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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Preah Vihear
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Preah Vihear provincial court temporarily detained Panhchakseila (also known as Yeay Men); president of the Democratic Republic Party, and her associate, Chan Pheap, to further investigate claims of “inciting others to encroach on community land and inciting violence.” The police allege that Panhchakseila led a group of villagers to Oddar Meanchey province's Trapaing Prasat District Hall where they threatened police with violence and attempted to grab public land at Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Kampong Cham
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
38 year old Tith Rorn died in his prison cell while in pre-trial detention at Kampong Cham provincial prison. Mr. Rorn's father said he found bruises on the body, a fracture above the victim’s right eye and a broken neck.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of National Defence asked the relevant authorities to take legal action against the “ill-intended” individuals who posted "provocative" content along with photos of military commanders, claiming these actions were illegal and intended to incite soldiers to oppose the government.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Lieutenant Colonel Pheng Vannak was arrested and brought in for questioning by military police following an order from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, after his comment on Facebook regarding the death of slain activist Kem Ley was deemed to constitute “incitement” under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code. The Facebook post read: “Lim Chea Yutha, CEO of Fresh News, and the representative of the leader [Hun Sen] brought $50,000 to give to Dr Kem Ley’s family in order to build a stupa."
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Kampot
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Prime Minister Hun Sen responded to accusations that the recent widespread power outages across the Kingdom were a pretext for the government to build further hydroelectric dams. He said that those who espoused such allegations should have the electricity to their homes cut off and "should be careful not to be killed by lightning.”
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Banteay Meanchey
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Voeun Kim Lon, a one-star military general, was arrested in Banteay Meanchey and accused of using his YouTube channel to disseminate allegedly false information critical of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s leadership. He was charged with inciting soldiers to disobey the prime minister, possessing and transporting weapons without authorisation, and inciting others to commit an offence under articles 471, 490, 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code. He was placed in pre-trial detention.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced that it will not drop charges against former CNRP chief Kem Sokha. Mr. Sokha was arrested in 2017 on charges of treason.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued arrest warrants for eight high-ranking members of the former CNRP, including acting president Sam Rainsy, vice presidents Mu Sochua and Eng Chhai Eang, and former lawmakers Long Ry, Men Sothavarin, Ou Chanrath, Tok Vanchan and Ho Vann. The warrants state they are charged with "plotting and incitement to commit offences committed in Cambodia and other places on January 20, 21, 22, 25, 26 and 27 in accordance with articles 453, 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code."
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Prime Minister Hun Sen filed a lawsuit in the Phnom Penh Municipal Court demanding four billion riel (around USD $1 million) in compensation and requesting that the prosecutor charge former senator Sor Chandeth with "incitement to commit offences" under the the Criminal Code in relation to "insults" spread on Facebook.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Phnom Penh municipal authorities brought in four men staying at the headquarters of the former CNRP in for questioning at a police station in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district. Police officeres claimed that they had hindered officials from carrying out the population census at the building. The four men were released early the next morning.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Royal Government of Cambodia created a unit of ministry spokepersons to counter criticisms of the government made by journalists and the general public. The unit has the duty to manage, coordinate and disseminate information related to the government. It will also be responsible for the collecting, monitoring, investigating and analysing of information and events.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
400 women from various associations, unions and civil society organizations were blocked by Phnom Penh municipal security forces as they attempted to march from the Olympic Stadium to the Council of Ministers in support of International Women's Day and to deliver a joint petition on women's rights. The Phnom Penh Municipal Hall refused to grant permission for the march claiming that it would affect public order and disrupt traffic.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Prime Minister Hun Sen indicated that the opportunity for the 114 remaining officials of the former CNRP officials to seek political rehabilitation may end before or after Khmer New Year in April. He warned those who defied the court ruling and carried out political activities without having been granted rehabilitation would face “handcuffs.”
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Preah Vihear
Land rights and forced evictions
At least five soldiers with assualt rifles from the Cambodian military were deployed to guard a construction company currently in a land dispute with villagers over the construction of a road on the villager's farmland.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith called on media outlets to run corrections to errors made in reporting when requested by ministry officials.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Prime Minister Hun Sen allegedly said, in a leaked audio recording, that the opposition would be "destroyed" if the European Union pulled out of the Everything but Arms Agreement with Cambodia.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Government spokesman Phay Siphan filed a complaint with the Ministry of Interior calling for the immediate arrest of a Facebook user who is alleged to have posted insults aimed at Prime Minister Hun Sen.
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Preah Sihanouk
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Security forces fired live ammunition at protesters in Preah Sihanouk as they protested a Supreme Court decision to award land titles to nine families believed to be politically connected. At least one person was critically injured. Four people were arrested, with one protester repeatedly kicked while handcuffed. The protesters were released after they agreed to end their protests.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers (CUMW); Pav Sina, and six other union members (Sina, Chheng Chhoan, Chheng Sina, Pen Sitho, Huon Bunna, Tuy Suot, and Un Vanduy) were summoned to appear at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 25 January 2019 accused of “public insult and intentionally causing damage” after a protest at Ocean Garment Co in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district on August 13 and 14, 2012 in violation of Articles 307 and 410 of the Criminal Code. The strike was held in response to the factory suspending, at short notice, the workers between May 26 and June 26, 2012, stating that there were no orders from clients.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Interior received a warrant to arrest former CNRP president Sam Rainsy if he enters Cambodia.