Cambodia has ratified six out of the nine international human rights treaties, one of the best ratification records in South-East Asia. However, this record does not reflect the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) on the ground. In recent years, Cambodian government has increased its policy of repression of HRDs. The authorities use legislation and the judicial system, and the consequent threats of arrest or legal action, to restrict free speech, jail government critics, disperse workers, trade union representatives and farmers engaging in peaceful assembly. The authorities routinely forcibly and often violently disperse public protests.

HRDs who work to promote and protect economic, social, and cultural rights are particularly targeted by the authorities. Trade union leaders, especially those affiliated with the Free Trade Union of the Workers of Cambodia, have been subjected to extra-judicial executions. Community activists defending the right to housing and protesting against land grabs and forced evictions have faced fabricated charges and jail terms. Most of them are charged with offences such as damage to private property, incitement, robbery, assault and drug smuggling.

Journalists who criticise the government face serious charges, lengthy trials, imprisonment and violence. At least nine journalists have been killed since 1992. Under the penal code, government critics who peacefully express views about individuals and government institutions risk criminal prosecution for defamation and spreading false information.

New legislation on non-governmental organisations, drafted without any consultation with civil society, is expected to further tighten restrictions on freedom of association. The draft Law on Association and NGOs, which was submitted to the Council of Ministers in 2011, introduces compulsory registration for all NGOs before they are allowed to “operate any activity” and imposes burdensome, overly bureaucratic registration requirements. It also includes vague provisions which may provide for arbitrary and selective denial of registration and, thus, the criminalisation and/or closure of NGOs and associations. The draft bill imposes a duty upon international organisations to collaborate with government ministries in the planning, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of their projects.

The government threatened to expel senior UN officials further to their call for more public debate on the anti-corruption law, which does not provide adequate protection for whistle-blowers and failed to ensure independence for statutory anti-corruption agencies.

In the 2010 Universal Period Review session, Cambodia officially accepted all 91 recommendations made by the UN member states, including calls for the country to ensure full observance of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders as well as to investigate violations against HRDs and bring those responsible to justice. The authorities have yet to show their commitment to uphold this pledge.

URGENT CASES

Cambodia: Killing of human rights defender and environmentalist Mr Chut Wutty

Post date: 2012/04/30

On 26 April 2012, Mr Chut Wutty was shot dead in Koh Kong province. Chut Wutty is the founder and director of Natural Resource Protection Group.

Read more