Washington Center for Human Rights Urges International Community to Demand Freedom for Kem Sokha in Cambodia

The Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of Kem Sokha, the former president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Mr. Sokha has been held in pre-trial detention since September 2017, on charges of treason. His detention is politically motivated and aimed at suppressing opposition to the ruling party.

The Washington Center for Human Rights calls on the international community to take immediate action to pressure the Cambodian government to release Kem Sokha and drop all charges against him. The government of Cambodia must respect the rule of law and human rights, and release all political prisoners.

The detention of Kem Sokha is a clear violation of his human rights. He has been denied the right to a fair trial and due process, and his health and well-being have been compromised. Mr. Sokha has been held in solitary confinement for extended periods, and his family and legal team have been denied access to him.

This is not an isolated incident. The Cambodian government has a history of suppressing opposition and targeting human rights activists and journalists. In 2017, the government disbanded the CNRP, the main opposition party, and arrested its leaders. Since then, the government has cracked down on civil society and independent media, and severely restricted freedom of expression and assembly.

The international community cannot remain silent in the face of these blatant human rights abuses. We call on the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and other countries to use their diplomatic and economic leverage to pressure the Cambodian government to release Kem Sokha and other political prisoners, and to respect the rule of law and human rights.

We urge the UN to appoint a special rapporteur on Cambodia to investigate human rights abuses and hold the government accountable. We also call on the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate human rights violations in Cambodia.

The European Union should consider suspending its Everything But Arms trade agreement with Cambodia until the government takes concrete steps to respect human rights and democratic principles. The US should impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights abuses in Cambodia, and consider suspending aid to the government until it demonstrates a commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

We also call on the Cambodian government to release all political prisoners, and to restore democratic freedoms and respect for human rights. The government must allow opposition parties, civil society organizations, and independent media to operate freely and without fear of retaliation.

In conclusion, the Washington Center for Human Rights condemns the detention of Kem Sokha and the ongoing human rights abuses in Cambodia. We call on the international community to take immediate action to pressure the Cambodian government to release Kem Sokha and other political prisoners, and to respect the rule of law and human rights. We stand in solidarity with the Cambodian people in their struggle for democracy and human rights.