Former Cambodian human rights advocate and now political opposition leader Kem Sokha (pictured) will meet with supporters and interested residents Thursday.
The 59-year-old activist- turned-politician is the leader of the Human Rights Party in Cambodia. Recently, Sokha's party and the opposition Sam Rainsy Party submitted an application to the Ministry of Interior to form a new party called Cambodia National Rescue Party in order to compete in the general election in July next year.
The consolidated party hopes to make inroads against the ruling Cambodia People's Party, which holds majorities in both the Cambodian National Assembly and Senate.

With Rainsy in exile and facing an arrest warrant after he was charged for his involvement with a protest on the Vietnamese border, Sokha becomes the in-country face of the new party.
Between 2002 and 2006, Kem was well-known for his human rights activism and sharp criticism of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
He will meet with Long Beach residents at 6 p.m. Thursday at La Lune Restaurant, 2801 E. Spring St. A $15 donation is requested.
For more information, call Tippana Tith, 562-314-9882.
- Greg Mellen