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Hybrid UN-Cambodia court has been criticised for its slow pace and lack of convictions, but experts say it forced the country to confront the horrors of its past. After 19 years, hundreds of millions of dollars and just two successful convictions, the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Phnom Penh is approaching its end. The only case now ongoing for atrocities committed in Cambodia by Pol Pot’s brutal regime is an appeal by Khieu Samphan, who was convicted in 2018. The country’s youthful population is anxious to move on from a national identity characterised by a genocide it does not remember, while an ageing political elite is keen to limit chains of accountability before they edge too close to home. Cambodia’s National Assembly, where the ruling party has every seat, has voted unanimously to wind up the court’s activities by the end of this year. But despite the difficulties that dogged its progress – from funding to political obstruction to the death of defendants before verdicts could be reached or charges laid – the court forced the horrors of the Khmer Rouge out into the open and will have a profound effect on future fights for justice around the world. Not only as an invaluable example for future study and prevention, as Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-CAM) and a survivor of the Khmer Rouge, puts it. But also, as former chief of investigations for the tribunal Craig Etcheson explains, because it brought into sharp focus the immense challenge of pitting a slow-moving, technically-minded judicial establishment against an experienced, tenacious leader who is determined to politicise the process. read more https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/4/28/khmer-rouge-tribunal-nears-end-in-cambodia

Cambodia now has a total of 1,301,609 workers in seven countries. Prime Minister Hun Sen said this in a message to mark the forthcoming May 1 International Labour Day. According to this message, Cambodian workers working in the seven countries include: Thailand – 1,220,197 Korea – 45,866 Malaysia – 23,027 Japan – 11,453 Singapore – 821 Hong Kong – 202 Saudi Arabia – 43 It is estimated that the remittances sent by workers to their families are billions of dollars a year, which contributes to economic growth and the well-being of working families. The Royal Government of Cambodia is also continuing to promote the implementation of the policy on labor migration for Cambodia 2019-2023 and relevant legal standards to protect and promote rights and interests. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501065365/cambodia-has-more-than-1-3-million-migrant-workers-working-abroad-remitting-more-than-3-billion-in-2021/

Some public schools have told their students not to go to school too early or leave late in the day. Some state high schools in Phnom Penh have warned female students not to travel to school in the predawn hours of the morning or leave school late in the evening to avoid falling prey to sexual predators. An investigation by Khmer Times reporter at some high schools in the capital revealed that students, teachers and school principals have expressed deep concerns over the possibility of rape at state schools, especially in places where security is lax. Leng Pheanou, a 15-year-old female student in grade 10, said the school’s announcement that students should only arrive in school 5 to 10 minutes before class made her uncomfortable. “I was instructed not to come to school early and also not to leave late. This instruction was given after the Khmer New Year. “I know the announcement was made with good intentions but the advice disturbs me. It is scary to think that there may be sexual predators hanging out near my school and worse, in my school. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501065111/watching-the-girls-preemptive-measures-taken-against-sex-predators/

Interior Minister Sar Kheng has asked government officials to refrain from using state resources during the upcoming commune election and urged them to remain politically neutral. The minister released a letter last Friday asking government workers to be non-partisan and not conduct party activities during work hours and using state resources, such as budgetary allocations, vehicles and buildings. “Civil servants must not use the budget, materials, facilities, and transportation, which are the property of the state, to campaign for any party,” the letter said. Som Sorida, a National Election Committee spokesperson, said the election body will take action against anyone using state funds or equipment during the upcoming election. Article 72 of the law on commune elections states that “civil servants, local authorities at all levels, members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, National Police and court officials” cannot influence the electoral process or use state buildings or offices, and can only engage in politicking after hours and without using their official uniforms. read more https://vodenglish.news/sar-kheng-asks-govt-officials-to-remain-neutral-in-upcoming-election/

AirAsia has resumed flights between Kuala Lumpur and Siem Reap, Cambodia. The airline will operate the route with two flights per week on Mondays and Fridays. Flight AK540 is scheduled to depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) at 13:05, arriving in Siem Reap at 14.20. The return flight, AK541, is timed to leave Siem Reap at 14:55, arriving back in Kuala Lumpur at 18:10. Cambodia was one of the first countries in the region to relax its entry requirements for foreign travel, reopening the Kingdom to fully vaccinated international travellers without the need for quarantine or Covid-19 testing at all international gateways and checkpoints in November 2021. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, Cambodia, said, “Cambodia is now truly open for all vaccinated tourists and we welcome AirAsia guests back to our great country with open arms.” The minister said, “Tourism is a significant driver of our economy and social development, we thank AirAsia for their continued support to stimulate and grow air travel to our key leisure destinations. Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder, invites travellers from all walks of life to feel its warmth, safely and hygienically.” read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064589/airasia-resumes-flights-between-kuala-lumpur-and-siem-reap/

A Korean man, who fled Korea after being charged with kidnapping, was been captured in Cambodia yesterday. According to police, the suspect was involved in a kidnapping case in Korea and fled to stay in Cambodia. The General Department of Immigration received a complaint and found out that the suspect was hiding in Pailin province. Police arrested the man at 9:50 AM on April 26, 2022 in Phsar Prom Cheung village, Stung Karch commune, Sala Krao district, Pailin province. Sources said that the suspect, Sin Min-ho, a 55-year-old Korean man, was involved in a kidnapping case in Korea. READ MORE https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064929/korean-kidnapper-captured-in-cambodia/

Authors should register their intellectual property rights with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts so as to protect their works from being copied without authorisation or prior consent of the creators. Copyright Law is enacted to assure that the rights of authors, artists, or creators are always protected and promoted. Commemorating the World Intellectual Property Day yesterday, the Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona said authors of literary and artistic works must register their books and works with the Ministry so that it’s easy for the officials to help them if someone infringes upon their works such as commit plagiarism or copies them. “It is so hard for police to find a motorcycle if there is no registered number plate. So if you have a motorcycle, you must register for a number plate. Similarly, if you are the author or creator of works including books, poems and lyrics, register them,” she added. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064360/authors-must-register-their-intellectual-property-rights-to-prevent-plagiarism/

APSARA Authority has said restoration work at Angkor Wat’s Bakan tower will be completed by the end of this month. Half of the western part of the Bakan tower of Angkor Wat will now be stronger, said Kham Mony, an architect in charge of the tower’s restoration work. “The restoration project in the southwest and northwest is almost complete after a restoration team had been working for 10 months,” he added. Mony said it is considered to be the first major restoration work, which started in November last year. The Bakan tower of Angkor Wat in the southwest and northwest had been weakened due to many factors such as ageing, which caused the stones to crack as well as natural damage after plants took root and rainwater eroded the laterite foundations, he said. The restoration team removed the ageing old stones and replaced them with new ones to fill gaps in the structure. Some stones weighed more than three tonnes, Mony said. He said while restoring the Bakan tower, the team assembled the stones that were scattered around the platform and strengthened the pillars, which were in a dilapidated condition. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064483/angkor-wats-bakan-tower-restoration-nears-completion/

A Preah Sihanouk resident gave birth to a baby outside a public health facility after the couple were unable to reach any health officers at the empty center. Nhor Phal, 39, went into labor early April 17 in Preah Sihanouk’s Keo Phos commune, said her husband Sut Vun, and when they reached Stung Hav district’s Keo Phos health center there was no one on-call. He found a few numbers listed at the center but had little luck getting hold of health workers. “I talked to a doctor and they said they were in Kampot and not at work but would give me another number to contact another doctor,” he said, adding that he had no luck contacting any other health official. In a state of panic, he called his mother, who is a midwife, to assist in the birthing process, also calling Pheng Min, Keo Phos’s commune chief, to help them. “I was very panicked and worried as there was nobody there who I could ask for help. It was very very quiet there,” Vun said. “I was glad that I called the Keo Phos commune chief and his assistant and they came to help us otherwise it will be finished as there was no one at the hospital.” So charged was the experience that Min, the commune chief, asked the couple to name the child after him. read more https://vodenglish.news/preah-sihanouk-resident-gives-birth-outside-empty-health-center/

Chut Wutty was shot and killed 10 years ago while investigating illegal logging. Cambodian environmentalists called for authorities to reinvestigate the 2012 murder of a forestry activist, who was slain while campaigning against illegal logging, a problem that has gotten worse in the decade since his killing. Chut Wutty was shot to death on April 26, 2012 while investigating illegal logging in southern Cambodia’s Koh Kong province. He had been active in organizing communities to protect Cambodian forests against developers and campaigned against the government’s granting of land concessions in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. A letter by the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association, signed by 28 separate civic society organizations, called on Justice, Interior and Defense Ministry officials and Koh Kong provincial authorities to “undertake a credible and thorough investigation to hold all those responsible for his murder to account.” An official investigation into Chut Wutty’s death was closed in October 2013 when a court in Koh Kong province abruptly ended its proceedings. Student league President Keut Saray said he has little expectation that the authorities will bring any suspects in Chut Wutty’s murder to trial. “It is sad that we don’t hope to get justice, but as a nation for a person who sacrificed his life, the ministry shouldn’t ignore it,” he told RFA’s Khmer Service. “We will follow up with the investigation. Not for just a few weeks; we will follow up as long as we live. Today is more about having a chance to remember the hero who protected our forests. We need to lead and sacrifice to protect the forest,” he said. In another event that commemorated Chut Wutty, hosted by the Khmer Thavrak youth group, 10 young people adorned in white ribbons decorated their motorbikes with leaves. They attempted to ride to the Ministry of Environment and Justice, but authorities stopped them and confiscated their bikes. Chut Wutty’s son Cheuy Oudom Reaksmey, who is in Lowell, Massachusetts, for a ceremony to commemorate his father scheduled for May 1, told RFA that the authorities are trying to stop activists from commemorating Chut Wutty anniversary, including by showing a documentary about him. “We are implementing undemocratic laws. People are not allowed to walk in Phnom Penh anymore,” he said. Cheuy Oudom Reaksmey noted that Hun Sen once claimed he would behead himself if he failed to stop illegal logging. But preventing activists from holding public commemorations for the forestry activist raises questions about the prime minister’s commitment to protecting Cambodia’s forests, Cheuy Oudom Reaksmey said. “Why can’t we commemorate the hero who has already been murdered?” he asked. “We will continue to try to show the world to know that there has been no justice, even 10 years since his murder.” Cheuy Oudom Reaksmey urged the government to allow the forestry activists to patrol the country’s protected forests, an activity that is currently prohibited. Illegal logging will continue until there is a change in policy, and his father’s case will linger until there is a new government to investigate. “Justice can’t be rendered. I don’t have confidence in the court, which is not independent,” he said. Neither Phay Siphan, a spokesman for Hun Sen’s government, and Chhin Malin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Justice, could be reached for comment on April 26. Phay Siphan recently told RFA that the court already closed Chut Wutty’s case, but it might reopen the investigation if the family and NGOs submit more evidence. Illegal logging in protected areas of Cambodia is a major source of social instability and helps drive rapid deforestation, which is a problem across the entire Southeast Asian region. Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand declined to sign a global pact at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November to end and reverse forest loss by 2030, even while the region — home to around 15% of the world’s tropical forests — is among its major deforestation hotspots. Cambodia has lost 26% of its tree cover, equivalent to about 5.7 million acres, since 2000 according to satellite imagery. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/chut-wutty-04262022162506.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

Dara Sakor International Airport in Koh Kong province’s Botum Sakor district is set to conduct flight trials in July, according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation. The flight validation or flight testing has been conducted since April 19 and will be completed next week, SSCA’s undersecretary of state and spokesman Sinn Chansereyvutha said yesterday. After these procedures, flight trials are set to be conducted in July this year, he said. Flight validation is a flight assessment of a new or revised instrument flight procedure to confirm that the procedure is operationally acceptable for safety, including required obstacle clearance, flyability, navigation database coding, design accuracy, and required infrastructure. “Dara Sakor International Airport has launched a seven-day technical flight test of key equipment and flight techniques before launching a flight trial in July 2022,” he said. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501062922/dara-sakor-intl-airport-conducts-flight-testing/

A foreign man died after he leapt to his death from the 13th floor of a Sihanoukville hotel yesterday. This suicide happened at 9 am on April 25, 2022 on the 13th floor of the Siyathu Hotel in Village 2, Sangkat No. 2 Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk Province. The victim, who has not be named but is believed to be Chinese, first slashed his wrists and the jumped – causing his instantaneous death. According to the police, the Chinese man was under the influence of narcotics and, unable to control his emotions, he decided to commit suicide. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064173/foreigner-dies-in-sville-suicide-leap/

A federal jury in Texas awarded a Cambodian woman $1.78 million earlier this month after finding a Rockport couple illegally trafficked her to the United States and forced her to work in their doughnut shop. Sophy Treadway (aka Sophy Koem), 32, first filed the federal civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas Corpus Christi Division in August 2019. On April 11, a jury found that Matthew, 56, and Sopheak, 47, Otero, as well as their business, Rockport Donuts (which also operates under the legal name Exxizz Foods Inc.), engaged in peonage, forced labor and trafficking of Treadway, who was born in Cambodia. The Oteros and their business were ordered by the jury to pay Treadway $282,282 in compensatory damages for her past labor and $1,500,000 in punitive damages. Treadway’s Houston based attorney, Xenos Yuen, called the case an example of “Modern Day Slavery.” read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501063760/texas-awards-cambodian-woman-1-78m-after-she-was-forced-into-labor/

Despite the current differences between their 2 countries, 2 Russians and a Ukrainian were united yesterday in receiving long jail sentences for drug smuggling in Cambodia. In court yesterday, judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Mr. Seng Rithy, Chairman of the Council, and Mr. Say Nora, Representative of the Prosecution, announced the conviction of the accused as follows 1. Name: EVGENY KARAS, Male, 32 years old. Russian national: Sentenced to 30 years imprisonment, fined 60 million Riels, 2. DMITRIY KARAS, male, 30 years old, Russian: Sentenced to 30 years imprisonment, fined 60 million Riels, 3. BONDARBNKO KARYNA, female, 21 years old, Ukrainian: Imprisoned for 25 years, fined 40 million riels All were convicted for illegal production, transportation and trafficking of drugs took place in Phnom Penh from 2017 until September 15, 2020 under Articles 47, 42 and 48 of the Law on Drug Control. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064124/russians-and-ukrainians-receive-long-sentences-for-3-year-long-drug-smuggling-operation/

A foreign man who converted 3 floors of a Phnom Penh condominium into a makeshift illegal entertainment complex appeared in court yesterday on numerous charges. The defendant, Chen Xin Zhuang, a 33-year-old man from China, is the owner of a condominium on Street 95 in Boeung Keng Kang II, Boeung Keng Kang district. He is charged with “trafficking in narcotics, illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession of firearms, violation of administrative measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19”. . In court, the man admitted that he rented a condo on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors to open a karaoke bar on the 7th floor, a ‘tea party’ on the 8th floor and a ‘golf course’ on the 9th floor at a price per month $ 13,000. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501064117/foreigner-who-ran-party-condo-in-court-on-drugs-guns-and-covid-charges/

Residents of a village in Banteay Meanchey were shocked by the discovery of 12 pmn2 mines in the vicinity of their village. The national police reported to local news this morning, on April 24, a resident of Preah Chhor Village, Kork Kathin Commune, Thmor Puok District, Banteay Meanchey found the 12 mines 50 kilometres north of their village. According to the report of Thmor Puok district police, a 65-year-old man named Nab Noeun, a village guard, was travelling on a newly-constructed road and discovered the 12 mines in white boxes. Noeun reported the discovery to the Kork Kathin commune administrative police and Hallo demining team. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501063410/more-than-10-mines-discovered-in-a-single-area-by-villager/

A man is lucky to be alive after being savaged by five crocodiles during a toilet break. Sou Sothea, 37, a crocodile farm caretaker in Kampong Tayong village, in Puok commune, Cambodia, slipped and fell into the pile of massive reptiles on April 17. He enjoyed some beer with family members before calling it a night and going to sleep in a hammock by the crocodile pool. He woke up at around 1am on Monday, needing to urinate. As he crossed a bridge over the pool, he slipped and fell in and was bitten by five of the nearly 50 crocodiles in his care. read more https://www.aol.co.uk/news/man-falls-pit-50-crocodiles-003504083.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIvXC0lh_GZuukeO6bG6nSClOnW2isN9Y5MZPq6R1mzsgHyo2GEI5l7eFBjnvnk3e1IJhI-GbFWcMvjSs_wMKWx0mf0O3GL52ROYgkZtgKLFV5LfdAlzybYF3YoVUaXUIjVNXVrlGOsrcyyrUfV2w0Z0h0knTKCB6DuCGYWRkMbV

Masks are no longer required when outside in all parts of the country, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on Tuesday morning. In an audio message he posted to his Facebook page, Hun Sen said the decision was made based on a report he received following a meeting among officials. There would no longer be the requirement to wear a mask in public areas and open spaces, and people can make their own decision whether to wear masks there, he said. “So it means that after brothers and sisters have received this voice message, brothers and sisters can make the decision by themselves whether to continue wearing masks or stop wearing masks in open spaces,” he said. However, people should continue to wear masks in closed indoor areas, Hun Sen said. “By closed-door area, I mean a meeting room that is tightly closed using air conditioning, or inside a cinema where people are in there closed tightly with air conditioning,” he said. Hun Sen added open areas even in buildings can be left to choice whether to wear a mask. He listed public streets, public spaces, gardens and other entertainment areas as other areas where masks are no longer required. read more https://vodenglish.news/mask-mandate-removed-across-the-country-when-outdoors/

Siem Reap, Cambodia — As dawn breaks, foreign tourists gather by the ancient towers of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, some of the lucky few to see the World Heritage Site with the crowds thin as the country recovers from the coronavirus. Hopes are high that the temple complex, recently revitalised from repair work, will spearhead a recovery in tourism after the Southeast Asian nation began re-opening to travellers last November. A handful of overseas visitors are once again roaming the sacred site, with many calling it a unique opportunity. "I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to really see it with such few tourists," Belgian holidaymaker Marjan Colombie told AFP. "It's so different." On previous visits to the 12th-century ruins she had been forced to jostle with others and endure long queues, she said. Despite the huge economic cost for Cambodia, the pandemic has been a boon for renovations and conservation work at Angkor Wat. The government agency that manages the UNESCO site says the shutdown allowed extra time and space for repair work, maintenance and gardening. "Our temples could rest too," APSARA Authority spokesman Long Kosal said. Workers fixed crumbling towers and installed a water system to keep the grass green during the dry season. Local businesses in Siem Reap are now seeing an uptick in bookings after Covid-19 decimated tourism. Chea Sokhon, general manager of Sarai Resort and Spa -- which closed in April 2020 and laid off its 100 employees -- is rehiring as foreign tourists return. "It's like we are starting from zero," he said, laying out the challenges he faces. The businessman, who also sits on the tourism board for Siem Reap, said about 20 percent of hotels in the city have re-opened this year and about 30 percent are preparing. But he cautioned it would take at least another year for a full recovery. This picture taken on April 7, 2022 shows tourists visiting the Angkor Wat temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Siem Reap province. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) 'Overwhelming' "Our tour guides have hope again," said local guide Meth Savutha, back on the job after spending the past two years teaching English online to support his family. Border closures and travel restrictions knocked Cambodia's income from tourism down to just $184 million last year, a far cry from the nearly $5 billion in 2019. Foreign tourists nosedived to below 200,000 in 2021 from roughly 6.6 million pre-pandemic. But a comprehensive vaccine rollout and a retreat of the virus have enabled Phnom Penh to resume issuing visas on arrival. Numbers are now slowly climbing again but remain a long way from pre-Covid figures. Officials expect 700,000 international visitors this year, fuelled by new daily flights to Siem Reap from Singapore. For German tourist Hanna, visiting Cambodia for the first time this month, the renovations to Angkor Wat and lack of crowds made it an "overwhelming" experience. "It's absolutely beautiful and stunning," she told AFP as the sun rose over the historic complex. "It's just a very unique experience." https://www.voacambodia.com/a/revitalised-angkor-wat-brings-hope-for-cambodia-tourism-recovery/6540572.html

FOLLOWING the rise of Covid-19 Omicron cases in Cambodia, numbers appear to be dropping of late. However, following the suspension of Covid-19 safety rules during mass gatherings for the Khmer New Year, experts are waiting to see if the numbers rise again. They are also concerned over an apparent "loophole" in checking migrant workers at the border, reported the Khmer Times. The latest official daily for new Covid-19 cases (diagnosed by PCR test) was 26 - all Omicron variant – bringing the total number to 136,172 cases. read more https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2022/04/791150/experts-concerned-despite-decline-daily-covid-19-cases-cambodia

Cambodia is conducting a feasibility study to modernise its railway. The study is expected to be completed in the next three months, according to Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol. Chanthol revealed the plan during a virtual meeting with his Thai counterpart Saksayam Chidchob on April 20. The meeting aimed to boost cooperation between the two countries in the transport sector, both within bilateral and regional frameworks. Chanthol said infrastructure link between Cambodia and Thailand will not merely be a tangible connection to increase trade volume and spur tourism and investment, but will also be a key factor in furthering the economic development of the two nations. read more https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/cambodia-looks-modernise-cross-border-railway

Washington — The Cambodian government has hired a U.S. law firm and a public relations company to promote a positive image of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government. The companies, both based in Washington, are Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, and international communications and public relations specialist Qorvis Communications. Qorvis has been on a $69,300 a month contract since September 1, 2021, with no deadline for completion, according to a Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) document registered with the U.S. Department of Justice. Akin Gump began a $720,000 contract on January 5, 2022, that runs until January 1, 2023. The law firm has pledged to “conduct outreach to U.S. government officials to build better understanding and highlight areas of common interest to build new relationships” that enable the bilateral relationship between Cambodia and the U.S., according to the contract registered on FARA’s website. Trade status, exports The $1.5 million yearlong lobbying campaign comes as Congress has suspended the Southeast Asia nation’s trade preference status for its deteriorating human rights record that involves overly restrictive laws on the organization, funding or operation of nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, according to a 2021 report by the U.S. State Department. “The aim of my mission is to expand the relationship,” Cambodian Ambassador Keo Chhea told VOA Khmer by phone in early March after he became ambassador. “And if it is good to facilitate a political relationship, we will promote culture and trade relations to have a better relationship.” Cambodia also spent $1.2 million from 2019 to 2020 on two U.S. lobbying firms — Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, of Washington, D.C., and PacRim Bridges LLC in Ferndale, Washington, according to the FARA filing. “This lobbying work is to draw the attention of foreign policymakers to the current leadership of the Royal Government of Cambodia,” said Sok Isan, a spokesperson for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party. “This is to counter politically biased, unethical and unprofessional media outlets from spreading false information about the leadership. The Royal Government of Cambodia comes from the will of the Cambodian people.” Cambodia exported more than $8.7 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in 2021, according to data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. That volume has doubled in the last four years, despite the government crackdown on independent media, civil society groups, critics and opposition politicians. According to the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Cambodia attracted a fixed-asset investment of $4.35 billion in 2021. China remains the largest foreign investor, accounting for 53.4% of Cambodia’s total investment last year, which was a 67% increase over 2020. The U.S. was second with $163 million and Singapore was third with $121 million. “Cambodia has benefited greatly from access to the U.S. market,” U.S. Embassy spokesperson Chad Roedemeier told VOA Khmer by email. “Today, the United States is Cambodia’s largest single export market by far. Our trade relationship should be mutually beneficial, transparent, balanced, and adhere to the highest standards, including labor rights.” Cambodian exports to the U.S. include finished garments, footwear, suitcases, agricultural products and bicycles. Human rights The U.S. Congress has introduced two bills to promote free and fair elections, restore democracy, political rights and human rights in Cambodia, and impose economic sanctions on those who violate human rights there. The Cambodia Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2021 (S-3052) was introduced by the Senate in October 2021. The House version of the Cambodia Democracy Act of 2021 (HR-4686) was passed by the House in September 2021. Both bills are in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which had not set a date for a hearing when it was contacted by VOA Khmer. However, Congress has not reauthorized Cambodia’s trade preference status, called the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) since its expiration in late December 2020. The GSP is a system that provides opportunities for many of the world’s poorest countries to use trade to grow their economies and climb out of poverty. The U.S. Embassy in Cambodia said it remains committed to the Cambodian people and their “aspirations for a more prosperous, democratic and independent country where all voices are heard and respected, and the kingdom’s sovereignty is protected,” according to Roedemeier. U.S. activists in the U.S. say human rights and the political situation in Cambodia have not improved since the dissolution of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) ahead of the 2018 national election that Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won. Hun Sen has held power in Cambodia in various coalitions since 1985. More recently, on March 17, a Cambodian court convicted 20 opposition politicians and activists from the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party to between five and 10 years in prison for “incitement,” “inciting military personnel to disobedience” and “conspiracy.” Seven of them currently live abroad and were tried and convicted in absentia and sentenced to 10-year prison terms, according to Human Rights Watch. “Hiring high-priced U.S. law firms and public relations firms is not the best way to improve the image of the Hun Sen government in the United States,” said Morton Sklar, a legal counsel for the U.S.-based Commission of Inquiry on Cambodia. Sklar said a more effective way to improve Hun Sen’s image would be to take concrete steps to end the recent campaign of repression, end the criminal prosecutions of government critics and return to a more open and democratic election process by allowing the main political opposition to function in a fair and effective way. “You can’t claim compliance with democracy and human rights standards when you eliminate the opposition party and put its leaders in jail using vaguely worded criminal statutes against “incitement to violence and social unrest” as a basis for closing down a meaningful political process and for conducting mass trials and imprisonments,” Sklar said. https://www.voanews.com/a/cambodia-hires-dc-firms-to-burnish-image-attract-investment/6541239.html

A 30-year-old tractor driver died at hospital from serious injuries sustained in an anti-tank mine explosion at Phlat commune's Svay Chek village of Oddar Meanchey province’s Anlong Veng district on April 22, according to local police. Commune police chief Ol Run told The Post that the incident happened just before noon when the victim identified as Chhiek Ly was ploughing a farmland about 3km from the village. “He was ploughing the land which has small trees when the mine exploded. He got critically injured with his left arm completely destroyed. His relative rushed him to the district referral hospital but he succumbed to injuries,” Run said. read more https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/anti-tank-mine-kills-oddar-meanchey-tractor-driver

Nearly 250 people have committed suicide across Cambodia in the first three months of this year, with Phnom Penh having the highest number of suicide deaths, according figures from the National Police seen by The Post on April 19. “A total of 247 suicides or suicide attempts occurred resulting in 242 deaths and five injured in the capital and all provinces but Kep and Pailin,” the report said. Phnom Penh had the highest number of suicides or attempts at 31, with 30 deaths and one injured survivor. read more https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/majority-suicides-cambodia-happen-between-ages-15-19

Three journalists and a driver were arrested Thursday while purportedly investigating a motorbike seller for selling vehicles without tax certificates, but were later released. Kok Kimthong, publisher of news website Neak Meas, said he went with the four people and some other journalists to the motorbike shop in Kampong Chhnang city on April 9 to check whether it was really selling motorbikes without tax certificates. Kimthong said a local resident had told him about buying a motorbike but later getting stopped by police and being told it had no tax certification. The store owner told them at the time that he sold both certified and uncertified motorbikes, and charged more for those with tax certificates. There was no issue at the time, but four people returned to the shop on Thursday. The shop owner asked them to sit and wait for a short while, then police arrived and arrested the four, taking them to provincial police headquarters. They then called Kimthong and told him what had happened, he said. read more https://vodenglish.news/three-journalists-arrested-released-in-kampong-chhnang/