III 

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 
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•SRES 353 ATS

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 
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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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) affirms the support and respect of the 

3 United States for the welfare, human rights, and 

4 dignity of the people of Cambodia; 

5 (2) calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the 

6 Government of Cambodia to immediately cease and 

7 desist from its systematic campaign to undermine 

8 democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in 

9 Cambodia; 

10 (3) calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the 

11 Government of Cambodia to immediately release all 

12 political prisoners and drop all politically motivated 

13 charges against opponents of the government; 

14 (4) calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen and the 

15 Government of Cambodia to demonstrate through 
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1 words and deed the government’s commitment to de2 mocracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Cam3 bodia; 

4 (5) calls upon the King of Cambodia to play a 

5 more active and constructive role in protecting the 

6 constitutional rights of all Cambodian citizens; and 

7 (6) urges international donors and multilateral 

8 organizations, including the World Bank, the Asian 

9 Development Bank, and the United Nations, to hold 

10 Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Government of 

11 Cambodia fully accountable for actions that under12 mine the investment of international donors in the 

13 democratic and economic development of Cambodia. 

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