Social development

Human rights

Ministry defends legal process in journalists’ treason case, pledges support for ethical reporters

The Ministry of Information has defended the judicial handling of a high-profile case involving two journalists who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms on treason charges, while reiterating its readiness to provide legal support to reporters who adhere to professional standards and ethics. ...

Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ministry-defends-legal-process-in-journalists-treason-case-pledges-support-for-ethical-reporters

Returning migrant workers battle debt and limited opportunities, says report that officials deny

Surveys show mounting hardship among returning migrant workers, with only about 7,000 hired by factories while some have been forced to accept low-skill jobs returnees, despite official claims that 650,000 migrants have secured jobs. ...

Thang Sinorn
https://kiripost.com/stories/returning-migrant-workers-battle-debt-and-limited-opportunities-says-report-that-officials-deny

Cambodia rejects Thai proposal to revoke border pact, analysts warn of stability risks

Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs on Thursday rejected a Thai Senate committee recommendation, reported by Thai media, to revoke a decades-old border survey agreement that regained relevance after deadly clashes between the neighbors last year. ...

Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-rejects-thai-proposal-to-revoke-border-pact-analysts-warn-of-stability-risks/

Unionist sentenced to two years for incitement in case activists call unjust

Pich Piseth, leader of the Coalition-AI union at a garment factory in Preah Sihanouk province, was sentenced to two years in prison for incitement to commit a felony, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court said on Wednesday. ...

Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/unionist-sentenced-to-two-years-for-incitement-in-case-activists-call-unjust/

Banteay Meanchey shelters temporary, displaced villagers will return home, say authorities

Provincial authorities have clarified that the houses currently being built and allocated to Cambodians who have been displaced by the border fighting of last year are intended as temporary shelters only, not permanent replacements for their homes. ...

Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/banteay-meanchey-shelters-temporary-displaced-villagers-will-return-home-say-authorities

Garment worker jailed for comment on Cambodia-Thailand border clash

 A garment worker on Monday was found guilty of incitement for criticizing the Cambodia –Thailand border conflict over social media and insulting a public official. ...

Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/garment-worker-jailed-for-comment-on-cambodia-thailand-border-clash/

UN launches regional campaign in Phnom Penh targeting scam trafficking

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Thursday launched a regional campaign in Phnom Penh to raise awareness among young Cambodians and others about trafficking risks from recruitment into scam operations.   ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/un-launches-regional-campaign-in-phnom-penh-targeting-scam-trafficking/

The Ministry of Information spokesperson considers Meas Sara's behavior and report as lacking dignity and disrespecting women

Today, social media users have criticized the actions of Mr. Meas Sara, who conducted a live broadcast featuring women standing along Veng Sreng Road. Regarding the actions and reporting of this male journalist, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Information stated that his behavior reflects ...

Thmey Thmey
https://thmeythmey.com/detail/157457

Schedule appeal hearing for five mother nature activists soon – UN special rapporteur

The United Nations Special Rapporteur called for the release of five Mother Nature Cambodia activists who are serving six to eight years in jail for plotting and insulting the King, noting that the Appeal Court should schedule a date for their appeal soon. ...

Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/schedule-appeal-hearing-for-five-mother-nature-activists-soon-un-special-rapporteur/

Cambodia highlights gender justice efforts at UN Women

Cambodia remains determined to advance gender equality and widen access to justice for women and girls, the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters was told on Wednesday. ...

Taing Rinith
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501864931/cambodia-highlights-gender-justice-efforts-at-un-women/

Government builds temporary housing for thousands of displaced families ahead of rainy season

Around 3,000 temporary houses would be constructed in three provinces to accommodate the remaining displaced families before the rainy season as existing displacement centers continue to endure extreme heat and requests for essential infrastructure at new sites.​   ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/government-builds-temporary-housing-for-thousands-of-displaced-families-ahead-of-rainy-season/

Human rights chief details Thai abuses to UN representative

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has continued to raise the issue of Thai soldiers stealing Cambodian citizens’ property and committing other abuses with the UN representative to Cambodia, even as the Cambodia-Thailand border issue remains deadlocked. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/human-rights-chief-details-thai-abuses-to-un-representative

Activist Thou Vakhim convicted, rights groups warn of shrinking civic space

A social activist was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to two years’ jail for incitement to commit a felony on Tuesday for his activism and fined four million riel. ...

Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/activist-thou-vakhim-convicted-rights-groups-warn-of-shrinking-civic-space/

Sokhonn embarks on foreign tour to expose Thai violations against Cambodia

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn is currently conducting a mission abroad to present the Cambodia-Thailand border situation to friendly nations, in addition to strengthening bilateral relations. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/sokhonn-embarks-on-foreign-tour-to-expose-thai-violations-against-cambodia

Man, 24, accused of aggravated rape and distributing child sexual abuse material

A 24-year-old Cambodian man has been charged with aggravated rape and the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) linked to at least 21 victims aged five to 16 in Siem Reap province, with investigations ongoing to close the net on a suspected ...

Chhorn Raksmey
https://kiripost.com/stories/man-24-accused-of-aggravated-rape-and-distributing-child-sexual-abuse-material

Phnom Penh denies Freedom Park gathering for International Women’s Day

Phnom Penh authorities have refused permission for an International Women’s Day gathering at Freedom Park, steering organizers away from the capital’s traditional protest site and warning of legal consequences if they proceed. ...

Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/phnom-penh-denies-freedom-park-gathering-for-international-womens-day/

Helpline records 1,520+ reports for support related to online child sexploitation

The scale of online exploitation in Cambodia has been highlighted with the Country Director of the AusCam Freedom Project, Ngorn Sokleap, stating that since it launched its helpline in 2020, the organisation has received 1,527 calls and messages, with more than 200 life-saving crisis interventions ...

Chhorn Raksmey
https://kiripost.com/stories/helpline-records-1520-reports-for-support-related-to-online-child-sexploitation

Opposition leader Sun Chanthy freed by Royal Pardon

Former opposition Nation Power Party (NPP) leader Sun Chanthy walked free on Tuesday after receiving a royal pardon for a conviction of inciting social disorder late in 2024, in a rare reprieve for a jailed government critic. ...

Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/opposition-leader-sun-chanthy-freed-by-royal-pardon/

Early Feb sees 2,700 locations checked in Phnom Penh; 20,000 foreigner scammers identified

In just 15 days, from February 3 to February 18, Phnom Penh authorities conducted a sweep of 2,709 locations suspected of accommodating scammers. They discovered 21,104 foreigners, including 6,683 women. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/early-feb-sees-2-700-scam-busts-in-phnom-pehn-20-000-foreigners-identified

Six journalists detained over border, scam reporting as rights groups warn of sliding press freedom

At least six Cambodian journalists have been detained, arrested, or charged with incitement between January and mid-February 2026 after reporting on border tensions and suspected online scam compounds, with two still held in pre-trial detention, according to local rights groups. ...

Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/six-journalists-detained-over-border-scam-reporting-as-rights-groups-warn-of-sliding-press-freedom/

Cambodia signals progress on LGBTQ+ rights and economic benefits of marriage equality

A senior Cambodian official has reported a significant decline in social discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, framing legal marriage equality as both a human rights milestone and a strategic economic advantage for the Kingdom. ...

Khmer Times Staff
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501845578/cambodia-signals-progress-on-lgbtq-rights-and-economic-benefits-of-marriage-equality/

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