The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) reported improved conditions at the notoriously overcrowded Prey Sar Women’s Prison (CC2) after a visit. The committee also said Cambodian-American activist Seng Theary, serving six years and considered a political prisoner by rights groups, was in good health. Her former lawyer disagreed, citing concerns about her emotional state, while a local rights group said overcrowding and poor conditions persist at the prison.
The visit, led by the committee’s chairman Keo Remy and attended by Minister of Health Chheang Ra, Justice Secretary of State Chin Malin, and Prisons Director General Chhorn Sanath, was designed to strengthen collaboration between the CHRC, the ministries and General Department of Prisons to address challenges such as overcrowding and inadequate resources.
Officials said the inspection focused on conditions for at-risk detainees, particularly women, some of whom are pregnant or have children living with them in prison.
Local rights group Licadho, which works extensively in the country’s prisons, said that as of April 2024, 43 women in Cambodia’s prisons are pregnant, while 92 children (50 girls and 42 boys) live with their incarcerated mothers.
Prey Sar Prison, located in Phnom Penh, has long been criticized for overcrowding and a severe lack of basic necessities.
According to data from the World Prison Brief, Cambodia’s prison population stood at 45,122 in March 2024, well above the system’s stated capacity of 30,000, as noted by Interior Minister Sar Sokha.
The joint review follows a campaign by Licadho to address the severe lack of basic necessities, including sanitary products, for female inmates in Cambodia’s overcrowded prisons. The cramped quarters have made access to hygiene products a major challenge for many women.
“The human rights situation in prisons is improving,” the CHRC said, adding that detainees at CC2 receive adequate meals, vocational training, medical care, exercise, library access, religious spaces, and even a park for their children.
Seng Theary, a high profile activist for democratic reforms in Cambodia who is serving a sentence for treason and incitement charges, was among those visited on Thursday.
CHRC Chairman Remy described her as being in “good health, both mentally and physically.”
Despite his claims,Theary’s former defense attorney, Son Chumchuon, who tried to visit her twice a month, said her health was “not good,” particularly her emotional well-being when he visited her two months ago to discuss her case.
He said Theary is still awaiting a decision from the Court of Appeals on her 2022 conviction, which sentenced her to six years in prison and sparked international demands for her release.

Prey Sar prison holds 38 political prisoners, including Theary, according to Licadho.
Licadho’s operation director Am Sam Ath, welcomed the inter-ministerial visit to the prison, but said both the women’s and men’s facilities at Prey Sar remain overcrowded, with conditions perilous for inmates.
“Consistent overcrowding in prisons often leads to hygiene, food, and infectious disease problems,” he said. “This has impacted detainees, causing cramped cells that affect air quality and the environment.”
“Ms. Seng Theary’s [physical] health isn’t a major issue, but she occasionally has a mild skin rash or itch,” Sam Ath said.