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 LANGO Timeline

LANGO Timeline

  • CSOs Marchs to Protest LANGO

    CSOs Marchs to Protest LANGO

    Advocacy(Protest)

    Some CSOs on Tuesday gathered in front of the NA to show their undesirability and request for delay on LANGO.

    VOD | KHT | PPP | CAMD | VOD | KHT | PPP | CAMD

  • Group representative calls for scrapping the NGO law

    Group representative calls for scrapping the NGO law

    Advocacy(Letter)

    More than a dozen international advocacy groups wrote to National Assembly President Heng Samrin asking him to withdraw a controversial draft law on NGOs and associations.

    PPP | PPP

  • CNRP Calls for Gov't to Drop LANGO

    CNRP Calls for Gov't to Drop LANGO

    Advocacy(Meeting)

    After meeting with 10 civil society organizations, CNRP leader supported the suggestion to cancel the LANGO

    RFA | VOA | VOD | KHT | RFA | VOA | KHT | VOD

  • Wan Hea Lee, representative of UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights issued concerns on the LANGO

    Wan Hea Lee, representative of UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights issued concerns on the LANGO

    Advocacy(Statement)

    Despite being blasted by the Foreign Ministry late last month for publicly criticizing the draft law on associations and NGOs, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to question the contentious legislation.

    OHCHR | OHCHR

  • A statement by Amnesty International stated to Cambodia: Withdraw draft Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations

    A statement by Amnesty International stated to Cambodia: Withdraw draft Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations

    Advocacy(Open Letter)

    The draft LANGO appears it is designed to restrict the legitimate activities of civil society and human rights defenders in violation of the right to freedom of association, a right protected by international human rights instruments to which Cambodia is a party, as well as by the country’s Constitution. In an Open Letter to Cambodia's National Assembly, 32 international NGOs urge withdrawal of the draft LANGO.

    Amnesty International | Amnesty International

  • Japanese HRN To Inform Its PM About LANGO

    Japanese HRN To Inform Its PM About LANGO

    Advocacy(Statement)

    Human Rights Now (HRN) of Japan will inform its PM about the LANGO proposed by Cambodian gov't.

    HRN | VOD | HRN | VOD

  • CCHR Radio Talk

    CCHR Radio Talk

    Advocacy(Radio Talk)

    Topic: "Update and Perspective of Civil Society on LANGO" joined by Chak Sopheap and Mr. Am Sam Ath

    CCHR | CCHR

  • CCHR Urges the National Assembly to stop and consult or reject the LANGO

    CCHR Urges the National Assembly to stop and consult or reject the LANGO

    Advocacy(Press Release)

    The CCHR press release showed its concern on the process of the LANGO as it was sent to the National Assembly (NA) and urged for the NA, via vice president, to stop and consult or reject the LANGO in order to be more transparent and widely discussed.

    CCHR | CCHR

  • Group of CSOs Meet with Kem Sokha About LANGO

    Group of CSOs Meet with Kem Sokha About LANGO

    Advocacy(Meeting)

    The CSOs expressed their concerns that the law would regulate their activities. In response to those concerns, Kem Sokha said that LANGO was not yet necessary to Cambodia.

    VOD | CAMD | PPP | KHT | VOD | CAMD | PPP | KHT

  • Draft NGO Law Reaches National Assembly

    Draft NGO Law Reaches National Assembly

    Government Action

    The draft of a controversial law proposing to regulate the country’s sprawling NGO sector has arrived at the National Assembly, where a spokesman said it would likely be put up for public discussion before a vote.

    CAMD | CAMD

  • CCHR LANGO 5th Draft Analysis

    CCHR LANGO 5th Draft Analysis

    Advocacy(Legal Analysis)

    In an analysis of a leaked copy of the draft, which has not been made public, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights said the bill contains concerning provisions on founding and registering NGOs and their independence.

    CCHR | VOA | RFA | CCHR | VOA | RFA

  • US Continue Urging for LANGO Transparency

    US Continue Urging for LANGO Transparency

    Advocacy(Report)

    The US reported on the LANGO, Law on unions, and law on Internet that the law should be discussed with all stakeholders before reaching the NA.

    VOD | VOD

  • LANGO Edited before Assembly

    LANGO Edited before Assembly

    Government Action

    The contentious LANGO was edited by the MOI after critics.

    RFI | RFI

  • CCHR Radio Talk

    CCHR Radio Talk

    Advocacy(Radio Talk)

    Topic: Development in LANGO and Civil Society Organization's Advocacy joined by Ms. Chak Sopheap and Mr. Soeung Saroeun.

    CCHR | CCHR

  • Council of Minister Meet on LANGO

    Council of Minister Meet on LANGO

    Government Action

    The Council of Ministers discussed the LANGO and they decided to send it to National Assembly to continue process.

    VOA | RFA | RFI | CAMD | VOA | RFA | RFI | CAMD

  • More Than 300 Civil Societies Re-urge Gov't to Unveil LANGO

    More Than 300 Civil Societies Re-urge Gov't to Unveil LANGO

    Advocacy(Joint Statement)

    More than 300 civil societies came together to urge the gov't to reveal the LANGO publicly for open discussion.

    VOD | VOD

  • US Deputy Assistant Secretary Insists Cambodia to delay the Passing on LANGO

    US Deputy Assistant Secretary Insists Cambodia to delay the Passing on LANGO

    Advocacy(Press Conference)

    Scott Busby insisted the government delay on sending LANGO and re-check the law before it will be sent to Assembly to pass.

    RFA | VOA | RFI | VOD | RFA | VOA | RFI | VOD

  • Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada Urge 44 governments to seek Cambodia’s withdrawal of Draft NGO Law | Joint letter

    Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada Urge 44 governments to seek Cambodia’s withdrawal of Draft NGO Law | Joint letter

    Advocacy(Letter)

    Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada was among eleven international human rights organizations calling on 44 foreign governments and the European Union to press the Cambodian government to withdraw a proposed law that would severely limit the rights of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Cambodia.

    Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada | Rights Watch Canada

  • Hor Namhong Responds to US Deputy Assistant Secretary that LANGO is not Regulating Freedom

    Hor Namhong Responds to US Deputy Assistant Secretary that LANGO is not Regulating Freedom

    Government Action

    Hor Namhong told the US Deputy Assistant Secretary that the law on NGOs and associations will not target against or regulate the activities of civil society.

    VOD | KHT | VOD | KHT

  • CNRP Appeals for Gov't to Open up the LANGO

    CNRP Appeals for Gov't to Open up the LANGO

    Advocacy(Statement)

    CRNP released a statement to appeal for gov't to open up and be transparent during the process of adopting NGO law.

    RFA | RFA