By Casey Neill
A Springvale South temple welcomed the family of a murdered Cambodian activist to Australia.
The ceremony at Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne on Saturday 24 March also celebrated those who helped Dr Kem Ley’s wife and five children to reach their new home.
Thay-Horn Yim from Cambodian Buddhist Monk Council of Australia and New Zealand said Dr Ley championed for free speech, democracy, social equality and social justice.
“He has been critical of the Cambodian Government,” he said.
“He was cowardly shot dead on 10 July 2016 in the day light in the capital of Phnom Penh.
Dr Ley’s wife, Rachna Bou, escaped to Thailand with her children “who are a seed of a Khmer national hero”.
Mr Yim, who runs an immigration service, approached human rights lawyer Isabelle Skaburskis for help.
He then introduced her to refugee lawyer Greg Hanson and Clarinda MP Hong Lim.
“Together we formed two teams: one team included Thay-Horn and Greg Hanson,” Ms Skaburskis said.
“We directed our advocacy towards the UN to encourage them to accelerate Bou’s refugee status determination and petitioned them to make representations to the Australian government to enable her urgent resettlement.”
She said the other team included Mr Lim, other State and Federal MPs and members of Victoria’s Khmer community.
“That team mobilised politicians, a domestic lawyer and local support to put pressure on the government from within Australia,” Ms Skaburskis said.
“Dr Kem Ley was a great and brave man.
“He died too soon, but his words and actions have changed the consciousness of Cambodians forever.”
She welcomed Ms Bou to Australia.
“I wish for you that your hardest days are over,” she said.
