Khmer Krom asylum seekers are protesting at UNHCR

24/12/2009
by Monikhemra Chao

A letter of Khmer Krom asylum seekers suggest to the Ministry of Interior

Khmer Krom asylum seekers are protesting at UNHCR in Phnom Penh in 24/12/2009.
Photo: Leave Freedom

Khmer Kampuchea-Krom asylum seekers who came from Poi Pet city, now are protesting at The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to demand the UNHCR sends them to meet the Ministry of the Interior.

Khmer Krom asylum seekers said at 10:30 PM to night (24/12) that they want the Cambodian government respects their law, and mention, such as their words, "Khmers Krom are Khmer so they have the rights to live in Cambodia", Chau Sokha repeat to night.

Sokha told that they came UNHCR because they have a request to UNHCR to send them to the Ministry of the Interior.

In a letter of Khmer Krom asylum seekers, "Leave Freedom" got that these Khmer Krom asylum seekers asked the Ministry of the Interior 5 points.

1. Ask to offer the habitation or place which has water, electricity, hospital and school.
2. Ask Identity Card and Family book like Cambodian people.
3. Ask land for doing to feed life.
4. Ask the rights to express, conference, demonstration and the rights to strike.
5. Ask to protect their security.

Now Khmer Krom asylum seekers are protesting in front of UNHCR. Sokha told at 10:30 PM to night that they got threatening from UNHCR's officer. If they do not move from UNHCR to night, the UNHCR will ask the Ministry of Interior to suppress them to sweep away.

At this time there are 18 Khmer Krom asylum seekers are protesting there. There are 6 children, 6 man , and 6 woman.