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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Svay Rieng
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
LICADHO provincial coordinator Mr. Nuth Bopinnarath claimed that on the date of Kem Sokha's hearing, a legal training lead by ADHOC at its office in Svay Rieng province had been monitored, photographed and asked for the training context by police.
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Banteay Meanchey
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Three of five land dispute activists who were arrested and tortured for protesting have sued provincial governor Um Reatrey and five other officials for manslaughter and the use of intentional violence against them while they were detained. The villagers were detained after protesting outside the provincial hall in December, representing 150 families in Banteay Meanchey province’s Slakram commune who had their houses destroyed. The victims sustained lung and liver trauma, broken teeth and general injury and are demanding $200,000 in compensation.
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Preah Sihanouk
Land rights and forced evictions
Around 100 residents from Smach Deng village in Ream commune, Prey Nop District had a clash with a group of National Park Rangers, Prey Nodistrict forces and provinicial military police who were demolishing houses, claiming the land they were on is private land owed by the company of Li Singh. The 134 families report they had resided on the land for 20 years. Authorities reportedly threw sticks at the residents, and the residents responded causing a clash between protestors and authorities. 21 residents were arrested by the police, 3 of which were sent to court under charges of "illegally possessing state property".
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Banteay Meanchey
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Tuy Sros and four other villagers from Changha commune in O’Chrov district were detained by provincial military police during a land dispute from 28th - 31st of December, after alleging security forces burned down homes on a disputed plot of land in Slor Kram and Soeng Communes. The detainees were accused of committing violence against a property owner. While in detention on December 31st Mr. Sros was sent to the provincial referral hospital for an unspecified illness and died the next day. The other detainees were questioned and claim that Mr. Sros was heavily beaten and tortured while in custody and was left unconscious.
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The Constitutional Council of Cambodia (CCC) reviewed and approved the draft amendments to 10 articles of the Law on Trade Unions. The amendments have been criticized by local and international civil society organisations who have urged the porvisions of the articles be revisited to ensure they meet international and national human rights standards.
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Sihanoukville
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration denied the request of community members to hold a public forum on International Human Rights Day. The forum was intended to give community members a platform to express concerns over their respective land rights issues, as well as to call on authorities to intervene in land disputes.
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Phnom Penh
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Tep Chansokheya, former elected councilor of O'Russey III commune for the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was beaten unconscious by unknown assailants. Tep Chansokheya, a 51-year-old widow and mother of two, said she had been speaking with another resident of the area near the O'Russey III commune office on Friday morning when she was set upon by two men, who immediately escaped on a motorbike after beating her and knocking her out.
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Mondulkiri
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The Mondulkiri Provincial Court summonsed Sath Chanbuth, journalist for Rasmei Kampuchea Daily and Apsara TV, to appear in court for questioning regarding defamation and incitement accusations after a lawsuit was filed against him by Lieutenant Colonel Sophat Serivuthy. The lawsuit stems from a video Chanbuth posted in which villagers accused Serivuthy of facilitating a land grab.
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Battambang
Convictions of human rights defenders
The Court of Appeals dismissed Rath Mott Mony's appeal, and upheld his two year sentence for working as a translator for the Russian-TV made documentary "My Mother Sold Me" about child prostitution in Cambodia.
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The inter-ministry committee finalised its review of the draft bill on access to information on Friday and plans to submit it to the Council of Ministers in January before it is sent to the National Assembly. Ministry of Information spokesman Phos Sovann told The Post: “We are still working with the Ministry of Justice on the matter of penalties and might send it to the Council of Ministers in January.”
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously approved the draft law on amendments to 10 articles of the Law on Trade Unions without making any changes – a move that some unions said failed to address workers’ concerns.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Foreign Affairs Ministry revoked the passports of 27 former CNRP officials after they fled the country to evade arrest warrants on charges of treason. They are accused of attemtpting to aid in Sam Rainsy's attempted return on 9 November. The Ministry sent notices to embassies stating the passports are no longer vaild.
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Battambang
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Local authorities in Battambang told CNRP members that they could have protection from political persecution if they defected to the CPP, with some reports of authorities using legal threats to try to force CNRP members to switch parties. Some villlagers defected out of fear for their own personal safety.
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Kampong Speu
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Two unionists were fired by textile producing company Monopai. Oeun Chanthy, one of the sacked unionists, stated: "The company wants to deprive workers of their freedom after I helped them protest before... Whenever there were labour issues, I was brave enough to seek answers from the company." Company representatives stated the unionists were fired for bad attitudes and failing to adequately perform their jobs. 95% of workers went on strike in response to the firing.
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Banteay Meanchey
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Two journalists working for Voice of Democracy were detained at a Banteay Meanchey border check point on 9 November while monitoring Sam Rainsy's attempted return. The two were questioned for three hours and had their phones, cameras and computers searched. The journalists were released after questioning.
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Takeo
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Two CNRP activists in Takeo province were arrested after being accused of "conspiracy to overthrow the Phnom Penh regime."
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Supreme Court denied bail for activist Kong Raiya, who was charged with incitement to commit a felony on 9 July for selling t-shirts on Facebook in memory of slain activist Kem Ley over Facebook.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Phnom Penh Municipal Police detained 10 security guards at the CNRP headquarters for supporting Sam Rainsy. The police also seized documents allegedly related to the plot to topple the government. The 10 individuals were identified as: Tim Siev, Tim Someth, Thorn Bunthoeu, Ouk Chanda, Srong, Chuon Sophal, Hok Sam Ang, Nok Oun, Sey Dara and So Dara.
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The Interior Ministry held a meeting to discuss revisions to the Law on Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO). The Ministry said it would "address concerns raised by civil society groups", however no further details were shared on what the revisions would be.
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