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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After being arrested by military policemen in Battambang province, a 29-year-old man who had been accused of kidnapping was tortured while being blindfolded and punched in the stomach about 40 times, to force him to answer the policemen’s questions.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
After being arrested by military policemen in Battambang province, a 29-year-old man who had been accused of kidnapping was tortured while being blindfolded and punched in the stomach about 40 times, to force him to answer the policemen’s questions.
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A 14-year-old boy, accused of an accomplice in a robbery, was allegedly shocked with an electric baton three or four times by Phnom Penh municipal police. Police tortured him until he confessed.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
A 14-year-old boy, accused of an accomplice in a robbery, was allegedly shocked with an electric baton three or four times by Phnom Penh municipal police. Police tortured him until he confessed.
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Military police opened fire on villagers who were protesting land grabs, shooting and injuring two and beating numerous others with bamboo poles and rifle butts in Prey Veng province.
Land rights and forced evictions
Military police opened fire on villagers who were protesting land grabs, shooting and injuring two and beating numerous others with bamboo poles and rifle butts in Prey Veng province.
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Military police opened fire on villagers who were protesting land grabs, shooting and injuring two and beating numerous others with bamboo poles and rifle butts in Prey Veng province.
Land rights and forced evictions
Military police opened fire on villagers who were protesting land grabs, shooting and injuring two and beating numerous others with bamboo poles and rifle butts in Prey Veng province.
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The 1993 Constitution was amended for the second time, to incorporate the newly created Senate
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
The 1993 Constitution was amended for the second time, to incorporate the newly created Senate
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The 1993 Constitution was amended for the second time, to incorporate the newly created Senate
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
The 1993 Constitution was amended for the second time, to incorporate the newly created Senate
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A karaoke signer was shot dead at a café in Phnom Penh by a police officer after she refused to have sex with him. The police officer was never brought to justice.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
A karaoke signer was shot dead at a café in Phnom Penh by a police officer after she refused to have sex with him. The police officer was never brought to justice.
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A karaoke signer was shot dead at a café in Phnom Penh by a police officer after she refused to have sex with him. The police officer was never brought to justice.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
A karaoke signer was shot dead at a café in Phnom Penh by a police officer after she refused to have sex with him. The police officer was never brought to justice.
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A 17-year-old boy suspected of complicity in robbery was taken to Daun Penh district police station in Phnom Penh. Police forced him to sign a confession after being handcuffed and beaten with a wooden stick on his back many times.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
A 17-year-old boy suspected of complicity in robbery was taken to Daun Penh district police station in Phnom Penh. Police forced him to sign a confession after being handcuffed and beaten with a wooden stick on his back many times.
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Two LICADHO staff members were arrested, charged and detained for one month after monitoring demonstrations in Sihanouk ville against toxic waste dumping.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Two LICADHO staff members were arrested, charged and detained for one month after monitoring demonstrations in Sihanouk ville against toxic waste dumping.
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A 17-year-old boy suspected of complicity in robbery was taken to Daun Penh district police station in Phnom Penh. Police forced him to sign a confession after being handcuffed and beaten with a wooden stick on his back many times.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
A 17-year-old boy suspected of complicity in robbery was taken to Daun Penh district police station in Phnom Penh. Police forced him to sign a confession after being handcuffed and beaten with a wooden stick on his back many times.
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Two LICADHO staff members were arrested, charged and detained for one month after monitoring demonstrations in Sihanouk ville against toxic waste dumping.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Two LICADHO staff members were arrested, charged and detained for one month after monitoring demonstrations in Sihanouk ville against toxic waste dumping.
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After Former Khmer Rouge Standing Committee members Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea defected from the Khmer Rouge, the two men were given VIP treatment by Hun Sen and allowed to retire in the town of Pailin without being brought to trial.
Convictions of human rights defenders
After Former Khmer Rouge Standing Committee members Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea defected from the Khmer Rouge, the two men were given VIP treatment by Hun Sen and allowed to retire in the town of Pailin without being brought to trial.
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After Former Khmer Rouge Standing Committee members Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea defected from the Khmer Rouge, the two men were given VIP treatment by Hun Sen and allowed to retire in the town of Pailin without being brought to trial.
Convictions of human rights defenders
After Former Khmer Rouge Standing Committee members Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea defected from the Khmer Rouge, the two men were given VIP treatment by Hun Sen and allowed to retire in the town of Pailin without being brought to trial.
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Pourng Tong, an ADHOC activist, was killed in Kandal province. His death was most likely related to a long-standing land dispute case: the victim was representing 14 families who were pursuing a court case against a stone grinding company.
Land rights and forced evictions
Pourng Tong, an ADHOC activist, was killed in Kandal province. His death was most likely related to a long-standing land dispute case: the victim was representing 14 families who were pursuing a court case against a stone grinding company.
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Pourng Tong, an ADHOC activist, was killed in Kandal province. His death was most likely related to a long-standing land dispute case: the victim was representing 14 families who were pursuing a court case against a stone grinding company.
Land rights and forced evictions
Pourng Tong, an ADHOC activist, was killed in Kandal province. His death was most likely related to a long-standing land dispute case: the victim was representing 14 families who were pursuing a court case against a stone grinding company.
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A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.
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A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.
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A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.
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A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
A 38-year-old woman was arrested for breach of trust, beaten, kicked and given electric shocks by a female police officer in Phnom Penh’s 7 January district. The victim was told she either had to sign a confession or pay US$500 for her release.