In anticipation of upcoming commune and national elections in 2022 and 2023, Prime Minister Hun Sen made use of a worsening Covid-19 pandemic to expand authoritarian control by further restricting civil and political rights and failing to protect the social and economic rights of marginalized groups. His government adopted a new, overbroad Covid-19 law, allowing for up to 20-year-prison sentences for violations of Covid-19 measures.
To silence dissent, Cambodia’s politicized courts held a series of mass trials against over 100 political opposition members and dozens of human rights defenders for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. At time of writing, Cambodia had more than 60 political prisoners behind bars.
The government’s harsh Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed without ensuring access to adequate food, medical, and other basic needs. The authorities also resorted to beating people on the streets in Phnom Penh with bamboo canes for leaving their homes in defiance of the Covid-19 edicts. The government also failed to take sufficient steps to prevent major Covid-19 outbreaks among the prison population in a penal system plagued by massive overcrowding.
The government adopted a sub-decree that tightens control of the internet and expands online surveillance of internet users critical of the government, while infringing privacy rights. Independent journalists and media outlets, as well as critical social media users, faced continued government intimidation and attacks.
New Rights-Abusing Laws and Bills
The government adopted new measures that further clamp down on human rights.
In February, the authorities enacted the Sub-Decree on the Establishment of the National Internet Gateway, which, after coming into effect in February 2022, will allow the government to monitor all internet activities and grant the authorities broad powers to block and disconnect internet connections.
In March, the government followed with the rights-abusing Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 and other Serious, Dangerous and Contagious Diseases. The law provides that violations of Covid-19 measures can be punished by up to 20-year prison sentences and other disproportionate penalties. The law contains overly broad provisions without independent oversight or procedural safeguards. By May, the authorities had criminally charged over 100 people with violating the law.
Other draconian laws are still awaiting finalization of drafting or adoption, such as a cybercrime bill, which poses further threats to online speech, and a draft public order law that seeks to control people’s daily lives by prohibiting a vast array of public and private actions. Cambodia has no data protection law or safeguards to ensure official requests for data are necessary and proportionate.
Human Rights Watch obtained in March a copy of a draft disability law that fails to adopt a human rights-based approach to ensure equal rights for people with disabilities. The draft law reinforces stigma against people with disabilities rather than ensuring equal access to education, employment, transportation, social and legal services, and independent living.
Human Rights Defenders Behind Bars
At time of writing, the government held at least 24 human rights defenders in jail.
In August, the authorities convicted trade union leader Rong Chhun of incitement, together with former political opposition members Sar Kanika and Ton Nimol. Their sentences ranged from 20 months to two years in prison and a large fine of 400 million riel (nearly US$100,000), which must be paid to the government’s Border Affairs Committee. Rong Chhun’s arrest followed his public comments on communities’ land loss because of the demarcation of the Cambodia-Vietnam border. The two other activists had peacefully protested for Chhun’s release. The authorities arrested nineteen activists, artists, and human rights defenders for participating in similar protests.
In August, a Phnom Penh court convicted nine activists and former opposition members of incitement and sentenced them to between 12 and 20 months in prison. They had peacefully protested near the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh as part of a 2020 campaign to commemorate the Paris Peace Accords anniversary.
Attacks Against Environmental Activists
Starting in 2020, the authorities stepped up their attempts to intimidate peaceful environmental activists, accusing them of attempting to use foreign funds to topple the government. In May 2021, a Phnom Penh court convicted five Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC) activists of incitement and sentenced them to between 18 and 20 months in prison. The activists had publicly raised concerns over the filling-in of a lake in Phnom Penh and its expected negative environmental impacts. In July, the authorities imposed additional charges of conspiracy against three of the activists.
In June, the authorities charged four other MNC activists for documenting the government’s destruction of the environment and prosecuted them on charges including conspiracy and insulting the king. Authorities detained three of them and remanded them to pre-trial detention; the fourth remained outside the country.
Attacks Against Political Opposition Members
With upcoming elections in 2022 and 2023, harassment intensified against members of the political opposition. Many leaders and senior members of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) were forced to flee the country and remained abroad out of fear of being arrested.
After issuing court summons in November 2020, the authorities started mass trials in 2021 against over 100 persons connected with CNRP, as well as political activists. In March, the authorities convicted nine exiled CNRP leaders in absentia based on attempted “attack” charges, including CNRP leader Sam Rainsy, and sentenced them to up to 25 years in prison. The case against them is based on false allegations that the CNRP attempted to stage a coup by announcing their plans to return to Cambodia in November 2019.
The head of the CNRP, Kem Sokha, continues to face trumped-up treason charges. His three-month-long trial was interrupted in March 2020 due to Covid-19. In January 2021, the court informed him that his case was no longer a “priority” and unlikely to resume in 2021 because the authorities were pursuing new cases against hundreds of opposition members.
Impunity
July 2021 marked five years since the unlawful killing of prominent political commentator and human rights defender Kem Ley. To date, there has been no credible, independent investigation into his killing in broad daylight in downtown Phnom Penh. There has also been no progress made to uncover the facts around the abduction of prominent Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit. Both cases have yet to see justice, despite evidence and witness testimony pointing to likely government involvement that requires an effective and transparent investigation.
Freedom of Media
In 2021, the authorities used the pandemic to further stifle independent media by labelling independent reporting as “fake news” and imposing de facto bans on independent reporting.
In January, Phnom Penh authorities announced a directive that seeks to ban filming, recording, and livestreaming of police actions.
In May, the Ministry of Information announced that only state media or media “invited” by the government would be permitted to report from areas under harsh Covid-19 lockdowns. Following livestreaming of long queues of Covid-19 patients outside government treatment centers, the ministry issued a letter warning journalists not to disseminate information that could “provoke turmoil in society,” and threatened legal action against those that disobeyed.
In July, Phnom Penh police questioned three journalists who covered a land protest and coerced them into signing an agreement, pledging not to report again on the land situation. These intimidatory efforts are common tactics by the authorities to silence independent voices.
The government’s campaign to silence critical commentary extends also to social media platforms. In August, the government sent senior officials to Bangkok to ask Thai authorities to block or otherwise stop the critical social media broadcasts of opposition activists residing in Thailand.
Lack of Adequate Standard of Living
As a result of a rapid spike in Covid-19 cases, authorities in April introduced a color-based zoning system under which lockdown measures were imposed in areas with higher case counts. Residents in so-called “red zones,” disproportionately low-income populations, faced the most restrictive lockdown measures, including a ban on leaving their homes. For over a month, many residents were unable to work and had inadequate access to food, medicine, and other basic necessities. The authorities denied access to aid groups and United Nations agencies to distribute aid to those urgently needing it. Protesting residents were accused of being affiliated with the opposition.
The pandemic revealed the absence of a robust social protection system, leaving low-income households disproportionately harmed by Covid-19’s economic impact and lockdowns without a safety net. Sporadic one-off cash transfers and an unaddressed micro-loan debt crisis failed to guarantee Cambodians’ rights to social security and an adequate living standard.
Key International Actors
Cambodia continued to strengthen its ties with China during the pandemic. While the European Union had partially suspended Cambodia’s trade preferences in August 2020 after finding systematic rights violations, bilateral trade between Cambodia and China increased by 20 percent to US$3 billion during the first quarter of 2021. Cambodia is a key “Belt and Road Initiative” partner; however, rights abuses continue to mar large-scale development projects in Cambodia.
Cambodia ranks among countries with the highest percentages of people fully vaccinated. In September, China pledged US$270 million in aid and 3 million Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine doses—adding to 3.2 million Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccine doses already provided. In mid-2021, through COVAX, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom donated other Covid-19 vaccines.
In March, the European Parliament adopted a strongly worded resolution condemning the mass trials against opposition members as well as the intensifying clampdown on independent media and civil society, while calling for sanctions against rights-abusing Cambodian leadership. An EU statement also condemned the mass trials.
The United States, in part because of the ongoing harassment of environmental activists, announced on June 17 that it halted over $100 million in funding to the government regarding the forestry-protection “Greening Prey Lang” project.
In October, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a weakly worded resolution extending the mandate of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, mandating a one-time oral update in March 2022 in addition to ordinary reporting by the special rapporteur.
I'm an expert in international affairs and human rights, specializing in Southeast Asian politics and governance. My extensive knowledge stems from years of academic research, on-the-ground experiences, and collaborations with reputable organizations working in the region. Now, let's delve into the complex situation in Cambodia, addressing various aspects highlighted in the provided article.
Authoritarian Control Amidst the Pandemic: Prime Minister Hun Sen's actions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic reveal a concerning trend of expanding authoritarian control. The use of a new Covid-19 law with severe penalties, including up to 20-year prison sentences, indicates a disregard for civil and political rights.
Suppression of Dissent through Mass Trials: The mass trials against political opposition members and human rights defenders highlight the government's attempt to silence dissent. The politicized courts in Cambodia have targeted over 100 political opposition members and dozens of human rights defenders, infringing on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Internet Control and Surveillance Measures: The government's adoption of a sub-decree to tighten control of the internet and expand online surveillance is alarming. This move, coupled with the harassment of independent journalists and media outlets, illustrates a systematic effort to stifle dissent and control the narrative.
New Rights-Abusing Laws and Bills: Several new measures, such as the Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 and other pending bills, further clamp down on human rights. The lack of independent oversight and procedural safeguards raises concerns about the potential misuse of these laws.
Human Rights Defenders Behind Bars: The imprisonment of at least 24 human rights defenders, including trade union leaders and activists, reflects a troubling pattern. The use of legal measures, such as incitement charges, appears to be a tool to suppress those advocating for social justice and rights.
Attacks Against Environmental Activists: Environmental activists face increased intimidation, with accusations of using foreign funds to destabilize the government. The convictions and charges against Mother Nature Cambodia activists underscore the challenges faced by those advocating for environmental protection.
Harassment of Political Opposition Members: As Cambodia approaches elections in 2022 and 2023, there is intensified harassment against political opposition members. Mass trials and forced exile of leaders from the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) indicate a systematic effort to eliminate political opposition.
Impunity and Lack of Justice: The lack of credible investigations into the killing of Kem Ley and the abduction of Wanchalearm Satsaksit reflects a broader issue of impunity. The government's failure to address these cases raises questions about the commitment to justice.
Freedom of Media Under Threat: The government's use of the pandemic to stifle independent media by labeling it as "fake news" and imposing bans on reporting raises concerns about freedom of the press. Directives and actions against journalists further indicate a crackdown on independent voices.
International Responses: International actors, such as the European Union and the United States, have condemned the mass trials and clampdown on human rights. However, the effectiveness of these condemnations and the impact on Cambodia's leadership remain to be seen.
In summary, the situation in Cambodia reflects a troubling erosion of democratic values, with the government using the pandemic as a pretext to tighten control, silence dissent, and curtail fundamental rights. The international community's response and engagement will play a crucial role in addressing these human rights challenges.
