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 a nine-year-old girl was raped by a man in Kampong Speu province, the commune chief mediated between the perpetrator and the victim’s family to ensure that the family would withdraw the complaint in return for a monetary compensation of US$425.
Convictions of human rights defenders
After a nine-year-old girl was raped by a man in Kampong Speu province, the commune chief mediated between the perpetrator and the victim’s family to ensure that the family would withdraw the complaint in return for a monetary compensation of US$425.
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After a nine-year-old girl was raped by a man in Kampong Speu province, the commune chief mediated between the perpetrator and the victim’s family to ensure that the family would withdraw the complaint in return for a monetary compensation of US$425.
Convictions of human rights defenders
After a nine-year-old girl was raped by a man in Kampong Speu province, the commune chief mediated between the perpetrator and the victim’s family to ensure that the family would withdraw the complaint in return for a monetary compensation of US$425.
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At least two people were killed by government security forces or their agents, and at least eleven known disappearances of other people in conjunction with demonstrations in Phnom Penh.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
At least two people were killed by government security forces or their agents, and at least eleven known disappearances of other people in conjunction with demonstrations in Phnom Penh.
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At least two people were killed by government security forces or their agents, and at least eleven known disappearances of other people in conjunction with demonstrations in Phnom Penh.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
At least two people were killed by government security forces or their agents, and at least eleven known disappearances of other people in conjunction with demonstrations in Phnom Penh.
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Vorn Meak was killed by police outside his village in Kampong Cham province following his arrest earlier in the day. The arresting officer accused him of being a FUNCINPEC party member and of having been involved in an armed robbery.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Vorn Meak was killed by police outside his village in Kampong Cham province following his arrest earlier in the day. The arresting officer accused him of being a FUNCINPEC party member and of having been involved in an armed robbery.
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Vorn Meak was killed by police outside his village in Kampong Cham province following his arrest earlier in the day. The arresting officer accused him of being a FUNCINPEC party member and of having been involved in an armed robbery.
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Vorn Meak was killed by police outside his village in Kampong Cham province following his arrest earlier in the day. The arresting officer accused him of being a FUNCINPEC party member and of having been involved in an armed robbery.
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Human rights workers, both international and Cambodian, were harassed by government security officials while attempting to monitor post-election government demonstrations or assist the wounded.
Restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association
Human rights workers, both international and Cambodian, were harassed by government security officials while attempting to monitor post-election government demonstrations or assist the wounded.
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The Ministry of Information suspended Moneaksekar Khmer, a pro-Sam Rainsy Party newspaper for 30 days for its publication of an article critical of King Sihanouk.
Restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association
The Ministry of Information suspended Moneaksekar Khmer, a pro-Sam Rainsy Party newspaper for 30 days for its publication of an article critical of King Sihanouk.
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Human rights workers, both international and Cambodian, were harassed by government security officials while attempting to monitor post-election government demonstrations or assist the wounded.
Restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association
Human rights workers, both international and Cambodian, were harassed by government security officials while attempting to monitor post-election government demonstrations or assist the wounded.
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The Ministry of Information suspended Moneaksekar Khmer, a pro-Sam Rainsy Party newspaper for 30 days for its publication of an article critical of King Sihanouk.
Restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association
The Ministry of Information suspended Moneaksekar Khmer, a pro-Sam Rainsy Party newspaper for 30 days for its publication of an article critical of King Sihanouk.
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A girl in Sihanouk ville was raped by the son of a high-ranking official. The family of the victim decided not to file a complaint after being threatened and offered money in return for keeping silent.
Physical threats and judicial threats against journalists and/or human rights defenders
A girl in Sihanouk ville was raped by the son of a high-ranking official. The family of the victim decided not to file a complaint after being threatened and offered money in return for keeping silent.
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A girl in Sihanouk ville was raped by the son of a high-ranking official. The family of the victim decided not to file a complaint after being threatened and offered money in return for keeping silent.
Physical threats and judicial threats against journalists and/or human rights defenders
A girl in Sihanouk ville was raped by the son of a high-ranking official. The family of the victim decided not to file a complaint after being threatened and offered money in return for keeping silent.
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Sar Chan Rithy was killed in Siem Reap when a propelled grenade aimed at a Hun Sen motorcade detonated in his family's house. The motorcade was traveling to the opening of the National Assembly.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Sar Chan Rithy was killed in Siem Reap when a propelled grenade aimed at a Hun Sen motorcade detonated in his family's house. The motorcade was traveling to the opening of the National Assembly.
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Sar Chan Rithy was killed in Siem Reap when a propelled grenade aimed at a Hun Sen motorcade detonated in his family's house. The motorcade was traveling to the opening of the National Assembly.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Sar Chan Rithy was killed in Siem Reap when a propelled grenade aimed at a Hun Sen motorcade detonated in his family's house. The motorcade was traveling to the opening of the National Assembly.
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Chun Samnang was shot and killed in Phnom Penh, apparently by security personnel during a political demonstration.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Chun Samnang was shot and killed in Phnom Penh, apparently by security personnel during a political demonstration.
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Chun Samnang was shot and killed in Phnom Penh, apparently by security personnel during a political demonstration.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Chun Samnang was shot and killed in Phnom Penh, apparently by security personnel during a political demonstration.
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Chem Pich was killed by gunfire in front of the Cambodian a Hotel where he had gone to participate in a demonstration. He reportedly also was beaten by a person using a rifle butt. He died on the way to a hospital.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Chem Pich was killed by gunfire in front of the Cambodian a Hotel where he had gone to participate in a demonstration. He reportedly also was beaten by a person using a rifle butt. He died on the way to a hospital.
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Chem Pich was killed by gunfire in front of the Cambodian a Hotel where he had gone to participate in a demonstration. He reportedly also was beaten by a person using a rifle butt. He died on the way to a hospital.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Chem Pich was killed by gunfire in front of the Cambodian a Hotel where he had gone to participate in a demonstration. He reportedly also was beaten by a person using a rifle butt. He died on the way to a hospital.
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Sieng Sean, a driver for the Kyodo News Agency, was killed outside the Ministry of Interior in Phnom Penh by a hand grenade during a protest against alleged election fraud; the protest was led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy inside the Ministry compound.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Sieng Sean, a driver for the Kyodo News Agency, was killed outside the Ministry of Interior in Phnom Penh by a hand grenade during a protest against alleged election fraud; the protest was led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy inside the Ministry compound.
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Sieng Sean, a driver for the Kyodo News Agency, was killed outside the Ministry of Interior in Phnom Penh by a hand grenade during a protest against alleged election fraud; the protest was led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy inside the Ministry compound.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Sieng Sean, a driver for the Kyodo News Agency, was killed outside the Ministry of Interior in Phnom Penh by a hand grenade during a protest against alleged election fraud; the protest was led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy inside the Ministry compound.