Minister for Asia concerned about arrest of Kem Sokha in Cambodia

Mark Field calls on the government of Cambodia to take action to restore prospects for a free and fair election next year.

I am greatly concerned by the recent series of actions by the Cambodian authorities which culminated in the arrest of the opposition leader Kem Sokha early yesterday morning.

Together with harsh restrictions on independent broadcasters, the enforced closure of the National Democratic Institute and, from today, of the Cambodia Daily newspaper, these measures imperil multi-party democracy and free debate.

I urge the Cambodian government to take immediate steps to restore prospects for a free and fair national election in 2018 and to build on the encouraging progress we saw at Cambodia’s nationwide commune elections just three months ago.