Kem Sokha facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kem Sokha
កឹម សុខា
Leader of the Opposition
In office 16 November 2015 – 31 January 2017
Prime Minister	Hun Sen
Preceded by	Sam Rainsy
Succeeded by	Position abolished
First Vice President of the National Assembly
In office 26 August 2014 – 30 October 2015
President	Heng Samrin
Preceded by	Nguon Nhel
Succeeded by	You Hockry
Additional positions President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party In office 2 March 2017 – 16 November 2017 Deputy Pol Hom Mu Sochua Eng Chhai Eang Preceded by Sam Rainsy Succeeded by None, party dissolved Vice President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party In office 1 April 2013 – 2 March 2017 President Sam Rainsy Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Pol Hom Mu Sochua Eng Chhai Eang President of the Human Rights Party In office 22 July 2007 – 1 April 2013 Deputy Son Soubert Pen Sovan Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Son Soubert President of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights In office 3 October 2002 – 1 May 2007 Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Ou Virak Member of the National Assembly In office 24 September 2008 – 3 September 2017 Succeeded by You Hockry Constituency Kampong Cham In office 14 June 1993 – 26 July 1998 Constituency Takéo Member of the Senate In office 1999–2002
Personal details
Born	(1953-06-27) 27 June 1953 (age 71) Tram Kak, Takéo, Cambodia, French Indochina
Political party	Cambodia National Rescue Party (2012–2017) Human Rights Party (2007–2012) Independent (2002–2007) FUNCINPEC (1999–2002) Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party (1993–1999) Khmer People's National Liberation Front (1992–1993)
Spouse	Te Chanmono ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	2, including Monovithya
Education	University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (M.Sc.) Royal University of Law and Economics
Profession	Activist Politician
Signature

Kem Sokha (Khmer: កឹម សុខា) was born on June 27, 1953. He is a Cambodian politician and activist. He has worked to protect human rights in Cambodia.

He was the President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). This was a major political party in Cambodia. He also served as the Minority Leader in the National Assembly. This means he was the top leader for the opposition lawmakers.

Kem Sokha was also the First Vice President of the National Assembly. He represented the area of Kampong Cham as a Member of Parliament (MP). From 2007 to 2012, he led the Human Rights Party, which he started.

In 2017, Kem Sokha was arrested. He was later released from detention in 2018. He was then under house arrest for a period. In 2019, he was fully released from house arrest. However, he is not allowed to travel outside Cambodia. He also cannot take part in political activities.

Studying and Learning

Kem Sokha studied at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh. He later received a scholarship to study in Czechoslovakia. This country is now known as the Czech Republic.

He attended the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague. In 1986, he earned a Master of Science degree in chemistry.

Working in Politics

Kem Sokha meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in August 2022.

Kem Sokha started his political journey in 1993. He was elected as a representative for Takéo Province. At that time, he was part of the Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party.

In 1999, he joined another party called FUNCINPEC. He was then elected as a senator. He later left the Senate in 2001.

Helping Human Rights

In 2002, Kem Sokha founded the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. This organization works to protect people's rights. He left this group in 2005 to return to politics.

He then started the Human Rights Party. This party did well in the 2008 elections.

Connecting with People

Kem Sokha is known for holding weekly meetings in towns. He was the first to create open discussions. These meetings were about important topics. They covered civic rights, political rights, and community development. He held these meetings in villages across Cambodia.

He is known for his peaceful approach to politics. He believes in democracy and unity. His words are often repeated by many Cambodians. His phrase "Do Min Do" means "Change or no change." It became a popular saying during the 2013 election campaign. This campaign encouraged many young people to get involved.

Leadership Roles

On August 26, 2014, Kem Sokha was elected as the First Vice President of the National Assembly. He was the first opposition member to hold this important role.

In March 2017, Kem Sokha became the president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party. Under his leadership, the party won many local elections in June 2017. They won 482 out of 1,646 communes.

In Spanish: Kem Sokha para niños

See also

• Cambodian Center for Human Rights