Matt Surrusco

Khmer Thavrak activists (from left), Sokun Tola, Svay Samnang, who was not detained, Chhoeun Daravy, Chhem Sreykea and Hun Vannak, outside the Bati district police station in Takeo province on August 16, 2022, the day the four activists were detained. Licadho/Sok Raksmey

Human Rights -

For Arrested Activists, Thumbprints on Police Contracts Are Often the Cost of Freedom

30 Nov 2022 9:51 AM|
Matt Surrusco|

Human rights activists and lawyers say police station contracts have no legal basis, and are used by authorities to encourage admission of guilt and intimidate activists into ceasing their campaigns.

Human Rights ·

For Arrested Activists, Thumbprints on Police Contracts Are Often the Cost of Freedom

30 Nov 2022 9:51 AM|

Human rights activists and lawyers say police station contracts have no legal basis, and are used by authorities to encourage admission of guilt and intimidate activists into ceasing their campaigns.

Chhim Sithar, president of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld, was violently arrested on November 4, 2022, as she attempted to join a peaceful strike. CamboJA/Pring Samrang

Human Rights ·

Covid Used as Cover for Union Busting in Cambodia: Human Rights Watch

21 Nov 2022 5:13 PM|

The government has used legal and administrative means, and the pandemic as justification, to restrict labor rights and union organizing in the garment and tourism sectors, Human Rights Watch said…

Prime Minister Hun Sen hands a gavel to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, a gesture symbolizing the handover of the Asean chairmanship on November 13, 2022. CamboJA/Pring Samrang

National ·

Cambodia Hands Asean Reins to Indonesia on Last Day of Summit

13 Nov 2022 8:30 PM|

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday turned over the Asean chairmanship to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who said the bloc must “not be a proxy to any powers” or allow…

Sitanun Satsaksit, sister of missing Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, speaks to the media in December 2020 in front of the Mekong Gardens building, near where her brother was allegedly abducted in June 2020. CamboJA/Panha Chhorpoan

Human Rights ·

Sister of Missing Thai Activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit Pens Letter to Biden

13 Nov 2022 5:07 PM|

The sister of missing Thai government critic Wanchalearm Satsaksit has written to U.S. President Joe Biden, calling on him to raise Wanchalearm’s disappearance from Phnom Penh with Cambodian officials while…

Authorities were stationed outside the house of Friday Women activist Prum Chantha in Phnom Penh’s Boeng Tompun II commune on November 12, 2022. Supplied.

Human Rights ·

As Biden Arrives for Asean Summit, Authorities Surveil Protester’s House

12 Nov 2022 7:27 PM|

Activists this week sought the attention of world leaders attending the Asean summit in Phnom Penh, while authorities on Saturday surrounded the home of a protester who has long campaigned…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press conference at the Asean summit in Phnom Penh on November 12, 2022. CamboJA/Sorn Sarath

National ·

In Cambodia, UN Chief Calls for More Civic Space, Defense of Rights Defenders

12 Nov 2022 2:08 PM|

Cambodia’s civic space should be expanded and human rights defenders protected, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in Phnom Penh on Saturday, adding that “everybody has failed” to solve the Myanmar…

Flags of Cambodia, Asean and other countries are seen near Independence Monument in central Phnom Penh on November 4, 2022. CamboJA/Pring Samrang

National ·

At Asean Summit, Myanmar Conflict to Top Talks After Failing Consensus

7 Nov 2022 6:32 PM|

Ahead of the Asean summit in Phnom Penh this week, observers say leaders of the bloc’s member states will mostly debate regional security issues, especially the conflict in Myanmar. The…

A vendor sells vegetables at a market in Phnom Penh in February 2021. CamboJA/ Pring Samrang

Business ·

Cambodia’s GDP and Inflation to Rise This Year, World Bank Says

27 Sep 2022 6:56 PM|

Cambodia’s GDP growth is estimated to reach 4.8% this year, and continue rising for the next two years while remaining below pre-pandemic levels, and inflation may hit 6%, more than…