Vietnam Authorities to Defrock Khmer Krom Buddhist Monk

NEWS ALERT
Source: VOKK NEWS: March 2, 2012

On February 16, 2012, the Vietnam authorities of Soc Trang province have summoned the Khmer Krom Buddhist committee of  the Sarey Ta Sek temple in Sarey Ta Sek(Vinh Hai) commune, Chruol Nhor (Vinh Chau) district, Khleang (Soc Trang) province, Kampuchea Krom (south Vietnam), to the office of Vinh Hai commune for a forced defrocking of Khmer Krom monk within next ten days.

The Vietnamese authorities have planned  to coercively defrock a Khmer Krom Buddhist monk named Venerable Thach Thuong of Sarey Ta Sek temple on claims that Ven. Thach Thuong has been in contact with an overseas Khmer Krom human rights organization--the Khmer Krom Federation(KKF) based in the U.S.

The Vietnamese authorities have also threatened the committee of Sarey Ta Sek temple an arrest if the defrocking plan against Ven. Thach Thuong leaked out to media and/or to the Venerable himself.

The temple committee and the local Khmer Krom laypeople have expressed grave concern and injustice for Ven. Thach Thuong and are seeking outside help in order to defend their innocent Venerable against the Vietnamese authorities' threat of defrock and arrest.