PHNOM PENH – The United States has not provided any official notification regarding a draft list of countries facing potential travel bans, which places Cambodia in the ‘yellow’ category, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said, reaffirming Phnom Penh’s commitment to working with Washington. 

Cambodia is also seeking clarification from the U.S. on the draft travel ban.

According to the list published by The New York Times on March 14, Cambodia is among 22 countries in the ‘yellow’ category, meaning they have 60 days to address U.S. concerns over certain deficiencies.

Failure to comply could result in Cambodia being moved to the ‘red’ or ‘orange’ categories, which would impose a total travel ban or visa restrictions on some individuals.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary of State and Spokesperson Chum Sounry stated that Cambodia has not yet received an official notification regarding the draft list. He added that the government is seeking more information on the U.S. State Department’s order, which restricts entry for citizens from 43 countries.

Sounry emphasized Cambodia’s continued cooperation with the United States, particularly in facilitating the repatriation of Cambodian citizens that the U.S. plans to send back.

“In this spirit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Cambodian Embassy in the U.S. have been collaborating with the American side. We have already been addressing this matter step by step, conducting interviews, and issuing travel documents for Cambodian citizens who need to be repatriated,” he said.

LICADHO operations director Am Sam Ath warned that if the U.S. State Department proceeds with the draft, Cambodian citizens could face significant travel challenges, particularly students pursuing education in the U.S. and businesspeople with ties to the country.

With Cambodia given 60 days to address the concerns, Sam Ath views this as an opportunity for the government to review shortcomings, make improvements, and compile necessary documentation to present to U.S. officials.

The decision to place Cambodia on the draft list may be linked to human rights issues, he suggested, urging the government to make improvements in this area.

“We must enhance freedoms and the human rights environment. If Cambodia fully complies with its obligations, it will benefit in return, and the U.S. will no longer have grounds to raise human rights concerns against us,” he said.

The New York Times reported that security specialists and embassy officials at the State Department’s regional bureaus are currently reviewing the proposal. The list is expected to undergo changes before reaching the White House.

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Torn Chanritheara for Cambodianess.