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
Convictions of human rights defenders
The Court of Appeal in Svay Rieng province upheld the conviction and sentence of Kong Mas, a former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) member, who is currently serving a year and a half in prison after he was found guilty of insulting the government and inciting violence. He filed an appeal against the lower court’s ruling a request which was subsequently denied.
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Kratié
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Environmental activist Ouch Leng and three members of the Prey Lang Community Network were arrested after being accused of entering the premises of Think Biotech (Cambodia) Co Ltd without permission. The company held them against their will and questioned them, then took them to the police station. The deputy prosecutor charged them with three offences under Articles 299 (breaking into residence) and 360 (Aggravating Circumstances Resulting in the Death of a Victim) of the Criminal Code and Article 32 of the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (LANGO), covering non-governmental organizations running activities without registering.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Authorities charged a man with incitement to commit a crime under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code after posting a video message on Facebook using a fake account, criticizing the measures taken by the government in regards to COVID-19.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that any individuals suspected of spreading fake news about COVID-19 are to be considered terrorists, and that authorities will be listening in on individuals calls to hear what news they are spreading about the virus.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
A former CNRP member Mr. Koy Samarth was arrested after posting a video clip on Facebook about the COVID-19 outbreak. In the video he thanked Vietnam for discovering and announcing a case of COVID-19 in a Japanese man who had travelled to Vietnam from Cambodia, stating that Cambodia must be more transparent. He was then charged with incitement to commit a crime under Articles 494 and 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
International Women's Day celebrations authorized by city hall to take place in Freedom Park were controlled by authorities who limited the previously agreed upon tent size of 20x20 to 4x6 forcing more than 400 people to sit and stand in the sun all day.
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Banteay Meanchey
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Two journalists who own news websites were summonsed by the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court in regards to defamation charges. Teav Sam Ol who owns New Day Media, was accused of defamation after writing an article covering a land dispute in Poipet town. Ly Meng Huy who owns the website Mochas Ka, was also summonsed while he did not in fact report on the case but merely disseminated information regarding Sam Ol’s summonsing. The judge did not investigate the case prior to summonsing either of the journalists
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Thai Sreyneang stated during her hearing that she was not aware she broke the law, and subsequently apologized for wearing revealing clothing which affect “Cambodian women’s honour and requested a reduced sentence and to be released from prison. Yet the deputy court prosecutor continued to accuse her of disgracing Khmer traditions and has decided to uphold the chargers against her stating I would like to ask the judges’ council to punish her under the law.”
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Stung Treng
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN) members in four provinces have been banned from organizing their annual blessing ceremonies scheduled to have been performed in protected forests. Authorities and environmental officials, some armed with guns, prevented around 600 participants who had travelled from across Cambodia to gain access to the area. Neth Pheaktra, a Ministry of Environment spokesman, made a verbal statement condemning the "illegal" behaviour of PLCN activists as the association has not been registered and requested people to stop supporting the community network as it went against the law. Authorities also threatened local villagers to prevent them from offering participants of the intended ceremony a place to sleep or rest during the seven-day occasion.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
A women selling products online, Thai Srey Neang was brought into the police station to "be educated" and was made to sign a contract stating that she would stop, as the Prime Minister states that such actions "affect morality." She did not follow the rules set out to her and continued to post photos, which lead to her arrest under charges of pornography as per Articles 38 and 39 of Cambodia's Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the Ministry of Interior to monitor and flag down any posts on Facebook of women selling products online who wear "sexy clothing", as they defame and shame all Cambodian women, cause "distruction to Khmer culture" and affect the moral value and dignity of Khmer women.
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Phnom Penh
Legislative and institutional developments relevant to human rights
The Ministry of Interior has rejected a request by some 100 civil society organisations to repeal the Law on Associations and Non Governmental Organiztions (LANGO). The rejection came after 100 organisations released a joint statement demanding the government amend some articles in the law, illustrating the negative effects of LANGO. The Ministry of Interior stated that the LANGO has gone through various consultations and is in line with the constitution, and because of the diverse opinions of the thousands of civil society groups in Cambodia, it was an issue which ultimately cannot be solved.
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Phnom Penh
Violence against activists
Soeun Man, Vice President of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU) trade union in the Well & David Corporaction (W&D Cambodia Co. Ltd) was attacked by three unknown men while he was leaving the factory in Phnom Penh's Meanchey district for his lunch break. He was attacked from behind, beaten on the back of the head and suffered severe injuries. The attackers left him and escaped on motorbikes. The attackers have not been identified.
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Pursat
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
A camera man was arrested by Veal Vang district police at a wedding party for a post he made on Facebook regarding a speech by Prime Minister Hun Sen on COVID-19. He was arrested for insulting Prime Minister Hun Sen and criticizing his protection of the Khmer people. He was subsequently detained for 48 hours and relased after signing a contract stating that he would not undertake such actions again.
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Phnom Penh
Physical and judicial threats against journalists and or human rights defenders
Three environmental activists from Mother Nature, Mr. Thon Ratha and two cameramen, were arrested and brought for questioning at Chamkamorn police station. The three were making a video about what the Ministry of Environment does with confiscated items such as ivory and rare animal bones. One of the camera men was wearing a t-shirt with the slogan "stand-up" that spurred the authority to arrest the three individuals. They were released after extensive questioning and made to sign an agreement stating that they will be good citizens.
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Phnom Penh
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
A candidate for the Royal Academy of Professional Examination was summoned to court after a youth posted a video on social media showing an irregularity in the jury selection, stressing that bribes were given to judges by contestents in order to pass exams. Kong Bunrith was summoned to appear in Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 14 of February for three different lawsuits. The charges included 'public defamation, slander, and incitement' after posting a "hateful ” video. Other students who agreed with the video and joined in the protest were also summoned to court.
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Siem Reap
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Two individuals from a tourism company, Mr. Men Channoeurn and Ms. Ung Choeung Sereyrathanak were questioned at Siem Reap provincial police station after making a Facebook post regarding COVID-19 in Siem Reap, stating “there were 4 Chinese contained new virus COVID-19 staying in a hotel. This virus also infected to 1 Khmer tour guide.” They were accused of spreading false information and were made to sign an agreement with their thumbprints to stop spreading 'fake news'.
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Sihanoukville
Land rights and forced evictions
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall began demolishing nearly 30 houses built alongside the canal and sidewalk in Sihanoukville’s Buon commune prior to the set eviction deadline, despite residents protests. Authorities claim that said houses were illegally built and may cause flooding, also stating that they will not be held responsible for any loss of property or damage done. A majority of families lost most of their belongings in the demolition, and requests for an extension of eviction dates were denied. The lack of communication has left individuals with no residences and no plans for future housing.
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Phnom Penh
Torture, arrests and illegal detentions
CNRP activist Khieu Dinin was attacked and seriously injured by an unknown person. The authorities have claimed to investigate this case, but no suspects have been questioned or arrested. CNRP's spokesman, Mr. Chhay Kim Khon states that while Police do investigate and find the prepetrators in most cases of violence against party activists, in some cases they are not found.
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Kampong Speu
Restrictions on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Authorities arrested four union leaders from the Cambodian Labor Confederation, Mr Din Samarth, Roeurn Sarin, You Sophat and Nuth Chancchaya, claiming that they led the strike at Park Handbags company in Kampong Speu which was deemed by authorities as illegal.