Ya Mosa

VPA-BB0010

Ya Mosa

Male

57

Khmer

Cham

Damnak Pring

Group 9, Srama Meas Village, Prey Svay Commune, Mong Russei District, Battambang Province

1976

To Lou

Additional information collected on September 01, 2009

Restriction on practice of religion:

When the KR took power in 1975, my family and I were evacuated from Roleap Village, Roleap Commune, Kandieng District, Pursat Province, to live in Ta Ne Village, Ta Ne Commune, Bakan District, Pursat Province. When we arrived there, communal dining had not yet been initiated and there were no restrictions on our eating habits. In 1976, when communal dining began, Muslim people were forced to eat pork. The KR threatened those who did not follow their orders. In the case of females, they were told to choose between eating pork or having their hair cut short like a man. In the case of males, they were told to choose between eating pork or being taken away for re-education. In my case, I did not follow their orders. Every time I received my food, I would give it to my colleagues, and instead, I had salt with my meal. However, I was never caught by the KR. With regard to praying or speaking the Cham language, we all were forbidden to do these things, because the KR intended to eliminate our religion and culture as an ethnic minority. I was made aware of this policy during a meeting in the village in 1976 when the KR said that no religious practice was allowed. Everybody had to work hard and be loyal to Angka. If anyone dared not follow orders, he/she would be considered the enemy of Angka. In the village, I never witnessed any Cham refuse to eat pork and then be taken away to be killed. Most of them followed the KR orders, because they were afraid of being killed. In my case, I was able to hide from the KR the fact that I was not eating pork, and no one found out about it. However, I did not dare to pray or speak the Cham language, because I was fearful of the consequences.

Witness

No;

No;

20071025

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