UN Experts Alarmed: Repression of Khmer Krom in Vietnam
GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed serious concern over reports of escalating repression against Khmer Krom Indigenous Peoples in Viet Nam, including human rights defenders, Theravada Buddhist monks and followers, and cultural rights advocates.
“We are deeply troubled by reports that Khmer Krom human rights defenders, activists, and Theravada Buddhist monks face systemic harassment, criminalisation, and religious and cultural repression,” the experts said. “Peaceful efforts to promote Indigenous identity, cultural expressions, and religious freedom should never be treated as a threat to national security or public order.”
At least 17 Khmer Krom monks, community activists and human rights defenders – including Venerable Thach Chanh Da Ra, Kim Khiem, Thach Ve Sanal, Venerable Duong Khai, Venerable Thach Quy Lay, Venerable Kim Sa Ruong, Venerable Thach Chop, Thach Nha, Kim Khu, Venerable Kim Som Rinh, Thach Nga, Thach Xuan Dong, Danh Minh Quang, To Hoang Chuong, Thach Cuong, Danh Set and Lam Vong – have been arrested.
They have been subjected to unfair trials and given disproportionate sentences for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly, and the right to take part in cultural life.
Some of the detainees were reportedly tortured or ill-treated during pre-trial detention.
The cases include a series of arrests and violent raids linked to the Tro Nom Sek temple in Vinh Long province, an independent Theravada Buddhist temple that has resisted pressure to join the state-sanctioned Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
Authorities have reportedly demolished parts of the temple, disrupted Khmer language classes, and forcibly defrocked monks, and targeted human rights defenders documenting these violations.
The Khmer Krom, an Indigenous group residing in the Mekong Delta, have long reported discrimination, restrictions on their religious practices, and limitations on the exercise of cultural and linguistic rights. Khmer Krom human rights defenders and activists working to protect these rights have been subjected to intimidation, arbitrary detention, and disproportionate sentencing. Special Procedures experts have previously addressed similar concerns in communications to the Government of Viet Nam in 2021 and 2022.
“We urge the Government of Viet Nam to recognise and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, religious minorities, and those defending these rights, in accordance with international human rights standards,” the experts said.
They also called on the Government to cease the use of vague security laws to target human rights defenders and minority communities, release all individuals detained solely for exercising their fundamental rights, and ensure that all detainees have access to legal counsel, family visits, and adequate medical care.
The experts have been in contact with the Government of Viet Nam on these issues.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/08/viet-nam-un-experts-alarmed-ongoing-repression-khmer-krom-indigenous-peoples