Cambodia appoints opposition figure’s daughter as PM’s envoy

Kem Monovithya, the daughter of recently pardoned opposition figure Kem Sokha, has been appointed as a special envoy to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The appointment was formalized via a royal decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni.

The role carries a rank equivalent to a minister and was granted at the request of Hun Manet. This move is viewed as a rare concession to the political opposition in a country where the ruling Cambodian People’s Party has faced long-standing accusations from Western governments and human rights groups regarding the persecution of political opponents.

Kem Monovithya’s father, Kem Sokha, was pardoned in May following a 2023 conviction for treason, a charge he has consistently rejected. Kem Sokha was originally arrested in 2017 on allegations of conspiring with the United States to overthrow the previous premier, Hun Sen, who is the father of the current Prime Minister.