
The state of civic space in Cambodia remains rated as 'repressed' by the CIVICUS Monitor in its December 2024 report. Repressive laws are routinely misused to harass and criminalise human rights defenders, trade unionists, youth activists, journalists and the political opposition. Peaceful protests are systematically supressed and there are excessive restrictions on association under the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO).
The UN Human Rights Council adopted Cambodia’s UPR review on 1st October 2024. Cambodia received 48 recommendations on civic space and supported 41 including to protect fundamental freedoms, amend laws and regulations in line with the ICCPR and to cease harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrest and unjust prosecution of political opposition, human rights defenders and journalists.
However, Cambodia failed to accept recommendations to release imprisoned political prisoners, journalists and human rights defenders, repeal incitement (Article 494 and 495) and defamation laws and reverse the closure of media outlets.
On 7th October 2024 the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia presented his report on the situation of human rights in Cambodia where he noted that dozens of political dissidents, human rights and environmental activists are still being detained, prosecuted or imprisoned. He also reported that journalists, members of the opposition and of NGOs that criticise the authorities are still being harassed. CIVICUS noted that there has been no tangible progress in meeting the benchmarks presented to the Council in October 2022 by the Special Rapporteur, including to reform restrictive laws and release human rights defenders.
In recent months, scores of individuals were arrested for opposing a regional agreement, with around 30 still in detention while civil society activists continue to face reprisals. Youth leader Koet Saray was convicted for comments on a land eviction, environmental activists investigating illegal logging were detained and interrogated and a Cambodian worker abroad who criticised a former leader was arrested. Investigative journalist Mech Dara was detained for three weeks before being released on bail while an environmental journalist was killed in Siem Reap. Security forces blocked a Human Rights Day march for jailed activists.
Association
Scores arrested and charged for opposing regional agreement
In September 2024, more than a hundred individuals - including youth, environmental and political activists - were arrested and more than 60 were charged and imprisoned for criticising or planning to assemble and campaign against the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA).
The CLV-DTA is a 20-year-old trade and cooperation agreement between Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It aims to enhance socio-economic development, connectivity and infrastructure in the region. However, concerns about the agreement resurfaced on social media in July 2024. The issue sparked protests from the Cambodian diaspora in South Korea, Japan and Australia. Activists were concerned that under the agreement, agricultural land concessions to Vietnamese or Lao investors could result in the loss of Cambodian territory and natural resources.
Most of those detained were charged with “plotting an attack on the state”, which carries a sentence of 5-10 years in prison. Others faced charges of “incitement to commit a felony”, which carries between 6 months and 2 years in prison.
Among those targeted were youth activists from the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA) and Youth Resource Development Program, as well as other activist-led movements. Some activists left the country fearing for their safety. As of December 2024, around 30 individuals remained in detention.
On 5th December 2024, five youth and student group members from KSILA and YRDP were denied bail by the Phnom Penh Appeal Court in a private hearing.
Human rights groups call on World Bank to condemn civil society reprisals
On 21st October 2024, 163 human rights organisations urged the World Bank to condemn the Cambodian government’s assault against critical voices, including against The Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), Cambodia’s prominent labour rights organisation, and against Eang Vuthy, the Executive Director of Equitable Cambodia, a leading land rights organisation in the country.
As previously documented, in June 2024, labour rights group CENTRAL faced harassment and a smear campaign for a report they published on unions and violations of freedom of association in Cambodia. Following the report, CENTRAL has come under attack from pro-government unions and investigations from the Ministry of Interior. The authorities have also filed a criminal case against CENTRAL program manager Khun Taro.
Eang Vuthy, Executive Director of the Cambodian land rights NGO Equitable Cambodia (EC), is facing baseless criminal charges due to his organisation’s advocacy on behalf of communities affected by harmful development projects. At the end of March 2024, Eang Vuthy received a summons informing him that he had been charged with ‘incitement to commit a felony or disturb social security’, punishable by up to two years in prison.
On 24th October 2024, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) echoed the call and urged the Cambodian government to end its reprisals and judicial harassment against civil society activists voicing dissent.
Youth leader Koet Saray convicted for comments on eviction
On 6th November 2024, the Phnom Penh Capital Court convicted Koet Saray (picture above) of “incitement to commit a felony” and “committing a misdemeanour after sentencing for a misdemeanour” under Articles 494, 495 and 88 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code for comments he made about an eviction in Preah Vihear province. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison and fined two million riel (USD 495).
Koet Saray is the President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), a group that works on capacity building to increase students’ participation in social development, good governance, and the sustainable use of natural resources in Cambodia.
As previously documented, on 5th April 2024, Koet Saray was arrested after a raid on his office by plainclothes police officers. He was arrested after meeting villagers who were hiding following a violent eviction and speaking to the media about the decade-long land dispute where around 300 families in several villages were evicted from their homes in Kuleaen District to make way for a rubber plantation on a land concession given by the government to Phnom Penh-based Seila Damex Co. Ltd.
Environmental activists investigating illegal logging detained and interrogated
Roundup w. @Nehrupry of the mercifully brief detention of environmental activists in #Cambodia - their release is a relief, but their arrest is seen as a broader crackdown on civil society, one that has intensified under the new administration. https://t.co/WDp7I93fyb
— Gerry Flynn (@geraldrflynn) November 26, 2024
On 24th November 2024, six environmental activists were questioned by Stung Treng provincial authorities after they were taken into custody while conducting investigations into illegal logging.
Ouch Leng, Heng Sros, Tat Oudom, Out Latin, Men Mat and one other person were arrested by the army in Stung Treng’s Sesan district, after which their location was unknown for around 12 hours. The six were later moved to the provincial police headquarters for further questioning. After three days they were released without charge.
Leng is a prominent forest defender and won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2016. Sros, Mat and Odom are environmental activists, while Latin works for a local civil society group, Cambodian Youth.
Cambodian worker criticising former leader arrested from Malaysia
Cambodian maid deported from Malaysia facing health issues in prison
— RFA Khmer/វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី (@RadioFreeAsiaKH) December 21, 2024
👉 https://t.co/HAtYJR1B5A
---#RFAKhmer #Cambodia #Malaysia #HunSen #HunMane #Democracy #HumanRights #PoliticsKh #ArbitraryArrests #NuonToeun #TransnationalRepression pic.twitter.com/QthEsRKrTx
In October 2024, following a request from the Cambodia authorities, Malaysia police arrested a Cambodian worker and opposition supporter for her criticism of long-time former leader Hun Sen in a Facebook post.
Nuon Toeun, a domestic worker for the past six years, was arrested at her employer’s home. According to Radio Free Asia, Nuon Toeun was escorted to Cambodia by an embassy official and was handed over to Cambodian authorities by Malaysian immigration officers.
She was then detained in pre-trial custody in Correction Center 2 in Phnom Penh, also known as Prey Sar prison, and charged with “incitement to disturb social security”.
Ongoing harassment and criminalisation of the opposition
Opposition members have been systematically targeted by the authorities. Many have been criminalised and some have faced harassment and physical attacks.
On 12th August 2024, Phnom Penh City Hall rejected the request from the opposition Nation Power Party (NPP) to hold its Extraordinary Congress at Freedom Park, stating that the venue is reserved for public expression, not political gatherings. Despite the party’s argument that the park provided sufficient space without disrupting traffic, their request was still denied.
On 28th August 2024, the Phnom Penh Capital Court convicted Mer Seng Hor, the deputy leader for the NPP in Kampong Cham province, to two and a half years in prison on charges of public insult and incitement to discriminate under Articles 307, 494 and 496 of the Criminal Code over a Facebook post that was critical of the government’s democratic track record. He was arrested in March 2024, shortly after joining the opposition NPP.
On 2nd September 2024, Chin Bunnaroth, the NPP’s director-general of administration, was arrested by six police officers in civilian clothes and charged with incitement. The arrest came despite the lack of a warrant or a clear reason for the charge. Chin Bunnaroth was placed under pre-trial detention at Prey Sar prison.
NP president Sun Chanthy was found guilty of incitement on 26th December 2024 by Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Li Sokha, who sentenced him to two years’ jail and a fine of four million riel (approximately USD 1,000) and removed his political right to stand for election.
Trade union leader released from prison
Chhim Sithar, president of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), was released from prison on 16th September 2024 after completing her two-year sentence on charges of incitement related to the ongoing peaceful strike by her union’s members.
She promised to continue leading workers who are demanding better wages and working conditions. Chhim Sithar told Radio Free Asia: “It is a mistake for those who think that putting people in the prison can stop workers from protesting”.
Chhim Sithar was sentenced, along with eight others, to jail terms of between one to two years in May 2023 for leading a strike calling on the Hong Kong owned casino NagaWorld to reinstate 365 workers laid off in April 2021. During the strike, LRSU members faced systematic harassment and intimidation from the authorities. Sithar was detained initially in January 2022 before being released on bail. In November 2022, she was arrested again for allegedly violating her bail conditions and remained in detention until her release.
Expression
Journalists continue to be targeted for their reporting. Further, in recent years, numerous independent media outlets have closed down or have had their media licences revoked.
Investigative journalist detained for ‘incitement’
#Cambodia🇰🇭: After more than 30 days in pre-trial detention, Cambodian journalist Mech Dara decides to quit journalism, saying he is “still afraid” and without “more courage”. Authorities must stop harassing and jailing journalists to silence reporting!https://t.co/E1bbGzu3oH
— IFJ (@IFJGlobal) November 21, 2024
Investigative journalist Mech Dara was arrested on 30th September 2024 by military police at an expressway toll booth near the coastal city of Sihanoukville. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged the reporter with “incitement to disturb social security” on 1st October 2024 and placed him in pre-trial detention in the capital’s Kandal Provincial Prison.
Mech Dara’s arrest came hours after authorities in southeastern Prey Veng Province issued a statement saying the journalist had caused “social disorder” by posting photos on Facebook, since deleted, which appeared to show that a quarry operation had destroyed stairs leading to a Buddhist pagoda.
The award-winning reporter is renowned for his investigations exposing corruption, environmental destruction and human trafficking in the country. In 2023, Mech Dara won the US State Department’s TIP Hero Award for his work uncovering the multi-billion-dollar illegal online scam centres in Cambodia.
On 24th October 2024, Dara was freed on bail after video of him, wearing a prison uniform, apologising to Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen and his son Prime Minister Hun Manet for various social media posts, appeared in pro-government media. Dara said after his release said he planned to quit journalism while he fought the charges against him.
Environmental journalist killed in Siem Reap
.@UNEP is deeply troubled by the killing of the environmental human rights defender and journalist Chhoeung Chheng in Cambodia.
— Inger Andersen (@andersen_inger) December 16, 2024
Environmental journalists are allies in protecting the planet and must be able to undertake their vital work safely. pic.twitter.com/ZUvheK9FQd
Environmental journalist Chhoeung Chheng was shot on 4th December 2024 and died from his injuries that weekend.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Chhoeung Chheng, who reported for the local online Kampuchea Aphivath news site, was shot by an assailant while reporting on the transport of alleged illegally cut timber in the Boeung Per Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap province. The reporter was shot in the abdomen while riding a motorcycle. He was first taken to a commune health centre and later transferred to the provincial hospital where he underwent surgery. Chheng succumbed to his injuries on 7th December 2024.
The regional government announced it had arrested a suspect the day after the shooting and the Siem Reap provincial police chief told reporters the attack was related to a “personal dispute,” without specifying details.
Social commentator Ny Nak convicted of incitement and defamation
ភរិយាលោក នី ណាក់ ស្នើតុលាការដោះលែងស្វាមីមុនថ្ងៃប្រកាសសាលក្រម https://t.co/aZRIjJ0NPQ
— VOA Khmer (@voakhmer) November 19, 2024
On 21st November 2024, the Phnom Penh Capital Court convicted government critic Ny Nak of incitement to discriminate and defamation, sentencing him to two years in prison for comments he made on social media about the government giving away land in Kampot province to a man named Heng Sour.
According to LICADHO, Ny Nak was sent to pre-trial detention on 6th January 2024 for a Facebook post in which he questioned the Cambodian government's decision to allocate 91 hectares of land to Heng Sour, who Nak identified as the current minister of labour. Labour Minister Heng Sour, who is the plaintiff in the case, filed a complaint, claiming he was not the Heng Sour who received the land. In addition to his prison sentence, Nak was ordered to pay a 3 million riel fine (around USD 750) and an additional 200 million riel (around USD 50,000) in compensation to the minister.
Peaceful Assembly
Security forces block Human Rights Day march for jailed activists
Activists across Asia mark Human Rights Day amid ‘shrinking’ civic space
— RFA Khmer/វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី (@RadioFreeAsiaKH) December 11, 2024
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Police stop another demonstration in Cambodia while NGO workers in Laos remember a high-profile disappearance.
👉 https://t.co/gVyqTdo0PG pic.twitter.com/4Y6IiL6alS
On 10th December 2024, more than a dozen youth, environmental activists, and families were blocked by Daun Penh district security guards in Phnom Penh as they tried to hold a peaceful vigil marking International Human Rights Day and calling for the release of jailed activists.
The group gathered near Phnom Penh’s night market, holding banners as they prepared to march to Preah Ang Dorngkeu Shrine near the Royal Palace to pray for the release of jailed activists. Among them were the families of Mother Nature environmental activists sentenced to 6-8 years in July 2024 for plotting against the government.
District security guards stopped the march just before it began, forcing the group to decide to hold their vigil near the night market instead, with the guards standing nearby.