News

Government readying 80,000 security forces for July election

Some 80,000 security personnel will be deployed for July’s upcoming national election, including a volunteer “citizen” force, raising concerns from election and rights observers about possible voter intimidation. State newswire AKP reported the numbers on Thursday, writing that the forces “will be deployed to ensure ...

Andrew Nachemson and Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/government-readying-80000-security-forces-july-election

UN, CPP spar on political climate

In an open letter to the leaders of Asean member states and the rest of the world, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) yesterday attacked the opposition for allegedly “undermining democracy, political stability and the image of Cambodia in the international arena.” On Monday, the government ...

Taing Vida and Jonathan Greig
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/29505/un--cpp-spar-on-political-climate/

Kampong Speu protesters reject NGO’s help

In defiance of an order by Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Khoun Sreng, more than 100 people protested outside the offices of Equitable Cambodia (EC) yesterday. They held signs denouncing the NGO, as community representatives inside submitted a letter withdrawing their consent for the group to represent ...

Jack Davies and Touch Sokha
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/kampong-speu-protesters-reject-ngos-help

Arrests continue on latest ‘black monday’

Seven activists arrested in Phnom Penh on Monday morning for attempting to demonstrate against the recent arrests of four human rights workers and an election official were released by nightfall, a familiar conclusion to the latest “Black Monday” demonstration. ...

Ben Sokhean
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/arrests-continue-on-latest-black-monday-113616/

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/

Observers see Cambodia’s democracy in retreat

Political intimidation, the suppression of political expression and restrictions on freedom of assembly have Cambodia’s young democracy under threat, observers in the country say. ...

Dy Khamboly
http://www.voacambodia.com/a/observers-see-cambodia-democracy-in-retreat/3343728.html

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/

Companies pledge to put worker rights before profits

Representatives of the private sector and rights groups met yesterday at a forum on business and human rights to discuss how Cambodia’s growing industry can protect the rights of its workers. ...

Chea Takihiro
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17249/companies-pledge-to-put-worker-rights-before-profits/

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, ...

Sou Pisen
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/social-media-allows-expression-but-users-weigh-the-risks-of-rumor/2947173.html

Rape cases up 64% in first half of 2015, Adhoc says

Rights group Adhoc recorded 131 rape cases in the first six months of the year, compared to 80 cases in 2014—a nearly 64 percent increase—due to the influence of “uncontrolled foreign cultures” such as pornography, according to a report released by the NGO on Wednesday. ...

Janelle Retka and Khy Sovuthy
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/rape-cases-up-64-percent-in-first-half-of-2015-adhoc-says-90906/

Chinese police start placing surveillance cameras

Chinese police began installing surveillance cameras on the streets of Phnom Penh on Tuesday, following a donation from Beijing to assist authorities in monitoring crime and traffic in the capital, an official said Wednesday. ...

Khuon Narim
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/chinese-police-start-placing-surveillance-cameras-88535/

Hun Sen meets with Nancy Pelosi, US delegation

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday met with a visiting delegation of U.S. Congress members, including House of Representatives minority leader Nancy Pelosi, a government spokesman said. ...

Chris Mueller
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/hun-sen-meets-with-nancy-pelosi-us-delegation-81080/

Justice for journalists sought

Local and international NGOs yesterday rallied behind the inaugural United Nations-declared International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists by urging the government to bring perpetrators to justice. Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said yesterday that the government was not responsible for any ...

Alice Cuddy
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/justice-journalists-sought

China gives $3m for city surveillance system

The Chinese government on Tuesday donated $3 million to Cambodia to set up a closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system across Phnom Penh to help cut down on crime and traffic accidents, according to the national police. “This is a donation from the Chinese Ministry of Public ...

Sek Odom and Joshua Wilwohl
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/china-gives-3m-for-phnom-penh-surveillance-system-66349/

Six months on, no justice for shootings

Six months ago today, security forces opened fire on garment workers protesting for a doubling of their minimum wage on Phnom Penh’s factory-lined Veng Sreng Boulevard. At least five people were killed in what rights groups called the worst state violence against citizens in 15 ...

Vong Sokheng and Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/six-months-no-justice-shootings

Progress, but no ‘final decision’ on Australian immigration deal

Cambodian officials say they have not yet confirmed whether they will accept a request from Australia to receive rejected immigrants. But they do say the request is moving forward. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding over the transfer of immigrants in April, but a ...

Khoun Theara
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/progress-but-no-final-decision-on-australian-immigration-deal/1924328.html

For gay and transgender, a struggle for equality

In the past, Chhoeurng Rachana had a boyfriend, but now she loves a woman instead. The 27-year-old says she just realized who she really loved, after trying to figure out her own feelings toward men four years ago. “Back in 2010, I tried having a boyfriend ...

Say Mony
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/for-gay-and-transgender-a-struggle-for-equality/1920328.html

Ruling party lawmakers begin debate on judicial reform laws

CPP lawmakers on Wednesday began debating the first of three judicial reform laws, ignoring an opposition boycott of the National Assembly and calls from outside legal experts for outside review of drafts they say are substandard. Critics say the draft laws will not improve the widely ...

Suy Heimkhemra
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/ruling-party-lawmakers-begin-debate-on-judicial-reform-laws/1919419.html

Leaked draft of Cambodia's proposed cyber law reveals threat to free expression

TV news viewers in Cambodia are fed a steady diet of praise for the government and top officials. Whether they’re giving speeches that go on for hours, cutting a ribbon at a new development project, or shaking hands with foreign dignitaries, government leaders are presented ...

Kyle James
http://www.dw.de/leaked-draft-of-cambodias-proposed-cyber-law-reveals-threat-to-free-expression/a-17629723

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