Andrew Califf

Late Cheng gate currently under construction near a torn up acidic smelling stream of water, on 14 September, 2023. (CamboJA/Andrew Califf)

Environment -

Expanding Gold Mine Diverts Stream in Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary

20 Oct 2023 3:19 PM|
Andrew Califf|

Snang An, Kampong Thom – Dead fish and black water ran through the Por Roung river last year due to contamination upstream from an industrial Chinese-owned mine, residents of Snang An village say. They brought their concerns to provincial authorities and were themselves blamed for the pollution.

Voters look at their names on voter lists outside the polling station in Phnom Penh, July 23, 2023. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)

National ·

Post-Election Int’l Responses: US to Restrict Visas and Aid, Australia Increases Funding

25 Jul 2023 7:02 PM|
Andrew Califf|

After Cambodia’s elections, the US announced it planned to impose further visa and funding restrictions, while China and Russia endorsed the electoral process and its outcome.

National ·

Funcinpec’s Prince Norodom Chakravuth: “Having a single party is dangerous”

23 Jul 2023 9:50 PM|
Andrew Califf|

Funcinpec Party President Prince Norodom Chakravuth shared his thoughts about the 2023 elections with CamboJA and independent journalist Erika Piñeros in a wide-ranging interview after he returned to his family’s summer home in Phnom Penh after voting on election day. Excerpts from the interview, conducted in English, are below.

A man views the Kamnotra website on his computer in a Phnom Penh coffee shop on June 21, 2023. (CamboJA/Pring Samrang)

National ·

Government Orders Internet Providers to Block Media Outlets, Kamnotra Database

17 Jul 2023 3:09 PM|
Andrew Califf|

The government ordered internet service providers to block the websites and social media pages of several independent media outlets and a public database in a July 12 document obtained by CamboJA on Monday.

NEC officials count votes at a polling station Phnom Penh on June 5, 2022. (CamboJA/ Pring Samrang)

National ·

“Irregularities” in Commune Election Vote Tallying Raise Concerns About National Elections, NGO Says

3 Jul 2023 8:52 PM|
Andrew Califf|

A systemic analysis of 2022 commune election ballot forms from Phnom Penh’s polling stations reveals “significant irregularities” in vote tallying, suggesting “election fraud and vote tampering,” according to a report released Monday by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

A barbed wire fence surrounds the Phnom Tamao Botanical Garden, which remains largely devoid of trees on June 27, 2023. (Andrew Califf/CamboJA)

Environment ·

Gov’t Wants to Exclude Phnom Tamao Deforested Area from Fencing Efforts

29 Jun 2023 11:50 AM|
Andrew Califf|

Wildlife Alliance and the Forestry Administration are at odds over efforts to fence the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Sanctuary in Takeo province, with government officials wanting to exclude the deforested section of the area that is now a botanical park.

A sign providing information on the Southern Cardamom REDD+ project in Koh Kong province. (CamboJA)

Environment ·

Gov’t, NGO Claim “Misunderstanding” Over Alleged Rights Violations in REDD+

23 Jun 2023 8:18 PM|
Andrew Califf|

In response to allegations of rights abuses by NGO Human Rights Watch leading to the suspension of the Southern Cardamom REDD+ project, Environment Ministry official Chuop Paris was dismissive.

Environment ·

Verra Opens Investigation into Wildlife Alliance’s REDD+ Project

21 Jun 2023 8:06 PM|
Andrew Califf|

An international organization managing global forest conservation projects has opened an investigation into the Southern Cardamom REDD+ project run by the NGO Wildlife Alliance and the Environment Ministry.

Satellite data from the GLAD database showing forest loss in protected areas across the country in 2022. (Licadho)

Environment ·

Satellite Data Shows Protected Areas Faced Brunt of Deforestation in 2022

15 Jun 2023 9:53 AM|
Andrew Califf|

New satellite data reveals that Cambodia’s remaining dense forests were further depleted last year, with four major protected areas and national parks registering higher deforestation than in 2021.