Cambodian Prime Minister Challenges US to Freeze Assets

Prime Minister Hun Sen today, December 15, challenged the United States and the European Union (EU) to freeze the assets of Cambodian leaders abroad following the scandal related to the dissolution of the opposition party.

Prime Minister Hun Sen. Photo: AFP

“I challenge the US and the European Union to freeze the assets of Cambodian leaders abroad,”Reutersquoted Prime Minister Hun Sen speaking to a group of athletes in the capital Phnom Penh on December 15.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said he has no money abroad, so any move to freeze assets by the US and EU will not affect him.

The US Embassy in Cambodia has yet to comment on Prime Minister Hun Sen's remarks, while EU Ambassador George Edgar said the European Union has not made any decisions on measures to be taken against Cambodia.

Both the US and EU have previously announced that they will stop providing aid to Cambodia’s 2018 election process. Washington has also warned that it will restrict visas to the US for Cambodian leaders. Although the US and EU have not yet made an official announcement about freezing the assets of Cambodian leaders, some lawmakers have left this option open.

The tough moves by the US and EU came after the Supreme Court dissolved the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) at the government's request. Prime Minister Hun Sen accused CNRP leader Kem Sokha of plotting to seize power with US backing. However, both the US and CNRP denied the accusations.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has led Cambodia for more than 30 years, has taken a strong anti-American stance as Cambodia’s general election approaches, taking a series of actions aimed at warning critics, human rights groups and foreign media, including those funded by the US government.

According to Dan Tri