First lady Michelle Obama in Cambodia freedom call

Michelle Obama urged Cambodian students to finish their education and speak up to demand greater freedoms and more equality on a landmark visit to a Southeast Asian country that has been ruled by an authoritarian strongman for decades.

The US first lady’s comments did not explicitly criticise Cambodia’s human rights record or its government under prime minister Hun Sen. However, she sent a pointed message, and one that she delivered seated beside Sen’s wife, Bun Rany.

Human rights groups praised the remarks as a rare foray into foreign affairs for a first lady.