The Khmer Kampuchea Krom for Human Rights and Development Association has announced plans to hold a rally in Siem Reap province to celebrate Human Rights Day next month.
The Khmer Kampuchea association says Khmer Krom are often denied ID cards. KT/Mai Vireak
A letter issued by the association over the weekend said the organisation wanted to raise awareness of the issues facing Khmer Krom people on December 10.
The letter said Khmer Krom people in some parts of the country are facing problems because they are denied legal documents to confirm their Cambodian citizenship.
“They struggle to get ID cards and other legal documents because authorities refuse to issue them,” it said.
Thousands of Khmer Krom families in Siem Reap, Takeo, Kampong Chhnang and Phnom Penh have been denied legal documents because authorities mistake them for Vietnamese.
Noun Putheara, cabinet chief at the Banteay Meanchey provincial authority, said officials had not received a letter from the Khmer Krom community asking permission to hold the rally.
“We will consider any request based on the law,” Mr Putheara said, adding the Khmer Krom community had not gathered for an event in the province for the last three years.
The government last month issued a sub-decree to revoke any irregular documents used by foreigners living in Cambodia.
It estimated more than 76,000 foreigners living in Cambodia had “irregular” documents, many of whom were Vietnamese.
Sources: Khmer Times
