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Reuters

Cambodia’s detained opposition leader Kem Sokha called for free and fair elections in the Southeast Asian country in a New Year’s message on Monday.
Kem Sokha, head of the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was arrested in September.
He is accused of trying to overthrow the government of strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen with American help and of espionage – charges he denies and says are politically motivated.
In a two-page letter read by his daughter Kem Monovithya and posted on Facebook on Monday, Kem Sokha said Cambodia faces losing aid and its export markets abroad as well as condemnation by the international community after the CNRP’s dissolution.

“Leave an opportunity for people to choose leadership representatives through an election that is free and fair,” Kem Sokha said, calling for national unity and non-violence to solve the political crisis.
His message comes amid an ongoing crackdown by Cambodia’s government on critics, civil society groups and independent media that rights group say amounts to the destruction of democracy.
Kem Sokha’s CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November at the request of the government. The decision also banned more than 100 opposition lawmakers from politics.
That prompted the European Union and the United States to withdraw their support of the 2018 election.
Cambodia will hold a general election on July 29. Hun Sen has vowed to extend his more than 30 years in power by at least another decade.
Kem Sokha said 2017 was marked by big political crises that led to a “democracy walked backward”.
A spokesman from Hun Sen’s ruling party, Sok Eysan said there was little interest in Kem Sokha’s new year message, adding that opposition politicians could create a new party.
“They have the political rights as citizens … to create a new party to compete,” Sok Eysan said.


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Cambodia

Detained Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha calls for free and fair vote in New Year’s message

Cambodia opposition leader Kem Sokha when he was detained during a police raid at his home in Phnom Penh in September. File photo: EPA

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen arrives for a meeting with garment workers on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 8, 2017. Picture taken on November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

China will provide equipment for 2018 Cambodia election after EU, US withdraw support

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen looks at a ballot box after he cast his vote a polling station for local polls in June. File photo: AFP

Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha charged with treason and espionage

A Cambodian court on Tuesday charged opposition leader Kem Sokha with treason and espionage over an alleged conspiracy with unnamed foreigners, a charge that carries up to 30 years in jail. File photo: AP

FILE PHOTO - Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen smiles as he arrive at the National Assembly of Cambodia during a plenary session, in central Phnom Penh, February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Samrang Pring/File Photo

Cambodian opposition party co-leader Kem Sokha’s ‘audio recordings’ discussing sex topics leaked on social media

Kem Sokha, co-leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party. Photo: Kyodo

Cambodia’s top court rejects appeal to free opposition leader Kem Sokha

A supporter of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party displays Kem Sokha’s portrait. Photo: AP

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Kem Sokha’s message comes amid an ongoing crackdown by Cambodia’s government on critics, civil society groups and independent media
