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
200 indigenous Pnong families accuse a wealthy and powerful man, Touch Hoeun, of clearing and encroaching on community forest land in Potreng Village, San Dam Commune, Oreang District. The land is tied to the communities' identity, economy and cultural traditions. It is used as a wildlife sanctuary, for rotating plantations, cattle ranches, and cultural ceremonies.
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Information revoked the media licenses of Youth Techo newspaper and of the Stung Chral Post's website for “spreading misinformation, polluting society and causing chaos” but did not elaborate to the specifics that lead to the decision.
-
Pailin
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Khem Monykosal was dismissed from his position in Pailin's Provincial Health Department for violating his professional code of ethics. His dismissal comes after he made a critical Facebook post about the Provincial Office's treatment of doctors dealing with COVID-19 patients. Reports indicate proper disciplinary processes were not undertaken when Khem Monykosal was terminated as the Pailin provincial administration allege his comments were made with the intention to cause chaos, inflate false information and cause national unrest.
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Six youth activists, including the president of the Women’s Association for Society, were detained and held overnight for collecting thumbprints in Stung Meanchey district for a petition seeking COVID-19 relief from the Government such as a three-month waiver of water and electricity payments, a promise by the RGC to keep gas prices low, a pause on Microfinance payments and a reduction in rent prices. They were forced to sign an admission of guilt. The Ministry of Information claimed they should have gotten a permit to campaign for the petition.
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Mao Sophal, a truck diver, was arrested in Prek Pnov district by the Phnom Penh Municipal police for posting TikTok videos criticizing and insulting government leaders.
-
Kampong Chhnang/Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Truck driver To Channy was arrested in Kampong Chhnang and brought to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on incitement charges for making TikTok videos in which he told workers not to get vaccinated because it could be life-threatening. Authorities considered this amounted to disseminating false information about COVID-19 vaccination. On 25 March, To Channy became the first person charged under the new COVID law. He was accused of obstructing the competent authorities in implementing measures to prevent COVID-19, under Article 11 of the Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and other Deadly and Serious Infectious Diseases. If convicted, he faces six months to three years in prison with a $500-$2,500 fine.
FreshNew | VOD | KhmerTimes | RFA
-
Banteay Meanchey
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Var Porseng was arrested for making a Facebook post in which he claimed that many people have died of COVID-19 in Dong Aranh village in Poipet City. He was interrogated and accused of incitement under Article 495 of the Criminal Code.
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Information revoked the news media license of Pheng Vannak for "affecting Buddhism" after the publisher criticized a video showing corporal punishment perpetuated by a chief monk in Siem Reap against three younger monks. On 23 March, a lawsuit was filed against Pheng Vannak by the Siem Reap Provincial Hall for incitement to discriminate, incitement through the print media, insult of public civil servants and insult of a Buddhist monk, nuns and laymen, under Articles 496, 497, 50 and 516 of the Criminal Code.
VOA | VOA | Khmertimes | Khmertimes
-
-
Kampot
Land rights and forced evictions
A clash between residents from Trapeang Phleang commune and security guards from Duke So Nguon's company took place after the company installed machinery to demolish land demarcation, affecting land and crops from three villages. By 15 March, the company had deployed more than 100 security forces armed with batons, sticks, knives and rubber trunks to defend what it claims to be its land. The commune council said the company cut off the road, cleared crops and huts. Security forces injured five residents in the clash and one security member of the company was arrested in the altercation. The land dispute is based on a 2005 concession by the government to the company and a 2020 re-seizure of some of the land by about 300 families.
-
Preah Vihear
Land rights and forced evictions
Model Company Co. Ltd. (aka Delcom Cambodia) and Kim Atonement Group Co. Ltd (aka Kim Gia Thuan Group) continue to encroach on villagers' land in Phnom Long to expand their gold mining business. Community representative, Puy Chheng, reported the company recently erected border posts further encroaching on the farmland of Svay Damnak villagers. He also reported that 140 people were summoned by district authorities and threatened not to protest.
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Information revoked the media license for San Prum News and Cambodia Facebook Journalist Association while also removing the owner of the sites, Prum San, from his post as a Ministry of Information advisor. On March 11, Prum posted an article about the first COVID-19 death with an inaccurate photo, which was of a white-cloth-covered golf set which he mistook for the deceased. Prum reports he realized the mistake after 10 minutes and took the photo down but it had already spread by that point. Human rights groups criticized the Ministry's rush to revoke the license, pointing that a correction could have been a more proportionate option to avoid the suppression of free press.
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Thorn Kimsan, a former CNRP commune council member in Kampong Cham, was arrested for statements made on Facebook alleging that the Chinese-supplied Sinopharm vaccine had caused people to die in Cambodia. She was charged with incitement to cause social unrest and misunderstanding under articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code. It is reported the authorities did not tell her why she was being arrests and no warrant was shown at the time she was arrested by plainclothes officers.
-
Siem Reap
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The publisher of the Khmer Empire newspaper, Pran Sean, was assaulted by two men as he slept outside the Beng Mealea temple in Svay Leu district in a roadside hammock. Pran suspects the attack was premeditated by a group angry with his reporting on illegal timber traders in the area. The attack left him with 20 stitches in his head, two broken teeth and an injured nose. Authorities summoned those involved in transportng the timber Pran was reporting on but they were released for lack of findings.
VOD | VOD | Newsroom Cambodia
-
Ratanakkiri
Acts of Discrimination
The body of a pregnant Kreung ethnic minority member, Kvem Mak, was dumped on the side of the road by an ambulance driver after her death at a nearby hospital during childbirth. Her family claims she was given very little attention by the medical team after she showed her IDPoor card which entitled her to free healthcare. Members of the indigenous community at large consider this act an act of discrimination.
RFA | Khmer Times | VOD
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Information revoked the media licenses of a digital news site live-daily.com for allegedly publishing false information related to COVID-19. The site is said to be owned by Mr. Tep Virak. The Ministry of Information alleges the site misrepresented facts and caused chaos and social unrest.
-
Stung Treng
Acts of Discrimination
Stung Treng police officer Sithong Sokha was summoned by the provincial and district police after posting a photo on 2 March of her breastfeeding her child while on duty. The police officials made her sign a contract saying she would stop breastfeeding in public and in uniform “because it affected the honor of the unit and Khmer women.” Cambodian Labor Law guarantees and outlines break schedules explicitly for breastfeeding parents while working. After national and international outcry, an apology and gifts were given by various offices, officials and the public.
CamboJA | Khmernas | Khmertimes | VOA | RFA
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Ten journalists from eight news sites (AP, AFP, VOA, VOD, Reuters, Cambonomis, Thmey Thmey and Camnjonews) report being banned by government officials from attending and reporting on the news conference held by the Prime Minister and his wife at Calmette Hospital. The Coalition of Cambodian Journalists called the blockade against the independent (and often critical) sites discrimination and infringement of the Constitution and the Law on the Press. It was reported that sites that are more favorable to the RGC were admitted, but the list not released. The government claims this was due to COVID-19 precautions.
-
National
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The “Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and other Serious, Dangerous and Contagious Diseases” was signed into law. Effective immediatly, the law allows the government to impose health measures, like masks, social distancing and quarantine. It also allows the government to restrict travel, close off areas and quell business activities on areas with COVID-19. The law’s language is vague and broad. A person caught “deliberately spreading” COVID-19 will face up to 10 years In prison, whereas an “organized group” found doing the same may be sentenced up to 20 years. Business and firm licenses may be suspended. This is the second law proposed to control the spread of COVID-19. Human rights experts are concerned the Law will be utilized to violate rights.
VOA | KhmerTimes | VOA | Camboja | Newsroom Cambodia
-
Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Ministry of Information informed the media and media associations that run journalism trainings that they are now required to cooperate with the Ministry and invite Ministry officials to all journalism training courses. While the Ministry claims this is to elevate the journalism profession, rights groups consider this an infringement on the freedom of the press.