UN experts have expressed serious concern over reports of escalating repression against Khmer Krom Indigenous Peoples in Viet Nam, including human rights defenders, Theravada Buddhist monks, and cultural rights advocates. They highlighted that these individuals face systemic harassment, criminalisation, and restrictions on religious and cultural freedoms. The experts emphasized that peaceful efforts to promote Indigenous identity, cultural expression, and religious freedom should not be treated as threats to national security or public order.
At least 17 Khmer Krom monks, community activists, and human rights defenders have been arrested, including Venerables Thach Chanh Da Ra, Duong Khai, Thach Quy Lay, Kim Sa Ruong, and several others. Many have faced unfair trials and received disproportionate sentences for exercising their rights to freedom of religion, expression, association, assembly, and cultural participation. Reports indicate that some detainees were subjected to torture or ill-treatment during pre-trial detention.
The repression is closely linked to the Tro Nom Sek temple in Vinh Long province, an independent Theravada Buddhist temple that resisted joining the state-sanctioned Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. Authorities have reportedly demolished parts of the temple, disrupted Khmer language classes, forcibly defrocked monks, and targeted human rights defenders documenting these violations.
The Khmer Krom, an Indigenous group in the Mekong Delta, have long faced discrimination, restrictions on religious practices, and limitations on cultural and linguistic rights. Human rights defenders working to protect these rights have been subject to intimidation, arbitrary detention, and harsh sentencing. Similar concerns were previously raised by UN Special Procedures experts in communications to the Government of Viet Nam in 2021 and 2022.
The UN experts called on the Government of Viet Nam to recognize and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, religious minorities, and human rights defenders, in line with international standards. They urged authorities to cease using vague security laws to target minority communities, release all individuals detained solely for exercising their fundamental rights, and ensure detainees have access to legal counsel, family visits, and adequate medical care. The experts have been in direct contact with the Government of Viet Nam regarding these issues.
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