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
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Interior Minister Sar Kheng ordered all officials throughout the country to monitor former CNRP members during Pchum Ben festival.
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Phnom Penh
Land rights and forced evictions
Authorities oversaw the demolition of a building in the Borei Keila distrcit of Phnom Penh which was being used as a makeshift house for families caught in a land dispute. Authorities "invited" members of 12 families to the Prampi Makara district office during the demolition for questioning, while 5 were arrested and taken to Prey Speu prison.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The Kampong Thom Provincial Court charged three members of the former CNRP, Sun Bunthon, Nou Phoeun and Rus Kimsieng, with public insult, defamation, and incitement to commit a felony after pledging to support Sam Rainsy's return to Cambodia over the phone, as well as posting about it on Facebook. The opposition members' attorney stated that authorities secretly listened to the men's phone conversations.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng stated that authorities will take action against any gatherings in support of the former CNRP.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Chan Dara, former member of the CNRP's executive committee, was assaulted by two unidentified men, causing him head injuries. Mr. Dara has already filed charges with the local commune of Teuk Thla commune. He believes the attack was politically motivated. National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khorn claimed the incident was being investigated, however in all other cases involving violence against CNRP members, there have been no arrests made despite promises of investigations.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Authorities sent a court notification to Sam Rainsy 's house in Chak Angre Leu commune to confirm that a case involving Mr. Rainsy would proceed to trial. Mr. Rainsy is charged with insults to a public official and incitement to commit crimes. Another charge is still being investigated.
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Preah Sihanouk
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Sao Ousaphea, environmental and CNRP activist, was ordered by the Preah Sihanouk authorities to sign a contract to agree to end her work as an activist before they released her from detention. Ms. Ousaphea reported that she was arrested without a warrant and authorities questioned her about Facebook posts, including content relating to government officials. Ms. Ousaphea stated that she will continue her work as an activist.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Over 100 Villagers protested in front of the Ministry of Land Management in Phnom Penh after 10 of their representatives were summoned for court questioning in relation to claims of defamation and incitement. The villagers have been in a land dispute with Heng Huy developments in Koh Kong's Sre Ambel district. Chamkarmon security forces pushed and kicked the protesters injurying at least one woman. The Land Ministry claimed that most of the disputes have been resolved, but protesters deny there have been any solutions.
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Preah Sihanouk
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court ordered Sun Sophat, head of the Cambodia Coalition of Farmer Community’s provincial committee, and 22 villagers in Prey Nop district for questioning over a land dispute with Ly Yong Phat and Hong Suon.
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Kampot
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Nuth Pich, former district official for the former CNRP, was arrested while working at his rice farm. It is alleged that the arrest occured without a warrant and Mr. Pich was pushed to the ground during his arrest. Mr Pich had allegedly been organising gatherings of opposition supporters, which authorities claim is illlegal due to the dissolution of the CRNP in 2017.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The Information Ministry warned that it would revoke the licences of print and online media outlets which distribute "fake news" that endanger national security or violate the terms of their licenses.
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The government announced a reduction in the number of public holidays from 28 to 22. International Human Rights Day, International Children’s Day, Paris Peace Agreements Day, Meak Bochea Buddhist Day and the National Day of Remembrance will be among those cancelled.
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Pursat
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Community Legal Education Center were prevented from conducting a training session on land rights, natural resources and access to food security in Pursat province. Police officers banned 34 people from joining the training session because the organization did not obtain prior permission from the commune authority.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Mai Hongsreang, former CNRP activist, was charged with incitement to discriminte and incitement to commit a felony under Articles 296 and 495 of the Criminal code and was placed in pre-trial detention.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Anti-cybercrime Department police arrested a former CNRP activist in Phnom Penh for allegedly insulting government leaders and inciting others to commit a felony under the Criminal Code by altering pictures of government leaders on Facebook.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Phnom Penh Municipal Hall rejected a request by the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) to hold a rally demanding the release of Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy in order to improve Cambodia’s chances of retaining the EU’s "Everything but Arms" agreement and warned of legal action if the association conduct the rally. Permission was refused on the basis that it would interfere with ongoing court processes.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a warning to Long Kimkhorn, a former CNRP official, who allegedly used a Facebook account named “So Samyuth” to post insulting language against the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.
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Rattanakiri
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The Ratanakkiri Provincial Court summoned a senior ADHOC staffer and eight other people to be present for questioning on grounds of “incitement to commit crimes” in Seda commune’s Samut Krom village in Lumphat district on June 22 and 23, 2017, under articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code.
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Preah Sihanouk
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Two journalists were charged with incitement to commit a felony and placed under court supervision by order of the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court after they were arrested alongside five others in connection with a land dispute in Sihanoukville.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged two people with inciting others to commit crimes and placed them in pre-trial detention for their roles in commemorations marking the anniversary of the death of political analyst Kem Ley. Kong Raiya, an activist for the former CNRP, was arrested on 9 July 2019 for selling T-shirts featuring Ley’s photos and quotes. Three of Raiya's family members were also arrested but later released after signing a contract stating they would refrain from any other related activity. Suong Neakpaon, the vice-president of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association, was arrested on 10 July 2019 for attempting to lay a wreath for Ley at the Caltex gas station in which he was killed.