[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 137 (Monday, September 12, 2016)] [House] [Pages H5270-H5272] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY, AND THE RULE OF LAW IN CAMBODIA Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 728) supporting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Cambodia, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 728 Whereas since the Paris Peace Accords in 1991, Cambodia has undergone a gradual, partial, and unsteady transition to democracy, including elections and multiparty government; Whereas Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power in Cambodia uninterrupted since 1985 and is the longest-serving leader in Southeast Asia; Whereas Freedom House rated Cambodia as ``Not Free'' in its ``Freedom in the World 2015'' report, noting that ``political opposition is restricted'', ``harassment or threats against opposition supporters are not uncommon'', ``freedom of speech is not fully protected'', and ``the government's tolerance for freedoms of association and assembly has declined in recent years''; Whereas Cambodia held a general election on July 28, 2013, though widespread reports of irregularities largely related to the voter lists bring into question the integrity of the election; Whereas a coalition of election monitors, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Transparency International Cambodia, and other domestic and international organizations, in a joint report on the 2013 election found ``significant challenges that undermined the credibility of the process''; Whereas Transparency International Cambodia, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, conducted a survey during the 2013 election that found at 60 percent of polling stations, citizens with proper identification were not allowed to vote; Whereas the Cambodian National Election Committee (NEC) was accused of lack of independence and pro-government bias during its oversight of the 2013 election; Whereas the composition of the NEC was changed after the 2013 election to include equal membership from both political parties, and the NEC's continued independence is essential to free and fair elections; Whereas the United States Congress has taken steps to protect democracy and human rights in Cambodia, making certain 2014 foreign aid funds intended to Cambodia conditioned upon the Government of Cambodia conducting an independent and credible investigation into the irregularities associated with the July 28, 2013, parliamentary elections and reforming the NEC or when all parties have agreed to join the National Assembly to conduct business; Whereas United States aid to Cambodia has funded work in areas including development assistance, civil society, global health, and the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, largely via nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); Whereas both NDI and the International Republican Institute (IRI) operate in Cambodia, engaging local partners and building capacity for civil society, democracy, and good governance; Whereas the Government of Cambodia has acted to restrict the right to freely assemble and protest, including the following instances; Whereas, on January 3, 2014, Cambodian security forces violently cracked down on protests of garment workers, killing 4 people in Phnom Penh; Whereas, on March 31, 2014, Cambodian police beat protestors with batons and clubs during a protest calling for a license for the independent Beehive Radio to establish a television channel; Whereas in August 2015, the Government of Cambodia passed the ``Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations'' which threatens to restrict the development of civil society by requiring registration and government approval of both domestic and international NGOs; Whereas, on October 26, 2015, 2 opposition lawmakers, including dual United States citizen Nhay Chamreoun, were violently attacked by pro-government protestors in front of the National Assembly; Whereas, on November 16, 2015, the standing committee of the National Assembly expelled leader of the parliamentary opposition and President of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy and revoked his parliamentary immunity; Whereas Mr. Rainsy is the subject of a Government of Cambodia investigation of 7-year-old defamation charges against him which is widely believed to be politically motivated; Whereas the United States Embassy in Cambodia has publicly called on the Government of Cambodia to revoke the arrest warrant issued against Mr. Rainsy, allow all opposition lawmakers to ``return to Cambodia without fear of arrest and persecution'', and ``to take immediate steps to guarantee a political space free from threats or intimidation in Cambodia''; Whereas political advocate and anti-corruption activist Kem Ley was shot and killed in Phnom Penh on July 10, 2016; Whereas the Government of Cambodia continues efforts to prosecute CNRP leaders on politically-motivated charges, bringing Mr. Sokha's case to trial in Phnom Penh; and Whereas national elections in 2018 will be closely watched to ensure openness and fairness, and to monitor whether all political parties and civil society are allowed to freely participate: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Cambodia; (2) condemns all forms of political violence in Cambodia and urges the cessation of ongoing human rights violations; (3) calls on the Government of Cambodia to respect freedom of the press and the rights of its citizens to freely assemble, protest, and speak out against the government; (4) supports electoral reform efforts in Cambodia and free and fair elections in 2018 monitored by international observers; and (5) urges Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party to-- (A) end all harassment and intimidation of Cambodia's opposition; (B) drop all politically motivated charges against opposition lawmakers; (C) allow them to return to Cambodia and freely participate in the political process; and (D) foster an environment where democracy can thrive and flourish. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California. General Leave Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am rising here in strong support for H. Res. 728, supporting human rights and democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia. We have all seen the consequences of land grabbing and the destruction of human liberty in that country. I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lowenthal), my colleague, for introducing this resolution. I want to thank him for his advocacy for the people of Cambodia. Mr. Speaker, since Cambodia held its deeply flawed elections in 2013, we have seen significant attacks on those Cambodians peacefully opposing their government. Hun Sen's thuggish regime continues to crack down on the political opposition and on activists, and they continue to arrest and beat those who point out violations of freedom of speech, violations, frankly, of a stolen election. As noted in this resolution, Freedom House's most recent report card rated Cambodia as not free, noting restrictions on and the harassment of the government's political opposition. And that is putting it mildly. Last year opposition lawmaker and American citizen Nhay Chamroeun was severely and brutally attacked by plainclothes bodyguards who repeatedly kicked and stomped him. He was hospitalized for months. We have all seen the pictures of opposition figures who have been beaten and stomped and put in the hospital there. Several months later, Kem Ley, a popular Cambodian political commentator, was murdered in broad daylight for his outspoken protest of the regime. So much for freedom of speech in Cambodia. Then just last week, Hun Sen took yet another step to consolidate his grip on power, to make it impossible for people to run against him. He sentenced the de facto leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, Kem Sokha, to 5 months in prison on the spurious charge of refusing to appear for questioning in a politically motivated case that was brought against him. Although his sentence is short, the repercussions are dire, as convicted criminals are prohibited from holding office; and that, again, was what this was about: intimidation and trying to [[Page H5271]] force a system where the opposition party leader already in exile would then be in a position where they couldn't run somebody against Hun Sen. Mr. Speaker, these attacks on the opposition must stop. This systemic persecution of the government's opposition completely undermines the legitimacy of upcoming local elections as well as the country's 2018 national elections. Without the full and free participation of the CNRP, future elections will be deeply flawed and cannot be accepted. Hun Sen's continued attack on his political opponents is something we cannot accept, and for the sake of the Cambodian people, I urge my colleagues to adopt this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also rise in support of this resolution. Let me, first of all, thank Mr. Lowenthal, a valued member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for his hard work on this measure; and let me just thank the chairman of the committee, as well, for always cooperating with us on bipartisan resolutions and things that are for the good of the country. That is the way we try to conduct ourselves here. Mr. Speaker, for the last three decades, the people of Cambodia have hoped to see their country move toward a freer, more democratic system, but that progress has been halting and the results are incomplete. Hun Sen, that country's Prime Minister, has held on to power since 1985, making him currently the longest serving leader in Southeast Asia. Though elections are scheduled for 2018, it seems likely that the opposition party will endure the same sort of intimidation and harassment that it has for years. This lack of progress and accountability on the part of the Hun Sen government has meant that Cambodia remains one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the region. Cambodia leans on China for imports and economic assistance and has adopted some of China's most draconian laws and practices as well. Despite these obstacles, the people of Cambodia remain remarkably resilient and entrepreneurial. For years the United States has provided development assistance to improve Cambodian human rights protections, bolster civil society, and improve health, education, and opportunity. These investments are paying dividends in the form of a new generation of bright, thoughtful Cambodian leaders who seek more for themselves and their fellow citizens. These young leaders, along with many reformers and activists, deserve to have their voices heard. I have been to Cambodia a few times, and it is especially poignant when you think of the terrible events, the killings there decades ago-- practically genocide--it is just intolerable, unthinkable, and unacceptable that Cambodia would still have these difficulties with all the things that the people of Cambodia have suffered. This resolution calls on the Government of Cambodia to push ahead with real and meaningful reform that will advance democracy. It calls for changes to the electoral system that would allow for truly free and fair elections. It calls on the Hun Sen government to act now so that the 2018 elections are transparent and credible, and it calls for the end of politically motivated harassment and violence against the people of Cambodia. Mr. Speaker, the people of Cambodia want and deserve real democracy for their country. They want to chart the course for their own future and live the lives they choose for themselves. This measure sends a strong message that the United States stands with them and wants to see them realize the democratic aspirations. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support this measure. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lowenthal), a valued member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs and the author of this resolution. Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Engel for yielding. First, I want to acknowledge the great work and the collaboration from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring this resolution to the floor today. Chairman Royce has long been a champion on Cambodian issues, and this resolution would not have been possible without his support. I would also like to thank the Republican lead on this resolution, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Chairman Matt Salmon; and also I would like to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who joined with me in founding the Congressional Cambodia Caucus. I also, obviously, want to thank Ranking Member Engel for his support of the resolution. Recently, the Cambodian Government, as has been pointed out, presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen for the past 31 years, has severely cracked down on political opposition and all forms of dissent in Cambodia. As we know, national elections in Cambodia in 2013 prolonged Hun Sen's grip on power, but they were marred by allegations of voting irregularities. After the election, Hun Sen's party and the opposition party agreed to a series of electoral reforms and power-sharing compromises. However, since that time, the Cambodian Government has undertaken a comprehensive campaign to undermine the political opposition. Last year, the Cambodian Government revived a 7-year-old defamation charge against the opposition leader, Mr. Sam Rainsy, expelling him from the Parliament and forcing him into self-imposed exile. The deputy leader, Kem Sokha, who is acting as the opposition's leader, has been under effective house arrest at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh, where he was facing charges that are similarly politically motivated, and recently he was convicted in court and is now serving time in jail. When I spoke to the deputy leader, he told me that he not only fears this arrest by the government, which has just taken place, but he truly fears for his life. And his fears are well founded. In July, as was pointed out, prominent political activist and outspoken critic of the government Kem Ley was brutally murdered in broad daylight in Phnom Penh. The passage of this resolution could not come at a more urgent time. The Cambodian Government has renewed its efforts to seek out, to harass, and to intimidate the leaders of the opposition. As I pointed out, last week Kem Sokha was tried and sentenced to 5 months in jail. In the lead-up to the trial, the government deployed security forces in the vicinity of the opposition party's headquarters. Hun Sen's strategy could not be more clear: intimidate and threaten arrest to silence the opposition in advance of local elections next year and national elections the following year. As long as these politically motivated charges remain outstanding, the current political climate in Cambodia is not one that will allow for free and fair elections. That is why it is so important for us to pass this resolution and show that the United States stands with the people of Cambodia. We will send an important signal to the Cambodian Government that political violence of any kind will not be tolerated and that the Cambodian people must be able to enjoy the freedom to choose their own leaders. Only under these conditions can elections in Cambodia be considered free and fair by the international community. Again, I want to thank all the Members who worked so closely with me to bring this resolution to the floor. I urge passage of this resolution to send a strong message that the United States supports human rights and supports democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Let me again repeat: we all have high hopes for the future of democracy in Cambodia. We want to see the people there exercise real rights and determine the future for their country. We know that real democracy is the key to helping countries prosper. Real democracy makes governments more transparent and accountable. When citizens are allowed to fully participate in their political systems, governments become more responsive and do a better job at providing services and opportunity; countries become better equipped as [[Page H5272]] partners on the global stage and centers of regional stability. {time} 1545 We know that Cambodia has this potential just waiting to be unleashed. So today, with this resolution, we are saying that we look forward to the day when democracy in Cambodia is allowed to flourish, and we hope that day comes soon. It is important to focus on Cambodia. We want to see that country make a change for the benefit of all its people. So I support this measure, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party took yet another authoritarian step last week when they arrested and tried opposition leader Kem Sokha. In their attempts to consolidate power, they have utterly obliterated the opposition. Mr. Speaker, the long-suffering people of Cambodia deserve the opportunity to elect a government of their choosing. By attempting to disqualify and harassing all the political opposition, Hun Sen is denying the people this opportunity. By passing this resolution, Congress is sending a message to Hun Sen that the United States is watching and will not accept his brutality. It will send an important signal of support, I believe, to all Cambodians who wish to live under a government that respects the rights of the Cambodian people. I urge passage of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 728, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________