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.
-
Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an order suspending the sending of Cambodian migrant workers to Malaysia following reports of numerous abuses of labor rights and human rights.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an order suspending the sending of Cambodian migrant workers to Malaysia following reports of numerous abuses of labor rights and human rights.
-
Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an order suspending the sending of Cambodian migrant workers to Malaysia following reports of numerous abuses of labor rights and human rights.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an order suspending the sending of Cambodian migrant workers to Malaysia following reports of numerous abuses of labor rights and human rights.
-
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (“STT”), a Cambodian NGO which works with urban poor communities on land and housing rights, saw its activities suspended until 31 December 2011 after receiving a letter issued by the Ministry of Interior dated 2 August 2011.
Land rights and forced evictions
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (“STT”), a Cambodian NGO which works with urban poor communities on land and housing rights, saw its activities suspended until 31 December 2011 after receiving a letter issued by the Ministry of Interior dated 2 August 2011.
-
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (“STT”), a Cambodian NGO which works with urban poor communities on land and housing rights, saw its activities suspended until 31 December 2011 after receiving a letter issued by the Ministry of Interior dated 2 August 2011.
Land rights and forced evictions
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (“STT”), a Cambodian NGO which works with urban poor communities on land and housing rights, saw its activities suspended until 31 December 2011 after receiving a letter issued by the Ministry of Interior dated 2 August 2011.
-
Venerable Luon Sovath was banned from all pagodas in Phnom Penh by Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Non Nget on the grounds that his actions in defense of communities threatened by land evictions had “caused villagers to think badly about Buddhism.”
Physical threats and judicial threats against journalists and/or human rights defenders
Venerable Luon Sovath was banned from all pagodas in Phnom Penh by Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Non Nget on the grounds that his actions in defense of communities threatened by land evictions had “caused villagers to think badly about Buddhism.”
-
Venerable Luon Sovath was banned from all pagodas in Phnom Penh by Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Non Nget on the grounds that his actions in defense of communities threatened by land evictions had “caused villagers to think badly about Buddhism.”
Physical threats and judicial threats against journalists and/or human rights defenders
Venerable Luon Sovath was banned from all pagodas in Phnom Penh by Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Non Nget on the grounds that his actions in defense of communities threatened by land evictions had “caused villagers to think badly about Buddhism.”
-
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was entry into force after Cambodia ratified 13 October 2010.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was entry into force after Cambodia ratified 13 October 2010.
-
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was entry into force after Cambodia ratified 13 October 2010.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was entry into force after Cambodia ratified 13 October 2010.
-
A year after its enactment, the Penal Code 2009 came into effect. The new penal code included several concerning laws with potential harmful implications for human rights.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
A year after its enactment, the Penal Code 2009 came into effect. The new penal code included several concerning laws with potential harmful implications for human rights.
-
A year after its enactment, the Penal Code 2009 came into effect. The new penal code included several concerning laws with potential harmful implications for human rights.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
A year after its enactment, the Penal Code 2009 came into effect. The new penal code included several concerning laws with potential harmful implications for human rights.
-
Leang Sokchouen, a staff of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (“LICADHO”) was arbitrarily arrested for allegedly distributing leaflets which contained critical references to the government's relationship with Vietnam.
Convictions of human rights defenders
Leang Sokchouen, a staff of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (“LICADHO”) was arbitrarily arrested for allegedly distributing leaflets which contained critical references to the government's relationship with Vietnam.
-
Leang Sokchouen, a staff of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (“LICADHO”) was arbitrarily arrested for allegedly distributing leaflets which contained critical references to the government's relationship with Vietnam.
Convictions of human rights defenders
Leang Sokchouen, a staff of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (“LICADHO”) was arbitrarily arrested for allegedly distributing leaflets which contained critical references to the government's relationship with Vietnam.
-
-
-
-
-
The new Penal Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia was promulgated following its enactment by National Assembly.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
The new Penal Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia was promulgated following its enactment by National Assembly.
-
The new Penal Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia was promulgated following its enactment by National Assembly.
Introduction of news laws, amendments to existing laws and establishment of major institutions related to human rights
The new Penal Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia was promulgated following its enactment by National Assembly.
-
A small community known as Group 78, which had lived in the riverside area of Phnom Penh since 1983, were finally evicted by dozens of armed police officers after a 3-year campaign to resist eviction.
Land rights and forced evictions
A small community known as Group 78, which had lived in the riverside area of Phnom Penh since 1983, were finally evicted by dozens of armed police officers after a 3-year campaign to resist eviction.
-
A small community known as Group 78, which had lived in the riverside area of Phnom Penh since 1983, were finally evicted by dozens of armed police officers after a 3-year campaign to resist eviction.
Land rights and forced evictions
A small community known as Group 78, which had lived in the riverside area of Phnom Penh since 1983, were finally evicted by dozens of armed police officers after a 3-year campaign to resist eviction.