US top diplomat says rights ‘critical’ in Cambodia

John Kerry says Cambodian lawmakers should operate without fear of attack, while ‘vigorous and peaceful debate’ should be bedrock of upcoming electoral cycle.

Anadolu Agency | 26 January 2016

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - JANUARY 26: US Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks at the Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh on Tuesday January 26, 2016. Kerry wrapped a short visit to the Cambodian capital, during which he met with Prime Minister Hun Sen Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and members of the opposition and civil society. ( Lauren Crothers - AA )

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia 

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped up a day of “candid and constructive” talks with Cambodian leadership Tuesday with a parting message that the full potential of bilateral relations partly depended on Phnom Penh ensuring progress in key democratic areas.

Although the visit was originally touted as an opportunity to talk trade and economics with Prime Minister Hun Sen and his foreign minister ahead of an upcoming U.S.-ASEAN summit in California, a telephonic briefing indicated on the morning of Kerry’s arrival that Cambodia’s political situation, human rights record and role as former ASEAN chair could also be up for discussion.

Kerry followed through on that in remarks delivered to media Tuesday afternoon at the Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh, saying that the country’s lawmakers should be able to operate without fear of attack, while “vigorous and peaceful debate” should be the bedrock of the upcoming electoral cycle.

“I made it clear in my meetings today that it’s our hope… that Cambodia will realize the full benefits of a thriving multiparty democracy,” said Kerry, who arrived in the capital Monday evening.

“We care deeply about respect for human rights, universal freedoms and good governance, and progress in each of these areas is critical in being able to fulfill the potential of bilateral relations, but hopefully also the hopes and aspirations of the Cambodian people.”

Kerry said he had also been forthright in emphasizing “the essential role that a vibrant democratic system plays in the development of a country and the legitimacy of its political system.”

He appeared to make a thinly veiled reference to an arrest warrant issued for exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, and an incident late last year when two opposition lawmakers were beaten outside parliament by a mob calling for the party’s deputy leader — whom Kerry met Tuesday – to be ousted.

“Democratic governments have a responsibility to ensure that all elected representatives are free to perform their responsibilities without fear of attack or arrest. That is a fundamental responsibility of a democratic government,” the senior diplomat said.

“So as Cambodians prepare for elections next year and again in 2018, it is very important to allow for vigorous but peaceful debate,” he added.

Kerry, who also met with members of civil society, took no questions from the assembled media and was due to fly to Beijing later Tuesday.

Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party spokesperson Yim Sovann told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that the talks between Kerry and the party’s vice president, Kem Sokha, had lasted at least 40 minutes.

He said the topic of a number of political prisoners had been raised “in the context of the political environment.”

Council of Ministers spokesperson Phay Siphan could not be reached for comment.