[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.
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