Be inspired...
Thank you for visiting my page. I am currently updating some of the articles. I hope to inspire all of you to be proud of who you are, of being Khmer. We have a rich history, one which all of us are apart of.

Yes I am a descent of Kampuchea Krom. I don’t live in Khmer Krom but they are my people. They are your people. They are in need. I have all the opportunities at my finger tips. I will not let a day pass without helping those who need it the most. Yes, its politically and yes, it is sad but reality isn’t pleasant all the time.

Please learn about your roots and identity. Only by accepting who you are can become truly free as an individual.

Open your mind and hearts to the Khmer Krom people who are often forgotten down in South Vietnam. Please help us help them.

The Khmer Krom People

I have been fortunate to have met many Khmer and Khmer Krom nationalists in my travels. Their very existence revolves around their culture and love of being Cambodian. No doubt many have sacrificed their lives to keep what was theirs in the first place. They hold firmly to their land, culture and unique identity.

The Khmer Krom people are a case close to my heart. I have traveled first hand to see them in their desperate and often deadly oppressive world under the Vietnamese government. Humble followers of Buddhism, the Khmer Krom people like their motherland people in Cambodia are often used and abused by numerous colonizing powers.

The one thing I could proudly say about the Khmer Krom is their love of their identity. Despite being colonized by the Vietnamese in the 1600s, the French in 1800s and then the Vietnamese again in 1949, they have stubbornly clung to their identity. They remain deeply attached to their motherland culture, language and religion. If there was ever a people genuinely Khmer, it would be the Khmer Krom people.

So if you happened to travel to Vietnam, seek them out. You will find them in the provincial region. If you happen to see one on the streets, stop and say hi so we can to learn to understand each other and once again become the greater Khmer family.

Letter to all of our elders

By Miss Sothy Kien

As an active youth working for KKF, I have been fortunate to travel far and wide to help advocate on behalf of our people back in Kampuchea-Krom. Through my travels, I have met many inspiring Khmer nationalists whose determination and commitment towards the Khmer Krom cause is one that has earn my highest respect. Unfortunately in a world of growing globalisation, not many people can truly say that they are Khmer nationalists. Many claim to be so and yet at the face of real and difficult challenges, often look the other way or even worse attempt to destroy the hard work of other organisations.

Some organisations such as the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation are formed to inspire positive movement towards human rights realisation while others resort to violence as a means to reclaim their ancestral lands and territories.

The fact that I have grown up in a democratic society have opened my eyes to the wonders of free speech and movement. Unfortunately for many of the youths abroad today, we often take for granted such rights and little do we know the phenomenal power that we have to use such instruments to help our beloved people back in Kampuchea-Krom.

What is alarming is the fear that continues to be instilled in many of our elders. Many, who have lived under the Vietnamese rule, took arms and ferociously fought against communists, are now standing silent as Vietnamese destroys what is left of the Khmer culture.

The mere act of participating in a peaceful demonstration has sent many hiding in their homes, claiming that they will not be able to return home. Others say that if they were to be involved, their families will be in dire trouble with local authorities. Either way, I believe that those are merely selfish excuses. We are not talking about one individual being in trouble but the whole civilisation of Khmer Krom facing extinction as a result of Vietnamese discriminatory and destructive policies to eliminate the Khmer Krom people as peoples.

I don’t need a university degree to understand the motive of certain organisations to use other organisations for their own benefit. And I am deeply saddened to see the divide of our elders forming a separate organisation and stepping on other people’s toes in order to achieve their objectives.

The struggle of Khmer Krom people is not about a single individual, about who is better than whom or who is going to be the top person if independence is ever to be achieved. It is about helping our people realise and exercise their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms embedded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and even the Vietnam constitution.

Without knowing and having access to such rights, how can our people even begin to reclaim our lands? Like a baby that learns crawls before it walks, our struggle must start with our rights. We must have patience, the famous Angkor Wat and the foundation of our Khmer Krom civilisation and temples wasn’t built overnight. Thus, the struggle of our people and nation will be long time in coming but each action that we take to work together and bring Khmer Krom issues to the international forefront; we are one step closer to achieving the goal of self determination.

Some people have approached me and asked if there is hope for Khmer Krom? A quote by Edmund Burke goes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing." I believe that spirits and hope of ancestors continues to burn brightly within each and everyone of us Khmer Krom abroad and especially in Kampuchea-Krom. As long as we continue to fight as one, we will fuel the fire of hope for our people.

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong." - Abraham Lincoln

It is up to each of us to make a difference. Don’t wait for the right time to be involved; make it so that the right time is now to be active.

In writing this letter, I hope that our elders find within themselves the truth and not be influenced by power or money. It is not about you or me, it is about our nation and that is something we must put at the forefront to be considered a genuine Khmer nationalist and not just our current generation or the next one but your generation a true Propang Tong Rakessy (root of bamboo shoot) as defined by our past ancestors.

Source: www.khmerkrom.net


Whispers of Hope

Like the hot air that rises in a cold empty room, the Khmer-Krom people living in Kampuchea-Krom and abroad are slowly raising to their feet to demand their basic fundamental freedoms and rights.

Their spirits and dignity, severely repressed and degraded by actions stemming from the Vietnamese government are slowly being revitalised by the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation movement after over a century of domination under the communist Vietnamese government.

Six years ago, KKF was unknown to the international community. Today, the mere mention of KKF brings a wealth of respect and support from experts and peoples alike across the globe.

Armed with the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation membership and a working knowledge of the United Nations instruments, KKF have been tirelessly campaigning and educating the Khmer and Khmer-Krom communities far and wide about their rights and the suffering of the Khmer-Krom back home. At the larger scale, they have bought to world experts, the unknown case of the Khmer-Krom into international spotlight.

Through their mission to use peaceful means to advocate for rights of these indigenous peoples of the lower Mekong Delta region, KKF have become the forerunners of initiating and inspiring self determination amongst their own peoples.

While Vietnam boasts about being proud of its diverse fifty two odd ethnic minorities in the international spotlight and yet beneath the surface, the Khmer-Krom people continue to suffer in silence in an environment dominated by fears and threats.

Especially interesting is the continual denial by the Vietnamese government in accepting the Khmer people living in the Mekong Delta as the indigenous peoples of Vietnam despite overwhelming historical evidences. One thing is for sure though, Vietnam cannot assert its claim as the indigenous peoples of the rich fertile regions of the Mekong Delta.

The results of countless hours of dedication by KKF delegates are flourishing even within the strictly monitored and controlled large Khmer-Krom populations living in Preah Trapeang, Khleang and Mout Chrout provinces.

Videos and DVD showcasing KKF activities at the UN, patriotic music composed by Khmer-Krom nationalists and published human rights materials are making their ways into the destined hands of the Khmer-Krom people. Like a man that is thirsty and finds water, the Khmer-Krom people hungry for justice are finding a glimmer of hope in their oppressed and at times deadly world.

The awaking is being stirred amongst the indigenous peoples. Stories of torture, beatings and false accusation have been leaking out of Kampuchea-Krom and into international spotlight. The atrocities that continue to be committed by Vietnamese authorities at the grass root level are finally surfacing and the international community is beginning to be aware of the terrifying grip that Vietnamese has on the Khmer-Krom people.

More disturbing are stories of bribery by Vietnamese agents to turn Khmer-Krom against one another. Poor jobless Khmer-Krom people are given money and even a job to monitor their own people. Many are forced out of their desperate situation to accept in order to survive and instead close their eyes to the fact that they are betraying their very own people, a tactic in which Khmer-Krom people know very well having been subjected to such tactics since 1600s.

Nevertheless, the seed of hope is sprouting amongst the many weeds. Many Khmer-Krom people have remained strong in their resolve to keep their identity and culture alive at all costs. Those are the very heroes of the Kampuchea-Krom. They are quiet and yet they watch as time changes.

The truths are slowly surfacing beneath the bed of lies built up on centuries of oppression against the Khmer-Krom people. These people and the world is watching as Vietnamese authorities learn the real lessons of justice and the deceptive world in which lived where they thought they were above the law.

While the road remains long and dangerous, hope remains strong amongst the Khmer-Krom communities living in the Mekong Delta. Certainly the idea of deciding your very own destinies, to self determinate is silently taking root in Kampuchea-Krom. A concept initially inspired by millions of indigenous peoples worldwide, the KKF has finally transferred some of that inspiration to their people revitalising their sense of identity and community.

SOURCE: www.khmerkrom.net

Internal Chaos of the Khmer-Krom People

For many outsiders, Vietnam appears to be doing all the right things. In fact, earlier this year the United Nations has praised Vietnam for its efforts in changing its ways and making rapid progress. In its attempt to successful join the World Trading Organization, Vietnam has certainly polished their images at the international arena.

Stories from inside, however displays a different picture. Sadly, only those living in Kampuchea-Krom could fully appreciate desperate situation that they are subjected to. Unlike the rapid ethnic cleansing that their Diem government tried to implement against the Khmer-Krom people in the 1950s, they now face a different sort of elimination. One that is more deadly and silent than their previous tactics. Instead of killing the Khmer-Krom people physically, their lands, voices and identity has been systematically altered for the benefit of Vietnam.

Countless numbers of Khmer-Krom individuals have been beaten senseless for simply watching videos about the UN and possessing materials that promote their sense of identity and unity. Thousands of young Khmer-Krom men and women remain jobless because their fathers were involved in the Vietnam War. The few who are employed must adhere to strict conditions such as only taking Vietnamese wives in order to be accepted.

Although unbelievable, such acts of forced assimilation of the largest indigenous group in the Mekong Delta region into the Vietnamese way of life continues. Many Khmer-Krom people have been forced to abandon all ties to what them make uniquely Khmer to be able to survive. Such tactics ensure the successful integration of Khmer-Krom people into the Vietnamese society while eliminating what is left of the Khmer culture and identity.

Only ten years ago, videos produced by Khmer-Krom dance groups displayed traditional dances and songs. Nowadays, songs containing Khmers words, are becoming rare and in between. Cambodian traditional performances have been modified to fit within the Vietnamese entertainment framework.

At first glance, the blend of Khmer and Vietnamese culture appears to be an inclusive process initiated by the government of Vietnam to include the Khmer-Krom people into mainstream society. However, for many Khmer-Krom living in Kampuchea Krom and abroad, such acts are considered to be a violation to the Khmer-Krom identity. Indeed such act does not preserve the Khmer-Krom cultural identity, rather its changed to make it in something that clearly not same as its tradition.

Vietnam often boasts that it is proud of its rich and diverse ethnic communities. Article five of its constitution even states that all nationalities had the right promote its fine customs, traditions and culture. Reality however, paints a contradicting picture to the desperate situation of the Khmer-Krom people. Instead of preserving the clearly distinctive culture of the Khmer-Krom people, their identities have been changed to Vietnamese. Khmer-Krom temples have been renamed to Vietnamese.

The dignity of the Khmer-Krom people and temples that was once respected, valued and protected during the former French colonization of Kampuchea-Krom have now been stripped bare under the communist regime. Their proud nature have been severely degraded, their sense of community undermined, living a life that is controlled by others and not of their own making.

Vietnam as a country must stop forcing the Khmer-Krom people to incorporate into mainstream society by changing their culture and identity. Such acts are a violation against its very own constitutions, international laws, UN Declaration on Human Rights and UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples. Only by truly accepting and valuing that the Khmer-Krom people are indeed human beings can Vietnam become a truly respected country in the eyes of the Khmer-Krom people and international communities worldwide.

Khmer Krom's Suffering

It is only recently that people are starting to recognise and hear about Khmerkrom. Many have asked who are the Khmerkrom people? They are a group of people with a true khmer identity but not fully accepted by either Cambodia or Vietnam. Under the agreement with France, Khmerkrom people are under the rule of the Vietnamese Government, thus should be accepted as Vietnamese citizen and yet, their human rights to be abused and violated even to this day. What's left of the khmer culture within the Khmerkrom people continues to be oppressed and forbidden despite the fact that they were the original owners of South Vietnam.

Falsely accused, jailed and/or tortured, many of our brave individuals died fighting for freedom, and those who survived continued to live in fear and discrimination against a government that refuses to acknowledge them as native owners. This brings us to a question of whether or not there is any shred of humanity or conscience in the hearts of the Vietnamese Government? If we did not stage any protest and continued to endure under their traitorous behaviour, would Khmerkrom be eliminated by now as if they were unfit to be part of the human kind?

Despite the fact that many criminal and injustice acts being continuous conspired against us, we continued to put up a resistance that was as strong as an iron bar if not stronger. An example of this inhumane act include the trapping of our people between rice stocks and consequently burnt alive. One lady recounted the day, said it was a day that would remembered not with fondness but a deep sense of sadness and regret. She told me that cries of our people caught in the inferno could be heard across the rice fields and the rest of Khmerkrom's land and would be forever imprinted in her mind and heart like sharp daggers constantly poking holes in it. She remembered the hopeless feeling of not being able to do anything but standing there and watched as hundreds and thousands of our people were being reduced to ashes. This human burning inferno was not the last as our people found out in another attempt by the Vietnamese to wipe out our brave leaders and unfortunately, they almost succeeded to a point that would discourage any sensible people from continued resistance.

Khmer Krom's Isolation: Did Cambodia forget about us

Last yesterday I was talking to my parents about Khmerkrom's history. He mentioned in passing how khmerkrom will never forget khmer but the sad thing is the fact that we can't seem to rely on Cambodia helping us. This is not to say that we do not recognise those despite not living in khmerkrom and thus not KK, but khmer individuals nevertheless helping us. I am positive that there are a lot of nameless individuals who has played critical roles in aiding khmerkrom even to this day! Thanks on Khmerkrom's behalf and hopefully more people realise this and come to lend a helping hand.

I am sure a lot of people have heard about the Khmer Rouge and their distinction is through the wearing of red scarves around their neck. Have you heard of our very own heroes? The men who had white scarves? When spoken of the men with the with the white scarves through those who worked along their sides in the past, it was obvious the respect for their courage and strong determination in fighting for what was rightful ours.

If the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation didn't initiate the recognition of khmerkrom people suffering in South Vietnam, would have Cambodia done something? How many more years before it did anything? 10 years or 20 years? I am sure Cambodia as a nation have had its share of problems, but does that mean that it is so involved with its own problems, that it forgets Khmerkrom? A land that was once Cambodia and will always remains so in the hearts of those who used to or still lives there? Maybe the Cambodian Government doesn't want the responsibility or perhaps it is better to bury the painful memories?

Over the decades, the ties between Cambodia and Khmerkrom has thinned out almost to a breaking point. There was hardly any movement from khmerkrom to or from Cambodia and this lack of communication meant khmerkrom suffered through their isolation. Some people laugh at Khmerkrom's accent, saying that it sounds so Vietnamese and so difficult to understand. What did you expect? They only had themselves to communicate with or else interactions between the Vietnamese people. Whose fault is it? Think twice before you laugh.

Question
People have asked me why should there be a separate group, a Khmer and a Khmer Krom group? After all, we are Khmer bottom line right?

Answer
The misconceptions have caused various communities to break apart and our Khmer people continue to separate and fight amongst themselves. I will attempt to clarify this misunderstanding. For example if someone asked me where I was from and I said Cambodia. In the next ten year, noone would have heard of Kampuchea Krom. IF I answered Khmer Krom, most are likely to pause and ask, “who?” It provides an opportunity for those people to ask about our history and our constant struggle to be treated like equal citizens under the Vietnamese Government‘s rule.