Senators Markey, Rubio, and Durbin Introduce Legislation to Hold Cambodian Government Officials Accountable for Undermining Democracy and Human Rights Abuses

Washington (August 5, 2021) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) And Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) Announced today that they are introducing Cambodian democracy and human rights become law to hold the Cambodian government accountable as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen continues to crack down on human rights, democratic institutions and political opposition. Under the leadership of Hun Sen, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party has controlled the government in violation of the Cambodian Constitution through corruption, the prohibition of political opposition, political persecution, repressive laws and the crackdown on freedom of expression and the media by a single party. The main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was banned and many of its leaders, including Khem Sokha, were persecuted, imprisoned or exiled.

“The Cambodian people deserve what they were promised in the 1991 Paris Peace Accords – a representative democracy that reflects the will of the people, rather than repressive one-party rule,” said Senator Markey, chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Subcommittee for East Asia. “This law makes it clear that the United States will not watch as Hun Sen and his cronies corrupt Cambodian democracy, persecute and imprison opposition and political activists, target freedom of expression and independent media, and enrich themselves through rampant corruption.”

“Under the authoritarian rule of dictator Hun Sen, Cambodia is falling further back after having made progress in democratization in previous decades,” said Senator Rubio. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort that Hun Sen wants to hold accountable for his actions against political opponents, including Radio Free Asia.”

“Let’s be clear – the little that is left of Cambodian democracy is in serious danger. A repressive ruler violates the Cambodian constitution and arrests, threatens and harasses political opponents and peaceful activists, ”said Senator Durbin. “Through the bipartisan Cambodia Democracy and Human Rights Act, my colleagues and I stand together against the blatant human rights violations committed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and call for sanctions against those who undermine a better future for the Cambodian people.”

You can find a copy of the invoice text HERE.

Cambodian Democracy and Human Rights Law:

• Imposes asset-freezing sanctions on anyone, including senior officials in the Cambodian government, military or security forces, who the President determines to have undermined democracy, engaged in significant corruption or related human rights abuses in Cambodia.
• Codifies the existing Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa restrictions on those involved in such activities.
• Requires the President to provide Congress with a list of sanctioned persons, and the President may waive sanctions if there is confirmation that such waiver is in the national interest of the United States.
• Sanctions can be suspended for up to one year and renewed for one year at a time if the President certifies to Congress that Cambodia has made significant progress in ending the government’s efforts to undermine democracy, the human rights abuses associated with it, and conduct free and fair elections power .
• Calls on the President to submit a report to Congress outlining the activities of the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the People’s Liberation Army in Cambodia, including the Belt and Road Initiative, and the impact of their presence on the deterioration of democracy and human rights in Cambodia.

Senator Markey and former Senator Cory Gardner introduced the 116th