KKFYC AT UNPFII 2011

Mr. Tim Sakhorn, Mr. Kim Moeun, Mr. Danh Tol

The conference opened with the singing of the Khmer-Krom’s national anthem. A moment of silence followed to remember and honor our Khmer-Krom fallen heroes. A welcoming remark was then made by the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) Chairman Mr. TO Kim Thong to kick start the conference.

Local and regional Khmer-Krom youth groups reported their local activities and contributions to the conference. The aim of the activities reporting was to share ideas and talents among members, participants and groups. Any great idea already raised/implemented in one group would be used to implement elsewhere where there is still lacking. Such discussion empowers our Khmer-Krom youth and allows us to raise the awareness of our Khmer-Krom identity as well as the suffering of our people under the communist Vietnam regime today.

The three jailed Khmer-Krom dissidents (Mr. Tim Sakhorn, Mr. Kim Moeun, Mr. Danh Tol) described their ordeal and pain while they were in prison. They spoke of enduring the constant tortures carried out by the inhumane Vietnam authorities. They described how they were forced by the Vietnam authorities to confess and sign documents to fabricate further arrest of many innocent Khmer-Krom people. The three dissidents complained about their precarious health condition after receiving repetitive beatings and numerous lethal injections during the interrogation. Lethal injections were commonly given by the Viet authorities to destroy the victim’s brain and to force confession on Khmer-Krom dissidents. Vietnam’s use of lethal injections on Khmer-Krom dissidents is a clear violation of the UN Convention against Torture.

Ms. Maggie Murphy – UNPO Representative gave speech to the Conference

An open discussion was held to offer the chance for all youths to raise and voice their concerns or issues. Many youths expressed great satisfaction toward the conference and promised to work harder to contribute to the Khmer-Krom community at large, in particular for the KKF’s struggles for the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Khmer-Krom people in homeland.

KKF President Mr. Thach Ngoc Thach gave keynote speech to encourage all Khmer-Krom youth to study harder and help build the future leadership of the KKF. Mr. Thach expressed his desire to see new leadership coming out from KKFYC group to lead the KKF in the near future. He hoped to see the “Khmer-Krom Freedom Torch” being carried forward by new generation of leadership. Mr. President also stressed the importance of continuing KKF’s Roadmap to Homeland if even under new leadership—that is to continue a peaceful struggle against the repressive Hanoi regime.

The conference was cordially closed with blessing by our Khmer monks. An evening fund-raising event was held in downtown Philadelphia and all youths were invited to have fun free of charge!!!