Cambodian heritage criminals convicted in the US will no longer be deported to the kingdom pending the revision of the repatriation agreement between the two countries, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today. The deportation of ethnically Khmer convicts, despitemost having very little connection to the country nor the ability to speak the language, has been a longstanding problem between the two countries.
 

“We have temporarily suspended the repatriation of Cambodians convicted in the US because we need to amend the repatriation agreement,” ministry spokesman Chum Sounry said during a press conference after meeting with US deputy assistant secretary of state Patrick Murphy.   “The policy has long been criticized by Khmer people both in Cambodia and in the US. These deportees seem to be receiving double the punishment.
 

“The first punishment is their imprisonment in the US and the second is their being sent to Cambodia, away from their families, to be forced to live in a country they’ve never known. It is difficult for them to integrate into society,” he explained. “We must show humanity and mercy in regards to sending these Khmer people to Cambodia, so it is necessary for us to amend the repatriation agreement.”

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37779/us-crime-repatriations-on-hold/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 26/04

An obvious signal to The US about Cambodia's anger for The US cutting the money that was sent every year.How will the country's big wigs now pay for their new Mercs ?