In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 27 June 1953
- Birthplace
- Takéo Province, Cambodia
- Country
- Cambodia
- Nationality
- Cambodian
- Known for
- Co-founding the CNRP and leading Cambodia’s main opposition before its dissolution
- Founded
- Cambodian Center for Human Rights
- Political party
- Human Rights Party; later CNRP
- CNRP president
- 2017
- Sentence
- 27 years, upheld on appeal in 2026
Why this life matters
Kem Sokha connected civil-society organising with parliamentary opposition and later became the central defendant in a case criticised by UN human-rights officials.
Timeline
Key moments
Founded a human-rights organisation
Established the Cambodian Center for Human Rights and led public forums around the country.
Created the Human Rights Party
Moved from civil society into electoral opposition politics.
Co-founded the CNRP
Joined forces with Sam Rainsy to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party.
Arrested and party dissolved
Was detained on treason allegations before the Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP.
Conviction and appeal
Received a 27-year sentence with severe restrictions; the appeals court upheld it in April 2026.
Human-rights work and party building
Kem Sokha entered public life through human-rights and community organising. The Cambodian Center for Human Rights became known for public forums that allowed citizens to raise land, governance and rights concerns outside the structures of the ruling party.
He founded the Human Rights Party in 2007 and later merged it with Sam Rainsy’s organisation. Their Cambodia National Rescue Party won a large parliamentary bloc in 2013, making Kem Sokha one of the country’s two most prominent opposition leaders.
Arrest, trial and restricted detention
Authorities arrested Kem Sokha in September 2017 and accused him of conspiring with a foreign power. The CNRP was dissolved soon afterwards. Proceedings were delayed for years before a Phnom Penh court convicted him in March 2023 and imposed a 27-year sentence with restrictions that kept him at home.
The Phnom Penh appeals court upheld the conviction in April 2026. UN human-rights officials criticised both the case and its effect on political participation; Cambodia’s government maintains that courts act under domestic law.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Kem Sokha
- Who is Kem Sokha?
- Kem Sokha is a former opposition leader and human-rights advocate. Kem Sokha connected civil-society organising with parliamentary opposition and later became the central defendant in a case criticised by UN human-rights officials.
- What is Kem Sokha best known for?
- Kem Sokha is best known for co-founding the CNRP and leading Cambodia’s main opposition before its dissolution.
- When and where was Kem Sokha born?
- Kem Sokha was born on 27 June 1953 in Takéo Province, Cambodia.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 9 September 2026.
