Civil and political rights
Freedom of expression
UN statement slammed for ‘stunning’ timidity
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the fractious political situation in Cambodia on Sunday, in a two-sentence statement issued through his press office that rights activists on Monday blasted for its timidity and brevity. ...
Taylor O'connell
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/un-statement-slammed-for-stunning-timidity-113249/
Police scuffle with protesters on fourth ‘black Monday’
Familiar scenes of police ripping banners during heated scuffles with protesters marked the fourth “Black Monday,” as activists continued to call for the release of human rights workers who have been in Prey Sar prison for almost one month. ...
George Wright and Ben Sokhean
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/police-scuffle-with-protesters-on-fourth-black-monday-113239/
Opposition official arrested over petition
An opposition official in Kampot was arrested yesterday evening over his involvement in collecting thumbprints for a Royal petition calling for the release of detained human rights officials and politicians in the Kingdom. ...
May Titthara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/25332/opposition-official-arrested-over-petition/
Police put an end to gathering of farmers in Prey Veng
Police who shut down a gathering of 30 people in a private home in Prey Veng province yesterday justified the action by saying the organisers had failed to notify the district governor in writing beforehand. ...
Niem Chheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/police-put-end-gathering-farmers-prey-veng
Eight arrested over ‘black Monday’ protests
Eight human rights officers and activists clad in black were arrested on Monday during “Black Monday” protests in Phnom Penh, the first in a campaign to free four fellow rights workers and an election official who were jailed late last month on charges widely believed ...
Ben Sokhean and George Wright
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/eight-arrested-over-black-monday-protests-112371/
New human rights czar defends government against ‘darkness’
As protesters were being arrested during peaceful demonstrations in Phnom Penh on Monday morning, the new chairman of the government’s human rights committee held a press conference to reassure the public that the country’s human rights situation was stable. ...
Sek Odom
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/new-human-rights-czar-defends-government-against-darkness-112386/
Government calls rally against ACU an act of ‘rebellion’
The government on Sunday warned of a crackdown on activists and advocacy groups set to protest today against the recent arrests of four rights workers and an election official, calling the planned demonstration an act of “urban rebellion.” ...
Zsombor Peter and Ben Sokhean
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/government-calls-rally-against-acu-an-act-of-rebellion-112316/
Protesters to march on ACU despite city hall ban
Activists organizing a protest march to the Phnom Penh headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) say they will continue with their plans despite City Hall’s decision on Thursday to reject their request. ...
Ben Sokhean
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/protesters-to-march-on-acu-despite-city-hall-ban-112240/
Embassies keep wary eye on cases against rights workers
Foreign diplomatic missions in Phnom Penh say they are closely watching the handling of the cases of human rights monitors and a national election official charged and jailed on Monday in connection with a sex scandal being prosecuted against an opposition leader. ...
Alex Willemyns
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/embassies-keep-wary-eye-cases-rights-workers-112137/
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/
Hun Sen says peace trumps free expression
A day after the ruling party filed a defamation complaint against one of the country’s most prominent political commentators, Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday defended limitations on freedom of speech as being necessary for peace and stability. ...
Taylor O'Connell and Kang Sothear
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/hun-sen-says-peace-trumps-free-expression-111805/
PM threatens to use courts to silence pundits, with Virak top of list
Prime Minister Hun Sen has called for legal action against those who “twist” the truth to malign the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, taking aim at the nation’s political analysts and commentators, with one of its most prominent, Ou Virak, the first in the crosshairs. ...
Ananth Baliga and Meas Sokchea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/pm-threatens-use-courts-silence-pundits-virak-top-list
Press freedom ranking low but rising
Cambodia ranked 128th in Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) 2015 ranking of press freedom in countries across the world, the watchdog said yesterday on its website. ...
Jonathan Greig
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/24031/press-freedom-ranking-low-but-rising/
Former SRP president slams arrest of Um Sam An
As the opposition marked the 41st anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge, one of its senior officials yesterday lashed out at the imprisonment of a CNRP lawmaker for criticising the government’s handling of the Vietnamese border issue. ...
Meas Sokchea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/former-srp-president-slams-arrest-um-sam
Women’s day bike ride blocked by police, security guards
More than 200 activists attempting to cycle from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to the National Assembly in Phnom Penh to mark International Women’s Day were penned in by authorities Tuesday morning after pedaling less than 100 meters. ...
Sek Odom
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/109648-109648/
US weighs in on anti-Hun Sen protest
Amid fears of a potential reprise of anti-opposition violence that flared in October, a US Embassy spokesman yesterday called on the government “to ensure that no one is threatened, punished, or harmed in Cambodia” if a planned anti-Hun Sen rally takes place as scheduled next ...
Brent Crane
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/us-weighs-anti-hun-sen-protest
NGO notes uptick in gov’t ‘threats’ against online posters
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights released a public notice on Monday noting a “substantial increase” in the number of people being charged for making anti-government or anti-Hun Sen comments in social media. ...
Pech Sotheary
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ngo-notes-uptick-govt-threats-against-online-posters
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
TV anchor seeks to be Cambodia's political peacemaker to avoid conflict
Cambodian TV news anchor Soy Sopheap has again stepped into the role of political peacemaker in an effort to end the feud between Prime Minister Hun Sen and exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy which threatens to ignite political conflict. ...
Prak Chan Thul
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/11/30/cambodia-politics-idINKBN0TJ2O220151130
Man briefly detained over criticism of gov’t
A man in Kampong Speu’s Oral district was briefly placed under house arrest yesterday, following his public criticism of the government and prime minister at a town hall meeting.Ung Ny, Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) Oral district executive director, said that 45-year-old Hay Hoeun, a ...
Vong Sokheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/man-briefly-detained-over-criticism-govt
UN rights office voices concern at clampdown on political activism in Cambodia
The United Nations human rights office expressed concern today over a worsening climate for opposition politicians and activists in Cambodia, and stressed that the right to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression belongs to all. ...
Big News Network Staff
http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/238122383/un-rights-office-voices-concern-at-clampdown-on-political-activism-in-cambodia
Defense minister says soldiers can take part in demonstrations
Defense Minister Tea Banh says Cambodia’s soldiers should have the right to support demonstrations.Speaking at the airport as he waited for Prime Minister Hun Sen to arrive from an official visit to France, Tea Banh said his troops have a right to “express their opinion.” ...
Hul Reaksmey, Neou Vannarin
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/defense-minister-says-soldiers-can-take-part-in-demonstrations/3026380.html
Cambodian police arrest student for Facebook threat to blow up deputy PM
A Cambodian University student, who was arrested by provincial police in Siem Reap after he threatened to kill Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng on social media, has confessed to the plot to throw a grenade at the government official during the school’s graduation ceremony, the ...
Khe Sonorng and Samean Yun
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodia-threat-09292015132421.html
Following arrests, groups issue nine principles of internet freedom
Cambodian pro-democracy and rights groups have written a statement of principles to guide Internet freedom in the country, following the arrests of activists for Facebook posts. ...
Neou Vannarin
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/following-arrests-groups-issue-nine-principles-of-internet-freedom/2964547.html