Obama Urged to Address Rights Issues During Cambodia Visit

13 November 2012
The Cambodia Daily
Economy and commerce / Human rights / Social development
American leader / Asia-Pacific / Australian Senate / Cambodia / Cambodian People’s Party / Chan Soveth / Chhut Wutty / Council of Ministers / Democracy / East Asia Summit / European Parliament / Heng Chantha / Human Rights / human rights activists / Human Rights Watch / John McCain / Land evictions / Loun Sovath / Mam Sonando / National Election Committee (NEC) / People’s Republic of China (PRC) / Phnom Penh / Political activists / Prime Minister Hun Sen / Sam Rainsy / South China Sea / Southeast Asian countries / The U.S. Embassy / U.S. Congress / U.S. President Barack Obama / U.S. senior lawmakers / U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Meeting

Some of the U.S.’ most senior lawmakers are urging Barack Obama to speak out on what they called Cambodia’s deteriorating human rights situation when the U.S. president makes what will be the first visit to the country by a sitting American leader later this month. … In their October 31 letter to Mr. Obama, 12 U.S. lawmakers—including Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain—warn that keeping silent on Cambodia’s human rights record would play into China’s hands. “By taking a strong and public stand in support of human rights and democracy during this first-time visit by a U.S. president to Cambodia, your words would encourage and embolden the Cambodian people and send a clear message to the entire region about American values and expectations, particularly in the wake of the Arab Spring,” they said.

http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/obama-urged-to-address-rights-issues-during-cambodia-visit-5555/