Amnesty International has condemned the murder of Lim Kimya, a former member of Cambodia’s opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), who was shot and killed in Bangkok on Tuesday. Lim Kimya, a vocal critic of the Cambodian government, was traveling from Siem Reap, Cambodia, with his wife and uncle when a gunman ambushed him. According to local reports, the gunman fired three shots, two of which struck Lim Kimya in the back, causing fatal injuries to his heart and liver.
The suspected gunman, identified as a former Thai Navy marine with a criminal history, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in the northwestern province of Battambang, Cambodia. Police indicated that the suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle before being captured.
Amnesty International has called for a swift and thorough investigation into the murder, urging Thai authorities to bring those responsible to justice. Kate Schuetze, Amnesty’s interim regional deputy director for research, emphasized that the Thai government must ensure the protection of critics of the Cambodian regime within its borders, as part of its international human rights obligations.
Lim Kimya’s death highlights the continued risks faced by opposition figures and activists in Cambodia. The CNRP, which was forcibly dissolved in 2017 by Cambodia’s Supreme Court, has faced severe repression, with many leaders and members subjected to harassment, imprisonment, and politically motivated violence. The crackdown on political opposition in Cambodia has extended beyond its borders, affecting activists in neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.
Amnesty International has repeatedly raised concerns over the region’s climate of impunity, noting that opposition figures and human rights defenders continue to face threats, including abductions, enforced disappearances, and killings. The killing of Lim Kimya underscores the need for greater protection for those opposing oppressive regimes in Southeast Asia and calls for accountability for such attacks.
Picture by Freepik
