw450VtugMblFL8Edlh4wiBimQteVnyDHnDtaM1uDtyF-9mscBsw6_QYhc/s1600/Cambodia+Monks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVMtKfvEKqq4lSV7AjYxFnAvXVgnAWwhM5o1RjTqRd1qhyphenhyphen1R8Y3aEpzXiw9sjyaYG2li90KVAp6UdWtqfFJw450VtugMblFL8Edlh4wiBimQteVnyDHnDtaM1uDtyF-9mscBsw6_QYhc/s1600/Cambodia+Monks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="imageCaption">Cambodian Buddhist monks bless to Buddhist followers near Bayon temple in Siem Reap province, file photo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="zoomMe">Khmer minorities in Vietnam say they are subject to unfair policies and crackdowns, especially over their form of Buddhism.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="zoomMe"> </span><span class="firstLetter">W</span>ASHINGTON DC - A Khmer minority monk
in Vietnam has been disrobed by authorities there, in what rights
workers say is a violation of his rights to freedom of religion. <br />
<br />
Thach Thuol, 25, of Tra Set temple in Soc Trang province, was defrocked
and accused of associating with a US-based advocacy group for Khmer
ethnic minorities in Vietnam, known as the Khmer Kampuchea Krom.<br />
<br />
Speaking to VOA Khmer from Vietnam, Thach Thuol said he did not accept
the defrocking, despite a message to some 70 temples from the Vietnamese
government ordering them not to recognize his religious authority as a
monk.<br />
<br />
Thach Ngoc Thach, president of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation, a US
advocacy group, said the defrocking was a violation of Thach Thuol’s
rights and amounted to “pressure to break the spirit of the monks and
Cambodian people.”<br />
<br />
Some Cambodians consider the lower Mekong Delta a lost part of the
country, after it was ceded to Vietnam by France in the colonial era.
Khmer minorities in Vietnam say they are subject to unfair policies and
crackdowns, especially over their form of Buddhism, which differs from
that typically practiced by other groups in Vietnam.<br />
<br />
In a statement, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Federation said Vietnamese
authorities have continuously targeted the Tra Set temple, in Soc
Trang’s Vinh Chau district, because monks there refuse to join the
government-sanctioned Patriotic United Buddhist Association.
</div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Preynokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3244474 105.9979498 11.321750399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-72645068831116593902012-08-01T23:33:00.000+07:002012-08-01T23:33:31.934+07:00US urges release of Vietnam bloggers facing trial<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="advenueINTEXT" name="advenueINTEXT"><span></span></span>Originally posted at <a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1217139/1/.html">channelnewsasia.com</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCaybaUbV3ZWnxaMIJ4KvO7lWOPe2s_wf8QbCNTvZ2VM1p8F4xabdQM0MWfu5EFfjmoxt5t3z5hdYWf8XohoQ1JNcuXsPY73iFshwL_CNi6dP1ttJdBz__ui4bulHiUCfbMOmDedJckA/s1600/display_image.php.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCaybaUbV3ZWnxaMIJ4KvO7lWOPe2s_wf8QbCNTvZ2VM1p8F4xabdQM0MWfu5EFfjmoxt5t3z5hdYWf8XohoQ1JNcuXsPY73iFshwL_CNi6dP1ttJdBz__ui4bulHiUCfbMOmDedJckA/s320/display_image.php.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="advenueINTEXT" name="advenueINTEXT"><span>HANOI: The United
States on Wednesday called on Vietnam to free three bloggers facing
trial for propaganda against the state, voicing deep concern at the
self-immolation of the mother of one of the trio.<br /><br />The defendants
were arrested after posting hundreds of political articles on the banned
Vietnamese website "Free Journalists Club", as well as writing on their
own blogs, in a case that has been raised by US President Barack Obama.<br /><br />If convicted they face up to 20 years in prison, according to their lawyers.<br /><br />Dang
Thi Kim Lieng, the mother of one of the three, died after setting
herself ablaze on Monday in front of the local authorities' offices in
Bac Lieu province, according to people close to the family.<br /><br />"We
were deeply concerned and saddened to hear of (Lieng's) self-immolation
reportedly related to circumstances surrounding the detention of her
daughter Ta Phong Tan," the US Embassy in Hanoi said in a statement.<br /><br />"We
call upon the Government of Vietnam to release all three immediately
and, as President Obama said on World Press Freedom Day, 'take the
necessary steps to create a society where journalists can operate freely
and without fear'," the statement said.<br /><br />The government has not
responded to an AFP request for comment on the self-immolation and there
has been no official confirmation of the incident by the authorities,
nor have Vietnam's tightly controlled state media reported it.<br /><br />Tan, a 43-year-old Catholic former policewoman, used her blog to denounce corruption and injustice in Vietnam's legal system.<br /><br />She was arrested on September 5, 2011 and has been held ever since.<br /><br />She
is due in court in Ho Chi Minh City next week alongside Phan Thanh Hai,
who blogged on highly sensitive topics including territorial disputes
with China, and Nguyen Van Hai, better known by his online alias Dieu
Cay.<br /><br />The hearing for the trio is set to start on August 7, Dieu Cay's lawyer Ha Huy Son told AFP previously.</span></span></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Preynokor, Kampchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-72124383061028634502012-07-31T23:31:00.001+07:002012-07-31T23:31:54.216+07:00Mother of Vietnamese blogger 'burns herself to death'<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlLASNSj9tprrIjWdtiD1RLXmOLBWVgjKMf9T09MWZtWX_Mo_1HWIhjHVcipBL3RlCLQwyNp-F7TqxFB_98GMHy69S36tren61ihsxmX1cQP2OZG8a3xz18O-IIAnUFdTsrDCdT9KTEk/s1600/_59677030_59677029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlLASNSj9tprrIjWdtiD1RLXmOLBWVgjKMf9T09MWZtWX_Mo_1HWIhjHVcipBL3RlCLQwyNp-F7TqxFB_98GMHy69S36tren61ihsxmX1cQP2OZG8a3xz18O-IIAnUFdTsrDCdT9KTEk/s1600/_59677030_59677029.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="width: 304px;">The government is cracking down on bloggers who criticise its policies</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" style="text-align: justify;">
Originally posted at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19053910">bbc.co.uk</a>: The mother of a prominent
Vietnamese blogger has died from her injuries after setting herself on
fire in front of government offices, her family says.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She was protesting against the detention of her daughter, Ta
Phong Tan, who is facing charges of anti-state propaganda, another
daughter told the BBC's Vietnamese service.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dang Thi Kim Lieng set herself alight in southern Bac Lieu province.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Her daughter faces trial in August and could be jailed for 20 years.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dang Thi Kim Lieng went alone, without telling anyone, to the
local government building in Bac Lieu, the second daughter told the
BBC.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="cross-head">Ex-policewoman</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The police have made no comment, but activists and lawyers
said that Mrs Dang died while being taken by police to a hospital in Ho
Chi Minh City.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She was said to be extremely worried about the fate of her daughter, who she had not seen since her arrest last September.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ta Phong Tan was arrested by the authorities with other
bloggers, who are also accused of subversive activities in a state that
controls the media and has little tolerance for criticism. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She is a former policewoman who built up a following with her reports on police abuses and injustices in the legal system.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The police newspaper denounced her writings as toxic and she
was charged with distorting the truth and denigrating the Communist
party and state. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ta Phong Tan had posted a large number of articles on the
"Free Journalists' Club", a banned website that has been a focus of the
government crackdown on its internet critics.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She denied all the charges against her and has remained in detention since her arrest.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She was due to stand trial alongside another famous blogger,
Phan Thanh Hai, who wrote about various sensitive issues, including a
dispute with China over maritime boundaries, alleged corruption and case
studies of famous dissidents.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Human Rights Watch has accused the Vietnamese government of
stepping up its repression of dissidents over the past year and of
jailing dozens of peaceful activists.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It said Mrs Dang's apparent suicide looked like an act of
desperation to show the authorities what they were doing to the families
of dissidents. </div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Preynokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.62966388.8227124 104.1028083 12.8234854 109.1565193tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-11660032787952179462012-07-31T23:21:00.000+07:002012-07-31T23:32:01.716+07:00Your New Human Rights Councilor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL-SoDNSMxITnHB4h8m8e33s-TKSR96WeMxzk3afMuzIrRrLKTHKe8vTaf9kwpJKmerusGWZU1AGdTffknZ8I38UFHqjbBTulAPKbZ3alHE2Qtz9aSXKlFE-x4lib0mJs2EjCNh8ULkY/s1600/OB-TY583_2vietk_DV_20120730131223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL-SoDNSMxITnHB4h8m8e33s-TKSR96WeMxzk3afMuzIrRrLKTHKe8vTaf9kwpJKmerusGWZU1AGdTffknZ8I38UFHqjbBTulAPKbZ3alHE2Qtz9aSXKlFE-x4lib0mJs2EjCNh8ULkY/s1600/OB-TY583_2vietk_DV_20120730131223.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Vietnam invents a U.N. procedure to silence critics.</span><br />
<br />
The Security Council's latest fumble on Syria might represent the
U.N.'s biggest failure of the last month, but it's hardly the only one.
So as a reminder of all the little things the U.N. also gets wrong, we
present the latest machinations involving a U.N. group ostensibly
concerned with human rights.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vietnam's Communist Party-led government recently blackballed a
nongovernmental organization's attempt to secure accreditation to the
U.N. The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation, or KKF, is a small group
based in New Jersey that tracks the plight of the Khmer ethnic minority
in Vietnam. Mainly that involves compiling and disseminating
well-respected reports of rights abuses such as Hanoi's harassment of
Khmer Buddhists who refuse to join state-sanctioned religious
organizations.<br />
<br />
That's probably why Hanoi pitched a fit when in May the KKF received
an accreditation from the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council, or EcoSoc.
This would have allowed the group to participate in a range of U.N.
conferences, and would have allowed KKF speaking time in relevant
meetings to raise its concerns about Hanoi's rights record. More than
3,000 other nongovernmental organizations have been accredited over the
years, so KKF would hardly have stood out.</div>
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<cite></cite></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vietnam's government launched an
aggressive campaign against the group. Rather than pushing to refer
KKF's status back to the accreditation committee for additional review,
which is the usual course in the rare instances when a decision proves
controversial, Hanoi proposed a resolution at a recent meeting to strip
KKF's accreditation directly.<br />
<br />
In this way, Hanoi was able to put the decision on KKF's
accreditation in the hands of a body—EcoSoc's general membership—where
Vietnam could trade political horses with its neighbors and harness
support from other authoritarians such as Russia and Venezuela. The
resolution passed last week with support from 27 states, including
democratic members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations such as
Indonesia and the Philippines that should know better. Another 14
EcoSoc members, including the U.S., voted in KKF's favor, and 10
countries abstained.<br />
<br />
Rights activists note that with this stroke Vietnam has created a new
procedural tool that other rights abusers can use to silence their own
critics at the U.N. They also suggest that this dust-up raises
additional questions about Hanoi's fitness to sit on the Human Rights
Council in 2014, a position for which Vietnam—no joke—is currently said
to be campaigning despite its long tradition of jailing dissidents.<br />
<br />
The mistake these activists make is looking at the U.N. as they'd
like it to be, not as it really is. Having thwarted critics of its
rights record, Hanoi will fit right in with the likes of China, Cuba and
Saudi Arabia on the Council.
Originally posted at <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444860104577558583786602126.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">http://online.wsj.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Preynokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.62966386.8021934 101.57595280000001 14.8440044 111.6833748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-13976410967441318052012-07-25T23:17:00.000+07:002012-07-25T23:17:34.754+07:00Worldwide condemnation of Vietnam’s bid to silence Khmer Krom’s voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuvWWGLmGgimK_JWcqndsub6F5bi3Puo0204wMHCs4z2_tdHuNJqXdHQnlF4g7SS_FDsv6vpLu-097jHnwneUC-LTDuUBqXqf7Br-JGP2Qm8jnbUJ3AbI9Q21e0mpLdRUEsp8txQ7PYo/s1600/143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuvWWGLmGgimK_JWcqndsub6F5bi3Puo0204wMHCs4z2_tdHuNJqXdHQnlF4g7SS_FDsv6vpLu-097jHnwneUC-LTDuUBqXqf7Br-JGP2Qm8jnbUJ3AbI9Q21e0mpLdRUEsp8txQ7PYo/s320/143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Originally posted at <a href="http://www.khmerkrom.net/node/4319" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a>: </span></span></span>The latest drama played out on the international stage this week, no
more shocking then who are the actors involved: Vietnam versus the human
rights defender Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Flying just u</span>nder the international radar for over 20 years, KKF hits
the stage and received world wide support from the most powerful
countries including United States and the European Union when Vietnam
tries to get them kicked out of the United Nations Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It’s all started when in May 2012, ECOSOC’s Committee on
Non-governmental Organisations, in a consensus decision, approved KKF’s
application for special consultative status with the Council. Vietnam
protested strongly against the decision at the time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This week a resolution to overturn the decision was tabled by Vietnam
along with El Salvador and fellow ASEAN member States Burma, Indonesia,
Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore
and Thailand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a supporting speech for a no vote, the United States say KKF is “a
peaceful advocacy organization based in the United States. It did
nothing other than help marginalized Khmers people in Viet Nam and raise
awareness of their situation” according to the UN document.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The United States representative recognize the KKF “had participated
in United Nations bodies for more than a decade and its principles were
in line with the Charter” and continue to urge the Council to oppose the
resolution citing “The role of civil society was to express independent
views. If the Council opposed accreditation, it risked denying the
whole reason the United Nations valued civil society in the first
place”.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Representative from Ireland speaking on behalf of the European Union
agrees that there’s nothing new about KKF, and that “The Union believed
that it was not appropriate to oppose accreditation for an organization
simply because it expressed views different from those of Governments
represented on the Council”.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vietnam accused KKF of having a separatist agenda based merely on
statements made on KKF website which expresses the Khmer Krom people’s
frustration with the Vietnamese government for the over a century of
oppressions, ethnic cleansing through Vietnamization, massacres, land
grabbing and being treated as a second class citizen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sure Khmer Kroms want the right to self-determination as granted by
the UN International Covenant on Civl and Political Rights, which
Vietnam is a signatory.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The KKF’s policies are clear. Its aims and purposes are, through the
use of peaceful measures 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 Vietnamese
government in Southern Vietnam called Kampuchea-Krom in Khmer. There is
not even a thread of evidence to suggest that any KKF activities support
Vietnam’s claim.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By comparing some of the statements on KKF web site to same “pretext,
the Pol PotIeng Sary clique of the abhorrent, genocidal Khmer Rouge
regime … massacres of thousands of innocent Vietnamese civilians from
1977 to 1979” is not just insulting to the Cambodian people as a whole,
but also blatant disregard and disrespect for the dignity of the
estimated one hundred and fifty thousands Khmer Krom who were massacred
by the Khmer Rouge during the same period. Not to forget the many
thousands of Khmer Kroms who were sent by Vietnamese communist
government to the front line and get murdered in defense against the
Khmer Rouge.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
KKF is the Khmer Krom’s only voice on the international stage.
Although the Council has voted to revoke KKF consultative status, it has
bolster its profile even higher through this drama with the support
from the US, EU and the International non-governmental organisations
including Human Rights Watch.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vietnam have taken notice of the strength of Khmer Krom’s unity,
hence like a cowardice bully, attempt to trample on it. Only time will
tell the extends of ramification on Vietnam itself for its own action.
It has not dampened Khmer Krom's spirit; to the contrary in fact.</div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Prey Nokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-88292798826533737842012-07-25T21:46:00.000+07:002012-07-25T23:13:54.350+07:00Khmer Krom NGO Status Revoked<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYqMdklkflW3CvPP86QApsieVuuqzZXKwNucG0VMHMayXr2i2QGPg5O_dFMJYrgSU8o6y_L3ZL5P_t8v-42yoeY-tr7saACrtCTjwjIVDXZdgI2oGyEPlcBQnXROXahORe4kWClijxgc/s1600/thach-ngoc-thach-305.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYqMdklkflW3CvPP86QApsieVuuqzZXKwNucG0VMHMayXr2i2QGPg5O_dFMJYrgSU8o6y_L3ZL5P_t8v-42yoeY-tr7saACrtCTjwjIVDXZdgI2oGyEPlcBQnXROXahORe4kWClijxgc/s1600/thach-ngoc-thach-305.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thach Ngoc Thach speaks during an interview at RFA, July 18, 2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Originally posted at <a href="http://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/revoke-07242012161559.html" target="_blank">rfa.org</a>: </span></span></span>The United Nations has revoked the special consultative status of a
non-governmental organization representing the indigenous Khmer Krom
group in Vietnam, drawing protests from human rights groups which
accused the global body of buckling to pressure from Hanoi.</span><br />
<br />
Member
states of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on
Monday voted 27-14, with 10 abstentions, to rescind a consensus decision
in May approving the application by the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom
Federation (KKF) for special consultative status with the Council.<br />
<br />
Vietnam
protested strongly against the May decision and proposed a resolution
overturning the move along with El Salvador and fellow Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states Burma, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.<br />
<br />
The United
States and the European Union meanwhile had expressed their opposition
to the resolution revoking the special status of the KKF representing
the Khmer Krom, an ethnic group that U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW)
says faces serious restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly,
association, information, and movement in Vietnam.<br />
<br />
The ECOSOC
had “caved to Vietnamese pressure," a joint statement by the Observatory
for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OPHRD) and the Vietnam
Committee on Human Rights (VCHR) said. <br />
<br />
The OPHRD is a joint
program of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the
World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).<br />
<br />
Ahead of the vote, the
OPHRD, along with 12 international and regional human rights groups,
urged ECOSOC member states to oppose the draft resolution and to
“support the ability of civil society organizations to freely
participate in the work of the United Nations.”<br />
<br />
In the
statement, the OPHRD pointed out that special consultative status is
granted to NGOs that “have a special competence in, and are concerned
specifically with, only a few of the fields of activity covered by the
Council and its subsidiary bodies, and that are known within the fields
for which they have or seek consultative status.”<br />
<br />
<b>Resolution condemned</b><br />
<br />
In
Tuesday’s joint statement, Vo Van Ai, president of the Paris-based
VCHR, condemned those U.N. member states that had joined Vietnam in
rescinding the decision.<br />
<br />
“It is shameful that many U.N. member
states caved in to Vietnam’s pressure and became an accomplice in
stifling the rightful voices of human rights defenders,” he said.<br />
<br />
“It
sends a chilling signal to the people in Vietnam that the international
community is not on their side in their quest for greater freedom.”<br />
<br />
Souhayr
Belhassen, president of the FIDH, said that Vietnam, which intends to
run for a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, has repeatedly attacked
independent human rights defenders at home and abroad, reflecting its
“consistently dismal human rights record.”<br />
<br />
“Before it is even
elected to the Human Rights Council, Vietnam is already busy obstructing
human rights groups from cooperating with the U.N. to promote human
rights,” he said.<br />
<br />
“This kind of intimidation must not be tolerated anywhere in the U.N. system.”<br />
<br />
Gerald
Staberock, secretary-general of the OMCT, called the resolution “an
expression of fear to hear unpleasant truths and opinions.”<br />
<br />
“The
basis of any commitment to human rights defenders is the recognition of
their very existence and their right to speak and to be heard, and the
states have failed in this test—Vietnam in the first place,” he said.<br />
<br />
<b>Plans to reapply</b><br />
<br />
Thach
Ngoc Thach, the president of the KKF who led a delegation to join the
ECOSOC, said his federation would reapply for membership in the next
three years.<br />
<br />
“The federation will continue to advocate to
countries that didn’t vote or voted in absentia to support our bid for
next time,” he said.<br />
<br />
He added that Vietnamese allegations that the Khmer Krom are seeking independence from Vietnam were untrue.<br />
<br />
“We cannot accept these allegations,” he said.<br />
<br />
Thach
Ngoc Thach said that even though the KKF was refused the right to act
as an ECOSOC member, the federation remains recognized by the
international community for its work on behalf of the Khmer Krom.<br />
<br />
“This
should not be considered a failure because we have received support
from the U.S., France, and England. The countries that support Vietnam
are Russia and China,” he said.<br />
<br />
“The communist countries are supporting each other.”<br />
<br />
<b>Persecuted group</b><br />
<br />
The
Khmer Krom, many of whom have moved to Cambodia to escape persecution,
are from southern Vietnam’s lower Mekong delta region, which Cambodians
sometimes call "Kampuchea Krom," or "Lower Cambodia." As Khmers, they
are ethnically similar to most Cambodians, and are considered outsiders
in Vietnam.<br />
<br />
The Vietnamese government has banned Khmer Krom human
rights publications and tightly controls the Theravada Buddhism by the
minority, who see the religion as a foundation of their distinct culture
and ethnic identity.<br />
<br />
In 2007, the Vietnamese government
suppressed protests by over 200 ethnic Khmer Buddhist monks in Suc Trang
who were calling for religious freedom and more Khmer-language
education.<br />
<br />
On the other side of the border, the Khmer Krom who
leave Vietnam for Cambodia remain one of the country’s “most
disenfranchised groups,” HRW has said. <br />
<br />
Because they are often
perceived as Vietnamese by Cambodians, many Khmer Krom in Cambodia face
social and economic discrimination.<br />
<br />
They also face hurdles in
legalizing their status in the country, as despite promises to treat
them as Cambodian citizens, authorities have failed to grant many Khmer
Krom citizenship or residence rights, according to HRW.<br />
<br />
<i>Reported
by Samean Yun for RFA’s Khmer service. Translated by Samean Yun.
Written in English with additional reporting by Joshua Lipes.</i></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Prey Nokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-71051540339313524482012-07-24T21:57:00.000+07:002012-07-24T21:57:12.621+07:00Special Thanks !<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="hasCaption">We on behalf of the KKF
Youth around the world want to give a special thanks to the states that
have supporting Khmer Krom Indigenous Peoples, that given us big
support: Special Thanks to States Member: Bulgaria, Canada, Finland,
France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lativa, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain,
Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America for voting
for my organization the KKF yesterday at The United Nations "ECOSOC".
Also, we want to give a special recognition to the United States for
their relentless lobbying on behalf of the Khmer Krom Federation(KKF)
for the past months.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMgR3FBnzSuVBc06sVAkU5ghhn3X2X5FVvOX5K_-x5OHXheLMTgJoIQfyvi8vX15Dq7xjJ0Bxf-8_zNXij41N_-hqkeW5LPD7v1e9-QaKRpS0fyI5JXxzG-I6tl8QsIc0yJv8X8VzGbc/s1600/552618_441018739276168_1425608477_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMgR3FBnzSuVBc06sVAkU5ghhn3X2X5FVvOX5K_-x5OHXheLMTgJoIQfyvi8vX15Dq7xjJ0Bxf-8_zNXij41N_-hqkeW5LPD7v1e9-QaKRpS0fyI5JXxzG-I6tl8QsIc0yJv8X8VzGbc/s1600/552618_441018739276168_1425608477_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="hasCaption"> </span><span class="hasCaption"> </span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Prey Nokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3236029 105.9979498 11.3225949 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-4876209870283936232012-07-24T21:51:00.001+07:002012-07-24T21:51:42.031+07:00Viet Nam: UN caves in to Vietnamese pressure, rejects the consultative status of the NGO KKF<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">JOINT
PRESS RELEASE - THE OBSERVATORY</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant: normal ! important;">Viet
Nam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant: normal ! important;">:
UN caves in to Vietnamese pressure, rejects human rights group’s consultative
status </span></b></div>
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<div class="yiv678242304msonormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Bangkok-Paris-Geneva,
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">July
24, 2012</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (an FIDH and OMCT
joint programme) and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR) condemn the
resolution passed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
overturning a previous decision to grant consultative status to the
non-governmental human rights organisation Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation
(KKF).</span></b></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">In
May 2012, ECOSOC’s Committee on Non-governmental Organisations, in a consensus
decision, approved KKF’s application for special consultative status with the
Council. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
protested strongly against the decision. On July 23, member States of ECOSOC, in
a vote of 27 in favour to 14 against, with 10 abstentions, adopted a resolution
to rescind that decision. The resolution was tabled by
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
along with </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">El
Salvador</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
and fellow </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">ASEAN
member States</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Burma</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Indonesia</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
Lao People’s Democratic Republic, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Malaysia</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
the </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Philippines</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Singapore</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
and </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Thailand</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">In
a joint letter<a href="http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/viet-nam/2012/07/d21880/#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="FootnoteReference"><span class="FootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a>
issued on </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">July
18, 2012</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
the Observatory, along with 12 international and regional human rights groups
across the globe, urged ECOSOC member states to oppose the draft resolution and
to “support the ability of civil society organisations to freely participate in
the work of the United Nations”. Special consultative status is granted to
non-governmental organisations that “have a special competence in, and are
concerned specifically with, only a few of the fields of activity covered by the
Council and its subsidiary bodies, and that are known within the fields for
which they have or seek consultative status”. </span></div>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Before
the vote, representatives of </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Cuba</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Indonesia</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Philippines</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
Lao PDR, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Nicaragua</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Russia</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
and </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Venezuela</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
took to the floor in support of the resolution. On the other hand,, the
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">United
States</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
and </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ireland</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
speaking on behalf of the European Union, expressed their opposition to the resolution. “It was
not appropriate to oppose accreditation for an organization simply because it
expressed views different from those of Governments represented on the Council”,
said the representative of </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ireland</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">“<i>It
is shameful that many UN member states caved in to
</i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">’s
pressure and became an accomplice in stifling the rightful voices of human
rights defenders. It sends a chilling signal to the people in
</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
that the international community is not on their side in their quest for greater
freedom</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">”,
said Vo Van Ai, president of VCHR.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">KKF
is headquartered in the </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">United
States</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
and conducts human rights advocacy globally. KKF aims, “through the use of
peaceful measures and international laws, to seek freedom, justice, and the
right to self-determination for the Indigenous Khmer-Krom Peoples”. It has an
established track record in engaging with UN human rights mechanisms and
providing valuable and quality information on abuses against the Khmer Krom
minority group in </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">.
Vietnam’s ambassador to the UN, Le Hoai Trung, labeled KKF’s activities as
“politically motivated” and characterised KKF’s aim to seek freedom and justice
for the Khmer people as a “grave offence” to the “sacred, national value” of
national unity.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">In
the 2010 joint report <i>Vietnam: From “Vision” to Facts: Human Rights in
Vietnam under its Chairmanship of ASEAN</i>, the International Federation for
Human Rights (FIDH) and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR) documented
human rights violations against the Khmer Krom, including religious persecution,
land confiscation, and excessive use of force. In the last five years, the
Observatory and VCHR documented instances of arbitrary arrests and forced
defrocking of Khmer Krom Buddhist monks in retaliation of their peaceful
protests against religious persecution<a href="http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/viet-nam/2012/07/d21880/#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">[2]</span></span></span></a>.
</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">In
another example of its diplomatic offensive against criticisms abroad, in
September 2010, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
lobbied the government of </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Thailand</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
to obstruct a press conference in </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Bangkok</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
where FIDH and VCHR were to launch their joint report on
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">.<a href="http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/viet-nam/2012/07/d21880/#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">[3]</span></span></span></a>
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">’s
hostilities against independent human rights defenders and groups at home and
abroad are nothing new and reflect its consistently dismal human rights records,
said FIDH and VCHR. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
intends to run for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, which requires member
States to uphold the highest human rights standards. “<i>Before it is even
elected to the Human Rights </i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Council</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">,
</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vietnam</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">
is already busy obstructing human rights groups from cooperating with the UN to
promote human rights. This kind of intimidation must not be tolerated anywhere
in the UN system</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">”,
said Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">"<i>The
political intervention led by a coalition of Asean States overturning the
decision of the competent committee excluding civil society access is an
expression of fear to hear unpleasant truths and opinions. The basis of any
commitment to human rights defenders is the recognition of their very existence
and their right to speak and to be heard, and the states have failed in this
test - Vietnam in the first place</i>", said Gerald Staberock, Secretary-General
of OMCT. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Press
contact:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">VCHR: </span></b><b><span lang="DE-CH" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vo
Tran Nhat: +33 1 45 98 30 85</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">FIDH:
Karine Appy +33 1 43 55 14 12 / + 33 1 43 55 25 18</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0cm 0cm 2pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">OMCT: Isabelle Scherer: +41 22 809 49
39</span></b></div>
<div style="color: black; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<hr size="1" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/viet-nam/2012/07/d21880/#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.fidh.org/Viet-Nam-In-open-letter-NGOs-call" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.fidh.org/Viet-Nam-In-open-letter-NGOs-call</span></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/viet-nam/2012/07/d21880/#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"> FIDH and VCHR,
</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">Vietnam</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">: From “Vision” to Facts: Human Rights in
</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">Vietnam</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"> under its Chairmanship of
ASEAN</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">, September 2010, pg.
25. Available at: </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.fidh.org/VIETNAM-From-Vision-to-Facts-HUMAN" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.fidh.org/VIETNAM-From-Vision-to-Facts-HUMAN</span></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/viet-nam/2012/07/d21880/#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Caractresdenotedebasdepage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"> See, i.e., Observatory Press
Release of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">September 13, 2010</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Prey Nokor, Kampuchea Krom10.8230989 106.629663810.3240294 105.9979498 11.322168399999999 107.2613778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-5804344663886852552012-07-22T21:44:00.000+07:002012-07-22T21:44:12.994+07:00UN Committee on NGOs accredits 129 NGOs, defers 130<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI2m6oTq5zMV_t939TsU5-TQYMUMpCyOjX4y8YRRFCgicHeflkxHN692BTVjPo48sW0a29zwP4s6yeu1h8X8QjGrB-fEUI_naOdfm1BYkaFfZSvu_KG-PnOKLwsqOWBeisxtG7eafbnM/s1600/940x136xother,P20un,P20bodies.jpg.pagespeed.ic.059q8_TZiW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI2m6oTq5zMV_t939TsU5-TQYMUMpCyOjX4y8YRRFCgicHeflkxHN692BTVjPo48sW0a29zwP4s6yeu1h8X8QjGrB-fEUI_naOdfm1BYkaFfZSvu_KG-PnOKLwsqOWBeisxtG7eafbnM/s640/940x136xother,P20un,P20bodies.jpg.pagespeed.ic.059q8_TZiW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>Originally posted at <a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130" target="_blank">ishr.ch</a>: </span></span>The <a href="http://csonet.org/index.php?menu=80">Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)</a>
held its resumed session in New York from 21-31 of May 2012. The
Committee is tasked with considering the applications of NGOs for
consultative status with the UN<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title="">[1]</a>
as well as the quadrennial reports submitted by NGOs already in
consultative status. The Committee makes recommendations to the Economic
and Social Council (<a class="glossarylink" href="http://www.ishr.ch/component/glossary/Glossary-1/E/ECOSOC-26/" title="The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), established by the United Nations (UN) Charter, is the principal organ to coordinate the economic, social and related work of the UN and the specialised agencies and institutions. Voting in the Council is by simple majority; each member has one vote. ">ECOSOC</a>), which can either approve or overturn a decision.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title="">[2]</a> During this session, the Committee granted consultative status to 129 NGOs and deferred the applications of 130.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
This session was similar to others in that some Committee members
continued to oppose NGOs that hold views they do not agree with, or that
have been critical of a government’s human rights record. The Committee
approved 70 (59%) of the 119 new applications at this session—an
improvement over an average approval rate of 47% over the last 10
sessions.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title="">[3]</a> However, the rate of approval of previously deferred applications<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title="">[4]</a>
remains disturbingly low. Of the 162 applications deferred from
previous sessions, only 59 (36%) were approved this session. This is in
keeping with an average approval rate of 30% for deferred applications
over the last 10 sessions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
The Committee has come under criticism in recent years for failing in
its core task of giving civil society a voice at the UN and deviating
from the guiding principles in <a href="http://csonet.org/content/documents/199631.pdf">ESOCOC resolution 1996/31</a>
in its handling of applications for consultative status and review of
quadrennial reports. It is widely accepted that membership of the
Committee<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title="">[5]</a>
lies at the root of these negative trends. The Committee is known for
excessive politicization and the balance of the Committee’s membership
tends towards States that do not support a vibrant civil society at the
UN.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title="">[6]</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
These States use various strategies to control the review process and
defer applications, such as asking (often repetitive) questions that go
beyond the scope of what NGOs are required to submit with their
applications. These tactics are used to wrongly delay, deny, and close
the applications of credible NGOs whose work addresses significant human
rights concerns of relevance to the UN. In this sense, such action by
the Committee is a form of reprisals against human rights defenders. By
using these tactics, some NGOs waiting for accreditation have had their
applications deferred for up to 10 years.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title="">[7]</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
Targeted NGOs include those dealing with sexual orientation and gender
identity (SOGI), women’s rights, reproductive rights, minority issues,
caste, and freedom of expression and association. They also include
national NGOs working on human rights in States that are not supportive
of civil society.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
Among many others, the Committee continued to block applications from organizations working on caste issues (<a href="http://www.idsn.org/">International Dalit Solidarity Network</a> (IDSN)<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title="">[8]</a>), minority issues (<a href="http://aua.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1">A.U.A. Americas Chapter</a><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title="">[9]</a>), human rights (<a href="http://scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu/">Scholars at Risk</a> (SAR),<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title="">[10]</a> <a href="http://witness.org/">WITNESS</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" title="">[11]</a> <a href="http://iflry.org/">International Federation of Liberal Youth</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12" title="">[12]</a> <a href="http://www.algerie-disparus.org/cfda1/index.php">Collectif des Familles de Disparu(e)s en Algérie</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13" title="">[13]</a> <a href="http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/">Iran Human Rights Documentation Center</a> (IHRDC),<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn14" name="_ftnref14" title="">[14]</a> sexual and reproductive rights (<a href="http://www.arhr.org.gh/">Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights</a> (ARHR),<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn15" name="_ftnref15" title="">[15]</a> <a href="http://www.youthcoalition.org/html/index.php">Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights</a> (YCSRR)<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn16" name="_ftnref16" title="">[16]</a>), and SOGI issues (<a href="http://www.almas.org.au/">Australian Lesbian Medical Association</a> (ALMA)<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn17" name="_ftnref17" title="">[17]</a>, <a href="http://www.hosiwien.at/">Homosexuelle Initiative Wien</a> (HOSI-Wien).<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn18" name="_ftnref18" title="">[18]</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Continued discrimination against NGOs dealing with SOGI</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
As in previous sessions, some of the more contentious moments concerned
the applications of organizations that work on SOGI. In response to
continuing questioning by Morocco, Sudan and Russia for ALMA and
HOSI-Wien, Belgium, Israel and the US spoke out to decry the obvious
discrimination against these organizations. Israel expressed concern
with the Committee’s ‘extreme and irrational’ aversion to NGOs working
on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues and criticised
the argument that LGBT is ‘undefined’, when the same States that make
this claim have codified who belongs to these groups and how the state
can sanction them. The US expressed serious concern that the Committee
refuses to accredit any NGOs dealing with SOGI by consensus, <a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn19" name="_ftnref19" title="">[19]</a>
despite guidance by ECOSOC that these organizations meet the criteria
in ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. Belgium and the US expressed their hope
that all questions had now been asked and that the Committee would grant
status to these organizations at the next session. The US noted that
all delegations should be on notice and not use a procedural no-action
motion<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn20" name="_ftnref20" title="">[20]</a>
to further defer consideration of the applications. However, it is
worth noting that the US and Belgium mentioned this at the previous
session as well. In fact, this year marks the first since 2006 that
pro-civil society members have not pressed the Committee to act by
making a motion to recommend status for an <a class="glossarylink" href="http://www.ishr.ch/component/glossary/Glossary-1/N/NGO-15/" title="A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is any non-profit group that is organised on a local, national or international level. NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions; bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through the dissemination of information. ">NGO</a> dealing with SOGI issues.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Committee continues to defer quadrennial reports of human rights organizations</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
The Committee also continued to exert its pressure on NGOs that already
have status by deferring the quadrennial reports of certain
organizations. Notably, the Committee again deferred the 2005-2008
quadrennial report of <a href="http://www.hrw.org/">Human Rights Watch</a><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn21" name="_ftnref21" title="">[21]</a>
due to additional questions from China and Sudan. Due to questions from
China and Cuba, the Committee also deferred the 2007-2010 quadrennial
report of <a href="http://www.freedomhouse.org/">Freedom House</a>, though it finally took note of Freedom House’s earlier 2003-2006 report.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn22" name="_ftnref22" title="">[22]</a>
Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Sudan disassociated themselves from the
Committee’s consensus decision in that regard. The representative of
Cuba stressed that the organization had taken a ‘hostile and aggressive’
position towards a number of Member States, in particular developing
countries. Regarding the treatment of quadrennial reports generally, the
US underlined that, per ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, the review is not
meant to be a ‘requalification’ of status but merely an update on
activities. The US elaborated that if states believe that NGOs are not
in compliance then they should take action by moving to suspend or
withdraw the status of the NGO.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Committee rejects proposal by US to close application of NGO with alleged terrorist ties</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
Another contentious moment occurred when the US made a motion to have
the application of the Islamic African Relief Agency (IARA)<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn23" name="_ftnref23" title="">[23]</a>
closed, alleging that it had financed terrorist groups. Despite the US
arguing that the organization had had sufficient due process and time to
respond to all allegations, Sudan contended that there was no evidence
to justify the accusations and that the NGO ought to be given more time
to respond.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn24" name="_ftnref24" title="">[24]</a>
Sudan tabled a ‘no-action motion’ to block the US proposal. The debate
was effectively adjourned when the Committee voted 9 in favour, 5
against with 2 abstentions on that proposal.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn25" name="_ftnref25" title="">[25]</a> Thus, the IARA remains on the list of applications deferred to future sessions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Committee withdraws status of NGO at Pakistan’s request</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
At this session the Committee also decided to withdraw the status of <a href="http://www.interfaithonline.org/">Interfaith International</a>, an NGO that was previously suspended for two years in 2010 as a result of a complaint that Pakistan lodged with the Committee.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn26" name="_ftnref26" title="">[26]</a>
The original decision to suspend was taken despite the concerns of some
states, including the US, that such harsh measures were unwarranted and
inconsistent with NGOs' right to freedom of expression and opinion.
NGOs also expressed concern at the time that the decision was hurried
and failed to even respect the limited procedural safeguards required by
ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn27" name="_ftnref27" title="">[27]</a>
At the present session of the Committee, Pakistan lodged a complaint
that the NGO had violated the terms of its suspension by continuing to
engage in activities on UN premises<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn28" name="_ftnref28" title="">[28]</a>
and using its consultative status insignia. Though the decision was
taken by consensus, both the US and Belgium called the punishment
disproportionate, stating that an extension of the suspension would have
been preferable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Vietnam urges Committee to reconsider decision to grant status to NGO</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
A final controversy took place in the Committee on the last day when the
Permanent Representative of Vietnam made an oral statement registering
Vietnam’s protest against the <a href="http://www.khmerkrom.org/">Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation</a>’s
(KKF) application for consultative status, which had been approved
consensually earlier in the session. The KKF is a US-based NGO that
‘through the use of peaceful measures 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 Vietnamese
government in Kampuchea-Krom.’ Vietnam said the NGO advocates and
promotes secession and that its ‘dark aims and ill-will and illegal
acts’ make it utterly unqualified for consultative status. Vietnam asked
the Committee to take appropriate action to prevent KKF from getting
consultative status. Several delegations—including Pakistan, Cuba,
Russia, India, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Turkey—noted that they would
carefully consider the request and take appropriate action at ECOSOC in
July. Only the US spoke against the application being reconsidered by
ECOSOC, arguing that they and other delegations considered the
application closely and that a review of the materials submitted by
Vietnam did not justify an overturning of the decision by ECOSOC. If
reconsidered, it appears this would be the first time a consensus
decision to grant status would face potential overturning by a vote in
ECOSOC. This could place China in a difficult situation, as a
traditional ally in the Committee of countries opposing NGOs that work
on minority issues. China’s position has consistently been that the
decisions of the Committee should be respected by ECOSOC.<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn29" name="_ftnref29" title="">[29]</a> In this respect, it is notable that China remained silent in the Committee during this discussion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
On a more positive note, of the applications previously deferred for
several sessions that were approved at this session, the following were
related to: <strong>reproductive rights</strong> (the <a href="http://www.wgnrr.org/">Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights</a> (WGNRR))<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn30" name="_ftnref30" title="">[30]</a>; <strong>women’s rights/issues</strong> (Autonomous Women’s Center Pakistan, <a href="http://www.womendeliver.org/">Women Deliver, Inc</a><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn31" name="_ftnref31" title="">[31]</a>); <strong>caste issues</strong> (the <a href="http://indianchristians.in/news/">All India Christian Council</a> (AICC)<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn32" name="_ftnref32" title="">[32]</a>); and <strong>human rights</strong> (<a href="http://www.pwescr.org/">Programme on Women’s Economic Social and Cultural Rights</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn33" name="_ftnref33" title="">[33]</a> <a href="http://www.karmayog.org/ngo/knuc/index.asp?r=204">Krityanand UNESCO Club Jamshedpur</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn34" name="_ftnref34" title="">[34]</a> <a href="http://www.islp.org/">International Senior Lawyers Project</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn35" name="_ftnref35" title="">[35]</a> <a href="http://hrn.or.jp/eng/">Human Rights Now</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn36" name="_ftnref36" title="">[36]</a> <a href="http://www.assuithumanrights.org/">Human Rights Association for Community Development in Assiut</a> (HRACDA),<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn37" name="_ftnref37" title="">[37]</a> <a href="http://www.upr-info.org/">UPR Info</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn38" name="_ftnref38" title="">[38]</a> <a href="http://apneaap.org/index.php">Apne Aap Women World Wide (India) Trust</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn39" name="_ftnref39" title="">[39]</a> <a href="http://www.ihras.org/">International Human Rights & Anti-Corruption Society</a>,<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn40" name="_ftnref40" title="">[40]</a> Movement for the Protection of African Child (MOPOTAC),<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn41" name="_ftnref41" title="">[41]</a> <a href="http://www.pacificdisability.org/">Pacific Disability Forum</a> (PDF),<a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn42" name="_ftnref42" title="">[42]</a> and the <a href="http://www.simn-cs.net/">Scalabrini International Migration Network, Inc</a><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftn43" name="_ftnref43" title="">[43]</a>).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
Overall, confrontations and prolonged discussions seemed less frequent
than at previous sessions, indicating that Committee members were
settling a greater number of matters bilaterally. Recent attempts by
some members to focus on the rules of Resolution 1996/31 and less on
past practice also contributed to the less acrimonius atmosphere. The
Chair noted that this willingness to reach out and settle difficult
issues had contributed to an improved environment. While it has its
advantages, this type of approach can also contribute to a more
confusing and less transparent atmosphere for NGOs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br clear="all" /></span></div>
<hr size="1" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title="">[1]</a> Consultative status provides NGOs with access to a range of fora at the UN, including the <a class="glossarylink" href="http://www.ishr.ch/component/glossary/Glossary-1/H/Human-Rights-Council-11/" title="The Human Rights Council (the Council) is the main body of the United Nations dealing with human rights. It is mandated, among other things, to promote universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. The Council is also tasked with addressing situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon. There are 47 Member States of the Council, elected by secret ballot at the General Assembly and based on equitable geographical distribution. States serve a membership term of three years before standing down for a minimum of two consecutive terms. ">Human Rights Council</a>, ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, UN conferences, and special events organized by the President of the <a class="glossarylink" href="http://www.ishr.ch/component/glossary/Glossary-1/G/General-Assembly-7/" title="The General Assembly, established by the United Nations (UN) Charter, is the main deliberative organ of the UN and is composed of representatives of all UN Member States (currently 193). The work of the UN derives largely from the mandates given by the General Assembly. ">General Assembly</a>.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title="">[2]</a> ECOSOC (54 States) meets annually in July, alternatively in Geneva or New York. </span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title="">[3]</a>
Approval rates for new applications have fluctuated significantly in
the last five years: 56% at the 2012 regular session, 50% at the 2011
resumed session, 36% at the 2011 regular session, 18% at the 2010
resumed session, 34% at the 2010 regular session, 33% at the 2009
resumed session, 56% at the 2009 regular session, 80% at the 2008
resumed session, and 62% at the 2008 regular session.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title="">[4]</a>
Deferred applications are those that have been reviewed by the
Committee at previous sessions but on which the Committee has not come
to an agreement.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title="">[5]</a>
Members of the NGO Committee for the period 2011-2014 are: Belgium,
Bulgaria, Burundi, China, Cuba, India, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco,
Mozambique, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Russian Federation, Senegal,
Sudan, Turkey, United States of America, and Venezuela.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title="">[6]</a>
Despite the small size of the Committee (19 members) relative to the
number UN Member States (193), the membership of the Committee is
remarkably constant. A seat on the Committee ensures that a State can
play a key role in deciding which NGOs are granted consultative status.
Russia/former USSR has held a seat on the Committee since its inception
in 1946. Cuba has been on the Committee from 1975 until now with the
exception of 1983-1989. China was on the Committee from 1946-1960,
1995-2003 and 2006-present. Of the Committee members that are friendlier
to civil society, the US has been on the Committee since its inception,
with the exception of 1991-1994. The UK was on the Committee from
1946-1979, 1995-2001 and 2007-2010.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title="">[7]</a> Currently, the oldest application before the Committee is that of the <a href="http://www.world-citizenship.org/">Asian-Eurasian Human Rights Forum</a>, which applied for consultative status in 2002.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title="">[8]</a>
IDSN is an NGO based in Denmark aims to contribute to the elimination
of caste-based discrimination worldwide. Since its application for
consultative status in 2007, IDSN has received 56 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn9" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title="">[9]</a>
AUA Americas Chapter is located in the US. It aims to increase public
awareness and understanding of the Assyrian culture and people, to
promote human rights and indigenous rights, and to provide charitable
services to persons of Assyrian descent. It has received 8 questions
since it applied in 2010.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn10" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title="">[10]</a>
SAR is an international network of universities and colleges that
promotes academic freedom and defends the human rights of scholars and
their communities worldwide. SAR has received 50 questions since it
applied for status in 2007.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn11" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11" title="">[11]</a>
WITNESS is a US-based NGO that uses the power of video and storytelling
to open the eyes of the world to human rights abuses. WITNESS has
received 56 questions since its application in 2008.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn12" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12" title="">[12]</a>
IFLY is a Belgium-based umbrella organization for liberal and student
youth organizations oriented towards the promotion of active
citizenship, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Since its
application in 2006, the IFLY has received 36 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn13" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13" title="">[13]</a>
CFDA is a France-based NGO whose principal aim is to locate victims of
forced disappearances and to shed light on all victims of forced
disappearances in Algeria. CFDA has received 69 questions since its
application for status in 2008.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn14" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14" title="">[14]</a>
IHRDC is a US-based organization that documents the human rights
situation in Iran, and promotes accountability, respect for human rights
and the rule of law in Iran. IHRDC applied for status in 2010 and has
since been asked 33 questions. IHRDC has also participated in at least
two question and answer sessions with the Committee in person.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn15" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15" title="">[15]</a>
ARHR is a Ghanaian NGO that promotes rights-based advocacy to sexual
and reproductive health through advocacy and inclusive policy making. It
applied for status in 2010 and has received 6 questions since.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn16" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16" title="">[16]</a>
YCSRR is an international organization based in Canada that Youth
Coalition is an international organization of young people committed to
promoting adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive rights at the
national, regional and international levels. It applied for status in
2010 and has received 16 questions since.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn17" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref17" name="_ftn17" title="">[17]</a>
ALMA is an Australian NGO that helps lesbian doctors, lesbian medical
students and their partners. ALMA applied for status in 2007 and has
since faced 52 questions from the Committee.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn18" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref18" name="_ftn18" title="">[18]</a>
HOSI-Wien is an Austrian NGO that advocates for the human rights of
gays and lesbians. Its application dates back to 2007. It has since
faced 23 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn19" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref19" name="_ftn19" title="">[19]</a>
The US-based International Wages Due Lesbians and Australian-based
Coalition of Activist Lesbians have had consultative status since 1998
and 1999, respectively. Since then, with one exception (COC-Netherlands,
which was recommended by the Committee by a vote of 7-6), ECOSOC has
granted SOGI groups consultative status only after first overturning
negative recommendations from the Committee. ECOSOC has approved the
following organizations: Danish National Association for Gay and
Lesbians, the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay
Association (ILGA-Europe), and the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany
(2006); the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Québec and the Swedish
Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (2007);
Brazilian Federation of LGBT Groups (Associação Brasileira de Gays,
Lésbicas e Transgêneros (2009); International Gay and Lesbian Human
Rights Commission (2010); and the International Lesbian and Gay
Association (ILGA) (2011).</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn20" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref20" name="_ftn20" title="">[20]</a>
A no-action motion is a procedure that prevents member States at the UN
from continuing a debate. It allows countries to avoid taking a
position on politically sensitive issues. It has been used increasingly
in the Committee in recent years.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn21" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref21" name="_ftn21" title="">[21]</a>
Human Rights Watch is a US-based NGO dedicated to defending and
protecting human rights around the world. It has now received 16
questions regarding that report.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn22" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref22" name="_ftn22" title="">[22]</a>
Freedom House is a US-based NGO that Freedom House supports democratic
change, monitors freedom, and advocates for democracy and human rights
around the world. It had received 19 questions regarding that report.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn23" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref23" name="_ftn23" title="">[23]</a> The Sudan-based IARA had first had its consultative status withdrawn in 2006. It reapplied for status in 2011.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn24" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref24" name="_ftn24" title="">[24]</a>
In response to a question asked at the February session of the
Committee, in which the US asked the IARA to explain its relationship to
Al-Qaeda and Hamas, the IARA denied any relationship past or present.
In 2004, the US placed the organization on Department of the United
States Treasury list of terrorist organizations because of its links
with Al Qaida and terrorist financing activities. The US wished to close
the application permanently as it does not believe the Committee should
treat the application as if there is a ‘statute of limitations’ on
activities linked to terrorism.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn25" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref25" name="_ftn25" title="">[25]</a>
The following states voted in favour of the no-action motion: China,
Cuba, Morocco, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Senegal, Sudan,
and Venezuela. The following states voted against: Belgium, Bulgaria,
Israel, Peru, and United States. India and Kyrgyzstan abstained.
Mozambique, Turkey and Burundi were absent.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn26" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref26" name="_ftn26" title="">[26]</a>
Interfaith International works on human rights situations around the
world where religion or ethnicity plays a major role, including the
Sindh, Baluchistan and Gilgit regions in Pakistan. Click <a href="http://www.ishr.ch/archive-new-york/855-ecosoc-opens-the-un-to-lgbt-voices-but-takes-disciplinary-action-against-three-other-ngos">here</a> for a summary of the ECOSOC meeting at which Interfaith International was suspended.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn27" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref27" name="_ftn27" title="">[27]</a>
The Committee has not developed any interpretive guidelines or a set of
practical instructions on how to implement Resolution 1996/31. Rather
it considers complaints on a case-by-case basis. NGOs have long
criticised the weak procedural safeguards the resolution affords them if
they are the subjects of a complaint by a member state, which are
essentially limited to a right of reply within a limited time period.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn28" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref28" name="_ftn28" title="">[28]</a>
One of the allegations was that Interfaith International organized and
participated in side events at the Human Rights Council. Interfaith
International explained that they did not organize but rather were
invited to participate in the events. The <a class="glossarylink" href="http://www.ishr.ch/component/glossary/Glossary-1/H/High-Commissioner-for-Human-Rights-8/" title="The principal human rights official of the United Nations (UN), a post held by Ms. Navanethem Pillay since 2008. The High Commissioner for Human Rights heads the Office the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and spearheads the UN’s human rights efforts. ">High Commissioner for Human Rights</a>,
Navi Pillay, also clarified in correspondence with the Committee about
the case that NGOs without consultative status may co-sponsor and
participate in side events at the Human Rights Council.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn29" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref29" name="_ftn29" title="">[29]</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/8XCVoz">http://bit.ly/8XCVoz</a>
Regarding ECOSOC’s overturning of a Committee decision not to grant
status to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, <strong>China</strong>
said the Committee is an authoritative body and the Council had
by-passed it, which established an unfavourable precedent, as it harmed
the Committee’s credibility and challenged the relationship between NGOs
and the UN. China expressed great concern about the practice. <strong>Venezuela</strong>
also said its vote against IGLHRC in ECOSOC was for reasons of
procedure, not because it had substantive objections to that
organization’s work. Venezuela said the examination of applications for
consultative status was the responsibility of the NGO Committee.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn30" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref30" name="_ftn30" title="">[30]</a>
WGNRR is a Philippines-based NGO that informs, links, engages and
strengthens organisations and individuals worldwide in order to
effectively promote and improve the reproductive and sexual health and
rights (RSHR) for all women and girls. It applied for status in 2009 and
received 32 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn31" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref31" name="_ftn31" title="">[31]</a>
Women Deliver, Inc is a US-based NGO that works globally to generate
political commitment and financial investment in fulfilling Millennium
Development Goal 5 (MDG5)—to reduce maternal mortality and achieve
universal access to reproductive health. It applied for status in 2011
and received 5 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn32" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref32" name="_ftn32" title="">[32]</a>
The AICC is based in India and exists to proactively protect and serve
the interests of the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed
castes. It applied for status in 2008 and received 35 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn33" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref33" name="_ftn33" title="">[33]</a>
The PWESCR is an international human rights organization based in India
that promotes women’s human rights, in particular economic, social and
cultural rights (ESCR). It applied for status in 2009 and received 6
questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn34" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref34" name="_ftn34" title="">[34]</a>
This NGO is based in India and aims to popularize the aims and purpose
of the United Nations and its system and to promote its program and
activities amongst the mass of society within India. It applied for
status in 2008 and received 11 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn35" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref35" name="_ftn35" title="">[35]</a>
ISLP is a US-based NGO that enlists the resources of highly skilled and
experienced attorneys and law firms from around the world to advance
the rule of law, human rights and equitable economic development. It
applied for status in 2009 and received 11 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn36" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref36" name="_ftn36" title="">[36]</a>
Human Rights Now (HRN) is an international human rights NGO based in
Tokyo, established by lawyers, former UN officials, scholars, and other
human rights activists to achieve, protect and promote the human rights
of people worldwide, with a special focus on Asian countries. It applied
for status in 2009 and received 13 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn37" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref37" name="_ftn37" title="">[37]</a>
HRACA is based in Egypt and works to promote and protect human rights
through calling for citizens' empowerment without discrimination and
implementing sustainable development programs under institutional and
moral bases and values. It applied in 2010 and received 10 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn38" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref38" name="_ftn38" title="">[38]</a> UPR Info is a Swiss-based NGO that aims at promoting and strengthening the <a class="glossarylink" href="http://www.ishr.ch/component/glossary/Glossary-1/U/Universal-Periodic-Review-33/" title="The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a State-driven process, carried out under the auspices of the United Nations Human Rights Council. It provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations. A State is reviewed under the UPR approximately every four and a half years. It is a cooperative process which by the end of 2011, will have reviewed the human rights records of every country (marking the end of the first ‘cycle’ of the UPR). The second cycle of the UPR will begin in May 2012. ">Universal Periodic Review</a>. It applied in 2010 and received 10 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn39" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref39" name="_ftn39" title="">[39]</a>
Apne Aap is an NGO based in India that empowers trafficked and at-risk
women and children to organize against the demand for purchased sex and
the injustice in their own lives, and assert their right to dignified
lives and livelihoods. It applied for status in 2010 and received 1
question.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn40" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref40" name="_ftn40" title="">[40]</a>
IHRAS is an NGO based in Nigeria that focuses on the promotion of human
rights, democracy, a multi-dimensional approach to security, the fight
against corruption and development globally. It applied for status in
2010 and received 3 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn41" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref41" name="_ftn41" title="">[41]</a>
MOPOTAC is an NGO based in Nigeria that promotes, protects and defends
the legal rights and liberty of children and young persons. It applied
for status in 2011 and received 4 questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn42" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref42" name="_ftn42" title="">[42]</a>
PDF is based in Fiji and works to eliminate poverty for people with
disabilities in the region. It applied for status in 2011 and received 3
questions.</span><br />
</div>
<div id="ftn43" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130#_ftnref43" name="_ftn43" title="">[43]</a>
Scalabrini is an international network based in the US and Switzerland
with more than 270 organizations involved in various services helping
people on the move around the world. It applied in 2011 and received 3
questions.</span><br />
</div>
</div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-22988324926986055412012-07-22T21:37:00.003+07:002012-07-22T21:47:00.239+07:00Recommendation of Non-Governmental Organization for Status with Economic and Social Council Refuted as Committee Winds Down Resumed Session<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Viet Nam Observer Objects to NGO with ‘Dark Aims, Ill Will and Illegal Acts’,</u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Following Consensus Decision by Committee; In All, 128 Groups Referred to Council</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhyphenhyphenKZUiOvJMTh8okTb0ALK4fflpA7aZz45-dOb2S1YBOO7HNAhBN2TQlDBpTEmDDjSDiQ2tA0E94b5_nqYdZNOGpq9nlKHdLbVBuLJytGI8rHqUqcbjL9PhAK_UsAgDIze3yFMDOeCYA/s1600/banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhyphenhyphenKZUiOvJMTh8okTb0ALK4fflpA7aZz45-dOb2S1YBOO7HNAhBN2TQlDBpTEmDDjSDiQ2tA0E94b5_nqYdZNOGpq9nlKHdLbVBuLJytGI8rHqUqcbjL9PhAK_UsAgDIze3yFMDOeCYA/s640/banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The non-governmental
organization Kmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation is utterly unqualified to be
granted consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, the
Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations heard today as it began the
process of winding down its 2012 resumed session.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Begun on 21 May, the
session recommended a total of 128 non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
for consultative status with the Council, Kmer Kampuchea-Krom among
them. “With its dark aims, ill will and illegal acts, it would not
contribute to the work of the Council but would bring serious damage to
the reputation of the Committee and ECOSOC and disruption to their
work,” said the representative of Viet Nam who addressed the Committee
as an observer concerning its 22 May decision to recommend special
consultative status for the organization.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He accused the
organization of having carried out many politically motivated acts such
as slandering, inciting and undermining the national unity of Viet
Nam. He said those actions violated Economic and Social Council
resolution 1996/31, which provides that an NGO granted consultative
status must not engage in unsubstantiated or politically motivated acts
against States Members of the United Nations incompatible with the
purposes and principles of the Charter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Describing the Kmer
Kampuchea-Krom Federation as a “foreign-based” organization that did not
represent the ethnic Kmer people in Viet Nam but instead advocated and
promoted secession in the territory of Viet Nam, the representative
urged the members of the Committee to take appropriate action to prevent
it from getting the status it sought with the Council.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Several representatives
took the floor to explain that they had not had full information at the
time they had made the decision to recommend the organization and
promised to support the request by Viet Nam when the matter came
before the Council. Among them, the representative of the Russian
Federation, who said that any NGO that submitted a request to the
Committee should “absolutely” meet the requirements of the relevant
resolutions. If its activities did not fit or were not in line with the
United Nations Charter, then it should not be granted status. Cuba’s
delegate similarly pledged support for the request when the matter came
up in the Council, while Venezuela’s speaker said the Committee should
receive the necessary information from Member States when considering
applications.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the other hand,
however, the representative of the United States said that, while she
had listened carefully to the information presented by the
representative of Viet Nam, she did not believe that it was
appropriate for the Council to overturn a consensus decision that had
been made by the Committee. Her country had looked very closely at the
information presented by the organization in its application and that
was why it had joined the decision to recommend it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Also today, the Committee
recommended the removal of 22 organizations from consideration for
failing, after three reminders, to respond to questions from the
Committee, after their applications had been deferred.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee also
approved proposed dates for its 2013 session. The regular session would
take place from 21 to 30 January and then on 8 February, while the
resumed session would be convened from 20 to 30 May and on 7 June.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of the 128 organizations
for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council during its
current resumed 2012 session, 126 were recommended for special
consultative status and two for roster status. The recommended
applicants included 70 new ones and 58 that were deferred from previous
sessions of the Committee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Their areas of interest
cut across regions and included such fields as health care, HIV/AIDS
treatment and prevention, space exploration, indigenous issues,
agricultural development, humanitarian affairs, conflict prevention,
religious affairs, sports, model United Nations and sustainable
livelihood.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In addition: rural
women’s empowerment, post-conflict Somalia, private-sector promotion in
developing countries, support for peace and tolerance education among
youth, participation in civic life in the context of Jewish values and
American pluralism, poverty reduction among the elderly in Nigeria, and
poverty eradication among people with disabilities in the Pacific
region.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Also throughout the
session, the Committee reviewed scores of quadrennial reports from NGOs,
recommended several reclassifications, and took note of name change
requests, as well as requests for the withdrawal or reinstatement of
consultative status. In other actions, it voted to block the proposed
closure of an application for consultative status of an organization
alleged to have terrorist ties, giving the NGO a chance to respond to
those concerns.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee will meet again on 8 June to adopt its report.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Background</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee on
Non-Governmental Organizations met today to continue its consideration
of new applications for consultative status and new requests for
reclassification and to also take up other matters related to the review
of the work of the Committee as it continued its resumed 2012 session.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Removal of Organizations from Committee Consideration</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee first took
up the question of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) whose
applications had been deferred but which had not responded to questions
from the Committee despite three reminders. It recommended that all
22 organizations be removed from the list under consideration by the
Committee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of Pakistan and China made procedural statements.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Special Consultative Status</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee then heard a statement by the representative of <u>Viet Nam</u>
who spoke as an observer concerning the Committee’s decision on 22 May
to recommend special consultative status for the organization Kmer
Kampuchea-Krom Federation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative told
the Committee that non-governmental organizations had become important
actors in people’s lives, both at the national and international levels
and that the nearly 1,000 foreign NGOs working in his country
contributed to mutual understanding and to its socio-economic
development. Viet Nam, however, wanted to officially register its
protest over the application for consultative status by the Kmer
Kampuchea-Krom Federation. Its stated aim of seeking freedom and
justice for the Khmer people in Viet Nam constituted a grave offence
to a sacred national value of the Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese
nation was a family of 54 ethnic groups, including Kmers, living
together for generations in one whole territory in unity and mutual
assistance in the cause of national construction and defence. Without
national unity, the Vietnamese people would not have been able to
overcome the many daunting trials in the country’s history. The
Constitution prohibited all acts of ethnic discrimination and the State
implemented a policy of inclusive development.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Kmer Kampuchea-Krom
Federation, he said, was a foreign-based organization, which did not
represent the ethnic Kmer people in Viet Nam, but advocated and
promoted secession in the territory of Viet Nam, as revealed in the
NGO’s official website. Statements made by its leaders inciting the
establishment of an independent country and a government for the ethnic
Kmer people in Viet Nam advanced Kmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation’s dark
politically motivated objectives. That was a serious violation of the
spirit, purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, including
the principle of respecting the territorial integrity and political
independence of States. That was also a serious violation of paragraphs
2 and 57 of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Additionally, he said, the
organization had carried out many politically motivated acts such as
slandering, inciting and undermining the national unity of Viet Nam.
Those acts violated paragraph 57(a) of resolution 1996/31, which
provided that to have a consultative status with the Council, a
non-governmental organization must not engage in unsubstantiated or
politically motivated acts against Member States of the United Nations
incompatible with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
The NGO was utterly unqualified for consultative status with the
Council. With its dark aims, ill will and illegal acts, it would not
contribute to that body’s work, but would bring serious damage to its
reputation and to that of the Committee, and disruption to their work.
He, therefore, urged Committee members to take appropriate action to
prevent the organization from getting consultative status with the
Council.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of <u>Pakistan</u>
regretted that the Committee members had not been aware of the facts
presented before taking decision on the application. He had taken due
note of the statement and of the specific allegations of secessionist
activities of the organization in Viet Nam. That information would be
sent to his capital, and Viet Nam’s request would receive due and
careful consideration, which would enable Pakistan to take appropriate
action in the Economic and Social Council.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of <u>Cuba</u>
said that she had also taken note of the statement. The Committee had
not had all the necessary information at the time a decision was taken.
Cuba supported the request by Viet Nam to present the matter to the
Economic and Social Council and would act appropriately on the matter in
that forum.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of the <u>Russian Federation</u>
said that any organization that submitted a request to the Committee
should absolutely meet the requirements of the relevant resolutions. If
its activities did not fit or were not in line with the United Nations
Charter, then that organization should not have the status it
requested. His country would be acting on that basis when the Council
acted on the application.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of <u>India</u>
welcomed the new information presented by the Vietnamese delegation and
said that his country would support Viet Nam’s position on the matter
in the Council, where, he believed, the appropriate decision would be
taken.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of <u>Venezuela</u>
said that she had taken note of the information provided by Viet
Nam and stressed that the Committee should be able to receive
information from Member States to help it reach decisions on
applications. Viet Nam could count on Venezuela’s support when the
Council took action.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative <u>Nicaragua</u> similarly welcomed the information and agreed it would be important when the Council took a decision.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of the <u>United States</u>
said she had looked very closely at the information presented by the
organization in its application and that was why the delegation had
joined the consensual decision to recommend granting it status. Her
delegation had also carefully listened to the information presented by
the representative of Viet Nam. The United States did not believe
that it was appropriate for the Council to overturn the consensus
decision made by the Committee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative <u>Turkey</u>
said that he had taken due account of the objection by Viet Nam and
that that objection would be communicated to his capital. Turkey was
sure that the Council would take the new facts into account when making
its decision.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Tentative Summary</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Chairman MARIA PAVLOVA TZOTZORKOVA ( <u>Bulgaria</u>)
informed the Committee that tentative results of the session showed
that 128 organizations were recommended to be granted status by the
Economic and Social Council, including 126 for special consultative
status and two for roster status. The status of 75 organizations had
been withdrawn and those of 208 others had been suspended for
non-submission of quadrennial reports.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee then turned
its attention to its provisional agenda and documentation for the 2013
session. Ms. Tzotzorkova informed the members that the proposed dates
for the 2013 regular session were from 21 to 30 January and on
8 February, while those for the resumed session were from 20 to 30 May
and on 7 June.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee approved the proposed dates for the 2013 session.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Next, Committee Rapporteur, YONI ISH-HURWITZ ( <u>Israel</u>)
introduced the Committee’s report, explaining that it was still in
“skeleton form”, but that the substantive details would be entered in
time for the Committee’s 8 June meeting. Committee members would be
notified about informal consultations, which were set to take place
early next week, to finalize that report.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The representative of <u>Turkey</u> said his country was only concerned with certain issues, which were known and which he wanted underlined.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Committee Chairman TZOTZORKOVA ( <u>Bulgaria</u>) then suspended the resumed session and adjourned the meeting. <span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"></span>Originally posted at <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ecosoc6518.doc.htm" target="_blank">un.org</a></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Prey Nokor, Kampuchea Krom10.746903 106.67629210.247708 106.044578 11.246098 107.308006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-87608873828027712572012-07-20T13:32:00.000+07:002012-07-20T13:35:51.747+07:00Cambodia: In open letter NGOs call on ECOSOC not to revoke consultative status of KKF<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9SLLBKCaKKrhUg_Z_rFXdWxk4hkNMbUqhJfQJ2iHN0Fjss8Reo3oVv0anl6f__SB9huLuKiRLUKPdTXNXYCkDtR1chH-SIATc1RAYmpcLpJPdtXuL1lbXsoasidTDJ6ddZOB7fN1nFc/s1600/omct_logo_en.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9SLLBKCaKKrhUg_Z_rFXdWxk4hkNMbUqhJfQJ2iHN0Fjss8Reo3oVv0anl6f__SB9huLuKiRLUKPdTXNXYCkDtR1chH-SIATc1RAYmpcLpJPdtXuL1lbXsoasidTDJ6ddZOB7fN1nFc/s1600/omct_logo_en.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">July 18, 2012 </span></span>
</div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">To: Member states of ECOSOC </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Re: Support for the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (</span>Originally posted at <a href="http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/cambodia/2012/07/d21876/" target="_blank">omct.org</a>:<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">)</span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Your Excellency, </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">We, the undersigned group of civil society
organizations from around the world, are writing to express our strong support
for the special consultative status with the United Nations granted to the
nongovernmental organization (NGO) Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) and
its right to exercise freedom of expression of its nonviolent view regarding
the situation in Vietnam. We urge you, as a member of the UN Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC), to vote against the draft resolution to revoke KKF’s
special consultative status at the July 23 meeting of ECOSOC, and to support
the ability of civil society organizations to freely participate in the work of
the United Nations. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">As you know, under ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, the
Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations is mandated to grant consultative
status to those organizations whose aims and purposes are in “conformity with
the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” and
which “undertake to support the work of the United Nations and to promote
knowledge of its principles and activities.” We consider that the KKF fully
meets these criteria. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Based in the United States and operating
internationally, KKF is a reputable and prominent NGO whose mission is to seek
“freedom, justice and the right to self determination for Khmer Krom people.”
KKF, which is an independent organization not affiliated with any political parties
or groups, carries out its work through peaceful and lawful means wholly
consistent with international law to promote and protect the human rights of
the indigenous Khmer Krom in Vietnam. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">KKF has been actively and effectively engaged in
various UN mechanisms over the years, participating and submitting reports at
the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Universal Periodic Review
(UPR), the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW), the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the
Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Expert Mechanism on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), EU Human Rights Commission, and governments, in
addition to organizing various international events and conferences on human
rights and indigenous issues. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Following a consensus decision by the Committee on
Non-Governmental Organizations to grant special consultative status to KKF in
May 2012, the government of Vietnam registered a protest against KKF’s application,
claiming that KKF is “unqualified for a consultative status with ECOSOC” and
that it has carried out “politically motivated acts (…) undermining the
national unity of the State of Viet Nam.” In reality, the government of
Vietnam’s attempt to get KKF’s consultative status revoked is a politically
motivated attack against an independent, nonviolent civil society organization
that advocates upholding and implementing universal human rights standards. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Regrettably, this is far from the only attempt by the
government of Vietnam to silence those critical of it, including by
increasingly denying dissenters their rights to free expression, association,
and assembly. Bloggers, writers, human rights defenders, land rights activists,
anti-corruption campaigners, and religious </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">and democracy advocates face escalating harassment,
intimidation, arrest, torture, ill-treatment and imprisonment. Since 2004,
Vietnam has severely restricted internet freedom by firewalling critical
websites, and it is now threatening to even more severely restrict internet
freedom. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">The
government of Vietnam has recently indicated its intentions to run for a seat
on the UN Human Rights Council. As a first step to show its commitment to human
rights principles, the government of Vietnam should end its brutal crackdown on
dissent and end its criminalization of peaceful activists, including by
dropping its efforts to get KKF’s ECOSOC status revoked. Unless it does so, it
will not be able to fulfill the membership criteria of upholding the highest
human rights standards and cooperating with the council. In particular, its
attack on the KKF puts it totally at odds with the oft-stated commitment of the
council to cooperate with NGOs and civil society in exercising and defending
human rights. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Supporting
the legitimate status of the KKF as an accredited NGO will not only benefit the
work of the UN in accordance with its founding and fundamental principles, but
it will also provide tangible evidence that your country supports the important
work of civil society and human rights defenders in the Asia region and beyond.
We reiterate our support for KKF and its work on human rights in Vietnam, and
urge your state to oppose the draft resolution that would revoke KKF’s special
consultative status with ECOSOC. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">With
highest regards, </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">African
Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">African
Democracy Forum (ADF) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Asian
Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Asian
Legal Resource Centre </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Christian
Solidarity Worldwide </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">6.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">East and
Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">7.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Egyptian
Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">8.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Human
Rights Watch </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">9.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">International
Commission of Jurists (ICJ) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">10.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">International
Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT),
in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights
Defenders</span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">11.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">International
Service for Human Rights (ISHR) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8.6pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">12.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Southeast
Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">13.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">West
African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN) </span></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Prey Nokor, Khmer Krom10.746903 106.6762928.7447869999999988 104.14943650000001 12.749019 109.2031475tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-8096071272694424192012-07-20T13:25:00.000+07:002012-07-20T13:27:51.846+07:00Vietnam Attacks KKF at ECOSOC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCZheZu9OkK4AXYifwxiQ_XYorAJjkHIFvSY-vmMqj1HsVe7CjZjDF8456sg6_OWiARZyndEjdNBXWe_svgSneRGw2fWn4Jzyq-Yb8tba837ZfIn9ps2i5pVuLKgjHWdS1SQqSdpsb7c/s1600/kampucheakromMapL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCZheZu9OkK4AXYifwxiQ_XYorAJjkHIFvSY-vmMqj1HsVe7CjZjDF8456sg6_OWiARZyndEjdNBXWe_svgSneRGw2fWn4Jzyq-Yb8tba837ZfIn9ps2i5pVuLKgjHWdS1SQqSdpsb7c/s200/kampucheakromMapL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Originally posted at <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/km/node/4317" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a>: On Friday, 23 July 2004, The ECOSOC voted on a recommendation
triggered by Vietnam to sanction the Transitional Radical Party (TRP)
because TRP has Mr. Kok Ksor, President of Montagnards Foundation, Inc.
as its member. The recommendation was rejected by a vote of the ECOSOC
member states. For detail info about this case, <a href="http://www.radicalparty.org/en/content/vietnams-attack-defeated-ecosoc" target="_blank">Click here to read the article: VIETNAM'S ATTACK DEFEATED AT ECOSOC</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vietnam once again has used the same tactic to silence KKF at ECOSOC. <a href="http://www.ishr.ch/other-new-york-news/1319-un-committee-on-ngos-accredits-129-ngos-defers-130" target="_blank">Click here to read detail about how KKF has been granted consultative status by ECOSOC’s NGO committee</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">ECOSOC's meeting report on May 30, 2012: <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ecosoc6518.doc.htm" target="_blank">Click here to read the report</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On July 16, 2012, KKF released a PRESS RELEASE to appeal the civil
societies to send letters to ECOSOC members to uphold the decision made
by the NGO committee. <a href="http://www.khmerkrom.org/files/KKF_PressRelease_ECOSOC.pdf" target="_blank">Click here to read Press Release</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Updated:</b><br />
After KKF released a Press Release, On July 18, 2012, there are 14 NGOs wrote a joint letter to the ECOSOC member states: <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/files/JointNGOletterKKFconsultativestatus071812.pdf" target="_blank">Click here to read the letter.</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Please stay tune, KKN will update all the news relates to this hot news.</b></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Prey Nokor, Khmer Krom10.746903 106.67629210.247708 106.044578 11.246098 107.308006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-32984379685687276312012-04-28T20:18:00.002+07:002012-04-28T20:19:44.731+07:00Khmer Group Says It Shares Goals of Other Minorities in Vietnam<div class="articleBody" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqSXMP2U2ZV9KKkDlAJ-CEGx5gsZqQFjjrA3TU-rLflDiH8H65HRWoHNbCgqntuhEcNh-Hr96wG-NYAQ4asTSRAlSMa90gQBOGxSCxwmKPXHCrc48w2EBg1m2ZPxSmGl6PiEHlPhTkz0/s1600/480-khmerkampucheakrom-khmer-kampuchea-krom-federation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqSXMP2U2ZV9KKkDlAJ-CEGx5gsZqQFjjrA3TU-rLflDiH8H65HRWoHNbCgqntuhEcNh-Hr96wG-NYAQ4asTSRAlSMa90gQBOGxSCxwmKPXHCrc48w2EBg1m2ZPxSmGl6PiEHlPhTkz0/s1600/480-khmerkampucheakrom-khmer-kampuchea-krom-federation1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thach Ngoc Thach, left and newly re-ordained monk Tim Sakhorn, middle,
drops by VOA Khmer while on a visit in the US, file photo. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Originally posted at <a href="http://www.voanews.com/khmer-english/news/Khmer-Group-Says-It-Shares-Goals-of-Other-Minorities-in-Vietnam-148281115.html" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a>: </span><span style="font-size: small;">Members of the Khmer minority in Vietnam recently met with State
Department officials and are now looking for ways to unite with other
minorities like the Hmong and Montagnards to protect themselves from
persecution, a leading advocate says.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thach Ngoc Thach, president of the US-based Khmer Kampuchea Krom
Federation, told VOA Khmer the main goals of these minorities are the
same.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Khmer groups in Vietnam face persecution for their religion and
separate culture, activists say, including land seizures and arbitrary
arrest.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Khmer Krom, Montagnards, and Hmong face similar social and economic
issues,” a US State Department official said. “We continue to encourage
Vietnam to implement policy that will encourage greater economic and
social opportunities for all ethnic minorities.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The State Deparment “continues to press Vietnam to improve its human
rights practices, including in minority regions,” the official said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“The government of Vietnam has always accused us of being a terrorist
group, a group to break up the country,” Thach Ngoc Thach said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kok Ksor, president of the Montagnard Foundation, in South Carolina,
told VOA Khmer his group too had met with State officials to outline
continued rights concerns in Vietnam.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“In our church, they placed a statue of Ho Chi Minh, to worship him
before we worship God,” he said. “We have to put the [communist] party
above all. But that is not right according to our beliefs in Jesus
Christ.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Large congregational worship is also banned, he said. “If we do, they
will arrest us and send us to prison to torture our people.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vietnamese officials have in the past denied accusations of human rights abuses and persecution.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kok Ksor said that as a member of the United Nations, Vietnam should better respect people’s rights.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Joshua Cooper, a senior adviser to the Khmer Kampuchea Krom
Federation, said indigenous groups must now come together to push for
more rights, especially because Asean is creating its own rights
doctrine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“So that is bringing people together in the Lower Mekong Initiative,
to make sure human rights is at the forefront of it,” he said.</span></div>
</div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0115, Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.9174459.5623275 102.3905895 13.555334499999999 107.4443005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-42393957398409945422012-04-28T20:15:00.004+07:002012-04-28T20:19:18.893+07:00Vietnamese Mobs Attacked Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Originally posted at <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/node/4313" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a>: According to the Voice of Kampuchea-Krom (VOKK) broadcasted on April
19, 2012, around 3:30pm (local time) on April 19, 2012, there were eight
Vietnam Mobs carried weapons to the Khmer-Krom Temple, Wat Ro, at Vinh
Thuong commune, An Cu village, Tinh Bien district, An Giang province to
attack the Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks. The Buddhist monks had to run to
seek the Khmer-Krom villagers for help.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Most of the Indigenous Khmer-Krom Peoples are Buddhist and really
respect the Buddhist monks. When they saw the Buddhist monks running to
their village asking for help, all the Khmer-Krom men, women, and
youths, came out to help saving the Buddhist monks from the attack. A
Buddhist monk and a sixteen year old Khmer-Krom girl were injured from
the attack.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A Khmer-Krom man told the VOKK reporter that the attack might relate
to the confiscated land incident that the Vietnamese took from the
temple. In 1978, the Vietnamese government evacuated the Khmer-Krom from
An Giang province to live in Soc Trang and Bac Lieu provinces. When
they came back, most of the Khmer-Krom’s farmlands, included the
temple’s lands and farmlands, were confiscated by the Vietnamese
government and then gave to the Vietnamese people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Wat Ro lost about 2 hectares its farmlands to the Vietnamese. The
Buddhist monks and Committee members have filed many complaints to
demand returning confiscated lands for years, but the Vietnamese
government does not bother to response to resolve the issue. Instead of
resolving the issue peacefully, the Vietnamese people who are now taking
the temple’s lands might send those Vietnamese mobs to attack the
Buddhist monks to make them scare and stop demanding to return
confiscated farmlands.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After the incident happened, the Vietnamese authority sent the police
over to do the investigation. Usually, the Vietnamese authority always
accused and imprisoned the Khmer-Krom when there were a fight between
the Khmer-Krom and the Vietnamese. Hopefully, this time, the Vietnamese
authority does not abuse its power as previous times and find the
justice for the Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks.</span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0115, Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.91744511.061157 104.285731 12.056505 105.549159tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-69043802237111849952012-04-07T10:00:00.000+07:002012-04-07T10:00:18.935+07:00No Water for Khmer Krom Village<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.rfa.org/khmer/program/kampuchea_krom/feature_h040412zr-04052012045838.html" target="_blank">Reported by RFA’s Khmer service</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/khmer-krom-04052012180453.html" target="_blank">Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Rachel Vandenbrink</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ethnic Khmer who fled Vietnam and built a new life in Cambodia now find themselves disenfranchised. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QU_uf72WBo/T3501rn5GuI/AAAAAAAAK3g/NBcrj7avnfU/s1600/Khmer-krom-305.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QU_uf72WBo/T3501rn5GuI/AAAAAAAAK3g/NBcrj7avnfU/s1600/Khmer-krom-305.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Khmer Krom
monks demanding asylum</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">in Cambodia
rally in front of the UNHCR </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">offices in
Phnom Penh, Aug. 2, 2005.AFP</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Members of the Khmer Krom minority in Vietnam who moved to Cambodia
say they cannot get a clean water system in their village because they
are ignored by local authorities. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The residents of Bek Krong, in the Prey Nop commune in southern
Cambodia’s Sihanoukville province, say that life has been more difficult
for them in Cambodia than they expected because they lack access to the
most basic necessity.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“It is hard because we don’t have fresh water,” said Krom Soeung Thy, a Bek Krong resident who fled Vietnam 20 years ago. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The fresh water has to be supplied from elsewhere and the price is so expensive,” he said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The isolated village, where homes are built on stilts above sea
water, is the only Khmer Krom village in the commune and the only one
without access to clean water. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of the 200 families of Bek Krong moved to Cambodia between 1985
and 1988, seeking better livelihoods and fleeing persecution as members
of an ethnic minority in Vietnam. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Khmer Krom are from southern Vietnam’s lower Mekong delta region,
which Cambodians sometimes call "Kampuchea Krom," or "Lower Cambodia."
As Khmers, they are ethnically similar to most Cambodians, and are
considered outsiders in Vietnam.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Livelihoods</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But even after moving to Cambodia, the Khmer Krom residents of Bek Krong have found their economic situation strained.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“I had hoped to flee Cambodia to grow rice, but when I arrived, all
the land for rice fields was already bought. Now I am leasing fields to
grow rice,” one resident named Chao Den, said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chao Den said life was freer in Cambodia than in Vietnam, where he
had faced “emotional stress because of pressures and persecution.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But now in Bek Krong, taking care of water needs is a problem, he said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chao Den said he spends 5,000 to 10,000 riel (U.S. $1.25 to $2.50) a day to buy clean water.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The village is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the nearest
highway, making transporting water expensive. Until the highway was
built, villagers had to bring water by boat. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Prey Nop Commune Chief Pen Sambo acknowledged that the village faces
water shortages, but said little could be done about the problem. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Experts have conducted studies for four years, but there is no way
to dig wells. The only solution is to connect with fresh water from the
highway,” he said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He added that he had asked NGOs to dig wells there, but there was no way to do so that would produce fresh water.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Moving on</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finding it hard to make a living in the village, some of Bek Krong’s
residents have moved on to Thailand in search of a better life.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One villager said that even though he has enjoyed more freedom in
Cambodia, living in such a remote area—while relying on fishing and
growing crops for a livelihood—is too difficult for some.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Some of us, we work for fishermen, and some are having difficulty
making ends meet, so they are migrating to work in Thailand,” he said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said the Khmer Krom face
serious restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, association,
information, and movement in Vietnam. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Vietnamese government has banned Khmer Krom human rights
publications and tightly controls the Theravada Buddhism by the
minority, who see the religion as a foundation of their distinct culture
and ethnic identity.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2007, the Vietnamese government suppressed protests by over 200
ethnic Khmer Buddhist monks in Suc Trang who were calling for religious
freedom and more Khmer-language education. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the other side of the border, the Khmer Krom who leave Vietnam for
Cambodia remain one of the country’s “most disenfranchised groups,” HRW
said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because they are often perceived as Vietnamese by Cambodians, many
Khmer Krom in Cambodia face social and economic discrimination. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They also face hurdles in legalizing their status in the country, as
despite promises to treat them as Cambodian citizens, authorities have
failed to grant many Khmer Krom citizenship or residence rights,
according to HRW.</div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0115, Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.91744511.061428 104.285731 12.056234 105.549159tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-25901977873042398862012-03-29T15:08:00.002+07:002012-04-07T10:00:54.857+07:00USCIRF 2012 Annual Report<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Originally posted at <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/node/4306" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a>:</span>The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) just released the 2012
Annual Report. In this report, there is a section dedicates about the
“Khmer Buddhism” and mentioned that "The situation of the ethnic Khmer
Buddhists has been an underreported problem in the State Department‘s
Religious Freedom report."</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">USCIRF’s report recommends to the U.S. government to urge the
Vietnamese government to "allow the banned Unified Buddhist Church of
Vietnam (UBCV) and the Khmer Buddhists to operate legally and
independently of the official Buddhist organizations and the Vietnam
Buddhist Sangha, including allowing the UBCV's Provincial Committees and
Buddhist Youth Movement to organize and operate without restrictions or
harassment;"</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.uscirf.gov/images/Annual%20Report%20of%20USCIRF%202012%282%29.pdf">Click here to view the USCIRF 2012 Annual Report</a></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0115, Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.91744511.434374499999999 104.7595165 11.6832875 105.0753735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-704761515758645632012-03-29T15:06:00.001+07:002012-03-29T15:08:53.656+07:00Mid-Term Implementation Assessment on Vietnam<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Originally posted at <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/node/4306" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a>: </span><span style="font-size: small;">The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a new mechanism of the United
Nations to review all States in the world regarding to their fulfillment
of human rights obligations every four years.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vietnam had been reviewed by the Human Rights Council’s UPR Working
Group in 2009. During this review, there were 172 recommendations to
Vietnam. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The UPR Info organization (upr-info.org) just released the Mid-Term
Implementation Assessment (MIA) on Vietnam. According to this MIA, after
two years, 82% of the recommendations have not been implemented which
makes Vietnam to be the worst record for a MIA.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vietnam is well-known in promising to improve its human rights record
with the world community when it begs for economic aids. Vietnam also
uses this tactic when it is reviewed by the UN about its human rights
obligations. Vietnam might still thinks that it is only reviewed every
four years, so when it comes up to next review, Vietnam will use all
kind of excuses to get away with it again. But, with the new mechanism
of the UPR, the world community will not let Vietnam to get away easy if
it wants to get the economic aids and doing business with. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Click on this link to read the UPR-Info’s MIA on Vietnam: <a href="http://followup.upr-info.org/session5/viet_nam/MIA-Viet_nam.pdf" title="http://followup.upr-info.org/session5/viet_nam/MIA-Viet_nam.pdf">http://followup.upr-info.org/session5/viet_nam/MIA-Viet_nam.pdf</a></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-43674838025191150122012-02-28T14:44:00.000+07:002012-02-28T14:44:02.611+07:00Khmer Krom: UN Committee Condemns Vietnam’s Persecution Of National Minorities<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>At the UN’s review of Vietnam’s efforts to eliminate racial
discrimination, international experts heavily criticized the country’s
discriminatory practices towards religious and ethnic minorities. </strong></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>Below is an article published by <a href="http://www.queme.net/eng/news_detail.php?numb=1787" target="_blank">Queme</a>:</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuvWWGLmGgimK_JWcqndsub6F5bi3Puo0204wMHCs4z2_tdHuNJqXdHQnlF4g7SS_FDsv6vpLu-097jHnwneUC-LTDuUBqXqf7Br-JGP2Qm8jnbUJ3AbI9Q21e0mpLdRUEsp8txQ7PYo/s1600/143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuvWWGLmGgimK_JWcqndsub6F5bi3Puo0204wMHCs4z2_tdHuNJqXdHQnlF4g7SS_FDsv6vpLu-097jHnwneUC-LTDuUBqXqf7Br-JGP2Qm8jnbUJ3AbI9Q21e0mpLdRUEsp8txQ7PYo/s1600/143.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Vietnam Committee on Human Rights regrets that Vietnam missed a
precious opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the United
Nations in Geneva on 21-22 February 2012 during the examination of its
10th-14th periodic reports on implementation of the UN International
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination
(ICERD) to which it acceded in 1982. Instead of addressing real
challenges, Vietnam confined itself to propaganda. “Vietnam cites the
quantity of laws it has adopted as proof of the rule of law in Vietnam.
It pretends to believe that everything in the garden is rosy, simply
because it says so. In fact, many of Vietnam’s mass-produced laws are
rarely or never enacted; the stark reality for religious and ethnic
minorities is the anti-human rights policy of the regime”, said Vo Van
Ai, President of the Vietnam Committee for Human Rights (VCHR). </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Vietnam’s presentation of its periodic report was surreal”, said
Mr. Ai. “The delegation began by describing the resounding success of
its policies on ethnic minorities, supporting its claims with
Soviet-style statistics - 100% of cities have primary schools and free
clinics! It then proceeded to lament the lack of access to education and
health in the remote regions where ethnic communities live. In fact,
the report was more like a bad exercise in propaganda than a genuine
effort to address problems of racial discrimination in Vietnam”.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The CERD experts saw through Vietnam’s claims, and sharply criticized
the delegation for presenting a theoretical vision of racial
discrimination, with a long list of laws but no concrete details on
their implementation. Regretting that no factual examples of
discrimination were mentioned, French expert Regis de Gouttes observed
that “the lack of complaints against racism is not proof that racism
does not exist. On the contrary, this could stem from the victims’ lack
of knowledge of their rights, or their lack of confidence in the Police
and judiciary”. He also questioned the system of ho khau, or household
registration permits, which is the basis of all discrimination. The US
expert Carlos Manuel Vazquez commented that Vietnam’s claim that
“discrimination is prohibited” is no guarantee that it does not exist on
the ground.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The UN experts also criticized Vietnam’s legal system, notably
Article 87 of the Penal Code on “undermining the unity policy; sowing
divisions between the religious and non-religious” which the government
claimed was enacted to protected minorities. Mr. Vazquez noted that this
article was “so vaguely worded as to be used against minorities,
especially those engaged in peaceful demonstrations”, and called on
Vietnam to revise it. The Vietnamese delegation initially avoided this
question, then stated that they would “think about it”, adding that if
ethnic minorities had their rights, there were also people who “abused”
these rights. Such people were “deceitful and harmful, and must be
sanctioned by the law”. Article 87 is one of a whole chapter of
“national security” provisions in the Vietnamese Penal Code. Since 1995,
the UN has repeatedly pressed Vietnam to revise these “catch-all”
provisions which criminalize the legitimate exercise of human rights.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Taking up reports by NGOs, notably the 30-page alternative report of
the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights, the CERD experts expressed
concern about the use of negative stereotypes that stigmatize ethnic
minorities as being “backward” or “uncivilized”. Once again, the
Vietnamese delegation responded that such stereotypes were “prohibited”.
In practice, however, these negative misperceptions are very real. “The
Vietnamese government, the state-controlled media and the Vietnamese
population in general continue to refer to ethnic minorities by the
derogatory term “moi” (“savages”), whereas the word “Kinh”, used for the
majority Vietnamese population, is a term which implies superiority”,
commented Vo Van Ai.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The CERD expressed further concern about abuses of political and
economic rights suffered by ethnic and religious minorities. French
expert Regis de Gouttes and several other experts cited violations such
as expropriation from ancestral lands, forced population displacement,
restrictions on the rights of freedom of movement and expression,
violence, arbitrary arrests and religious persecution. Mr. de Gouttes
expressed particular concern about repression against “Khmer Krom
Buddhists, affiliated to the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, as well
as Montagnards and Hmongs, who are predominantly Christian”.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Chinese expert Huang Yong’An, who is also Rapporteur for the CERD
examination of Vietnam, raised the serious problem of state confiscation
of lands: “A Chinese proverb says, “oppressive government drives the
people to rebellion”. When we look at the conflicts in ethnic minority
regions, we find that many are related to issues of land-use rights. One
NGO report said, I quote, “peaceful demonstrations on these issues are
repressed by excessive force and violence, resulting in frequent
arrests”.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Confronted by the experts’ concerns on human rights violations, the
Vietnamese delegation simply repeated that “there is no racial
discrimination in Vietnam”. On specific allegations of Police violence
used to repress demonstrations of ethnic Hmongs in May 2011, the
government denied all use of force. In fact, many press agencies
reported Vietnam’s use of armed helicopters and troops to disband these
peaceful demonstrations in Dien Bien province. Vietnam even mobilized
support from armed forces in Laos to prevent Hmongs escaping across the
Vietnam-Laos border.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Several experts urged Vietnam to develop mechanisms to enable ethnic
minorities to claim and defend their rights. Nigerian expert Waliakoye
Saidou urged Vietnam to recognize the competence of the CERD Committee
to receive complaints from victims of abuses in Vietnam, in accordance
with Article 14 of the ICERD Convention. The Vietnamese delegation made
no reply. Asked whether Vietnam was considering the creation of a
National Human Rights Commission on the lines of the Paris Principles,
the delegation replied that it was considering the creation of such a
Commission according to the “country’s specific conditions”, which would
not necessarily conform with the Paris Principles. “Under current
circumstances in Vietnam, where spurious laws have remained unchanged
for decades, where there is no independent civil society and especially
no independent judiciary, a National Human Rights Commission would be a
parody of justice, a total farce”, said Vo Van Ai. <span><span>Originally posted at: <a href="http://www.unpo.org/article/13942" target="_blank">unpo.org</a></span></span></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0115, Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.91744511.4343785 104.7595165 11.6832835 105.0753735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-57800532214348699222012-02-28T14:39:00.002+07:002012-02-28T14:47:19.227+07:00Racial Discrimination against Khmer-Krom Mentioned at the 80th Session of CERD in Geneva<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFeHNV4qTi-nBJXntXWAiMlCY43PPzzy6l95sUYZ9qrrDRr0j8gRTIEEVX_gIrWoftq2ySQa1RDCERx_mLe4HgdbGpGtDTB5mf_u92SDWwSd1D3uiwY6z0nfxs5gcaJVxkiNjW3h4U60/s1600/ThachAtCERD2012_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFeHNV4qTi-nBJXntXWAiMlCY43PPzzy6l95sUYZ9qrrDRr0j8gRTIEEVX_gIrWoftq2ySQa1RDCERx_mLe4HgdbGpGtDTB5mf_u92SDWwSd1D3uiwY6z0nfxs5gcaJVxkiNjW3h4U60/s1600/ThachAtCERD2012_0.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
considered the Vietnam’s report regarding to the elimination of racial
discrimination in Vietnam from 20-22 February 2012 in Geneva.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vietnam submitted <a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/CERD.C.VNM.10-14.pdf%E2%80%9D">a 30 pages report </a>
trying to impress how good Vietnam has implemented the elimination of
racial discrimination in Vietnam. Vietnam keeps singing the same old
song that Vietnam has always promoted and protected the basic rights of
the so called “minority people” in Vietnam. Thus, according to Vietnam’s
report, there is no racial discrimination in Vietnam.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To unveil the truth, KKF submitted <a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/ngos/KKF_VietNam_CERD80.pdf%E2%80%9D">a 10 pages shadow report</a> to the CERD.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://khmerkrom.net/files/Photos80SessionCERD.pdf">KKF delegation </a>also
attended the 80th session of CERD in Geneva. On 20 February 2012, the
KKF President, Mr. Thach N. Thach delivered a five minute speech to the
CERD committee at the Pre-Session. His speech emphasized the main issues
that the Indigenous Khmer-Krom Peoples are facing:</span></div>
<ul style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Right to preserve the Khmer-Krom Identity as the Indigenous Peoples of Mekong Delta.
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Right to represent and defend in front of the Vietnamese legal system.
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Rights to freely practice the Khmer-Krom Theravada Buddhism.
</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mr. Thach had clearly explained and answered all the questions that the expert members of the CERD commission concerned.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From 21-22 February 2012, the members of the CERD commission started
questioning Vietnam about its report. Vietnam used to denying the
existent of the Indigenous Peoples in Vietnam at UN Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues in New York and at the EMRIP in Geneva. But this time,
the experts of the CERD commission had nailed Vietnam delegation to the
point that the Indigenous Peoples, such as the Khmer-Krom, the
Montagnard, have lived on their ancestral land long before the arrival
of the Kinh (Vietnamese). The Vietnam delegation had no way to deny the
truth and used a tactic explanation that “the term indigenous was
negative, as those people were characterized as poor and belonged to the
lower class of society” and promised that when they will go back and
look into this issue for recognizing the term Indigenous Peoples or not
(even Vietnam adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples in 2007).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The report that Vietnam presented to the CERD is not easy to convince
the UN experts. A country that is running by a single communist party
already says everything that Vietnam does not have a basic freedom for
the people to vote for their own party and leaders. Without having the
free speech, how can Vietnam convince people that there is no racial
discrimination in Vietnam? Thus, it is time for Vietnam to accepting the
truth and makes a positive change to becoming a respective country in
protecting and promoting basic human rights. Originally posted at: <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/node/4302" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For more info, please read:<br /><a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/cerds80.htm" title="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/cerds80.htm">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/cerds80.htm</a></span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/%28httpNewsByYear_en%29/FCF47FF309892C8AC12579AC004BD3D6?OpenDocument" title="http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/%28httpNewsByYear_en%29/FCF47FF309892C8AC12579AC004BD3D6?OpenDocument">http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/%28httpNewsByYear_en%29/F...</a></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.91744511.4343785 104.7595165 11.6832835 105.0753735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-905186705582125562012-02-28T14:35:00.001+07:002012-02-28T14:45:41.475+07:00When Vietnam Changes Its Political Landscape as Burma Printer-friendly version<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygA1mq_QMoF46LGeX0iDVq4fJQrFj5fpucC-PqXB1JewMdIfjboayZ_UvmIhCeAk9T9jkekCLyel6lYKzUogojgAxS7HiDvXWB12ogXgEkgdhceeZbY8JilD1TVsyrFb7hyQ44UZZGjU/s1600/VenTTDhammo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygA1mq_QMoF46LGeX0iDVq4fJQrFj5fpucC-PqXB1JewMdIfjboayZ_UvmIhCeAk9T9jkekCLyel6lYKzUogojgAxS7HiDvXWB12ogXgEkgdhceeZbY8JilD1TVsyrFb7hyQ44UZZGjU/s1600/VenTTDhammo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On February 2, 2012, the National Endowment for Democracy hosted an
event to meet three leading activists from Burma after Burma has opened
up its doors for political reform. The key speakers are:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Zaganar, comedian, founder of Thee Lay Lee and the Multi-Colour Troupe and former political prisoner.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Khin Than Myint, leading advocate for women's rights and member of the National League for Democracy.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bauk Gyar, Kachin activist and member of the National Democratic Force political party.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A luncheon address by Michael Posner, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation has sent a delegation from US, Mr. Hoang Duong, and from Canada, Venerable TT Dhammo.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">During the event, the human rights issues had been presented and
discussed. The human rights violations against the ethnic minorities in
the Kachin state were also brought up. The vulnerable situations of the
ethnic minorities in the Kachin states are pretty similar to the
Khmer-Krom in Mekong Delta.</span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A representative from the Human Rights Foundation also raised the
question regarding the genocide of the ethnic minorities and would like
to understand who would be responsible for the ethnic cleansing. Will
the ethnic minority have justice after the political landscape is
changed in Burma?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">At this event, Venerable TT Dhammo and Mr. Duong had a chance to meet
the human rights activists and representatives from the U.S.
government. Hopefully, one day, NED will host an event like this for the
human rights activists, especially the Khmer-Krom human rights
activists, in Vietnam to share their experiences to seek for their
fundamental rights. Originally posted at: <a href="http://khmerkrom.net/node/4300" target="_blank">khmerkrom.net</a></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.91744511.4343785 104.7595165 11.6832835 105.0753735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2757781906909222833.post-91212704516533383172012-01-30T11:09:00.000+07:002012-01-30T11:12:07.937+07:00East Turkestan: Uyghur Exile Reportedly Sentenced to Jail<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM7TvwYGaqNVEoJ5aHlfJMu1djCIduLUahzO7VD7UYNem6qjvLuh9PKUAObWsUwpf2lRpnLDHxSE-v5vQHL3hwha-oxtvPYYXCqXcVIsQYmD52amXkF5oCSWE_n7djZZRiuRgArf3wI8/s1600/606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM7TvwYGaqNVEoJ5aHlfJMu1djCIduLUahzO7VD7UYNem6qjvLuh9PKUAObWsUwpf2lRpnLDHxSE-v5vQHL3hwha-oxtvPYYXCqXcVIsQYmD52amXkF5oCSWE_n7djZZRiuRgArf3wI8/s1600/606.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>According to reports, one of the twenty Uyghurs extradited to
China from Cambodia in 2009, was sentenced to seventeen years
imprisonment in a closed trial in autumn 2011. Relatives of the
imprisoned man claim that no information has been given to them about
the charges against him.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Below is an article by <a href="http://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/?p=13535%20Uyghur%20Extradited%20from%20Cambodia%20Receives%2017-Years%20Prison%20Sentence" target="_blank">the World Uyghur Congress</a>: </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Musa Muhamad (Muhemmed), one of
the twenty ethnic Uyghurs extradited on 19 December 2009 from Cambodia
to China, was sentenced to 17 years in prison last autumn, according to a
Radio Free Asia (RFA) article published yesterday. Relatives of 25
year-old Muhamad told RFA that the Kashgar Intermediate Court sentenced
him on 20 October 2011 in a closed trial, but that authorities refuse to
provide information on the charges against him. The World Uyghur
Congress (WUC) condemns this sentence in the harshest possible terms,
and fears that the other Uyghurs forcibly returned from Cambodia are
suffering the same fate. </b><b></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It is the first time that reliable
information about a member from the group of extradited Uyghurs has
reached the public. For the last two years, the Chinese government has
insistently refused to provide information on the whereabouts and legal
status of the people, despite having promised the international
community<b> </b>that these Uyghurs would be dealt with
transparently upon their return. The extradition, which came after
intense pressure and influence by the Chinese authorities, represented a
flagrant violation of international human rights treaties, especially
the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol (of which Cambodia is a
party), as well as international customary law; all of which prohibit
the refoulement of individuals to a country where they will face torture
or other forms of ill treatment.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“We have highlighted again and again
before the international community that Uyghurs forcibly returned to
China are in extreme risk of torture, detention and enforced
disappearance, and the case of Musa Muhamad proves once again, that our
fears are well-founded”, said WUC President and Uyghur human rights
activist Rebiya Kadeer today. “We call once again on the international
community to pressure the Chinese authorities to immediately disclose
the whereabouts of all the extradited Uyghurs and to provide the
charges, if any, that have been made against them.”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">According to the “World Report 2012”,
recently released by Human Rights Watch (HRW), “in 2011 [China]
significantly increased pressure on governments in Central and Southeast
Asia to forcibly return Uighur [sic] refugees, leading to the
refoulement of at least 20 people.” The organisation highlights cases
such as the forcible return of the Uyghur refugee, Ershidin Israel, in
May 2011 from Kazakhstan to China; the extradition of 11 Uyghur refugees
from Malaysia to China in August 2011, and also the case of the Uyghur
Nur Muhammed, who was handed over to the Chinese authorities in Bangkok.
All of them have since disappeared. HRW claims that China’s record of
arbitrary detention and torture of ethnic Uyghurs places those
disappeared at grave risk of abuse, ill treatment, and torture. Other
countries, such as Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Laos, Cambodia, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan, have also extradited Uyghur refugees and asylum seekers in
the past.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Uyghur refugees in Cambodia,
considered by the Chinese authorities as “criminals,” had fled from
China in small groups between May and October 2009, following the July
2009 events in Urumqi, East Turkestan´s regional capital. They fled
after witnessing Chinese security forces arresting and using brutal and
lethal force against Uyghur demonstrators during the peaceful Uyghur
protest in July 2009 in Urumqi. They had applied to the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for refugee status in Phnom Penh,
their cases were still under review when they were forcibly returned to
China. A UNHCR official stated, “in his 30 year history in UNHCR this
was the most flagrant violation of the 1951 Convention on Refugees he
had experienced.”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Following their extradition, China
rewarded Cambodia for its reprehensible action by signing an agreement
two days after the return. This agreement was reported to provide US$1.2
billion in aid to Cambodia. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Originally posted at: <a href="http://www.unpo.org/article/13800" target="_blank">unpo.org</a></span></div>Child Khmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16647167118235151579noreply@blogger.com0115, Phnom Penh, Cambodia11.558831 104.91744511.4343785 104.7595165 11.6832835 105.0753735