PHNOM PENH, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has called on the United States to stop interfering in the country's internal affairs on the pretext of human rights and democracy.
The statement, released by the Foreign Ministry late on Tuesday, came after the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday released a video clip, in which U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus had called for the release of Kem Sokha, former president of the court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party.
"Cambodia urges foreign politicians and administrations to adhere to the rule-based multilateralism and the basic norms governing international relations, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, to respect Cambodia's sovereignty and show utmost restraint from interfering in Cambodia's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and democracy," the statement said.
The statement said since Sept. 9, 2018, Sokha was already released for humanitarian reason to remain in the comfort of his home with his family under court surveillance, the statement said, adding that like other civil law countries, Cambodia's judicial procedure does not provide for a maximum period for a case under court surveillance.
"We wish to remind that the failed attempt to push for regime change through undemocratic means is not the exercise of fundamental human rights and democracy," it said.
"The Cambodian government is within its sovereign rights to take the necessary legal measures against individuals and entities who violated the Cambodian Constitution and other laws currently in force in order to protect its national security and the rule of law."
The opposition leader was arrested on Sept. 3, 2017 and charged with treason for conspiring with a foreign power in an attempt to overthrow the government. He could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of committing treason.
