Civil and political rights
Access to information
Cambodia scores 157th in world for open data
Cambodia ranked 157th in the world and last in Southeast Asia, according to the report, released on Tuesday by NGO Open Data Watch, dropping four points since last year to a total score of 22 out of 100. ...
Hannah Hawkins
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/cambodia-scores-157th-world-open-data-125977/
PM calls for accurate reporting
Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on all media institutions in the country to disseminate accurate news and avoid immoral acts and commentary that could sway public opinion or that of the judiciary. ...
Taing Vida
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/34311/pm-calls-for-accurate-reporting/
Post-Khmer Rouge PM dies
Pen Sovann, Cambodia’s first prime minister after the Vietnamese invasion in January 1979 that swept the Khmer Rouge from power and a serving opposition member of parliament, passed away at his home in Takeo province’s Duan Keo town on Saturday evening aged 80. ...
Taing Vida
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/31437/post-khmer-rouge-pm-dies/
Information law a step closer
The information minister announced yesterday that the government is one step closer to establishing an access to information law, in response to demands for a more transparent and responsive government. ...
Ros Chanveasna
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/24538/information-law-a-step-closer/
With connectivity boom, Cambodia's political battles shift online
In September 2015, a Facebook page bearing the name of Prime Minister Hun Sen notched up its millionth “like.” Until then, the long-serving Cambodian leader had denied ever using social media, making fun of political rivals, like opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who were active online. ...
Sebastian Strangio
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/With-connectivity-boom-Cambodia-s-political-battles-shift-online
Report calls Cambodia ‘deadliest’ country for environmental reporting
With at least four Cambodians killed in recent years trying to uncover environmental crimes, the country ranks as the “deadliest” place in the world to conduct such reporting, according to a new report. ...
Aun Chhengpor
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/report-calls-cambodia-deadliest-country-for-environmental-reporting/3093238.html
Groups hope for continued input on draft Law on Information Access
Rights and development groups say a draft law on access to information will be more useful to the public if it has input from outside the government.A number of civil society organizations met in Phnom Penh this week to discuss the law, in hopes of ...
Hul Reaksmey
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/groups-hope-for-continued-input-on-draft-law-on-information-access/3093543.html
Cambodian government plans stricter internet controls
Cambodia announced plans this week to form a new government department responsible for monitoring and cracking down on a range of vaguely defined “online” crimes, drawing expressions of concern from human rights groups and the country’s political opposition. ...
So Chivey
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/controls-09102015155636.html
The National Police establishes a new department
The General Commissariat of National Police has recently established a new department called “Department for Anti-technology Crime”, said Gen. Khieu Sopheak, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior. ...
The Cambodia Herald News Staffq
http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/the-national-police-establishes-a-new-department-8932
Social media allows expression, but users weigh the risks of rumor
For many young Cambodians, social media has become more than simply a way to communicate with friends, and is a major source of news about their country and the world. But while observers say such websites have increased awareness about political issues in recent years, ...
Bloggers forced to tread lightly
Cambodia’s young internet users are thinking twice before discussing politics online, say prominent bloggers, after the third case of government punitive action sparked by Facebook comments within a month.On Saturday, student Kong Raiya, 25, was charged over a Facebook post linked to him for comments ...
Shaun Turton and Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/bloggers-forced-tread-lightly
Journalists frequently harried, in actions that hurt press freedom
While there are many issues for Cambodia’s journalists to cover these days—from the tensions with Vietnam over border issues to land disputes, the law to regulate NGOs, the labor sector and others—the country’s reporters are often disrupted from their work. ...
Oum Sonita and Nov Povleakhena
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/journalists-frequently-harried-in-actions-that-hurt-press-freedom/2924097.html
Groups have their say on access to information law
A United Nations agency will soon begin holding public meetings nationwide to consult the public on a long-awaited law that would give Cambodians access to important information held by the government. ...
Phorn Bopha
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/groups-have-their-say-on-access-to-information-law/2909158.html
Press clubs denounce attack on journalists
Press freedom groups have condemned a violent attack on two reporters by security guards at a rally in Phnom Penh yesterday. ...
Phak Seangly and Shaun Turton
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/press-clubs-denounce-attack-journalists
Parliamentarian rails against protests against NGO law
A ruling party lawmaker says pro-democracy and rights groups staging protests against a draft law at the National Assembly are trying to “topple the government.” On Wednesday, Chheang Vun, a lawmaker for the Cambodian People’s Party, said three days of protests over the draft are ...
Hul Reaksmey
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/parliamentarian-rails-against-protests-against-ngo-law/2846346.html