Opposition calls for US action on visa 'stress'

Monday, 10 August 2009
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

VISA officials at the United States Embassy in Phnom Penh have made life difficult for Cambodian visa applicants, according to a Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker, who has requested an explanation from officials.

In a letter to Ambassador Carol Rodley dated Friday, SRP parliamentarian Son Chhay said many Cambodian visa applicants have endured "humiliation and great stress" at the hands of visa officers, who he claimed have rejected many genuine applications.

"[There have been] numerous complaints about consular officers at the Visa Service Section lacking clear ethical and professional guidelines, resulting in officers abusing their position of power, mishandling applications, treating Cambodians disrespectfully and misjudging what were often genuine applicants, at interviews, for fake applicants," the letter said.

He cited the case of an old woman who three times was denied approval for a visa to travel to the US to visit a daughter scheduled to undergo a serious operation, as well as students who were "shouted at and accused of being liars" when they tried to obtain travel documents.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said he was "not aware" of any concerns relating to the issuing of US visas. The US Embassy had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SEBASTIAN STRANGIO

SRP MP Son Chhay's letter to US Ambassador regarding visa issue

HE. Ms. Carol Rodley
Ambassador of United States
US Embassy, No. 1 Street 96,
Sangkat Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh.

August 7, 2009

Ref: SC4- 029 /09

Dear Excellency,

I am writing this letter to congratulate you on your admirable efforts in helping Cambodia to develop as a strong nation in accordance with democratic principles. I sadly, also must raise some concerns over complaints I received about the performance of consular officers at the Visa Service Section of the Embassy.

There has been for quite some time now, certainly since I was the Chair of Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, numerous complaints about consular officers at the Visa Service Section lacking clear ethical and professional guidelines, resulting in officers abusing their position of power, mishandling applications, treating Cambodians disrespectfully and misjudging what were often genuine applicants, at interviews, for fake applicants. Recent complaints have led me to write this letter to you in the hope that I could find some answers that will enable me to give back to the Cambodian people, confidence in your visa application process and above all the very democratic principles on which we hope to rebuild Cambodia on.

As you are well aware, Cambodians have suffered greatly because of war, the killing fields and foreign invasion, forcing many Cambodians to flee their country. Many resettled in the USA but had to leave behind family members. As a result many Cambodians seek out their loved ones and therefore apply for visas to the USA. Many of these applicants have to endure humiliation and great stress only in many cases to have their genuine applications rejected. I was told about one case of an old lady who was inconsolably distraught after having her application rejected three times for a visa to visit her daughter who was to undergo a serious medical operation. More recently I have heard of a number of students who applied for study visas only to be shouted at and accused of being liars which has left these young people with a negative impression of the USA government as being aggressive and only serving those with money and influence. I myself was recently involved in the case of a mother whom I had tried unsuccessfully to obtain a visa for so that she could attend the funeral of her daughter who died unexpectedly and bring her ashes back to Cambodia, which was again, cruelly rejected.

I believe that your officers are not intentionally behaving with cruel intent but have perhaps become frustrated with the system themselves which deals with fake and genuine applicants alike and that this has caused them to take these additional hard line measures that has perhaps created this misunderstanding. Mr Greg Lawless, the First Secretary at your Embassy, promised to help by arranging a meeting between myself and your consular officers, but I believe it is important to ensure that you also are aware of the issues, and especially, because I have always admired your ability to put things into perspective with your good intentions.

So it is with great regret that I must advise you on this matter. I hope that the Embassy can find a positive resolution to enable Cambodian people to access visa applications without the need for the current heavy-handed approach taken by frustrated consular officers who too often must base their decision on a quick 10 minute interview. The potential to destroy people’s hopes and human needs is too great to risk using such a subjective and flawed process. Please if you could personally make the time to address this issue I would greatly appreciate it.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely

MP Son Chhay
Party Whip of SRP
Former Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee

CC:

• Mr. Greg Lawless
• US States Department