United Nations Special Rapporteur Rhona Smith on Tuesday called on the government to either conclude the case against opposition leader Kem Sokha or drop the charges against him in order to restore his political and civil rights.
The special rapporteur’s statement follows changes made to Kem Sokha’s bail condition by a Phnom Penh court, allowing him to travel within the country, but still preventing him from going overseas or taking part in politics. Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 on alleged treason charges, and despite the court concluding its investigation he has yet to be tried in court.
Smith acknowledged the “partial lifting” of the judicial restrictions in a statement released on Tuesday, but said the court proceedings needed to be concluded or for the charges to be released.
