25 Facts About Kem Sokha

Kem Sokha is a Cambodian former politician and activist who most recently served as the President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Kem Sokha served as the Minority Leader, the highest-ranking opposition parliamentarian, of the National Assembly from December 2016 to January 2017, and previously as the First Vice President of the National Assembly from August 2014 to October 2015.

Kem Sokha represented Kampong Cham as its Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2017.

From 2007 to 2012, Kem was the leader of the Human Rights Party, which he founded.

Kem Sokha was arrested and imprisoned at a detention centre in Tbong Khmum Province on 3 September 2017 under allegations of treason.

In November 2017, the CNRP was dissolved, and 118 of its members, including Kem Sokha, were banned from politics for five years.

On 10 November 2019, Kem Sokha was released from house arrest.

Kem Sokha has stated to Voice of America in 2018 that he pursued a law degree at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh, but dropped out in his second year before receiving a scholarship to Czechoslovakia in 1981.

Kem Sokha studied at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, and graduated with a Master of Science degree in chemistry in 1986.

Kem Sokha's political career began in 1993, when he was elected a representative for Takeo Province; at that time he was a member of Son Sann's Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party.

Kem Sokha founded the Human Rights Party, which came third in the 2008 elections.

Kem Sokha is well known for his weekly town hall meetings at local level throughout the country.

Kem Sokha was the first to introduce a free and open forum discussing issues concerning civic and political rights, as well as social and economic development, at village level in Cambodia.

Kem Sokha is known for his non-violent, political tolerant policy standing on democratic and unity principles.

Kem Sokha's words are often quoted and repeated by ordinary Cambodians.

Kem Sokha's phrase "Do Min Do" became the anthem for the Cambodia National Rescue Party's election Campaign in July 2013, which drew an unprecedented amount of youth participation.

On 26 August 2014, Kem Sokha was elected by the National Assembly as its First Vice President with 116 votes, the first opposition MP to hold the office.

On 9 September 2016, after months under house arrest, Kem Sokha was sentenced to five months in prison after refusing to appear in court for questioning in a prostitution case against him.

Kem Sokha was later granted a royal pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni.

On 2 March 2017, Kem Sokha was elected president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party at the party's congress, along with three other deputies.

Kem Sokha was arrested at his home on September 3,2017.

Hun Sen and other Cambodian government officials alleged that Kem Sokha was conspiring with the United States of America.

Kem Sokha's lawyers have alleged violations of their client's rights under Article 149 of the Criminal Procure Code.

Kem Sokha was released on bail on 10 September 2018, more than a year after his arrest, but was placed under house arrest.

Kem Sokha was released from house arrest on 10 November 2019 but is banned from travelling outside the country and taking part in political activities.