Phnom Penh: Foreign embassies in Cambodia welcome the pardon of Kem Sokha and say it is a positive sign.
The embassies include: the United States, France, Japan, the European Union, Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia.
The United States, through its embassy in Cambodia, has said that the pardon of Mr. Kem Sokha is a positive development. The statement of the US Embassy in Phnom Penh on the pardon of Mr. Kem Sokha posted on its Facebook page on the morning of May 29, 2026, said that the United States welcomes the news of the pardon of Mr. Kem Sokha. His pardon is a positive development.
For the statement of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, it was also said that France respects the granting of a partial pardon to Mr. Kem Sokha. France also reiterates its commitment to the rule of law and multi-party democracy, both in Cambodia and around the world.
The Embassy of Japan expresses its interest in the recent decision to pardon Mr. Kem Sokha as part of a positive development for human rights and democracy in Cambodia. The Embassy of Japan in Cambodia welcomes this step and continues to closely monitor the situation surrounding democracy in Cambodia. Japan will also continue to provide strong support for the development of democracy in Cambodia.
For the European Union, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia also expressed similar sentiments to the embassies of the United States, France, and Japan, which is a good sign.
Please note that Mr. Kem Sokha, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison by the court, was pardoned by a royal decree of His Majesty the King of Cambodia signed by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the acting head of state of Cambodia.
