<p>The government remains deeply concerned about the actions taken by the Cambodian authorities and its Supreme Court, which undermines freedom of expression and destroys any likelihood that Cambodia’s July 2018 elections will be free and fair.</p><p>We take every opportunity to raise these issues. I first expressed our concerns to Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn at the Asia-Europe Meeting in November last year. I also reiterated these in a meeting with the Cambodian Ambassador to the UK Dr Soeung earlier this year. At the June UN Human Rights Council the UK highlighted concerns at the “continued democratic deterioration”, impact on freedom of speech and the ongoing detention of Kem Sokha.</p><p>We work closely with EU and other like-minded partners to press the Cambodian authorities to reverse these actions. We will continue to liaise with our partners on further possible steps ahead of, and subsequent to, the July elections, including calling for the release of opposition leader Kem Sokha.</p>