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.
-
Mondulkiri
Land rights and forced evictions
Cadastral officials engaged in a land grab when they issued land titles or deeds of more than 2,000 acres of farmland and forest land to wealthy individuals and subsequently encroached on land owned by Indigenous Pnong people. Over 300 Indigenous Pnong families in Mondulkiri Province have been protesting since 22 September 2023 at Dak Dam Commune Hall, where they are demanding a resolution to this issue.
-
Kandal
Land rights and forced evictions
On 27 August 2023, local landowners in Kandal Stung involved in a land dispute over the new Phnom Penh Airport development observed machines clearing land that belonged to them, while attempting to enter the land, the families were blocked by the company guard and suddenly the district governor requested the families to meet on 29 instead by phone call. On 29 August, there were 130 families out of 414 families gathered at the Kandal Steung district hall seeking land dispute resolutions. The affected families were brought for discussion with the authority, and the district governor guaranteed to address the issue and requested the family’s time to further assessment of the disputed lands, without informing them of the outcome date.
-
Siem Reap
Land rights and forced evictions
Environmental officials and about 100 soldiers armed with assault rifles uprooted and confiscated around 500 mango trees planted by Chup Saom community members on disputed land in Svay Loeu district. Soldiers reportedly punched a community member in the face as he was filming the incident, bruising him.
-
Battambang
Land rights and forced evictions
Five community representatives and activists were detained in pre-trial detention by the Battambang provincial court for allegedly encroaching on state-owned private land leased to the Rath Sambath company in Samlot district’s Ta Tork commune. Following their arrest, approximately 100 residents of Ou Tatiek village, the site of the land dispute, gathered outside the court to demand the release of their representatives.
-
Andong Meas district, Ratanakiri
Land rights and forced evictions
Gun-toting workers acting on behalf of a rubber firm have continued clearing the farmland of a Jarai community in Ratanakiri province’s Andong Meas district. Village residents report that they have faced the clearing of their farmlands from the 7 Makara Phary company, which claims to have the rights to the land through a state-granted economic land concession it received more than a decade ago. This has been an ongoing conflict and villagers have reported being forced to sell their land to the company for less than one quarter of market prices.
-
Mondulkiri
Land rights and forced evictions
On 4 June three Bunong indigenous family members were arrested without a warrant by Mondulkiri provincial police over a land dispute in Chamkar Te Village, Spean Thmor Commune and were sent to the Mondulkiri provincial court for questioning on 6 June. The 12-hectare piece of land includes a plantation and burial grounds of the Bunong ethnic group, which they have protected since 1979. However, disputes have arose between the Bunong indigenous family and the person holding the land title.
-
Ratanakiri
Restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association
The Ratanakiri Provincial Court charged and detained three senior officials from the Coalition of Cambodian Farmers Community Association (CCFA). They were charged with incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code for allegedly leading a farmer's revolution when conducting a CCFC network farmer's training on 'Farmers’ Techniques and Agricultural Products Strategy'.
-
Prek Snong village, Phnom Penh
Land rights and forced evictions
A woman who built a house which encroached on National Road 21 has been ordered to take it down immediately. The order came from Mr. Jere Kim Hay, Governor of Saang District. However, no progress has been made in the dismantling, and the Governor confirmed that if the resident still refused to move out, he would take immediate action.
-
Kandal
Land rights and forced evictions
Families facing eviction to make way for a $1.5 billion airport under construction in Kandal province continue to contest the compensation being offered by developers. The company has so far offered $8 per square meter for impacted farmland and provide families with 10 months to move to a relocation site being developed three kilometers away.
-
Oddar Meanchay
Land rights and forced evictions
Oddar Meanchey provincial military police reportedly raided Trapaing Prasat commune, arresting 19 people, severely injuring at least one village, and burning several houses. The villagers said that a week before the raid, the military and local police had ordered them to leave the area and threatened to dismantle their homes if they disagreed. Trapaing Prasat residents have been embroiled in a land dispute with Sok Samnang Development since 2012 when the company was granted more than 1800 hectares of land in the area. The land dispute escalated in 2021 when the families were prevented from farming in the area. Since then, multiple clashes between residents and the authorities have occurred, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of several villagers in September and November 2022.
-
Koh Kong Provincial Court dropped the case of forestry activist and founder of Natural Resource Protection Group, Chut Wutty due to the death of perpetrator, In Rattana.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Koh Kong Provincial Court dropped the case of forestry activist and founder of Natural Resource Protection Group, Chut Wutty due to the death of perpetrator, In Rattana.
-
Koh Kong Provincial Court dropped the case of forestry activist and founder of Natural Resource Protection Group, Chut Wutty due to the death of perpetrator, In Rattana.
Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents
Koh Kong Provincial Court dropped the case of forestry activist and founder of Natural Resource Protection Group, Chut Wutty due to the death of perpetrator, In Rattana.
-
It was reported that the Royal Government of Cambodia was drafting the first ever “Cyber Law”, a move designed to prevent “ill-willed groups or individuals” from spreading false information.
Restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association
It was reported that the Royal Government of Cambodia was drafting the first ever “Cyber Law”, a move designed to prevent “ill-willed groups or individuals” from spreading false information.
-
It was reported that the Royal Government of Cambodia was drafting the first ever “Cyber Law”, a move designed to prevent “ill-willed groups or individuals” from spreading false information.
Restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association
It was reported that the Royal Government of Cambodia was drafting the first ever “Cyber Law”, a move designed to prevent “ill-willed groups or individuals” from spreading false information.
-
Thirteen Boeung Kak women representatives were arrested during a protest against forced evictionsin Boeung Kak Lake, where Shukaku Inc. was granted an Economic Land Concession.
Land rights and forced evictions
Thirteen Boeung Kak women representatives were arrested during a protest against forced evictionsin Boeung Kak Lake, where Shukaku Inc. was granted an Economic Land Concession.
-
Thirteen Boeung Kak women representatives were arrested during a protest against forced evictionsin Boeung Kak Lake, where Shukaku Inc. was granted an Economic Land Concession.
Land rights and forced evictions
Thirteen Boeung Kak women representatives were arrested during a protest against forced evictionsin Boeung Kak Lake, where Shukaku Inc. was granted an Economic Land Concession.
-
Chan Samnang, a nine-month-old boy, died of diarrhea and fever after his family was forcibly evicted from Borei Keila to a relocation site outside the city.
Land rights and forced evictions
Chan Samnang, a nine-month-old boy, died of diarrhea and fever after his family was forcibly evicted from Borei Keila to a relocation site outside the city.
-
Chan Samnang, a nine-month-old boy, died of diarrhea and fever after his family was forcibly evicted from Borei Keila to a relocation site outside the city.
Land rights and forced evictions
Chan Samnang, a nine-month-old boy, died of diarrhea and fever after his family was forcibly evicted from Borei Keila to a relocation site outside the city.
-
Chea Dara,a Boeung Kak Lake resident, committed suicide by jumping from a bridge in Phnom Penh after being her family was excluded from the resettlement deal made between the Boeung Kak Lake community and Shukaku Inc. on 11 August 2011.
Land rights and forced evictions
Chea Dara,a Boeung Kak Lake resident, committed suicide by jumping from a bridge in Phnom Penh after being her family was excluded from the resettlement deal made between the Boeung Kak Lake community and Shukaku Inc. on 11 August 2011.
-
Chea Dara,a Boeung Kak Lake resident, committed suicide by jumping from a bridge in Phnom Penh after being her family was excluded from the resettlement deal made between the Boeung Kak Lake community and Shukaku Inc. on 11 August 2011.
Land rights and forced evictions
Chea Dara,a Boeung Kak Lake resident, committed suicide by jumping from a bridge in Phnom Penh after being her family was excluded from the resettlement deal made between the Boeung Kak Lake community and Shukaku Inc. on 11 August 2011.