The timeline below offers a visual representation of some of the key human rights violations and restrictions which have occurred in the Kingdom of Cambodia from 2013-2023, and follows our previous timeline covering 1993-2012 which can still be accessed here. The incidents recorded on the timeline from 2013-2023 represent human rights violations by the Royal Government of Cambodia as well as third parties, cover a wide range of issues including extrajudicial killings, convictions of human rights defenders, land grabs, forced evictions, restrictions of the rights to peaceful assembly, association and expression, torture, arrests, arbitrary detention and legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights. The information is gathered from the Khmer and English media, CCHR’s own Fundamental Freedoms Monitoring Project, and from the commentary and analysis of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on these issues. Each entry is accompanied by a short description and provides links to media articles reporting on the event or to the work of CSOs active in the field. It should not be forgotten that the cases included in the timeline are those that have garnered the attention of the media or CSOs, and are as such particularly emblematic or high-profile. The timeline is therefore only representative of a small fraction of the actual number of human rights violations occurring in Cambodia.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Mr. Kak Komphear, a former CNRP member and chief of the Phnom Penh executive branch of the CNRP was arrested on 31 May 2020. It is believed that the arrest was for a warrant related to a 2019 incitement conviction. In 2019, he was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment in absentia, alongside three other CNRP members – Kong Mas, Ho Vann and Sam Rainsy. His family report they are unaware of what the arrest was for, and do not know where he was taken by authorities. Local deputy police chief Naim Sophon confirmed that Mr. Komphear had been arrested, but stated he did not know the reason for the arrest.
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Ratanakiri
Land rights and forced evictions
A Vietnamese agribusiness company, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (“HAGL”) conducted sweeping land clearances and destroyed indigenous land in Ratanakkiri province. The majority of this land was cleared while the indigenous communities took shelter to protect themselves against the spread of COVID-19. In doing so, the company allegedly destroyed spirit mountains, wetlands, traditional hunting areas and burial grounds. The company originally promised to return indigenous sacred land in a 2015 mediation agreement, though this has not happened, and the company was aware of its importance to local communities.
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Kampong Speu
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Two employees of the JACKA shoe factory, Ms. Chorn Samphors and Srey Mom, were fired after they participated in union activity. Ms. Chorn Samphors has asked the Ministry of Labor or other relevant institutions to intervene in her case. She said that she had been working at the factory for nearly six years and the factory did not give any reasons for the dismissal. The pair had joined a protest for demanding the employer to better conditions for workers, including wages. Ms. Samphors had also stood for union representative during the month of March, when the COVID-19 pandemic started affecting factories.
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Battambang
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Six people were detained by the Battambang provincial police for peacefully protesting microfinance payments outside a Microfinance institution. The group, ‘the Khmer Thavrak Group’, which included environmental activist Hun Vannak, was holding the protest to call on institutions to suspend loan repayments to help individuals facing COVID-19 related financial hardship. The police reportedly attempted to get the group to thumbprint contracts swearing they would not protest again, however the group refused, stating they had nothing wrong. They were later released after several hours.
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Kampong Chhnang
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Kampong Chhnang Rithysen radio station owner and journalist Sok Oudom was arrested on 13 May 2020 by authorities after reporting on a local land dispute. Oudom was charged on 15 May 2020 by the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court with "incitement to commit a felony" under Article 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code. Oudom regularly reported on longstanding land disputes between local farming communities and powerful district officials. The Ministry of Information also revoked the media licenses for Oudom’s radio frequency and website, which were subsequently shut down.
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Phnom Penh
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
CNRP activist Ieng Marina (also known as Srey Meas) was repeatedly hit in the head and threatened by an unknown assailant on 11 May 2020. Srey Meas believes that the attack was politically motivated, and may be related to Facebook videos she posted criticizing the countries leadership, stating she had received online harassment from both civilians, the police and military. She reports being afraid to file a case to the police, fearing they would arrest her for being critical of the government.
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
On 29 April 2020, the Law on the Management of the Nation in a State of Emergency was promulgated by Acting Head of State Samdech Say Chhum, despite serious concerns over its impact upon human rights. The law, drafted in the context of COVID-19, outlines the procedure for a declaration of a state of emergency and provides the government extensive powers to govern the country in such a situation. The legislation has been criticized by domestic and international rights groups, as well as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, for giving the government sweeping powers to restrict human rights, including freedom of movement, expression, association and assembly.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Information cancelled the media license for online newspaper CKV TV, claiming that the owner, Chan Rithy, was publishing misleading information and had violated codes of ethics. The Ministry stated it had issued two directives to the media outlet about it publishing unprofessional content. Chan Rithy, owner of CKV TV, said he had received the two instructions, however said he had asked the Minister for a chance to continue operations, as he was only showing factual information.Executive Director of the Coalition of Cambodian Journalists (Cambodia) Nop Vy says the Ministry of Information should not revoke the license of an online newspaper. This is because that journalists only violate the ethics of journalism.
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Preah Vihear
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
A commemoration of the eighth anniversary of the death of environmental activist Chut Wutty in Prey Lang Forest was banned by provincial authorities in Preah Vihear province. Chut Wutty’s son and more than thirty environmental activists tried to enter Prey Lang forest to pay homage to Chut Wutty. However, provincial authorities blocked the group, advising they were not allowed to gather due to COVID-19, and threatened to take legal action.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Thai Sreyneang (also known as Ven Rachna) was convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on charges of “pornography” and “indecent exposure” under Articles 38 and 39 of the Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation under Article 249 of the Cambodian Criminal Code. The Court sentenced Sreyneang to six months imprisonment, but suspended the remainder of her sentence, considering the time spent in pre-trial detention. Sreyneang was arrested in February for her Facebook posts selling lingerie, two days after Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a speech that online vendors must stop wearing revealing clothing to sell their products.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Interior announced the temporary 90-day suspension of activities of Cambodia Wildlife Forest Fisheries Protection and Conservation Organization due to its failure to comply with the provisions of the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations ("LANGO"). Specifically, the Ministry alleged the organization did not adhere to Article 10, which mandates all organizations must provide operational bank accounts to the Ministries of Interior and Finance within 30 days from the date of registration, and Article 25, requiring organizations to submit a copy of its activity report and annual financial report no later than the end of February the following year.
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Prey Veng
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Police arrested Sok Chenda, a former senior member of CNRP on 20 April 2020 in Kram village, Prey Veng province. According to Chenda's wife, the police arrested him and took him to an undisclosed location in Phnom Penh without an arrest warrant. The authorities charged him with “incitement to commit felony” and, on 22 April 2020, placed him in pre-trial detention at Prey Sar prison. The basis for his arrest is unclear, as some authorities claimed it was in relation to outstanding debt to a Microfinance institution, however a national police spokesman stated it was over a Facebook post.
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Kampong Thom
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Kampong Thom Provincial Court charged and detained Lekh Seangly after he posted on Facebook criticising the Prime Minister’s decision to cancel Khmer New Year celebrations and restrict inter-provincial travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seangly was charged with “incitement to commit a felony” under Article 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code, and if convicted, could face up to two years imprisonment with a fine between $250 and $1,000. He has been sent to prison by the investigating judge to await trial.
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training issued directions to employers to report any workers who take leave during the postponed Khmer New Year public holiday. The employer must provide a list of the names of workers who take leave during this period to the authorities, in violation of the right to privacy.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Sovann Rithy, director of the online news outlet TVFB, was arrested for quoting Prime Minister Hun Sen on a Facebook post. The Prime Minister had stated in a speech to motorbike taxi drivers that if COVID-19 bankrupts them, they should consider selling their motorbike for money as the government does not have the ability to help. He was arrested on charges of “incitement to commit a felony” under Article 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code, which carries a potential sentence of six months to two years’ imprisonment and/or fines between $250 and $1000. The TVFB media license was subsequently terminated and the TVFB websites were blocked by the Ministry of Information.
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Kampong Speu
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
On 31 March, garment worker and union representative Soy Sros posted the factory plans of Superl Holdings to ignore government guidance regarding COVID-19 and dismiss factory workers. The company on 1 April told its workers they would keep their jobs. The following day, Sros was arrested and detained. The company filed criminal charges claiming she had incited social unrest, defamed the factory and spread ‘fake news’, and the Courts additionally charged her with two charges of incitement. After spending 55 days in pre-trial detention, Sros was released on 28 May as the company dropped the charges, however the court charges are still outstanding.
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Phnom Penh
Acts of Discrimination
A group of 32 women who were found guilty of human trafficking in 2018 in Cambodia's first trial of surrogate mothers, were sentenced on 30 March 2020 and given suspended jail terms with an order to raise their children. The 32 women were arrested while pregnant in 2018 and, in the absence of laws covering surrogacy, were charged under human trafficking laws. The spokesman said the sentences among the convicted ranged from three to 16 years imprisonment. The surrogates had their sentences suspended and were ordered to "raise the children well" or be sent to prison. A proposed Bill covering surrogacy is stuck in draft stage, leaving the 32 women and at least 14 more arrested since then to face charges under human trafficking laws that carry jail terms up to 20 years.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Mr. Am Sam Ath from the human rights organization LICDAHO stated on Radio Free Asia that over 24 people have been arrested by the authorities for expressing their opinions about the novel coronavirus on Facebook, and that this in turn made people fear reporting the truth. Prime Minister Hun Sen, during a press conference at the National Assembly, responded by saying: “Am Sam Ath of LICADHO, you must be careful with what you say. [The statement] was not freedom of expression.” Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened Mr. Sam Ath with arrest for being complicit to illegal acts in Cambodia.
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Kampong Chhnang
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Authorities detained Mr. Keo Thai, a member of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) and a former CNRP member, for offering online English classes. Mr. Keo Thai is currently a high school teacher in Kampong Chhnang province and was arrested after offering online classes after schools had been ordered to close temporarily to prevent COVID-19 infections. The Ministry’s annoucement said: “Teaching extra classes is banned in the period of fighting against COVID-19 infections. The Ministry will take action against offenders.”
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Phnom Penh
Acts of Discrimination
Amid the corona virus outbreak, a number of Muslim Cambodians tested postive for COVID-19, and as a result have recieved increased discrimination from the Cambodian community. Individuals from the community would not interact with or sell products to Muslim Cambodians, out of fear of contracting the virus. Muslim Cambodians are now calling for non-discrimination against the Khmer Muslim community.