[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 353 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 353

   Expressing concern with the deliberate undermining of democratic 
  freedoms and justice in Cambodia by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the 
                        Government of Cambodia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 25, 2006

   Mr. Frist (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. McConnell, Mr. McCain, Mr. 
 Coleman, and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing concern with the deliberate undermining of democratic 
  freedoms and justice in Cambodia by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the 
                        Government of Cambodia.

Whereas the United States affirms its support and respect for the welfare, human 
        rights and dignity of the people of Cambodia;
Whereas, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Government of 
        Cambodia has engaged in a systematic campaign to undermine the 
        democratic opposition, stifle critics of the Government, and silence and 
        intimidate civil society in Cambodia;
Whereas, despite constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and 
        association in Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Government of 
        Cambodia have consistently and blatantly violated basic democratic 
        principles, the rule of law, and human rights in Cambodia;
Whereas the United States, the United Nations, and other international donors 
        have publicly expressed concern with Prime Minister Hun Sen's 
        authoritarian conduct (including inappropriate influence and control 
        over the judiciary) and the official corruption and climate of impunity 
        that exist in Cambodia today;
Whereas evidence of the campaign to undermine the democratic opposition in 
        Cambodia is found in the revocation of parliamentary immunity of 
        opposition leaders Sam Rainsy, Chea Poch, and Cheam Channy, and the 7-
        year prison sentence of Cheam Channy for allegedly forming ``a secret 
        army to overthrow the government'' and 18-month sentence in absentia of 
        Sam Rainsy on charges of allegedly defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen;
Whereas evidence of the campaign to stifle critics of the Government of Cambodia 
        is found in the detention and charges of criminal defamation of radio 
        journalist Mom Sonando and Rong Chhum, president of the Cambodian 
        Independent Teachers Association;
Whereas the decision by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Government of Cambodia on 
        January 25, 2006, to drop all charges against Mom Sonando, Rong Chhum, 
        Kem Sokha, and Pa Nguon is a welcome step, but does little to alleviate 
        the underlying climate of intimidation in Cambodia;
Whereas evidence of the campaign to silence and intimidate civil society is 
        found in the arrest and detention of human rights activist Kem Sokha, 
        Yeng Virak, and Pa Nguon on charges of criminal defamation;
Whereas other champions of democracy in Cambodia, including former 
        parliamentarian Om Radsady and labor leader Chea Vichea, were brutally 
        murdered in Cambodia, and no one has been brought to justice for 
        committing these heinous crimes;
Whereas Cambodia is a donor dependant country, and more than $2,000,000,000 has 
        been invested by donors in the democratic development of that country; 
        and
Whereas the current atmosphere of intimidation and fear calls into question the 
        viability of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) affirms the support and respect of the United States 
        for the welfare, human rights, and dignity of the people of 
        Cambodia;
            (2) calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Government of 
        Cambodia to immediately cease and desist from its systematic 
        campaign to undermine democracy, the rule of law, and human 
        rights in Cambodia;
            (3) calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Government of 
        Cambodia to immediately release all political prisoners and 
        drop all politically motivated charges against opponents of the 
        government;
            (4) calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Government of 
        Cambodia to demonstrate through words and deed the government's 
        commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in 
        Cambodia;
            (5) calls upon the King of Cambodia to play a more active 
        and constructive role in protecting the constitutional rights 
        of all Cambodian citizens; and
            (6) urges international donors and multilateral 
        organizations, including the World Bank, the Asian Development 
        Bank, and the United Nations, to hold Prime Minister Hun Sen 
        and the Government of Cambodia fully accountable for actions 
        that undermine the investment of international donors in the 
        democratic and economic development of Cambodia.
                                 <all>