Delegation Focuses on Rights and Freedom in Cambodia
Phnom Penh – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata visited Cambodia earlier this week as part of a bipartisan five-Member congressional delegation (CODEL). The delegation met with the U.S. Embassy to Cambodia’s Chargé d’affaires Benjamin Wohlauer to discuss U.S. relations with Cambodia. On Tuesday, the delegation met with more than a dozen government officials and legislators including Minister of Public Works and Transportation Sun Chanthol and National Assembly Member Sous Yara.
The delegation also met with Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha, who – despite five years of harassment and politically motivated accusations – continues to speak out in support of freedom for all Cambodians.
Meeting Kem Sokha, an important voice for the people of Cambodia.
“Millions of Cambodians deserve their freedoms and rights, including free speech, free press and elections that allow opposition parties, as supported by US diplomacy,” said Aumua Amata. “Cambodia is a beautiful place that I’ve visited before, but this is my first time there as a Member of Congress.”
The delegation is headlined by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia, Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Subcommittee. Along with Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa), the delegation includes Rep. John Garamendi (CA-03), Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08), and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47).
During the meeting, Senator Markey led delivery of the delegation’s message calling for the Cambodian government to protect human rights, political freedoms, and free speech, urging the government to release political prisoners including Cambodian-American activist Theary Seng (author of the memoir “Daughter of the Killing Fields”), and to provide for free participation in elections.
The delegation discussed the Chinese military presence within the country, and the delegation highlighted U.S. concerns that the People’s Liberation Army is reportedly constructing at the Ream Naval Base. They also discussed ways that the United States can support their efforts to transition to renewable energy to fulfill Cambodia’s international climate change commitments.
The delegation also met with members of civil society to discuss press freedom, political participation, and other key issues.
On Wednesday, the delegation visited UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat, an ancient temple site known for architectural grandeur.
Angkor Wat temple in the background, a World Heritage Site.
US Embassy in Cambodia with Chargé d’affaires Benjamin Wohlauer.
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