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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Kampong Cham
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
San Rotha, a 29-year old man from Kampong Cham, was arrested on his wedding day for having criticized the Cambodian government. He was interrogated for public insult and incitement. He had allegedly called the government “authoritarian” in a video clip posted on Facebook. A spokesperson from the Kampong Cham Provincial Court said Rotha was being interrogated for public insult and incitement.
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Thailand
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Former CNRP supporter, Sam Sokha, who had fled to Thailand after criminal charges were brought against her for posting a video of her throwing a shoe on a CPP billboard, was forcibly returned to Cambodia despite having been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Sam Sokha had been sentenced in absentia to two years imprisonment and fined 5 million Riel back in January 2018. To date, she is serving her sentence in the Kampong Speu prison; she asked for pardon in September 2018.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The National Election Committee (“NEC”) banned political parties from campaigning in certain locations in Phnom Penh, including nine major boulevards and public spaces prior to the upcoming Senate elections. The justification given was public safety and preventing traffic disruption.
Khmer Times | PPP | RFA | PPP | HRW
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Phnom Penh
Convictions of human rights defenders
The Supreme Court upheld a 30-month sentence against land activist Tep Vanny for charges relating to a 2013 protest outside Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house that allegedly turned violent. She was charged with committing aggravated intentional violence for allegedly ordering protesters to attack security guards. Tep Vanny and her lawyers insisted on the lack of evidence underpining the conviction. She has already serviced 1.5 years in prison. She was eventually released, following a royal pardon, on 20 August 2018.
PPP | Licadho | VOA | FLD | Amnesty | Khmer Times | PPP | RFA
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
CNRP Kampong Cham member Ismail Pin Osman was arrested and accused human trafficking for allegedly sending female workers overseas. He was returning from Thailand, where he had fled under pressure from authorities to defect to the ruling CPP. To date, he is held in pre-trial detention.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
PM Hun Sen warned former opposition leader Sam Rainsy not to bring his newly created Cambodia National Rescue Movement (CNRM) to Asia, and called the CNRM a terrorist organization. Hun Sen warned he would work with other governments arrest them if they came to Asia.
Khmer Times | PPP | RFA | VOA | Khmer Times | PPP | WCS
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Borei Keila residents who were protesting outside of the house of Suy Sophan, the owner of the company Phanimax, were told by authorities to stop protesting or they would be arrested. The residents were protesting for compensation after being vacated from their homes due the company's development project in 2012.
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Siem Reap
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Four ex-Cambodian National Rescue Party members have been fired from their teaching jobs in Siem Reap. They were fired for being “absent without permission” since 1 January; they all deny this allegation explaining that they had taken a leave of absence to pursue their political functions. The Ministry of Education alleges that their contracts were terminated because they did not return to work quickly enough after the party’s dissolution. The teachers, Hong Sokchea, Peat Mab, Mut Morla and Chan Sophea, claim that their dismissal is “politically motivated”.
PPP | VOA | PPP | Khmer Times | RFA
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Mondulkiri
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Thul Khna, 24, a Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) officer, Teurn Soknai, 37, an environment ministry ranger, and Sek Wathana, 34, a military police officer, were killed while patrolling in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, Mondulkiri province. Two serving military officers were charged with the premeditated murder and another suspect, also a military officer, has been charged with being an accomplice, in February 2018. To date, no trial has taken place.
VOA | Khmer Times | PPP | WCS | LICADHO | Khmer Times | VOD | PPP
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court found former Funcipec official and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Lu Lay Sreng guilty of defamation over comments made during a private phone conversation. During the call, Lay Sreng allegedly claimed the Prime Minister paid Funcipec party members to take up Cambodia National Rescue Party (“CNRP”) seats in the National Assembly after the dissolution of the CNRP. Lay Sreng was ordered to pay $125,000 in damages to the Prime Minister. He was also ordered to pay $2,000 for “insulting the monarchy and the premier” for other comments allegedly made during the call about King Norodom Sihamoni. Media and CSOs have questioned the conviction as the remarks in question were made during a private phone call, while defamation is defined as comments “intended for the public”. The conviction also raises concerns about respect of the right to privacy.
VOA | PPP | Khmer Times | RFA | Fresh News | Khmer Times | PPP
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Sam Rainsy, the former president of the dissolved CNRP, has been charged by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court under Article 471 and 472 of the Criminal Code, over a facebook post from December 2017, allegedly inciting the national army to turn against the government. Sam Rainsy called on the army to disobey orders which would shooting innocent people or civilians. Rainsy, who lives in exile in France, may face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
Fresh News | Khmer Times | PPP | PPP2 | Fresh News | Khmer Times | PPP
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Phnom Penh City Hall banned CNRP politicians from participating in a memorial service honouring the 14th anniversary of Chea Vichea’s death, scheduled for 22 January 2018. It also capped the number of participants to 120 people. Chea Vichea was the leader of the Free Trade Union of Workers who was shot on 22 January 2004 in broad daylight, in what is widely speculated to be a politically motivated killing.
Khmer Times | RFA | PPP
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Koh Pich
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Prime Minister stated that any group or association representing workers from the informal economy must be officially recognized in order to join protests. This hinders the ability of those in the informal economy to exercise freedom of assembly.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued a warrant to question Free Trade Union Leader Chea Mony, the brother of Chea Vichea, an outspoken trade union leader who was assassinated in 2004, for incitement. He is scheduled to appear in court on 22 January 2018 to answer charges of incitment for having allegedly appealed the EU and the US to impose economic sanctions on Cambodia. The prosecutor is asking for $1 million in compensation to be paid to the workers.
Fresh News | Khmer Times | PPP | VOA | RFA | Khmer Times | PPP | Fresh News | VOA
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Hin Vansreypov, a woman who posted a video accusing Prime Minister Hun Sen of being behind the killing of political analyst Kem Ley on Facebook, was convicted and sentenced to 1 year in prison for incitement under articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code, and fined 1 million riels ($250). The authorities have not specified what felony she was accused of inciting. Vansreypov stated she will not file an appeal.
PPP | Fresh news | PPP | Fresh News
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The Ministry of Information has developed new media passes for journalists in Cambodia. Active from January 2018, the new passes will be valid for a year and will have QR codes that record data from journalists and can be monitored by law enforcement officials. The new passes will allow monitoring of the number of journalists operating in Cambodia, what each journalist is publishing and any potential wrongdoing they may be engaged in.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Sam Rainsy was found guilty of defamation and ordered to pay $1 million to Prime Minister Hun Sen. These charges arose after he alleged that the PM had bribed Thy Sovantha, a pro-government activist to attack the CNRP.
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Phnom Penh
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Activist monk Horn Sophanny was sentenced to two years in prison for incitement to commit a crime in relation to a Facebook post, which showed him holding a toy gun whilst making controversial political statements. Horn Sophanny was also initially charged with illegal weapons posSomething is wrong, but these were dropped.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The Supreme Court upheld the convictions of Boeung Kak activists, Tep Vanny, Bo Chhorvy and Kong Chantha, who were charged with “insulting a public official” and “obstruction of a public official with aggravating circumstances” in September 2016, after a 2011 land rights protest. The trial was widely decried as failing to meet the requisite evidentiary and fair trial standards.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
The organisers of the weekly youth forum, Politikoffee, announced their plan to temporarily suspend operations. Although no direct threat or intimidation was made to anyone in their group, members felt they “cannot work to their full capacity” amid an ongoing political crackdown.