Social development
Human rights
A dreaded homecoming for Montagnards
With the deadline looming for hundreds of Montagnard asylum seekers in Cambodia to return “voluntarily” to the site of their alleged persecution or be forced back across the border, a group who have spent months living in the shadows this week spoke out about their ...
Deportation delayed for Vietnam asylum seekers
The Cambodian government on 20 October announced that it has extended deadlines for all Montagnard refugees and unregistered asylum seekers to leave Cambodia. Keep reading ...
Media calls on drafting panel to ensure freedom from interference
Four media organisations have called for the media to be free from political interference, in an open letter to the Constitution Drafting Commission. In the letter submitted on 19 October, the organisations called for an assurance of limitless freedom of expression for the media including speech, ...
Thailand scraps unpopular Internet 'Great Firewall' plan
Thailand’s military government has scrapped a plan to create a single Internet gateway, a deputy prime minister said on 15 October, putting paid to a system aimed at allowing authorities to monitor content. Keep reading ...
Myanmar arrests two for their mocking Facebook posts
Myanmar authorities have arrested a peace activist and a young woman for mocking the country’s powerful military in the latest crackdown on free speech ahead of landmark elections on 8 November. Human rights groups have condemned the military-dominated government for moving their repression into social media, ...
Cambodian official facing trial over Facebook post
A Cambodian Information Ministry official has been charged with defamation over a Facebook post accusing a CPP senator of being the mistress of a military general, and has been summoned to trial on 19 October. According to the 5 October summons, Prum San, deputy director of ...
Refugees from Nauru move out of Phnom Penh villa
The first group of refugees to arrive in Cambodia as part of a controversial deal the government struck with Australia a year ago have moved out of their temporary accommodations in Phnom Penh, the Australian government said on 15 October. Keep reading ...
Amnesty International wants contract killing case reopened
Amnesty International has called on the authorities to reopen the investigation into the killing of environmental activist Charoen Wat-aksorn after the Supreme Court upheld the acquittals of three people accused of involvement in his death. Keep reading ...
Rohingya refugee likely back in Myanmar
A Rohingya refugee who landed in Phnom Penh in June as part of a controversial resettlement deal with Australia is likely back in Myanmar after requesting to return home, according to the Interior Ministry. Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said that the Rohingya man—who, according to the government, ...
Cambodia’s rights defenders under ‘all kinds of threats,’ advocate says
A prominent human rights advocate says Cambodia continues to operate in a repressive environment, with a government that fails to respect local and international standards and laws. Rights workers in Cambodia are under “all kinds of threats, both spiritually and in personal security,” Ny Chakrya, lead ...