Release Kem Sokha and Mass Criminal Trials Defendants, Government Critics and Independent Journalists

To:  
Mr. Koeut Rith
Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Email: info@moj.gov.kh

From: 
Member of the Khmer Community 
[Your name] 
[Email information] 

Dear H.E. Koeut Rith,

We call on you to immediately and unconditionally release Kem Sokha and Mass Criminal Trial defendants, government critics and independent journalists — who are only expressing their rights to freedom of expression and opinion, of association and peaceful assembly.

In 2017, the Hun Sen government arrested Kem Sokha for treason based on fabricated accusations that he was conspiring with the United States to overthrow the longstanding government of 35 years. On February 28, 2023, Kem Sokha received a 27-year criminal sentence, essentially ending his political career, for doing no more than offering a political alternative to Hun Sen. Speaking out in defense and support of the victims of the most egregious forms of abuse and persecution from an authoritarian regime should not be considered a criminal offense.

The Hun Sen government, in recent months, has been “doubling down” on their highly repressive abuses designed to assure an uncontested re-election and indefinite continuance in office. Kem Sokha is symbolic to a large number of prisoners of conscience that have been subjected to the Government’s increasing abuses of improper prosecutions and imprisonments to stay in power. Based on the UN “Action Plan of Reform Measures” the upcoming Cambodian National Election will not free, fair and legitimate. Therefore, we ask that Kem Sokha and all the Mass Criminal Trial defendants, government critics and independent journalists’ immediate release be released and for all charges against them to be dropped.

Sincerely, 
[Your Name] 
[City, Country]