In response to the announcement that Kem Sokha, president of the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), has been released from house arrest, Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia, said:
“This minor reprieve for Kem Sokha cannot mask the ongoing, severe repression of human rights in Cambodia. Scores of innocent people remain jailed for peacefully exercising their rights and more than 100 have been charged for their affiliation with the CNRP since August.
“The international community should not be fooled by this token gesture by the Cambodian authorities. While it is welcome that Kem Sokha can now leave his home and seek medical attention, the charges against him must be dropped immediately, along with those against the dozens of political activists who have been arbitrarily detained and charged in recent months.
