It was Friday, February 8th 2007.

I was staying at a hotel in Phnom Penh city, Cambodia. Members of the KKF delegation had flown in from different parts of the world to participate in the regional consultation with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people. To represent the Khmer Krom people, who despite being only a few hours drive from Phnom Penh,  were too afraid to participate. 

A phone rings. 

“Choum Reap Sor?” Moni- Khemra, answers in Khmer.

He listens in silence. Only the sounds of motorists beeping in the background could be heard. 

Mrs. Son Nit, Moni- Khemra and I  were gathered in a room and talking about our Khmer Krom work. 

“There is a protest happening right now in Kampuchea-Krom,” he announced. 

“Right now?!” I asked in surprise. 

“Yes as we speak!” he answered. 

I remember this moment like it was yesterday.

A group of over two hundred Khmer Krom Buddhist monks had gathered at the front of the provincial police station in Khleang to peacefully protest for greater religious freedom. They were calling on the government to lift restrictions on the number of days allowed for certain Khmer festivals and for greater diversity of course materials to be taught that included Cambodian culture, history and geography.

It was a protest that has not been seen since the 1970s, where hundreds of Khmer Krom monks threw off their robes and fought to save their identity and community. Many monks were defrocked, imprisoned or killed for standing up.

Hours and days after this protest, the Vietnamese authorities initiated a series of crackdowns against the monks that participated. Dozens were defrocked without ceremony, while others were expelled from the Pali school and placed under house arrest. Dozens more fled to Cambodia seeking safety.

“Why, when some other monks disrobe, they have shirts and pants and followers make ceremonies for them giving them honor? What bad luck did you have, that they [Vietnamese authorities] have to defrock you?”

Venerable Ly Nao, speaks about the reactions of his followers during the time he was forced to defrock in the youtube testimony.

The crackdown against the monks caused global alarm, sparking peaceful demonstrations by Khmer and Khmer Krom communities around worldwide from Cambodia to Paris to Canberra, demanding justice for our monks.

Five of the defrocked monks, Kim Moul, Ly Suong, Danh Tol, Ly Hoang and Thach Thuong were sentenced to serve prison from two to four years but was released early due to international pressure.

Today is the 14th Anniversary of that fateful protest. I wanted to take this moment to recognize and acknowledge all of our monks who participated that day.

They wanted change, greater religious freedom and diversity in their learning. Instead they were defrocked, beaten and imprisoned. Like a nail that came out of place and needed to be hammered down. 

I wanted to also remember a Khmer Krom monk, Venerable Eng Sok Thoeun, who was murdered after participating in a demonstration in Phnom Penh on February 27th, 2007.

His voice, like thousands before him, were silenced to create fear and obedience. And while we cannot change their fate, we can embrace ours and make sure that such injustices are prevented.

That all voices matter.

That acts of violence such as forced defrocking against our spiritual leaders are condemned and outlawed.

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means.”

Ronald Reagan

Some like, Son Cheng Chon continues to be an inspiring voice for the Khmer Krom through his work with the Voice of Kampuchea-Krom.

Others remain in the service of the temple, dedicating their life to the teaching of Theravada Buddhism to our community and continuing the important work of transmitting our language and culture to the next generation.

Thank you for your bravery, your courage and for always being one of our biggest defenders and protectors of our culture and identity as Khmer Krom. 

For more information about this protest:

On the Margins, an in depth report by Human Rights Watch

Check out the important work of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation

www.khmerkrom.org

Watch VOKK Coverage of this day

Watch Video testimony by Venerable Ly Nao

Follow Son Cheng Chon on his Facebook page.

This was a tough post to write and perhaps as a reader, hard to believe and digest. It is a matter close to my heart and one I believe should be shared.