Phnom Penh (FN), July 13 – U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Tom Malinowski, is schedule to visit Cambodia next week from July 18, through July 19, 2016, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia today, July 13, 2016.

The visit to Cambodia by the senior U.S. official for human rights will come in the wake of the assassination of Mr. Kem Ley, a prominent independent political and social analyst, that has been shocking both local public and international community over the present days, but the Embassy said the visit would only aim at confirming the importance of human rights to the U.S.-Cambodia relationship.

After arriving in Cambodia on July 18, 2016, Assistant Secretary Malinowski will meet with government officials, opposition party members, local civil society groups, and representatives from international agencies to discuss the importance of free and fair elections in Cambodia.  He will also urge Cambodia to uphold international human rights standards and ensure the protection of civil society organizations.  The Assistant Secretary will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn more about the history of the former prison and interrogation center, the press release said.

On July 19, Assistant Secretary Malinowski will participate in a town hall discussion with Cambodian youth on the topic of U.S. elections.  The event will be held at the American Corner located at Pannasastra University-South Campus and the audience will feature members of the U.S. Ambassador’s Youth Council and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), President Barack Obama’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking among youth in Southeast Asia.