Discrimination against Khmer Krom concerning identity documentation is addressed at Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Session for CambodiaSource: UNPO
Last week (15th-19th February), a delegation from the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) participated in Cambodia’s review under the 76th Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in the Palais de Wilson, Geneva.
Delegates from UNPO and the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), utilized the opportunity of a lunchtime NGO briefing session with experts on the Committee, as well as a meeting with Special Rapporteur Mr Pierre-Richard Prosper to draw attention to the unique situation of Khmer Krom in Cambodia who have fled persecution in Vietnam.
Mr Thach Thach, President of the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation introduced the issue in his address at the briefing on 18th February, suggesting that obtaining documentation from Cambodia is when problems become apparent. He explained that whilst the Cambodian government has been clear in stating that Khmer Krom from Vietnam are entitled to Cambodian citizenship, there is a contradiction in reality leaving Khmer Krom living in legal limbo as they are neither treated as citizens nor as refugees. This affects their ability to access basic human rights since without identity papers, Khmer Krom find themselves discriminated against and unable to find regular employment, register births and marriages or own property. Mr Thach provided photographic evidence to show that in order to receive ID cards, Khmer Krom have to change their identity so that their documents no longer state they are from Kampuchea-Krom and officially they no longer have a Khmer Krom name.
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