Social development
Human rights
Thais disrupt UNESCO meeting as committee condemns bombing of heritage sites
The 48th Session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the destruction of world heritage properties during armed conflicts. ...
Niem Chheng
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/thais-disrupt-unesco-meeting-as-committee-condemns-bombing-of-heritage-sites/
Cambodia to UN rights expert: Humanitarian considerations key to scam busts
Cambodia has highlighted how its nationwide crackdown on technology-based scam operations must be balanced with the need to safeguard the welfare and rights of victims, as authorities continue expanding operations against organised cybercrime networks. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodia-to-un-rights-expert-humanitarian-considerations-key-to-scam-busts/
Thais accuse Hollywood star of misinformation about displaced civilians
A sympathetic message from Hollywood star Angelina Jolie about the fate of displaced Cambodian civilians has received a predictable response from the Thai military. ...
Niem Chheng
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/thais-accuse-hollywood-star-of-misinformation-about-displaced-civilians/
One year after Thai invasion, Banteay Ampil struggling with lasting scars
A year after armed attacks along the Cambodia-Thailand border devastated communities in Oddar Meanchey province, local authorities say the conflict continues to cast a long shadow over daily life. Hundreds of families remain unable to return to their homes, unexploded ordnance (UXOs) delay reconstruction and ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/one-year-after-thai-invasion-banteay-ampil-struggling-with-lasting-scars/
When the cameras left: The unfinished recovery of Cambodia’s border families
The mother of three now has a roof over her head in a temporary settlement in Srah Kaev village, Pumgor commune, Chong Kal district, Oddar Meanchey province, replacing the cramped evacuation camps where thousands of families sought refuge during last year’s Cambodia-Thailand border conflict. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/when-the-cameras-left-the-unfinished-recovery-of-cambodias-border-families/
Oddar Meanchey honours fallen soldiers ahead of first anniversary of border conflict
Authorities in Oddar Meanchey province staged a Buddhist memorial ceremony to honour the Cambodian soldiers and police officers who lost their lives during last year’s border conflict with Thailand, marking the anniversary of the outbreak of fighting with a call to remember their sacrifice and ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/oddar-meanchey-honours-fallen-soldiers-ahead-of-first-anniversary-of-border-conflict/
Foreign minister urges ASEAN counterparts to support return of displaced civilians
Cambodia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has requested that his ASEAN counterparts support the return of more than 20,000 Cambodian civilians who are unable to return to their homes due to the Thai military’s occupation of Cambodian territory. ...
198 Cambodian women stopped from potential trafficking in first half of 2026
Cambodian authorities stopped 198 women from potentially falling victim to fake job and marriage scams during the first six months of 2026, but rights groups warn that poverty, unemployment and debt will continue to push citizens into risky overseas journeys unless the root causes are ...
Chhorn Raksmey
https://kiripost.com/stories/198-cambodian-women-stopped-from-potential-trafficking-in-first-half-of-2026
Japan urges renewed Cambodia-Thailand talks, pledges continued humanitarian aid
Japan has urged Cambodia and Thailand to resume dialogue to peacefully resolve their border dispute while pledging to continue humanitarian assistance for the civilians displaced by the conflict, saying negotiations remain the only sustainable path to allowing thousands of affected people to return home. ...
Raksmey Hong
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/japan-urges-renewed-cambodia-thailand-talks-pledges-continued-humanitarian-aid/
Women, girls face rising image-based sexual abuse
Women and girls in Cambodia are increasingly being threatened, coerced and exploited through the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images, rights group Licadho said Tuesday, warning that image-based sexual abuse is becoming more common. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/women-girls-face-rising-image-based-sexual-abuse-licadho-says/
Alcohol and toxic masculinity fuel Cambodia's gender violence, ADHOC warns
A new report has revealed that alcohol, harmful gender norms, sexual desire, drug use and pornography are driving gender based violence (GBV), despite a drop in reported cases. ...
Meas Molika
https://kiripost.com/stories/alcohol-and-toxic-masculinity-fuel-cambodias-gender-violence-adhoc-warns
Displaced child’s dream: ‘I just want to go home as soon as possible’
Despite continuing attending classes three times a day while displaced, third-grader Mach Raksmey has one overriding wish: to return to his home in Thmar Da, Veal Veng district, Pursat province, as soon as possible. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/displaced-childs-dream-i-just-want-to-go-home-as-soon-as-possible/
Cambodia discusses displaced civilians, alleged abuses with UN rights office
Cambodia has raised concerns over the humanitarian impact of the ongoing border dispute with Thailand during talks with the UN human rights office. Officials highlighted allegations of serious rights violations, noting that more than 20,000 displaced civilians remain unable to return to their homes, despite ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodia-discusses-displaced-civilians-alleged-abuses-with-un-rights-office/
Supreme court rejects activist Koet Saray’s appeal
The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the conviction of prominent human rights activist Koet Saray, who is serving a four-year prison sentence for incitement in a case condemned by U.N. experts and rights groups. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/supreme-court-rejects-activist-koet-sarays-appeal/
Manet rejects claims of restrictions, says government supports ‘genuine’ civil society groups
Prime Minister Hun Manet has rejected claims that the Cambodian government suppresses or restricts civil society organisations, insisting that the it remains open and fully supportive of organisations that operate transparently, honestly and effectively for the benefit of the Cambodian people and national development, particularly ...
Supreme court upholds journalists’ treason convictions amid press freedom concerns
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the treason convictions and 14-year prison sentences of journalists Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, rejecting their final appeal in a case condemned by rights groups and press organizations. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/supreme-court-upholds-journalists-treason-convictions-amid-press-freedom-concerns/
Despite ceasefire, home still out of reach for more than 28k Cambodians
Nearly six months after the December 27 ceasefire brought an end to armed clashes along the Cambodia–Thailand border, almost 30,000 Cambodians are still unable to return home, underscoring the long-lasting human impact of a conflict that officially fell silent months ago. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/despite-ceasefire-home-still-out-of-reach-for-more-than-28k-cambodians/
Amnesty casts doubt on Cambodia scam crackdown, says victims missed
A new Amnesty International report alleges Cambodia’s crackdown on online scam compounds failed to identify trafficking victims, while criminal networks continued to evade raids and survivors endured abuses including sexual violence. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/amnesty-casts-doubt-on-cambodia-scam-crackdown-says-victims-missed/
‘Starting from zero’: Returnees from Thailand still struggle to find stable jobs
The 40-year-old former migrant worker had registered with government employment programs after returning from Thailand last year. But the jobs were on banana plantations in Cambodia’s remote northeastern provinces, far from the elderly mother and nephew who depend on him. ...
Seoung Nimol and Try Thaney
https://cambojanews.com/starting-from-zero-returnees-from-thailand-still-struggle-to-find-stable-jobs/
How digital media is helping reshape LGBTQ+ advocacy in community
As Cambodia’s LGBTQ+ community marked Pride Month with a celebration at GIA Tower on May 29, advocates highlight the growing role of digital media in providing safe spaces for freedom of expression, health education and community support, while warning that discrimination and legal barriers remain ...
Chhorn Raksmey
https://kiripost.com/stories/how-digital-media-is-helping-reshape-lgbtq-advocacy-in-community
Cambodia expands school nutrition drive to tackle anaemia, unhealthy diets
Cambodia is intensifying efforts to improve child nutrition and food safety in schools as part of a broader strategy to strengthen human capital development, with education officials reporting that more than 300,000 students now benefit from school feeding programmes and nationwide measures to curb the ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodia-expands-school-nutrition-drive-to-tackle-anaemia-unhealthy-diets/
UNICEF warns funding gap threatens support for displaced children
UNICEF Cambodia has warned that a funding shortfall of more than $2.1 million could undermine efforts to help children and families recover from the recent displacement crisis along Cambodia’s border. The agency has appealed for greater support from government, businesses and the public on International ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/unicef-warns-funding-gap-threatens-support-for-displaced-children/
Helpline supports TFGBV survivors in Cambodia’s expanding digital landscape
A life-saving, free helpline has been launched with the aim of providing timely emotional support and practical guidance for survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in Cambodia amid a rapidly-evolving digital ecosystem. ...
Sivphing Chong
https://kiripost.com/stories/helpline-supports-tfgbv-survivors-in-cambodias-expanding-digital-landscape
Displaced children learning through emergency support, says education minister
Hundreds of thousands of Cambodians displaced by the border conflict since last year have received support to help their children continue their education, with temporary classrooms, learning materials and humanitarian assistance helping families cope with the upheaval, explained Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth ...
Hong Raksmey
https://phnompenhpost.com/national/displaced-children-learning-through-emergency-support-says-education-minister/