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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Phnom Penh
Physical or judicial harassment or threats against journalists HRDs or opposition members
On 31 May 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Candlelight Party Vice-President Thach Setha to 18 months in prison and a 5M riel fine for issuing fake checks in 2019.
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Battambang province
Physical or judicial harassment or threats against journalists HRDs or opposition members
On 13 May, authorities detained Khmer Will Party member Phou Sovantha on defamation and incitement charges following a complaint by ex-CP official Dim Saroeun, who defected to the ruling CPP. Sovantha was seemingly sent to pre-trial detention.
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Phnom Penh
Physical or judicial harassment or threats against journalists HRDs or opposition members
On 9 May 2024, authorities arrested Nation Power Party leader Sun Chanthy at the Phnom Penh International Airport upon his arrival from Japan. He had previously criticized the 2023 general election in a Facebook video dated 7 May 2024, saying it had been conducted "without freedom and justice." Chanthy was charged with inciting social disorder and sent to pre-trial detention on 9 May.
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Kampong Cham province
Physical or judicial harassment or threats against journalists HRDs or opposition members
On 9 May 2024, authorities arrested and temporarily detained CP members and commune officials Dum Khun and Sim Sam On, before releasing them on 10 May. No explanation was provided. The CP said the move constituted a threat aimed at eliminating legitimate political activities.
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Phnom Penh
Convictions of HRDs
On 7 May 2024, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced in abstentia Cambodian Tourism and Service Workers’ Federation leader Morm Rithy to 18 months in prison for incitement and discrediting a judicial decision over comments he made on social media in February 2022. He was subsequently arrested and placed in Prey Sar prison.
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Phnom Penh
Convictions of HRDs
On 3 May 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of LRSU leader Chhim Sithar and seven other union activists over their involvement in peaceful strikes to demand a solution to a labour dispute with NagaWorld.
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Kampong Cham
Physical or judicial harassment or threats against journalists HRDs or opposition members
On 27 April 2024, police arrested CP official Kong Thareth, a second deputy chief for Veal Vong commune, at his home and brought him to the Kampong Cham Provincial Court for questioning. No reason was given for the arrest. According to the CP, authorities had arrested 12 CP activists in 2024 as of that date.
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Battambang
Violence against activists
On 10 April 2024, six unidentified attackers severely beat San Bunchhay, a Cambodian-Australian opposition supporter known for criticizing Cambodia’s government on social media. The attack left him with a bleeding head and bruises over his entire body, forcing him to seek treatment at a nearby hospital.
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Phnom Penh
Physical or judicial harassment or threats against journalists HRDs or opposition members
On 5 April 2024, Khmer Student Intelligent League Association Koet Saray was arrested in Phnom Penh and charged with “committing a misdemeanour after sentencing for a misdemeanour” and “incitement to commit a felony” under Articles 88, 494, and 495 of the Criminal Code over comments he made on a land dispute in Preah Vihear province. He was sent to pre-trial detention on 7 April 2024.
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Preah Vihear
Land rights and forced evictions
At least 30 residents of Srayong Commune in Kulen district have been charged under Article 259 of the Land Law for allegedly illegally occupying state land. The suspects are currently in pre-trial detention at Preah Vihear provincial prison, and face fines of 5-50 million real and jail terms of 1 to 5 years if found guilty. The arrests come after a large clash between authorities and residents amidst an ongoing oland dispute since the state handed land concessions to a company in an area where over 130 families live.
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Mondulkiri
Land rights and forced evictions
On 04-Mar-24, teh Mondulkiri Provincial Court questioned 4 villagers from the Romnea commune and an ADHOC official after land brokers filed a complaint against them for submitting evidence of deforestation and land encroachment by the plantiffs. The villagers, who were accused of defamation and incitement, are dependent on the land for sustenance.
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Preah Vihear
Land rights and forced evictions
On 06 Mar 2024, Helmet-wearing police officers in Cambodia’s northern Preah Vihear province used tear gas and fired their guns in the air to disperse about 130 people who tried to stop the destruction of homes amid a land dispute with a large land concession company. 20 villagers were arrested and houses were burned down along areas Seila Damex Co. Ltd.claim are on concession land, which they plan to develop into a rubber plantation. This would affect about 300 families.
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Siem Reap
Land rights and forced evictions
On 29 Feb 2024, the Battambang Appeal Court quesitoned three villagers from the Angkor Wat area after the Apsara National Authority had accused them of incitment last year for allegedly posting a notice on the removal of illegal structures in Ampil commune’s Bakorng village.
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Phnom Penh
Land rights and forced evictions
On 27 Feb 2024, three people were injured in a clash between 40 Boeung Tamok residents and 50 district authorities after the residents atempted to stop the officers from digging the ground on which houses and market stalls stood. An ambulance was not allowed in despite the injuries incurred by community members. Prek Pnov district governor Thim Sam An said the “project would not stop until it is complete”
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Phnom Penh
Land rights and forced evictions
On 25 Feb 2024, district authorities ordered CSO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut to immediatley remove a photography exhbition they had set up outside a restaurant. There was no reason given for the orders, however the exhibition focused on the experiences of poor urban communities and themes of land insecurity.
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Phnom Penh
Violations of Free and Fair Elections Principles
On 20 Feb 2024, the National Election Committee banned opposotion activist Mr Rong Chhun, senior advisor to the National Power Party, from campaigning ahead of senate elections becuase of his 2021 criminal conviction stemming from his criticism of the government. Mr Chhun is a former member of the Candlelight Party, however joined the National Power Party after the Candlelight party were ruled ineligible from participating in the 2023 general elections.
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Kampong Speu
Restrictions on freedom of expression assembly or association
On 14 Feb 2024, Chea Chan, recently elected union leader at Wing Star Shoes factory, was charged with "conspiracy to commit theft" for an incident which allegedly took place two years ago. Authorities allegedly carried out the arrest without evidence or summons. The Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions state that the factory sught to limit union activity and fabricating charges in order to imprison Mr Chan.
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Preah Vihear
Land rights and forced evictions
On 15 Feb 2024, four indigenous Kuy residents from the M’lou Prey II commune recieved court summons for questioning after obstruciting development activity by a company on the land which the community lives and cultivates on. The Preah Vihear Provincial Court labelled the event, in which three villagers were injured after clashing with company workers, as "inciting people to illegaly occupy state land".
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Preah Vihear
Land rights and forced evictions
On 11 Feb 2024, Kuy indigenous community representative Pean Sophat stated M’lou Prey II villagers came together to stop three tractors from plowing the area which the villagers had cultivated for many years. Three villagers were injured in clashes which commenced between tractor the operators and residents after the gathering.
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Ratanakiri
Physical or judicial harassment or threats against journalists HRDs or opposition members
On 07 Feb 2024, the Ratanakiri Provincial Court convicted environmental activist Mr Chhorn Phalla on defamation, insult and incitement charges. Mr Phalla was sentened to 1 year in prison and was handed a $2500 fine. He is an outspoken environmental activist who has advocated for the monitoring of deforestation. The court did not provide details on the alleged crimes.
