Social development
Human rights
Police seek Thai cooperation to extradite activist
Cambodian authorities have announced that they intend to seek the cooperation from Thai authorities to extradite a Cambodian woman named Chou Chhin, who they say broadcast misleading information about the Kingdom’s ongoing trade negotiations with the US, via her “Women Overseas” Facebook page. ...
Phak Seangly
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/police-seek-thai-cooperation-to-extradite-activist
Official calls for media to fact check to ensure social justice
Ministry of Information spokesman Tep Asnarith has expressed concerns over the spread of misinformation regarding a recent tragic case that appalled the Kingdom – the murder of a 14-year-old school girl. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/official-calls-for-media-to-fact-check-to-ensure-social-justice
CamboJA News wins Anthony Lewis Prize for exceptional rule of law journalism
CamboJA News has been awarded the World Justice Project’s Anthony Lewis Journalism Prize, recognizing our investigative reporting and daily coverage of issues undermining the rule of law in Cambodia. ...
CamboJA Staff
https://cambojanews.com/camboja-news-wins-anthony-lewis-prize-for-exceptional-rule-of-law-journalism/
U.S. researcher’s report names 28 for sanctions over ruling party scam links; govt denies
A blistering report by a prominent U.S. crime expert, disallowed from returning to Cambodia by his employer in 2023 over alleged threats, has triggered a wave of condemnation from Cambodian officials after calling for expanded U.S. sanctions on elites linked to the country’s online scam ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/u-s-researchers-report-names-28-for-sanctions-over-ruling-party-scam-links-govt-denies/
Cambodia, Indonesia strengthen joint efforts to fight transnational crime
Cambodia and Indonesia have reaffirmed their shared commitment to intensify cooperation in combating transnational crime, following a series of high-level meetings between an Indonesian law enforcement delegation and key Cambodian institutions on May 20. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodia-indonesia-strengthen-joint-efforts-to-fight-transnational-crime
Cambodia rejects accusations of cybercrime collusion, calls it political plot
The Cambodian government has dismissed a recent international report alleging that the Kingdom is a global epicentre for transnational cybercrime, calling it politically motivated and lacking in scientific credibility. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodia-rejects-accusations-of-cybercrime-collusion-calls-it-political-plot
Agricultural census data expected to impact planning, attract investment
The Census of Agriculture Cambodia 2023 was launched this morning, May 19. The data generated by the census is expected to become a key driver in enabling the government and all relevant partners to develop effective plans for advancing Cambodia’s agriculture sector. ...
Observers question haste of ‘suicide’ verdicts in falls from high-rises
A series of deaths resulting from falls from high-rise buildings have raised public concerns, with some observers questioning the haste with which authorities appear to have ruled the cases suicides. ...
Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/observers-question-haste-of-suicide-verdicts-in-falls-from-high-rises
Manet, Sokha urge police to step up fight against cyber-crimes
Two of the Kingdom’s top officials have raised concerns about online security challenges in 2025, identifying internet fraud as a major issue among several threats that require heightened attention from the National Police. ...
Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/manet-sokha-urge-police-to-step-up-fight-against-cyber-crimes
Huione Pay removes sign after U.S. blacklist move
Phnom Penh-based Huione Pay was seen taking down its signage on Wednesday, six days after the U.S. Treasury flagged its parent, Huione Group, as a primary money laundering concern and moved to cut it off from the U.S. financial system. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/huione-pay-removes-sign-after-u-s-blacklist-move/
Phnom Penh Court sentences Rong Chhun to four years jail, removes political rights
Labor activist Rong Chhun, who is also a senior advisor of Nation Power Party, was found guilty of incitement by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for criticizing the ruling party’s border policies and the way it “handles” the illicit cybercrime industry. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/phnom-penh-court-sentences-rong-chhun-to-four-years-jail-removes-political-rights/
Strengthening Franco-Cambodian ties: A roadmap for the future
The diplomatic relationship between France and Cambodia is gaining new momentum, marked by ambitious cooperation projects and high-level visits designed to take the partnership to the next level. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/strengthening-franco-cambodian-ties-a-roadmap-for-the-future
RSF report: Cambodia’s press freedom score drops further but gov’t states real situation is “very good”
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Cambodia 161 out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, which is a further drop from 151 in 2024, reflecting a deteriorating media landscape, according to its report released a day before World Press Freedom Day. ...
World Press Freedom Day sees three key issues raised
The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the suspension of USAID support and Cambodia’s drop in press freedom rankings from 151 to 161 were the most widely discussed topics during an event held to mark the 32nd World Press Freedom Day. ...
Phak Seangly
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/world-press-freedom-day-sees-three-key-issues-raised
Information ministry: Press freedom improving, AI represents challenges
In the past decade, Cambodia’s media landscape has undergone a major transformation, marked by notable growth in digital platforms. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/information-ministry-press-freedom-improving-ai-represents-challenges
Labor, political activist Rong Chhun’s home to be seized over incitement fine
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday ordered the seizure of opposition advisor and labor activist Rong Chhun’s assets, including his home, over a contested $100,000 fine linked to a 2021 incitement conviction widely criticized by rights groups. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/labor-political-activist-rong-chhuns-home-to-be-seized-over-incitement-fine/
‘Fake news’ posters could face account shutdowns, legal action
The “Say No to Fake News” campaign was launched on April 1, which coincided with April Fool’s Day. However, the campaign is no joke but rather an initiative to raise awareness and take action against those who deliberately spread misinformation. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/-fake-news-posters-could-face-account-shutdowns-legal-action
Communities, unions saddened and fear loss of voice after Trump cuts funds to VOA, RFA, puts staff on leave
Independent radio stations, Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), have been suspended unexpectedly, raising concern among advocates of press freedom, unionists, and civil society in Cambodia. ...
Sovann Sreypich and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/communities-unions-saddened-and-fear-loss-of-voice-after-trump-cuts-funds-to-voa-rfa-puts-staff-on-leave/
Are US cuts damaging press freedom, even in Cambodia?
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at shuttering Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and several other news organisations that receive funding from the US government. ...
Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/are-us-cuts-damaging-press-freedom-even-in-cambodia-
Japan welcomes next generation of political leaders; shares democratic processes
A group of 10 politically active young Cambodians will visit Japan as part of the Japanese government’s support for Cambodia’s democratic development. ...
Lim Kimya murder: French Ambassador meets Cambodian authorities over investigation
French Ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet met with Dy Vichea, Deputy Chief of Cambodian National Police, on Monday to discuss measures taken by Cambodian authorities in relation to Thailand’s investigation into the assassination of Lim Kimya, a dual French-Cambodian citizen and former opposition lawmaker. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/lim-kimya-murder-french-ambassador-meets-cambodian-authorities-over-investigation/
Cambodia now ranks second in prison overcrowding, calls for reform
Cambodian prisons are more packed than ever, with inmate numbers up 23% and more than half of nearly two dozen prisons at 200% capacity or higher, local rights group Licadho recently reported, warning of persistent gaps in criminal justice reform. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-now-ranks-second-in-prison-overcrowding-calls-for-reform/
Prime minister defends boosting of social media posts as ‘my right’
Prime Minister Hun Manet has defended the more than $1.5 million dollars he has spent on boosting his Facebook posts, while also explaining that the funds did not come from the Kingdom’s national budget. ...
Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/prime-minister-defends-boosting-of-social-media-posts-as-my-right-
ADHOC report: Human rights, political rights still restricted amid arrests of NPP members
A civil society organization stated that Cambodia’s freedom of expression, assembly, including political rights remains restricted in a report, which comes amid continual arrests of opposition Nation Power Party (NPP) officials recently. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/adhoc-report-human-rights-political-rights-still-restricted-amid-arrests-of-npp-members/