Wed Jan 08 02:51:02 UTC 2025: ## Cambodian Opposition Figure Assassinated in Bangkok

**Bangkok, Thailand –** Lim Kimya, a 74-year-old former Cambodian member of parliament and dual Cambodian-French citizen, was shot and killed in Bangkok on Tuesday evening. The assassination, which occurred shortly after his arrival from Siem Reap, has been condemned by former colleagues and international human rights groups as a politically motivated act.

Kimya, a member of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), had remained in Cambodia despite threats from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) under then-Prime Minister Hun Sen, who vowed to make opposition MPs’ lives “hell.” Many other CNRP members fled the country seeking political asylum.

The CNRP, in a statement, described the killing as an “assassination” and called for a thorough investigation by Thai authorities. Police have released CCTV footage of a suspect fleeing the scene on a motorbike.

Human Rights Watch’s Asia Director Elaine Pearson called the killing “cold-blooded,” stating it sends a chilling message to Cambodian activists that “no one is safe, even if they have left Cambodia.” Phil Robertson of Human Rights and Labour Advocates (AHRLA) echoed these sentiments, describing the killing as bearing “all the hallmarks of a political assassination.” He warned of the potential for increased intimidation of Cambodian political opposition figures, NGO activists, and human rights defenders in Thailand.

The timing of the assassination is particularly noteworthy, falling on the CPP’s Victory Day, which commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime. On this same day, Prime Minister Hun Manet, son of Hun Sen, called for a new law to label those seeking to overthrow his government as terrorists.

Kimya’s death highlights the ongoing suppression of political opposition in Cambodia under the CPP’s decades-long rule. The CNRP, once a formidable opponent, was dissolved in 2017, leading many of its members into exile. The assassination serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge the government’s authority. Thai authorities are currently investigating the killing.

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