LIBRARY

11 December 2024

A wave of detentions, arrests and imprisonments in 2024 affected political activists, unionists, students, environmentalists, human rights defenders and everyday Cambodians. Authorities relentlessly silenced people who criticised official policies, advocated for the environment and human rights, and expressed their views.

11 December 2024

In December 2024, communities from 14 provinces and Phnom Penh came together to commemorate International Human Rights Day and the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Over 6,000 people participated in events held across Cambodia, including in Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Koh Kong, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Pailin, Pursat, Svay Rieng, Stung Treng, Tbong Khmum, and Banteay Meanchey.

These gatherings served as platforms for community members to assert their rights, highlight pressing challenges and propose solutions. Despite facing restrictions and surveillance from authorities in Pursat, Prey Lang and Phnom Penh, the planned events went ahead.

The celebrations were marked by diverse activities, including speeches, writing banners, marches, indigenous dances, prayers and solidarity lunches, reflecting a shared commitment to the promotion and defense of human rights.

10 December 2024

We, the undersigned civil society groups, are outraged by the murder of Chhoeung Chheng, a journalist working with Kampuchea Aphiwat news website and has previously reported on deforestation, who was fatally shot in Siem Reap province.

Chheng, 63, was shot in the abdomen by an assailant on December 4 as he was travelling through Chi Kraeng district in Siem Reap province. He was first taken to a commune health center and later transferred to the provincial hospital where he underwent surgery on December 5. Sadly, Chheng succumbed to his injuries during the night of December 7. Authorities have released a statement announcing that they have apprehended a suspect who has reportedly confessed to shooting Chheng over a personal conflict.

9 December 2024

The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) and Korean Transnational Corporations Watch (KTNC Watch) today filed a complaint to the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights and four other Human Rights Council Special Procedures mandate holders detailing predatory practices and gross human rights violations in Cambodia’s microfinance sector.

The submission calls on the mandate holders to examine Cambodia’s over-indebtedness crisis and issue communications to relevant national and international business enterprises, investors, governments and institutions. These communications can play a role in alleviating the worst impacts of this crisis for Cambodia’s most vulnerable borrowers by calling on relevant actors to bring the sector in-line with international human rights standards including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

5 December 2024

Five youth and student group members from the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA) and Youth Resource Development Program (YRDP) were denied bail by the Phnom Penh Appeal Court in a private hearing this afternoon.

The five include KSILA vice-presidents Ream Sreypich Rothana and Thy Thorn, both 23-years-old; KSILA member Seun Sreymai, 21; and YRDP staffers Sak Kanika, 33, and Chheang Rithy, 36. They are each charged with plotting under Article 453 of the Criminal Code, and face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

26 November 2024

The Appeal Court in Battambang upheld convictions against three Kuy Indigenous community members who were convicted in July for crimes related to the Law on Protected Areas.

Land activists San Sre and Breng Hing were convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for felling trees or encroaching on forest land, under Article 56 and 62 of the protected areas law. San Seth, Sre’s brother, was sentenced to one year in prison for obstructing environment officials. All prison sentences were suspended.

26 November 2024

We, a group of civil society organizations, including associations, unions and non-governmental organizations working to promote labor rights, women's rights and gender equality in Cambodia, are launching a celebration of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (the “16 Days Campaign”) under the theme “Empowering Rights of Women and Girls to Be Free from All Forms of Violence and Harassment.”

25 November 2024

The new webpage offers support as we stand united to end violence against women and children.

Everyone has the right to live free from domestic and sexual violence. The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) is today launching a new webpage offering essential resources to help individuals who are facing such violence seek safety and justice.

The Safety & Justice webpage, launched on the first day of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, provides access to resources like leaflets, audio materials, videos, relevant laws, and service-providers’ contact details to help people navigate their situations. Whether you have experienced violence yourself, are supporting someone else, or simply want to learn more, these resources are here to assist.

24 November 2024

Six environmental activists are being questioned by Stung Treng provincial authorities today after they were taken into custody on Saturday morning while conducting investigations into illegal logging.

Ouch Leng, Heng Sros, Tat Oudom, Out Latin, Men Mat and one other person were arrested by mixed armed forces officers Saturday morning 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 and are still being questioned by authorities as of Sunday morning.

21 November 2024

The Phnom Penh Capital Court convicted Ny Nak of incitement to discriminate and defamation today, 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.

The 44-year-old outspoken social commentator was sent to pre-trial detention on 6 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 to receive the land. In addition to his prison sentence, Nak was ordered to pay a 3 million riel fine (around $750) and an additional 200 million riel (around $50,000) in compensation to the minister.

19 November 2024

The Phnom Penh Capital Court convicted three Samrong Tbong community members on Tuesday of obstructing authorities who wanted to demolish a small shop outside their house near the Boeung Tamok lake.

Kong Tue, Yorn Kimyoeun and Yorn Sambath were convicted of “obstruction of public officials” with aggravating circumstances under Article 504 of the Criminal Code. They were each sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined $250, with the prison sentences and fines suspended by the court. The three family members’ charges stemmed from an incident on 19 December 2023, in which authorities demanded they take down a grocery stall that they had constructed outside their house. The family refused and officials proceeded to demolish it.

7 November 2024

A community affected by a land conflict in Kratie province camped outside of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction in the capital yesterday to call on authorities to resolve a dispute with Kasekam Youveakchun Svay Rieng Co. Ltd, a company which started clearing their land and crops in June of this year.

Around 30 community members, who represent 252 families in Kratie’s Sambor district, arrived in Phnom Penh on Wednesday and waited outside the ministry’s front gate to request meetings with government officials to submit a petition. Officials from Kratie province, including the deputy governor, met with them in Phnom Penh and asked them to return to the province, but community members insisted on sleeping outside the ministry in a makeshift camp using hammocks, mats and blankets until a solution was found.

6 November 2024

Koet Saray, president of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), was convicted of incitement this morning by the Phnom Penh Capital Court and sentenced to four years in prison for comments he made earlier this year about a violent eviction in Preah Vihear province.

Saray, who was forcibly defrocked by Cambodian authorities in 2021, was arrested outside the association’s office in April 2024 after he spoke to the media about a land conflict in Preah Vihear province during which authorities burned down people’s homes. He was charged with incitement to commit a felony under Article 494 and Article 495 of the Criminal Code. He was also charged for “committing a misdemeanour after sentencing for a misdemeanour” under Article 88 of the code, which allows for a doubling of a defendant’s prison sentence if they have been convicted of the same misdemeanour within five years. This article was applied to Saray’s four-year prison sentence, who will also pay an around US$500 fine.

24 October 2024

Mech Dara, an award-winning journalist, was released on bail from Kandal Provincial Prison today, close to a month after he was arrested and charged with incitement for posting alleged false information on social media.

Dara walked out of prison on Thursday after his lawyer’s submitted another bail application to Phnom Penh Capital Court. On Wednesday, a video of Dara circulated on pro-government media in which he apologised for social media posts in September that were the grounds for his incitement charge.

16 October 2024

More than 500 people in 13 land communities held celebrations from 6 to 15 October to mark World Habitat Day, despite local officials trying to block or prevent some of the events. Land communities from Kampong Speu, Koh Kong, Kampot, Banteay Meanchey, and Kampong Chhnang provinces organised public events, spoke out for their land rights, and discussed how violations threaten their livelihoods and families.

Among them were representatives from the Amleang community in Kampong Speu, which discussed their fight to defend their land after it was grabbed by Phnom Penh Sugar Company. In Trapeang Chor, the community similarly highlighted their fight for land rights amidst forced evictions linked to sugarcane plantations under the theme “Farmers Protecting Land Rights and Environmental Justice.”

14 October 2024

The Supreme Court this morning acquitted four members of the Srae Prang community who were convicted for “intentional damage” related to a long-standing land dispute with Harmony Win Investment rubber company in Tbong Khmum province.

Today’s verdict dropped the charges against Chhork Chhey, Khem Sokcheang, Pum Pich and Veun Ver following their appeal hearing on 7 October. Community members have advocated against the Chinese-owned Harmony Win Investment company, which has routinely blocked access to and cleared community farmland. This has resulted in ongoing protests and the imprisonment of at least four other community representatives.

9 October 2024

To mark World Habitat Day, listen to the families affected by ongoing evictions around the Angkor Wat temple complex.

Did you know that thousands of families are impacted by the ongoing relocation plans?

1 October 2024

We, the undersigned communities, media organisations and civil society groups, are calling for the immediate release of Cambodian journalist Mech Dara who was charged with incitement and sent to pretrial detention by the Phnom Penh Capital Court on October 1, 2024.

A court prosecutor questioned Dara on Tuesday morning and the journalist was charged by Investigating Judge Lim Sokuntheara later in the day with incitement under Article 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code for social media posts he made on September 20, 23, 26, 28 and 29. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 2 years and are a clear attempt to silence a brave journalist whose investigative journalism has routinely called for accountability in cases of human rights violations. Dara is being held at the Kandal Provincial Prison.

26 September 2024

If you are having trouble repaying, what can you do?

You can request a loan restructuring from the institution where you borrowed money.

Remember that no one has the right to pressure or force you to sell land or a house to pay off debts out of court.

16 September 2024

Since 23 July 2024, more than 100 people have been arrested and more than 60 have been charged and imprisoned for posting on social media, planning to assemble, or expressing opinions about the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA), a 20-year-old trade and cooperation agreement between the three neighboring countries.

The age of those detained and charged ranges between 16 and 70, including four minors under the age of 18. Most of those detained have been charged with “plotting an attack on the state”, which carries a sentence of 5-10 years in prison. Others are facing charges of “incitement to commit a felony”, which carries between 6 months and 2 years in prison, while several others face additional charges. They are being held in prisons across the country, many of which are severely overcrowded and struggling to provide people behind bars with basic services.