CamboJA
‘We are dying to live in our homeland’: Siem Reap villagers protest against Apsara
On Monday hundreds of families living inside the Angkor archaeological park protested against the Apsara National Authority, which manages the park, for barring them from doing construction and other activities that support their livelihoods. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/we-are-dying-to-live-in-our-homeland-siem-reap-villagers-protest-against-apsara/
From Clearing Farmland in Preah Vihear
M’lou Prey II commune authorities, of Preah Vihear’s Chheb district, submitted documentation Tuesday to the district regarding alleged encroachment on land farmed by Indigenous Kuy people following a protest earlier this month. ...
Villagers demand compensation from global green mining for clearing farm
At least 10 families are demanding compensation from a private company, which cleared farms and forest land to build an access road to explore iron ore mining in Preah Vihear province. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/villagers-demand-compensation-from-global-green-mining-for-clearing-farm/
Human rights watch: Cambodian government’s claims of democracy do not reflect reality
Cambodia’s 2023 election year was marked by attacks against government critics and independent media, according to a 2024 global Human Rights Watch (HRW) report published Thursday. ...
Khuon Narim and Leila Goldstein
https://cambojanews.com/human-rights-watch-cambodian-governments-claims-of-democracy-do-not-reflect-reality/
Justice Ministry rolls out campaigns to expedite court hearings, review irregularities
The Justice Ministry has rolled out two campaigns to speed up court hearings and resolve alleged irregularities in the justice system in order to enhance transparency and quality. The campaigns, including the set up of out-of-court settlements, have been lauded by civil society groups. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/justice-ministry-rolls-out-campaigns-to-expedite-court-hearings-review-irregularities/
Jan 30 fixed for Kem Sokha’s appeal as civil societies hope for political space restoration
The Court of Appeal will hear former opposition leader Kem Sokha’s appeal against his treason conviction this January 30, as civil societies call on the new government to restore the political situation and human rights in the country. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/jan-30-fixed-for-kem-sokhas-appeal-as-civil-societies-hope-for-political-space-restoration/
STT report: forced evictions in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Takeo pushed people into debt crisis
A report by NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut Organization (STT) revealed that people who are forcibly evicted from their homes without proper resettlement are burdened with debt, have low access to food, while children experience disruptive education and are subject to child labor. ...
Phon Sothyroth
https://cambojanews.com/stt-report-forced-evictions-in-phnom-penh-kandal-takeo-pushed-people-into-debt-crisis/
Seven Cambodian refugees nabbed by Thai police await UNHCR help
Thai authorities arrested 10 Cambodian refugees while attending the Paris Peace Agreement course in Bangkok on December 29, with seven of them being held at Suan Plu Immigration Detention Center while awaiting intervention by the UNHCR. ...
Pok Ponlue and Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/seven-cambodian-refugees-nabbed-by-thai-police-await-unhcr-help/
Gov’t studies same-sex marriage law amid prejudices, risk of breaking tradition
The law on same-sex marriages might be difficult to enact as government officials are concerned that it could undermine traditional customs. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/govt-studies-same-sex-marriage-law-amid-prejudices-risk-of-breaking-tradition/
Human rights violation, deforestation evident in Cambodia’s gold mine operations over 20 years – report
A recent report by Equitable Cambodia has exposed the commercial gold mining industry’s involvement in deforestation, violation of rights, encroachment and land grab of traditional indigenous forested areas. ...
Hot weather, dry season looms as agriculture ministry calls for more climate-resilient crops
The temperature in Cambodia is expected to rise starting February to early May, with highs of 41 degrees Celsius, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology said, urging the public, especially those in rural areas, to use water sparingly. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/hot-weather-dry-season-looms-as-agriculture-ministry-calls-for-more-climate-resilient-crops/
Forty percent of indigenous children in a Ratanakiri commune addicted to drugs
Local authorities and indigenous villagers in a commune in Ratanakiri are gravely concerned over the high percentage of their children being involved in drugs, with the propensity of becoming worse with time. ...
An Vicheth
https://cambojanews.com/forty-percent-of-indigenous-children-in-a-ratanakiri-commune-addicted-to-drugs/
NGOs call on the government to restore human rights in Cambodia
Amid a visit by the Special Rapporteur to Cambodia, non-governmental organizations have asked the government to improve human rights conditions in the country, where freedom of expression and political rights continue to be undermined, along with the abuse of political opponents and the shutting down ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/ngos-call-on-the-government-to-restore-human-rights-in-cambodia/
PM Hun Manet aborts coal power plant project in Botum Sakor district
The new government has abandoned plans to build a $1.5 billion 700-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power project in Botum Sakor district, Koh Kong province, deciding instead to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant. ...
Pok Ponlue and Hel Komsan
https://cambojanews.com/pm-hun-manet-aborts-coal-power-plant-project-in-botum-sakor-district/
Transparency International: Cambodia’s budget process lacks transparency and regulation
Cambodia’s budgetary process lacks transparency and sufficient regulation, according to a publication this month from the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) Cambodia. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/transparency-international-cambodias-budget-process-lacks-transparency-and-regulation/
More than 200 families in 2 villages in Saang district request the authorities to issue legal land titles
252 families in two villages in Teuk Vil commune, Saang district, Kandal province, asked the authorities to issue title title, claiming that they had occupied since 1979 and had a letter of occupation, but the authorities still refused to issue them while the authorities confirmed ...
Kheang Sokmean
https://khmer.cambojanews.com/more-than-200-families-in-2-villages-in-saang-district-ask-the-authorities-to-issue-land-titles/
Kampong Thom Provincial Court sentences two indigenous people to one year in land dispute
Kampong Thom Provincial Court sentences two indigenous representatives to one year in prison on “Violence against real estate owners” in connection with a land dispute with a rubber plantation developer. ...
NGO Licadho finds child labor, debt bondage in Cambodia’s brick factories
Child labor and debt bondage continue in Cambodia’s brick factories, according to a report published Monday by the human rights group Licadho. The organization also found garment waste from international brands such as Reebok, Old Navy and Adidas fueling kilns in brick factories. ...
Leila Goldstein and Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/ngo-licadho-finds-child-labor-debt-bondage-in-cambodias-brick-factories/
APSARA brings lawsuit against Angkor Wat villagers for Obstructing Illegal Structure Demolition
A lawsuit has been filed by APSARA National Authority against seven villagers, including a commune police chief, who live around Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for allegedly inciting and obstructing public work in August. ...
UN reports decreased poverty in Cambodia, while school dropout rates persist
The number of poor people in Cambodia has halved since 2014, from 5.6 million to 2.8 million in 2022, according to a UN report. ...
Seoung Nimol and Runn Sreydeth
https://cambojanews.com/un-reports-decreased-poverty-in-cambodia-while-school-dropout-rates-persist/
No likelihood of EBA’s full reinstatement for now, says EU Ambassador to Cambodia
There is no confirmation that the EU would fully reinstate its preferential scheme, Everything But Arms (EBA), for Cambodia, said newly-appointed EU ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans, while identifying four priorities in his mandate. ...
Sovann Sreypich and Runn Sreydeth
https://cambojanews.com/no-likelihood-of-ebas-full-reinstatement-for-now-says-eu-ambassador-to-cambodia/
Hundreds of people near Angkor erupted in protest during the demolition of the Apsara Authority, accusing it of illegal construction
Hundreds of villagers from seven villages near Angkor in Khnat commune, Puok district and Teuk Vil commune, Siem Reap municipality, Siem Reap province, erupted in protest during the Apsara Authority’s demolition, accusing them of building illegally as they feared forced evictions and homelessness, according to ...
Village ends logging, plants crops
In Trapaing Chor commune’s Sre Kin village, located in Kampong Speu province’s Oral district, certain community members have transitioned away from forest-related activities such as logging and wildlife hunting. Instead, they have embraced a new approach by forming a rotating cropping community. ...
Kim Sarom
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/village-ends-logging-plants-crops
CSOs, political parties call for the restoration of democracy, human rights in line with Paris Peace Agreements
NGOs and political parties have called on the 18 signatories of the Paris Peace Agreements and Cambodian government to “restore democracy and respect human rights”. ...
Pok Ponlue and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/csos-political-parties-call-for-the-restoration-of-democracy-human-rights-in-line-with-paris-peace-agreements/