Sam Rainsy

File:Sam Rainsy protest.jpg

Sam Rainsy was born in Phnom Penh on 10 March 1949. He moved to France in 1965, studied there and then worked as an investment manager and executive director in a variety of Parisian financial companies.Brown, Zasloff (1998), p. 240 He became a member of the Funcinpec Party, and after returning to Cambodia in 1992 was elected a member of parliament for Siem Reap Province the following year. He became Minister of Finance, but was expelled from the party after losing a vote of no-confidence in 1994. In 1995, he founded the Khmer Nation Party (KNP), which changed its name before the 1998 elections to the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) to avoid registration issues. In the 2003 elections, it polled 22% of the vote.

At that time, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh said it was "deeply concerned" that the government appeared to be trying to "silence the opposition". Other embassies, local and international organizations shared the same concerns. Sam was tried in absentia on 22 December 2005 in relation to the defamation lawsuits. The court sentenced him to 18 months in prison and ordered him to pay around US$14,000 in fines and compensation. On 5 February 2006, Rainsy received a Royal Pardon by Norodom Sihamoni at Hun Sen's request. He then returned to Cambodia on 10 February 2006.

In April 2008, Rainsy accused Cambodia's then foreign minister Hor Namhong of having served under the Khmer Rouge{{Cite web|url=https://www.voacambodia.com/a/a-40-2008-04-18-voa3-90166337/1358155.html|title=FM To Sue Sam Rainsy for Khmer Rouge Remarks|website=VOA|date=18 April 2008 }} as director of the Beoung Trabek prison, where torture and murder was carried out. Hor Namhong responded by suing Rainsy for defamation and this was upheld by Cambodia's courts, but Hor Namhong's case was rejected in April 2011{{Cite web|url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichJuriJudi.do?oldAction=rechExpJuriJudi&idTexte=JURITEXT000024047974&fastReqId=381754607&fastPos=1|title=Cour de cassation, criminelle, Chambre criminelle, 27 avril 2011, 10-83.771, Publié au bulletin | Legifrance}} by France's Cour de Cassation.

Following Rainsy's announcement on 7 July 2013,{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/arrest-07082013153234.html|title=Cambodian Authorities Say They'll Arrest Sam Rainsy If He Returns|website=Radio Free Asia}} that he would return to Cambodia for the national legislative elections, he was pardoned for the "defamation" of Hor Namhong by King Norodom Sihamoni at the request of Hun Sen and returned to Cambodia on 19 July 2013.

On 22 July 2014, the Cambodian political crisis ongoing since 2013 was officially ended in a deal reached between the CPP and CNRP. The opposition also agreed to accept their seats in parliament, thus ending the longest political deadlock in Cambodian history. The CNRP was also given leadership roles in parliament, with Kem Sokha as the first vice president of the National Assembly and other politicians chairing 5 of the 10 parliamentary commissions.{{cite news|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/political-deadlock-broken |title=Political deadlock broken |newspaper=The Phnom Penh Post |date=22 July 2014 |accessdate=31 August 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.voacambodia.com/content/cambodian-opposition-gets-parliamentary-commission-roles/2428418.html |title=Cambodian Opposition Gets Parliamentary Commission Roles |publisher=Voice of America |first=Robert |last=Carmichael |date=26 August 2014 |accessdate=31 August 2014}} Rainsy proposed the National Assembly to formally recognize an official opposition and pushed for a full shadow cabinet. Such changes would allow him to debate directly with Hun Sen, similar to the Westminster system.{{cite web|url=http://phnompenhpost.com/national/leadership-elections-set |title=Leadership elections set |work=The Phnom Penh Post |first=Kevin |last=Ponniah |date=26 August 2014 |accessdate=26 August 2014}}

On 13 November 2015, the royal pardon that had been given to Rainsy in 2013 over the "defamation" of Hor Namhong was withdrawn.{{cite news|url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-sam-rainsy-100293|title=Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Sam Rainsy|work=The Cambodia Daily|date=13 November 2015|accessdate=14 November 2015}} Three days later, he was unanimously removed from the National Assembly by the Cambodian People's Party while facing several charges. Sam Rainsy stood by his original claims{{Cite web|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rainsy-stands-namhong-accusation|title=Rainsy stands by Namhong accusation}} that Hor Namhong had been responsible for prison deaths under the Khmer Rouge. On 1 December 2015, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court summoned Sam Rainsy in absentia to clarify a statement he posted to his Facebook account following a defamation complaint by parliamentary president Heng Samrin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/summons-12022015180642.html|title=Cambodian Court Summons Sam Rainsy in New Defamation Case|website=Radio Free Asia}} Less than two weeks earlier, the same court had issued another summons for Sam Rainsy to appear for questioning over his alleged involvement in using a fake map to resolve a border dispute with Vietnam.[http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/771728/sam-rainsy-faces-more-charges Sam Rainsy faces more charges] bangkokpost.com {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}

On 11 February 2017, Rainsy resigned as President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party following a proposed amendment by Hun Sen barring convicted criminals from leading a political party. His resignation was accepted by his party on 12 February.{{cite news |url=http://www.rfa.org/khmer/news/politics/opposition-party-accepted-Sam-Rainsy-resigned-02122017042007.html |title=គណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិយល់ព្រមឲ្យលោកសមរង្ស៊ីលាលែងពីគណបក្ស |work=Radio Free Asia |publisher=RFA Khmer |language=Khmer |date=12 February 2017 |accessdate=12 February 2017}} His successor as leader, Kem Sokha, was arrested{{Cite web|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/sokha-arrested-treason-accused-colluding-us-topple-government|title = Sokha arrested for 'treason', is accused of colluding with US to topple the government}} on 3 September 2017, and, as of March 2018, remains in prison without trial. Sam Rainsy responded by creating the Cambodia National Rescue Movement (CNRM), which seeks to increase international pressure on the Hun Sen regime. The US said in February 2018 that it was suspending or curtailing programs{{Cite web|url=http://politi.co/2FAiCkB|title=Trump administration says it's cutting aid to Cambodia over democracy rollbacks|first=Elizabeth|last=Castillo|website=POLITICO|date=27 February 2018 }} that support the Cambodian military, local government authorities and a major taxation body. Germany in February 2018 suspended visas for Cambodian government members{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-politics-germany-idUSKCN1G60CI|title=Germany suspends visas for Cambodian government members over crackdown|newspaper=Reuters|date=February 22, 2018|via=www.reuters.com|last1=Thul|first1=Prak Chan}} in light of the crackdown on the opposition. In the same month, the EU said it was considering targeted measures{{cite web|url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/32957/st06416-en18.pdf|title=Outcome of proceedings|website=consilium.europa.eu|access-date=13 September 2023}} against the Hun Sen regime.

In March 2018, Kem Sokha's period of detention without trial was extended for six months,{{Cite web|url=https://www.voacambodia.com/a/court-extends-pre-trail-detention-of-jailed-opposition-leader/4283122.html|title=Court Extends Pre-Trial Detention of Jailed Opposition Leader|website=VOA|date=7 March 2018 }} meaning that he will be in prison when the country's national parliamentary elections scheduled for July 2018 takes place. In the same month, Hun Sen rejected a proposal from Sam Rainsy{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/cambodian-leader-rejects-call-talks-opposition|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126192157/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/cambodian-leader-rejects-call-talks-opposition|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 26, 2020|title=Cambodian Leader Rejects Call for Talks from Opposition|website=Voice of America}} for talks on a way of ending the crisis.

In August 2019, Rainsy announced his intention to return to Cambodia on Independence Day on 9 November. The government confirmed that they would arrest him should he return on that date.{{Cite web|url=https://www.voacambodia.com/a/hun-sen-vows-to-arrest-sam-rainsy-if-he-returns-or-step-down-as-pm/5063611.html/|title=Hun Sen Vows to Arrest Sam Rainsy if He Returns, or Step Down As PM|first=Khemara|last=Sok|publisher=Voice of America|date=31 August 2019|accessdate=31 August 2019}} The Cambodian government responded by threatening any airline that transported him to Cambodia with "serious consequences". The government of Thailand, from where he planned to travel to Cambodia by land, also denied him entry at the request of Cambodia. Rainsy was denied boarding on a Thai Airways flight from Paris to Bangkok, from where he planned to travel to Cambodia, on 7 November, despite having a valid ticket. He said he will find another way to return to his country.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam Rainsy advocated the introduction of immunity passports based on tests for antibodies as a way to restart the international economy.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-12|title=Opinion {{!}} Immunity Passports: A proposal to revive tourism, international trade and transport|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/opinion/105720/immunity-passports-a-proposal-to-revive-tourism-international-trade-and-transport-and-the-world-economy/|access-date=2020-12-06|website=The Brussels Times|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-03-27|title=How to Prevent COVID-19 From Paralysing the World's Economy|url=https://thegeopolitics.com/how-to-prevent-covid-19-from-paralysing-the-worlds-economy/|access-date=2020-12-06|website=The Geopolitics|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Rainsy|first=Sam|date=2020-04-08|title=International Immunity Passports Can Help Restore Freedom of Movement|url=https://thegeopolitics.com/international-immunity-passports-can-help-restore-freedom-of-movement/|access-date=2020-12-06|website=The Geopolitics|language=en-US}}

In October 2020, Rainsy and the CNRP denounced China's military expansionism which involved agreement to establish military bases in Cambodia following the demolition of a US-built facility at the Ream Naval Base.[https://web.archive.org/web/20201004133608/https://fr.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cambodia-military/cambodia-demolished-u-s-built-facility-on-naval-base-researchers-idUSKBN26N39O Reuters]{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/secret-deal-for-chinese-naval-outpost-in-cambodia-raises-u-s-fears-of-beijings-ambitions-11563732482|title=Deal for Naval Outpost in Cambodia Furthers China's Quest for Military Network|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=22 July 2019}}{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/520708567985881/3505980546125320 |archive-date = 2022-04-30| url = https://www.facebook.com/rainsy.sam.5/posts/3505980546125320 |title = Sam Rainsy on Facebook |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Cambodia-naval-base-set-to-undergo-China-led-expansion |newspaper=Nikkei Asian Review |date=October 3, 2020 |first1=Shaun |last1=Turton |first2=Mech |last2=Dara |title=Cambodia naval base set to undergo China-led expansion |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006064133/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Cambodia-naval-base-set-to-undergo-China-led-expansion |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=October 10, 2020 |url-status=live }}

File:Conciliation - Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy in April 2015.jpg

File:Sam Rainsy with John McCain.jpg meet with then U.S. senator John McCain]]

Sam Rainsy's father, Sam Sary, had served as a minister in the education, planning and finance portfolios before becoming a Deputy Prime Minister in Sihanouk's government in the 1950s. Sam Rainsy's mother, In Em, was said to be the first Cambodian woman to have completed the Baccalauréat exam. Sam Sary fled the country in 1959 when Sam Rainsy was ten for suspected involvement in the Bangkok Plot, while his mother was thrown into prison. Sam Rainsy's grandfather, Sam Nhean had served as the President of the Royal Council of Cambodia and was a prominent member of the Democratic Party in the 1940s.

Sam Rainsy is married to Tioulong Saumura (since 1971), who is also member of parliament for his current party, and has three children: Patrice Sam, Muriel Sam and Rachel Sam. Tioulong Samura's father, Nhiek Tioulong, was a military general who founded the Khmer Renovation party and briefly served as Prime Minister in 1962. His mother-in-law, former First Lady Measketh Samphotre, died in November 2016, aged 96, but neither was able to attend the latter's funeral at Wat Svay Pope.{{cite news |url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/rainsy-asks-enter-country-funeral-visit-121077 |title=Rainsy Asks to Enter Country for Funeral Visit |publisher=The Cambodia Daily |date=26 November 2016 |accessdate=26 November 2016}} Both Sam Rainsy and his wife claim to have Chinese ancestry, the former having revealed that one of his great-great grandfathers was a Chinese immigrant,[https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003440/http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=Mjk3NDJiOTY4MDdhMDE1NzY1NjEzMWJkNzcxYWJm Sam Rainsy urges Cambodia to support China's claims to South China Sea], 24 January 2012, The Cambodia Herald.com[https://web.archive.org/web/20120415002049/http://www.samrainsyparty.org/en/2012/01/21/english-message-de-voeux-du-president-sam-rainsy-a-tous-les-cambodgiens-de-descendance-chinoise-a-loccasion-du-nouvel-an-chinois/ MESSAGE DE VŒUX DU PRESIDENT SAM RAINSY A TOUS LES CAMBODGIENS DE DESCENDANCE CHINOISE A L’OCCASION DU NOUVEL AN CHINOIS], 21 January 2012, Official website of Sam Rainsy party (retrieved 7 June 2012) while Nhiek Tioulong revealed that he had a Chinese grandfather during a dialogue session with Zhou Enlai in 1954.Bulletin: Inside China's Cold War – Document No. 79, Minutes of Conversation between Zhou Enlai and Cambodian Foreign Minister Tep Phan (Summary), 20 July 1954 Rainsy maintains a home in Paris' 15th arrondissement.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/rainsy.sam.5/photos/a.2671081112948605/2671974589525924/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/520708567985881/2671974589525924 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Sam Rainsy's passeport.|website=facebook.com|date=6 November 2019|accessdate=6 November 2019}}{{cbignore}}

• Economics (Institut d'études politiques de Paris){{cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/fd/cvs_speakers_en_/cvs_speakers_en_fr.pdf|title=Curriculum Vitae of Sam Rainsy|publisher=European Parliament|accessdate=12 March 2021}}
• Business Administration (Master of Business Administration from INSEAD - Fontainebleau - France) - 1980.
• Accounting (Diplôme d'études comptables supérieures issued by the French Ministry of Education) - 1979.
• Economics (Maîtrise + Diplôme d'études supérieures des Sciences économiques de la Faculté de droit et des sciences économiques de Paris - Panthéon-Assas) - 1973.
• Political Science (Diplôme de l'Institut d'études politiques de Paris) - 1971.

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Cite book |title=We Didn't Start the Fire: My Struggle for Democracy in Cambodia |publisher=Silkworm Books |place=Chiang Mai |year=2013}}

• Brown, MacAlister Brown; Zasloff, Joseph Jermiah; Cambodia Confounds the Peacemakers, 1979-1998, Cornell University Press, 1998, {{ISBN|0801435366}}

• [http://www.nationalrescueparty.org Cambodia National Rescue Party]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050209105125/http://www.samrainsyparty.org/ Sam Rainsy Party homepage]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/138764.stm BBC profile of Rainsy]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4231771.stm BBC: "Cambodia opposition calls on king"]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4235951.stm BBC: "Sam Rainsy appeal on Cambodia"]
• [http://domindo.asia/ A web interactive documentary on CNRP and Rainsy exile during 2013 General Elections ]
• [http://rainsysam.com/ http://rainsysam.com/ Site grouping Sam Rainsy writings in Khmer and English created in 2017]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sam, Rainsy}}

Category:1949 births

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