Cambodia’s civic space was rated “repressed,” scoring just 27 out of 100 in the 2024 Global Findings report from CIVICUS Monitor, an international organization dedicated to strengthening citizen action worldwide. The government has since brushed away the findings, calling them unfounded.
As highlighted in the report, Cambodia currently faces mounting criticism for its use of restrictive laws, censorship, and arbitrary detentions to suppress dissent and silence human rights defenders (HRDs) – a concern that has compounded in recent years.
Released annually by CIVICUS Monitor, the report evaluates global civic space through local and national assessments of countries focusing on freedoms of association, expression, and peaceful assembly.
In Cambodia, the organization documented abuses such as detaining protesters, targeting HRDs with false charges, and using excessive force. It also highlighted the use of vague “incitement” laws to stifle dissent, alongside rising censorship and reprisals against independent journalists.
“There are serious concerns about the ongoing regression of civic space in Cambodia,” the report stated. “Prime Minister Hun Manet, who took over from his father in August 2023, has continued an assault on fundamental freedoms by targeting HRDs, including environmental and land activists and trade unionists.”
Recent targets of civil society crackdowns include environmental activists like the young Mother Nature members convicted earlier this year of “insulting the king” and “plotting against the government,” and Koet Saray, president of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association, sentenced after meeting evicted villagers. The labor rights group CENTRAL also faces growing scrutiny and pressure from the government.
Cambodia has also been accused of attempting to censor journalists by expanding vague press laws and jailing prominent reporters. Opposition members, supporters and union leaders have also reportedly been arrested, harassed, and attacked with impunity.
Chhan Sokunthea, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, highlighted the risks local journalists face covering sensitive issues, including intimidation, legal charges, and license revocation by the Ministry of Information.
“The government should review the concerns raised by national and international organizations rather than defend itself,” she said. “These reports are based on proper data collection and surveys.”
Additionally, the report underscored Cambodia’s use of transnational repression against activists abroad.
CIVICUS Monitor also flagged nine other Asian countries with repressed civic spaces, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore. Meanwhile, China, Myanmar, and Vietnam are deemed completely closed off.
Cambodian Human Rights Committee spokesperson Sreang Chenda dismissed the report as propaganda, asserting that it lacked credibility.
“They have clear intentions and repeat the same claims as always,” he said. “It’s unnecessary for us to consider their recommendations because we already understand what we need to do to promote and protect rights, particularly civic space in Cambodia.”
Chenda pointed to thousands of civil society groups, unions, and media outlets as proof of Cambodia’s broad civic space. He also insisted that while citizens can freely use social media, rights must align with responsibilities, especially in protecting national security and others’ rights.
Ny Sokha, president of the local human rights group Adhoc – who expressed deep concern over the country’s eroding civic space – countered Chenda’s claim on the quantity of civil institutions, highlighting that many lack the independence or security to speak out on critical issues.
“The number of organizations and media outlets doesn’t reflect true civic freedom. It’s about how many have the independence to speak out, criticize social issues, and pursue the truth,” he said.
Sokha urged the government to pursue political reconciliation and ensure free and fair elections to restore human rights and civic freedoms.
“Otherwise, the human rights situation will worsen. Restrictions on freedoms coincide with political crises, and this affects the exercise of all rights,” he warned, adding that ignoring the findings of the report could lead to sanctions and the revoking of trade privileges from other countries.
Just last week, the European Union reviewed Cambodia’s trade privileges, which it partially revoked in 2020, over concerns about civil society crackdowns.
Heng Kimhong, president of the Cambodian Youth Network, raised further concerns about shrinking civic space, citing the refuted Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (LANGO).
The law, enacted in 2015, requires NGOs to register with the government and gives authorities broad powers to close organizations deemed to be involved in political activities. Critics argue that it stifles dissent, limits free speech, and allows the government to target groups that challenge its policies.
In tandem with Chenda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information Tep Asnarith dismissed the CIVICUS Monitor’s findings as biased and unreflective of current realities.
“The Cambodian media sector doesn’t need biased, one-sided assessments,” he said, asserting the government’s commitment to press freedom. He pointed to a 2024 ministry survey showing 79.8% of journalists rated press freedom as good, with nearly 80% reporting full freedom to practice journalism.
Government spokesperson Pen Bona did not respond to requests for comment.
