By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia

 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been urged to place conditions on the outcome of an upcoming visit to Cambodia, making the country’s human rights record a “loud and clear” central theme in talks with the premier and foreign minister Tuesday.

According to an announcement made by the U.S. State Department on Jan. 15, Kerry’s visit is "to discuss the upcoming special US-ASEAN summit in Sunnylands, California and seek ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and the growing bilateral economic relationship.”

In an open letter published Sunday, the day before Kerry’s arrival, the heads of five local and international human rights groups said the diplomat should “make any strengthening of bilateral relations with Cambodia contingent on the government’s significant progress in the promotion of democratic reforms and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

They cited “judicial harassment” of opposition activists and members — including the detention or imprisonment of 17 people and attack on two MPs last year — as a key cause for concern.

The rights groups argued in the letter that “repression, human rights abuses, and impunity in Cambodia must stop,” and that “economic relations will grow stronger and last only if the Cambodian government takes immediate steps to uphold democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.”

The U.S. government also frequently partakes in training exercises with Cambodian forces.

The rights groups said they “respectfully ask you [Kerry] that you take all necessary action to ensure that the US government discontinue any military trainings and assistance to Cambodia’s abusive armed forces.”

In separate visits, U.S. President Barack Obama raised the issue of human rights with Prime Minister Hun Sen, while his wife, Michelle Obama, urged Cambodians to speak up in defense of their rights and freedoms when she came last year.

The letter comes three days after Sam Serey, exiled founder of the outlawed Khmer National Liberation Front also called upon Kerry to raise the issue of its members who have been detained or imprisoned because of their affiliation to the group.