Cambodia: Attitude toward and treatment by authorities of the World Buddhist Sangha Youth Cambodia (WBSYC) and its members, as well as supporters of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Buddhist Monk Association (KKKBMA) (2010-August 2013)

1. WBSYC

The website of the World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY) indicates that the organization was founded in Nepal in 2004, with representation from the five main Buddhist schools of thought from Japan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Mongolia, Thailand and Australia, with the goal of creating a global network among the youth of the Buddhist community (WBSY [2012]). An undated page from another WBSY website, WBSY2008.org, indicates that there is a WBSY regional centre in Cambodia, located in Phnom Penh (WBSY n.d.). According to the website of Kraya Monastery in Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia, four Khmer student monks attended the 8th WBSY general conference in Sri Lanka in 2011 (Buddhist Library for Youth 30 Oct. 2011).

Further information about the WBSYC, including about the treatment of its members by the authorities, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Situation of Khmer Krom Monks in Cambodia

In 27 August 2013 correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Canadian chapter of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Foundation (KKF), a global volunteer-run organization advocating for the rights of the Khmer-Krom people (KKF n.d.) provided the information that follows on the KKKBMA in Cambodia.

Venerable Yourng Sin, a Khmer Krom monk, who was born in the Mekong Delta (Cambodia's historical territories) [the Khmer Krom or Kampuchea Krom region in present-day Vietnam] founded both the KKKBMA and the Khmer Krom Buddhist Temple, named Wat Samekirainsey, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. KKKBMA has been headquartered at the temple. The temple has been a religious refuge and community centre for the fleeing Khmer Krom monks and laypeople from the Mekong Delta.

...

Venerable Yourng Sin was imprisoned twice: once was in his homeland- the Mekong Delta; and second was in Cambodia due to his social and political activism and his fight for Khmer Krom rights against the Vietnamese domination in his homeland the Mekong Delta, and in Cambodia. Hence, KKKBMA has been under the constant surveillance by the Cambodian authorities and by Vietnamese special agents in Cambodia.

...

Both Cambodian authorities and Vietnamese spy agents have [been] trying to dissolve KKKBMA and the Wat Samekirainsey temple, by trying to install a new a head monk at the temple after the [death] of Venerable Yourng Sin in 2012 at age 82 due to his ill health, and by sending non-Khmer Krom monks to reside at the temple.

Whenever there is unrest in homeland the Mekong Delta against fellow Khmer Kroms, members of KKKMBA would try to apply for a permit from the Cambodian authorities to peaceful protest at the Vietnamese embassy in Cambodia and at the temple. [However, their] application[s] always got turned down by the authorities. Those that dared to protest were met by force, many Khmer-Krom monks were beaten by the Cambodian police. In 2007, A Khmer-Krom monk, Venerable Eang Sok Theuon, was found dead with his throat slit and the Cambodian authorities never found the killer(s). (KKF Canada 27 Aug. 2013)

The KKF Canada representative also indicated that KKF chapters based overseas and Cambodian civil society organizations have submitted complaints against the Cambodian authorities and the Vietnamese embassy in Cambodia on behalf of KKKBMA "to no avail" (ibid.).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a visiting professor of Buddhist Studies at King's College London who specializes in Buddhism in Cambodia (UK Association for Buddhist Studies n.d.) wrote that "the Cambodian authorities (probably under pressure from [Vietnam]) have generally been unsympathetic" to the KKKBMA and that "this attitude manifests itself in bureaucratic hostility and occasional violence" (29 Aug. 2013).

In a report on the situation of human rights defenders in Cambodia published in September 2010, the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), a Phnom Penh-based human rights NGO that was founded in 1992 and has 12 provincial offices (LICADHO Dec. 2012, 2), states the following:

The number of Khmer Krom monks acting as human rights defenders decreased in 2008 and 2009.... The pressure on monks to cease human rights activities has continued, and may explain their absence in terms of participating in human rights activities. Monks have been deported, defrocked, or have simply disappeared for engaging in human rights protection and activities. (ibid. Sept. 2010, 9).

LICADHO explains that "Khmer Krom activists, including monks, are vocal about their perception that Vietnam exerts undue influence upon the Cambodian government" and that the issue "is sensitive for both Cambodian and Vietnamese leaders" (ibid. Dec. 2010, 18).

In a 2011 report on citizenship rights of the Khmer Krom in Cambodia, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, a "non-aligned, independent non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights -- primarily civil and political rights -- throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia," wrote that "certain members of the Khmer Krom community in Cambodia -- often Buddhist monks -- encounter ... difficulties with the authorities in Cambodia as a result of their political activism" (July 2011, v, 27).

A 2012 Freedom House report indicates that "[m]onks in Cambodian temples, especially ethnic Khmer monks who come from the southern part of Vietnam, are kept under surveillance by temple leaders" (2012). Similarly, LICADHO reports that "[r]eligious authorities have been complicit with the government in seeking to silence monks that speak up on behalf of communities who fall victim to human rights abuses" (LICADHO Dec. 2012, 25). The organization provides the example of Ven. Thach Prey Chea Khoeun, who was reportedly threatened by a chief monk and a representative of the Ministry of the Interior in August 2010 because of his work with a Khmer Krom newspaper, Prey Nokor (ibid.). LICADHO writes that

Ven. Thach Prey Chea Khoeun, who was temporarily staying at Wat Orng Taming in Phnom Penh, had his passport and his monk identity card confiscated. Kim Van Chheng, a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Interior and a personal advisor to the Minister of Interior, also forced Ven. Thach Prey Chea Khoeun to sign a letter promising to stop writing or publishing the Prey Nokor News, because of the newspaper's publication of anti-government articles. (ibid.)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Phnom Penh Post, an English-language independent newspaper first published in 1992 and based in Phnom Penh (n.d.), has reported on several incidents relating to the treatment of Khmer Krom monks by the authorities:

In January 2010, five Khmer Krom monks were accused by the authorities of distributing leaflets ridiculing the Cambodian government and one monk went into hiding out of fear of the authorities (Phnom Penh Post 18 Jan. 2010). However, the Director of Internal Security at the Ministry of the Interior told the newspaper that no suspects had been identified (ibid.).

In November 2011, officials of Mok Kampoul district in Kandal province reportedly forced a Khmer Kampuchea Krom Buddhist monk to leave Keo Monyvorn temple "without reason" (ibid. 29 Dec. 2011).

In December 2011, a Khmer Kampuchea Krom monk residing in Samki Raingsey temple was summonsed to Phnom Penh Municipal Court and accused of "inciting protestors" in a land dispute in the district of Meanchey. The Executive Director of Khmer Kampuchea Krom for Human Rights and Development Association reportedly appealed to human rights organizations for help on behalf of both monks, citing fears for their safety (ibid.).

Corroborating or additional information on these incidents could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Buddhist Library for Youth, Wat Kraya. 30 October 2011. "The Activity of Khmer Students on World Buddhist Sangha Youth, 8th General Conference." [Accessed 29 Aug. 2013]

Cambodian Center for Human Rights. July 2011. False Promises: Exploring the Citizenship Rights of the Khmer Krom in Cambodia. [Accessed 29 Aug. 2013]

Freedom House. 2012. Countries at the Crossroads 2012: Cambodia. [Accessed 22 Aug. 2013]

Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) Canada. 27 August 2013. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by a representative.

Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF). N.d. "About KKF." [Accessed 28 Aug. 2013]

LICADHO, Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights. December 2012. Attacks and Threats Against Human Rights Defenders in Cambodia 2010-2012. [Accessed 22 Aug. 2013]

_____. December 2010. Freedom of Expression in Cambodia: The Illusion of Democracy. [Accessed 22 Aug. 2013]

_____. September 2010. Attacks and Threats Against Human Rights Defenders in Cambodia 2008-2009. [Accessed 22 Aug. 2013]

Phnom Penh Post. 29 December 2011. Mom Kunthear. "Supporters Rally: Monks Need Help, Rights Groups Told." [Accessed 28 Aug. 2013]

_____. 18 January 2010. Cheang Sokha. "K Krom Monk Denies Role in Takeo Leaflets." [Accessed 28 Aug. 2013]

_____. N.d. "About the Phnom Penh Post." [Accessed 28 Aug. 2013]

UK Association for Buddhist Studies. N.d. "Buddhist Studies in UK Universities." [Accessed 29 Aug. 2013]

Visiting Professor of Buddhist Studies, King's College London. 29 August 2013. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate.

World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY). [2012]. "WBSY." [Accessed 29 Aug. 2013]

_____. N.d. "Regional Centers." [Accessed 29 Aug. 2013]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Academics specializing in Buddhist studies at Stanford University and Northern Illinois University were unable to provide information for this Response. Attempts to contact the following organizations were unsuccessful: Buddhist Library for Youth; Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights; Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community; Khmer Krom Network; Union of Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Buddhist Students; World Buddhist Sangha Youth Canada. Attempts to contact academics specializing in Buddhist studies at the following organizations were unsuccessful: Cornell University, University of Michigan.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Cambodia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; The Cambodia Daily; Center for Khmer Studies; Human Rights Watch; Radio Free Asia; Sithi.org; United Kingdom Association for Buddhist Studies; United Nations - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Cambodia; United States - Department of State, Commission on International Religious Freedom.