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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Siem Reap
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
On 1 March, a warrant was issued by the Siem Reap Provincial Court for the arrest of Chhun Vean, a CNRP activist and second deputy of the CNRP in Koul Run commune. Chhun Vean was ordered to appear in court over a Facebook post in which he criticized the Government over the Sinopharm vaccine and over a photo of a man who allegedly became disabled after taking the vaccine. In his post, Chhun Vean had urged the Government to investigate the validity of the claim and act to recall the vaccine if it turned out to be true.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Nine former CNRP opposition leaders were found guilty of attempting to "attack" the Government by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. All were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences, ranging from 20 to 25 years for Sam Rainsy, the CNRP co-founder. Other defendants were Mu Sochua, Eng Chhai Eang, Tioulong Saumura, Nut Romduol, Ho Vann, Ou Chanrith, Long Ry, and Men Sothavarin. All of them have also been deprived of their right to vote, to stand for election or to be a public official, and fined $450,000. The verdict was read without the defense lawyers or defendants (all of whom are in self-exile) present in the court room.
VOD | KhmerTimes | VOD
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Thun Chantha, an ex-CNRP member, was arrested for a Facebook post questioning the COVID-19 situation in the Kingdom and the government's response. He was charged with incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Mey Sophorn, an ex-CNRP member, was arrested for a Facebook questioning the Government's push for citizens to be vaccinated with Sinopharm at a time when there had been no COVID-19 deaths in Cambodia. She was charged with incitement under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code.
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Siem Reap
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Online news Angkor Today’s editor-in-chief, Shen Kaidong, was arrested on 24 February and deported on a no-re-entry order to his home country of China on 25 February for publishing an article claiming Cambodia was selling the Chinese supplied COVID-10 vaccines on the black market. The Ministry of Information revoked Angkor Today’s license for distorting information with malicious intent to endanger public health and cause confusion as well as affect national security and the prestige of the government.
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National
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
Prime Minister Hun Sen signed the Sub-Decree on the Establishment of a National Internet Gateway "to control ‘disorderly’ internet service providers.” The sub-decree allows the government to appoint an operator to control the gateway, overseen by the Telecommunications Ministry, Telecom Regulator of Cambodia and other authorities. The operator would be allowed to “take action to prevent and disconnect all networks that impact national revenue, safety, public order, morality, culture, tradition, [and] norm.” In addition, the gateway operator is required, under the sub-decree, to collect identification information for all internet users in the country.
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Battambang
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Kong Bunheang and Hang Seng, two former CNRP members, pleaded guilty to insulting the King under Article 437 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lèse-majesté offense. Some sources report the insults to the King were made over a private phone call while others say it was over Facebook posts. An explanation as to how the authorities obtained the transcript was not given. On 3 March, the pair were sentenced to two to three years prison, two of which suspended, and to a $1500 fine each.
VOD | KhmerTimes | RFA
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
CNRP Deputy Chief of Kampoul commune, Prak Seiha, was attacked with stones by two unknown assailants on a motorbike near Phnom Penh Depot Market. The incident comes after he received an anonymous Facebook threat and after former CNRP youth who joined the CPP unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to defect to the CPP.
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Kandal
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Chan Ton, CNRP activist and father to jailed opposition official Ton Nimol, was struck by two unknown assailants on a motorcycle, rendering him unconscious. Chan frequently attended the CNRP trials with his children and grandchildren and reported being monitored by local authorities. He reports the incident may have been designed to “demoralize and threaten him to stop demanding justice”. Authorities urged the public not to rush to conclusions.
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Takeo
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
A high school principal, Panh Putheara, is suing five former students for defamation following comments on Facebook by the ex-pupils on a video of him drinking beer and singing karaoke. The former students commented to the effect that posting the video on Facebook gives a bad example to the students of the school and that many young people look up to him as an example of good behavior and as a role model. Panh said the suit was a warning not to criticize him again and to show him respect. The defamation suit is likely a third party violation of the freedom of expression.
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Phnom Penh
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Relatives of jailed activists report the Prey Sar prison has lacked water for daily use for several days. This comes days after reports of potential radiation poisoning causing disorientation and memory loss of one defendant in court. A lack of water means the inmates are unable to bath appropriately—a key deterrent of the many skin and parasite infections that come from overcrowded prisons.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Khmer Win Party leader, Soung Sophorn was found guilty of incitement to disturb social security on 10 February 2021. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, fined $1000, and ordered to pay damages of about $50,000 to the Cambodia Border Affairs Committee. He was arrested for making comments about the disputed Vietnam border area. Soung’s case is connected to jailed unionist Rong Chhun in that he protested last year for Rong Chhun's release. Soung’s wife called the verdict political.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
A woman, Moeung Srey Nuon, was summoned by the Office of Technology Crimes of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police for "inappropriate gestures and immoral words" and for being dressed in a "very sexy way" while selling a breast enlargement cream online. She was made to publicly apologize "especially to Cambodian women" and sign a contract she would stop her online activities.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
The Supreme Court decided to postpone its verdict on the bail application of three Mother Nature activists who were arrested in September 2020 and held since for "inciting serious social unrest" for their campaign to get to government to stop the removal of Ta Mok Lake. The court reasoned the postponement is due to the its busy schedule. On 15 February, the bail hearing was held and it was denied for all three.
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Koh Kong
Land rights and forced evictions
Whistleblowers in the village of Teuk Pong report that more than 17 hectares of mangrove forest and flooded forest under the control of the Ministry of Environment and Fisheries have been illegally destroyed at night since last week without any authority intervention, despite being reported. Environmentalists fear the impact on biodiversity in the region.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Deputy Commissioner General and Phnom Penh Municipal Police Commissioner, Sar Thet, ordered his subordinates to ban journalists from filming and live broadcasting while authorities carry out their work. He stated journalists could face legal action for disobeying. Freedom of the Press is protected under Article 41 of the Cambodian Constitution.
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Kratie
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
Environmentalists Ouch Leng, Heng Sros, Men Math, Heng Run, and Choup Cheang were arrested on 5 February and questioned by Kratie city district police station. At the time, the group was patrolling protected forest in Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. initially they were held by guards from Think Biotech, a Korean company alleged to be involved in illegal logging, before being handed over to the police. The Environment Ministry shut down community patrols a month prior despite satellite imaging showing ongoing illegal deforestation in the area. On 8 February, after three nights and four days in detention, authorities released the fuve after they signed a contract to stop entering Prey Lang.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Security guards blocked protesters from buying breakfast near the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday. Protestors say the vendors were told not to sell to the protestors for it could lead to a larger gathering near the City Mall. The demonstrators arrived early in the morning to call for the release of jailed opposition members. Phnom Penh chief of municipal security guards, Chan Rithy, and Phnom Penh City Hall spokesperson, Met Measpheakdey, deny the accusation.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
On 28 January former leader of the CNRP in South Korea, Prum Rath, was questioned in the Phnom Penh Municipal Court over a his use of the words “resist” and “sacrifice” in a Facebook post he published as part of his trial on “conspiracy” charges. On the same day, former chief of Boeung Tumpun II commune and CNRP member, Chea Yamon, refused to answer questions in court stating he had not received any documents related to the charges against him and felt any answer would be used against him regardless.
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Phnom Penh
Land rights and forced evictions
On 23 January, Chbar Ampov district authorities set up a border demarcation post with the view of erecting a fence around 30 hectares of land, restricting 158 families from using and cultivating the land which they have occupied and enjoyed since 2008. They were told they were not allowed to cultivate the land any longer and security forces were deployed. Authorities claim the land is being illegally occupied and have so far denied compensation for the newly barred families. The families have vowed to protest to continue using the land or until an agreement for compensation is reached, as they fear the land is being reverted to state ownership to be used and sold for development.