Kem Sokha's daughter defends Cambodia government role

Kem Monovithya, daughter of Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha, defended her appointment as a special envoy to Prime Minister Hun Manet, saying the role had “nothing to do” with her father, the opposition or the ruling party.

She was appointed Monday with a rank equal to a government minister, months after Kem Sokha was pardoned and released from house arrest. Kem Sokha, leader of the court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2023 after being convicted of trying to topple the government of former leader Hun Sen. He remains banned from running for office.

Kem Monovithya's appointment followed a weekend meeting involving her, Kem Sokha and Hun Sen, who is Hun Manet's father and remains influential. She also met Hun Manet last week.

She said the position would focus on international affairs, economic development and safeguarding Cambodia's territorial integrity, after border areas were “illegally occupied by Thai military forces”. Hun Manet said Wednesday that she would help with diplomacy abroad and cited the border dispute with Thailand.

Phnom Penh has said more than 20,000 Cambodians remain displaced from areas along the border with Thailand now controlled by Thai forces after military clashes last year.

Former senior CNRP leader Mu Sochua, who lives in the United States, said the appointment likely reflected a government effort to address international scrutiny and respond to external concerns. She said the Kem family had negotiated for a position in government and their own freedom, but that jailed local opposition members and “political prisoners” were not included.

Local rights group Licadho says around 50 opposition politicians and political activists are jailed on charges related to public statements or activism. Western nations, including the United States, have called for Kem Sokha's full release and restoration of his political rights.