Mediaboss Marketing

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (July14, 2023) Ahead of Cambodias 2023 general election,Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fl.), along with Representatives Chris Smith (NJ-04) and Lori Trahan (MA-03), today reintroduced theCambodia Democracy and Human Rights Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would hold the Cambodian government accountable for abuses and corruption that undermine democracy and human rights as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen continues to engage in a crackdown against human rights, democratic institutions, and political opposition. Under the leadership of Prime Minister HunSen, the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party has maintained one-party control of the government in violation of the Cambodian constitution, banned political opposition, engaged in corruption and political persecution, and repressed free speech and independent media. The primary opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, has been banned and many of its leaders have been persecuted, executed, or jailed, including Khen Sokha, who has been sentenced to 27 years of house arrest.

Prime Minister HunSen and his cronies have continued to undermine democracy and violate human rights,said Senator Markey.The United States must send a clear message that we will not waver in our commitment to supporting with the people of Cambodia and their constitutional right to democracy. I thank Senators Durbin and Rubio, and Representatives Smith and Trahan, for joining me in our shared effort to empower the Cambodian people and uphold bedrock principles of democracy across the globe.

Cambodian democracy is suffering at the hands of an oppressive ruler and his cronies who are dead set on violating the nations constitution, and arresting, threatening, and harassing political opponents and peaceful activists,said Senator Durbin.For example, Theary Seng, a Cambodian-American democracy and human rights activist, who escaped Cambodias killing fields as a child, was convicted on fabricated charges of treason for peaceful opposition to the ruling regime. The introduction of the bipartisanCambodia Democracy and Human Rights Actand its consequential sanctions sends a clear message that the U.S. Senate stands against Prime Minister Hun Sens human rights violations and with the people of Cambodia.

As dictator Hun Sen continues to violate human rights and undermine Cambodias democracy, the U.S. must impose sanctions on corrupt members of the regime,said Senator Rubio.Under Hun Sens authoritarian grip, Cambodia is being exploited by Chinas genocidal regime. This bipartisan and bicameral bill would push for accountability in support of the Cambodian people.

The people of Cambodiawho suffered one of the worst genocides the world has ever seencontinue to be victimized by the despotic regime of Hun Sen. Now the Peoples Republic of China seeks to establish a naval and air presence in the country, as part of its neocolonial, hegemonistic drive to dominate Southeast Asia and beyond. Our legislation seeks to counter both despotism within the country and the imperialistic ambitions of Xi Jinpings China,said Representative Smith.

On the eve of Cambodias general election, theCambodia Democracy and Human Rights Actreaffirms Americas support for free, fair elections and the upholding of democratic values in Cambodia,saidRepresentativeTrahan, Chair of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus.For years, Prime Minister Sens crackdowns on democratic institutions, journalists, and political opponents have moved Cambodia in the wrong direction. Im proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation, which seeks to hold any official accountable for efforts to undermine the fundamental rights of the Cambodian people.

A copy of the bill text can be foundHERE.

Specifically, theCambodia Democracy and Human Rights Actwould:

Senator Markey and his colleagues first introduced the legislation as theCambodia Democracy Actin 2020. Last year, as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, Senator Markey and Senators Rubio and Durbinapplaudedthe unanimous passage of theirCambodia Democracy and Human Rights Actby the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In 2018, Senator Markey and then-Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.)successfully passedtheirGardner-Markey Asia Reassurance Initiative Act,legislation that imposes conditions upon U.S. assistance to the Government of Cambodia related to democracy and regional security In 2017, Senators Markey and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and then-Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-03)wroteto Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging the Trump administration to persuade Cambodia to release Cambodia National Rescue Party leader Kem Sokha, cease harassment of Cambodias main opposition party, and to respect the freedom of the press and the rights of all Cambodians to freely and peacefully assemble, protest, and criticize the government.

###

See the original post here:
Sens. Markey, Durbin, Rubio and Reps. Smith, Trahan Announce ... - Ed Markey