Kem Sokha, the outspoken rights advocate and head of the newly minted Human Rights Party, is on a short tour of the US .
Kem Sokha planned to travel to the states of California, Minnesota and Washington, among others, meeting Cambodians and congressmen to build support for the party, he told VOA Khmer from Philadelphia, Pa.
He began the party following the commune council elections in April, aiming to take seats in the National Assembly after the 2008 national elections.
Kem Sokha was jailed last year for defamation. His incarceration sparked a groundswell of support and eventually led to the repeal of a controversial law.
Kem Sokha will be a guest on "Hello VOA" on May 14 before returning to Cambodia.