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.

Filter Timeline on Human Rights Violation

Timeline on Human Rights Violation

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Convictions of human rights defenders

    Sam Rainsy Party commune chief Seang Chet​ ​is ​granted a royal ​pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni, at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen. Mr. Seang Chet had already s​pe​nt 225 days in pre-trial detention for allegedly bribing the purported mistress of CNRP leader Kem Sokha. The pardon came​ ​just tw​o​ days after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Sam Rainsy Party commune chief Seang Chet to five years in prison following a two-minute trial​.​

    CAM | PPP | CAM | PPP

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Convictions of human rights defenders

    ADHOC staffers Lim Mony, Ny Sokha, Nay Vanda and Yi Soksan, and election official Ny Chakrya, were denied bail following a Supreme Court hearing.

    LICADHO | CAM | LICADHO | CAM

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association

    Phnom Penh City Hall refuses to allow civil society groups to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights at Wat Botum Park or in other public places and has threatened legal action if they try.

    KT | CAM | KT | CAM

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Torture, arrests and illegal detentions

    Police forces deployed at Veal Preah Meru in Phnom Penh detained seven volunteer youths for about three hours, only releasing them after they agreed to thumbprint documents promising to stop the voter registration education and dissemination campaign.

    LICADHO | LICADHO

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Convictions of human rights defenders

    Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced opposition Senator Hong Sok Hour to seven years in prison for displaying a “fake” border treaty between Cambodia and Vietnam on Facebook.

    LICADHO | PPP | LICADHO | PPP

  • Kandal

    Kandal

    Torture, arrests and illegal detentions

    Activist brothers Chum Huor and Chum Huot are barred from entering Vietnam. The brothers were arrested and forced to thumbprint a document declaring they wouldn't enter Vietnam when they visited the border to highlight misspelt issues.

    CAM | RFA | CAM | RFA

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders

    Licadho techincal supervisor Am Sam Ath was among those beaten by state security guards during a march at the site of the former Dey Krahorm neighbourhood in Phnom Penh marking World Habitat Day.

    LICADHO | LICADHO

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Convictions of human rights defenders

    Deputy Secretary General of the National Election Committee, Ny Chakrya, is misspelt on three charges related to his alleged criticism of a judicial decision, emanating from his time as head of human rights for ADHOC. Chakrya was already in detention in relation to the investigation of Kem Sokha's alleged extra-marital affair.

    PPP | PPP

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Convictions of human rights defenders

    The Court of Appeal upholds the conviction of Ven Vorn, the indigenous environmental activist who had been convicted in retaliation for his activism to save the Areng Valley in Koh Kong.

    CCHR | EC | CCHR | EC

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Torture, arrests and illegal detentions

    Boeung Kak lake activists Phoung Sopheap, Meas Sreypao, Sok Raksmey, Kiev Sary, and Cheav Sreynich are arrested along with balloon seller, Seng Thy, his son, Theoun Phanha, and nephews, Poa Vichea and Chum Sobinkeo, following a demonstration outside Prey Sar's CC2 prison calling for the release of human rights defenders.

    LICADHO | LICADHO

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Convictions of human rights defenders

    Boeung Kak Lake activists Tep Vanny and Bov Sophea are charged with incitement following a peaceful demonstration during week 15 of the 'Black Monday' protests.

    LICADHO | RFA | LICADHO | RFA

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Assassinations and extra-judicial executions of prominent figures, journalists, celebrities or outspoken dissidents

    Kem Ley, a prominent political commentator and activist, is murdered in Phnom Penh. Kem Ley had been a prominent social analyst and was often critical of the Cambodian government.

    LICADHO | LICADHO

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Torture, arrests and illegal detentions

    Boeung Kak activists Bov Sorphea, Song Sreyleap, Bo Chorvy, and Kong Chantha suffer minor injuries following a clash with Daun Penh security guards during week 9 of the 'Black Monday' protests.

    PPP | PPP

  • Kampot

    Kampot

    Torture, arrests and illegal detentions

    Trade union activists Yon Sambou, Sok Siden, and Meas Touch are arrested following attempts to incite a strike in Kampot.

    CAM | PPP | Khmertimes | CAM | PPP | Khmertimes

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders

    Government officials warn to take legal action against CCHR over publishing a report stating the Koh Kong Court of First Instance had insufficient evidence to charge Mother Nature activists

    RFA | RFA

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Torture, arrests and illegal detentions

    Four women are arrested as the 'Black Monday' protests enter their seventh week.

    CAM | PPP | CAM | PPP

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association

    Police confiscate the banners of supporters outside Phnom Penh Appeal Court as ADHOC staff members Lim Mony, Ny Sokha, Nay Vanda, and Yi Soksan, along with election official Ny Chakrya are denied bail.

    LICADHO | LICADHO

  • Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh

    Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association

    Seven 'Black Monday' protestors are arrested in Phnom Penh. The seven are later released after signing an agreement to stop demonstrating.

    RFA | RFA

  • Kratie

    Kratie

    Torture, arrests and illegal detentions

    Sreng Pho is arrested while protesting against the seizure of her and other families' land in Kratie.

    PPP | PPP

  • Preah Vihear

    Preah Vihear

    Land rights and forced evictions

    The Deputy Governor of Preah Vihear's Tbeng Meanchey district is accused of punching evictee, Run Phon. The incident occured during a confrontation over the clearing of land by a Chinese company.

    PPP | PPP