Jesuit Refugee Service 2007 - Year in Review

2007 was certainly not a dull one for Cambodia: the long awaited Khmer Rouge trials commenced and 5 leaders of the Pol Pot regime were indicted; the CPP had a strong victory in the commune elections; Khmer Kampuchea Krom monk Tim Sakhorn was defrocked, deported to Vietnam and sentenced to 1 year imprisonment for undermining Cambodia-Vietnam relations ; and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia, Yash Ghai, conducted his third and fourth missions to Cambodia. 

JRS was also busy. During 2007, JRS helped over 100 urban refugees and asylum seekers. There were 45 new arrivals, 40 refugee recognitions and 18 resettlements with which JRS was involved. Most refugees continue to be from Vietnam, although there is representation from Afghanistan, Algeria, Burma, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan. Two-thirds are male and one-third are children.

According to media reports, there appeared to continue a steady stream of Montagnard asylum seekers, ethnic minority people from the central highlands of Vietnam, into Cambodia. Some were picked up by UNHCR from the provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri, others made their own way to Phnom Penh. It is believed that there were more than 200 Montagnards registered with UNHCR this year, although exact figures have not been made public. There were also reports of many being driven back at the border by Cambodian police, citing illegal immigration. Montagnards registered with UNHCR are held in closed sites in Phnom Penh and do not have access to independent legal representation.

Problems for the Khmer Kampuchea Krom, ethnic Khmers from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, erupted in 2007, starting with the arrest and defrocking of monk protestors in Vietnam. This was followed by a number of protests by Khmer Krom monks in Cambodia as dozens of monks and lay people fled Vietnam into Cambodia.  On 17 December, Khmer Krom monks attempting to deliver a letter to the Vietnamese Embassy were chased by riot police armed with wooden and electric shock batons.

JRS’ plans for 2008 include monitoring of witness assistance schemes in relation to the Khmer Rouge trials, an issues paper on the plight of the Khmer Krom, continued advocacy on behalf of the Montagnards and research on the displacement caused by land evictions.  This is of course in addition to our core task of accompaniment, service and defence of refugees and asylum seekers.

Land Mine/Cluster Munitions update

JRS Cambodia is pushing for the adoption of a strong treaty (not a wishy-washy one) banning the use of cluster munitions. Key points in 2008 are the Wellington Conference (16-23 February), the Dublin Conference (19-30 May) and the treaty signed by December 2008. We continue to advocate for survivor assistance and mine clearance as we write the 2008 Land Mine Monitor.

19 April is Global Day Against Cluster Munitions.