Kem Ley

Kem Ley (Khmer: កែម ឡី; 19 October 1970 – 10 July 2016) was a Cambodian political commentator and activist. He was known for his political commentary, including trenchant criticisms of the current government leading by Cambodian People's Party (CPP). He was assassinated in what is believed to be politically motivated on 10 July 2016 at a petrol station in Phnom Penh. He is the third notable activist to be killed after union leader Chea Vichea in 2004, and environmental activist Chut Wutty in 2012.

Since 1998, he had worked as a researcher on HIV and AIDS projects and an analyst for a few non-governmental projects such as PSHRA and for other United Nations agencies such as UNDP, UNICEF, and UNAIDs, and for USAID. Ley was born in Leay Bou commune, Tram Kok district, Takeo province. He finished his medical studies in 1992, and continued his master's degree in research studies at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, from 1996 to 1997. In 2008, he received his PhD from Malaya University, Malaysia.

Kem Ley was in the midst of his “100 days with Khmer Families” campaign in which he spent time staying with the rural families to dig even more deeply to find out the root causes of the many issues facing Cambodia today. He also was on his series writing on his Facebook Page. The three known works he was working on include a 90-episode political articles which he called comedy series. He had just finished his 19th episode before his assassination; briefings of new findings during his 100-day campaign, and another story he named, the “Black Man in a White Shirt”. He also criticized the government over illegal logging, border issues, and corruption. Just a few days before his assassination, Kem Ley was approached by many local and international press to ask for his comments on the Global Witness report attacking Hun Sen’s family. The report was named, “Hostile Takeover: The Corporate Empire of Cambodia’s Ruling Family.”

In June 2015, he founded his own political party, the Grassroots Democracy Party.

Ley is survived by his wife Bou Rachana, four sons, and one unborn child. His wife expressed an interest to relocate her family to Australia for their safety. His family fled Cambodia in August 2016 to an undisclosed location.

Funeral procession

Ley was shot on the morning of 10 July 2016 in a café at a gas station in Phnom Penh. His death came days after he had criticized Hun Sen's family following the release of the Global Witness report which valued the premier's family at a bare minimum US$200 million. A suspect was arrested, who later confessed to the crime. His body was draped in the Cambodian flag, and was taken to Wat Chas pagoda at Chroy Changva district. His death is widely believed to be politically influenced, though Prime Minister Hun Sen has downplayed these claims. His death was met with both domestic and international condemnations. The U.S. Department of State was "deeply concerned" by Ley's murder, and called for a full investigation. Similarly, the United Nations also urged authorities to investigate. The British ambassador to Cambodia Bill Longhurst called his death "a serious loss to Cambodia. Prime Minister Hun Sen condemned the murder, and urged for a full investigation.

His body was taken to his hometown in Takéo on 24 July 2016, with an estimated 2 million participants. It is the highest funeral turnout in history for a non-royal and non-government figure. He was laid to rest the following day on 25 July.