About Samady

 Born and raised in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Samady Ou was profoundly influenced by the experience of growing up under a dictatorship. After studying law and management in the United States, he became a champion of Cambodian democracy, leading student protests and contributing to an underground newspaper. 

As youth president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party America and youth vice chairman of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, Samady has played a significant role in raising global awareness about Cambodia’s challenges. Despite personal risks, he continues to mentor young activists and remains a passionate advocate for democracy worldwide. This has been recognised by the Human Rights Foundation, who made him a 2024-2025 Freedom Fellow. 

In his work as Youth Ambassador for the Khmer Movement for Democracy (KMD), Samady works with a wide range of groups to help the international fight for Cambodian democracy. Collaborating with youth groups across South Korea, Japan, and America, he has helped organise training sessions to educate the diaspora on their civic rights, as well as hold protests to highlight ongoing issues and push for change. He also meets with policymakers across the US and Southeast Asia to champion bills such as the Cambodian Democracy and Human Rights Act (S.2331) in the US. 

 Languages: English, Khmer