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It is  embedded in an established will to undermine the right to information. For instance, in February 2023, the government had already closed the independent media Voice of Democracy. This overwhelming hold over information undermines the free press and hinders the flow of information. Ultimately, an informed citizenry is essential for the functioning of a democratic society. It enables Cambodians  to exercise their rights, hold leaders accountable, and contribute to shaping the future of their nation.[4] This tight control over information dissemination aims to suppress any criticism of the government and restrict access to dissenting voices for the Cambodian population, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

We urge the Cambodian government to uphold international human rights norms safeguarding the freedoms of expression and information as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These provisions protect individuals' rights to freely express themselves, access information, and share knowledge, both online and offline.

​We denounce the government’s systematic disregard for its international human rights commitments, particularly its failure to uphold people's right to access information and safeguard press freedom in the nation. These rights are not only enshrined in the Cambodian Constitution[6] but also protected by the 1995 Law on the Media. Yet, they are repetitively violated by the government.

In light of these concerns, the ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship calls on the Cambodian government to: 

• Reverse the order to strike down access to the Kamnotra, Radio Free Asia, and Cambodia Daily so that the Cambodian population can have access to independent, and qualitative public information;

• Foster a political landscape and society where independent journalism is permitted to thrive, and recognize the need for particular protection independent outlets have, given the essential
  role they play in ensuring vibrant public discourse, including online;

• Reverse Cambodia's National Internet Getaway Sub-decree which requires all internet traffic to be routed through a regulatory body in charge of monitoring online activity before it reaches users that will failed to oversight and protecting human rights for the better Cambodian’s democracy;

• Stop its beleaguered press continues to live under repression of free press, journalists, whistleblower who are key to the full realization of Cambodian’s human rights;

• Uphold their legal international commitments by fulfilling the positive obligations incumbent on Cambodia; 

• Repeal or amend laws and regulations that restrict freedom of expression and independent media, including but not limited to criminal defamation and lèse-majesté under the Criminal Code, and defamation provisions under the Press Law that governs defamation perpetrated by media outlets, to bring them in line with Articles 19 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). 

For more information about joining our regional campaign to #StopDigitalDictatorship in Southeast Asia, and to support our work to restore digital democracy in the region, access our online campaign at: https://www.manushyafoundation.org/stop-digital-dictatorship-campaign 

For media enquiries, please contact:

• Sopheap Chak, Executive Director, CCHR Cambodia: chaksopheap@cchrcambodia.org

• Emilie Pradichit, Founder and Executive Director, Manushya Foundation: emilie@manushyafoundation.org 

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Endnotes: 

[1] Southeast Asia Globe, Before elections, Cambodia blocks database of public information, (18 July 2023), available at:

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/before-elections-cambodia-blocks-database-of-public-information/ 

[2] Radio Free Asia, Hun Sen’s government orders RFA, other news outlet websites blocked, (17 May 2023), available at: 

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/media-sites-blocked-07172023171743.html 

[3] VOA News, Cambodian Government Blocks News Sites Before Unopposed Election, (17 July 2023), available at:

https://www.voanews.com/a/cambodian-government-blocks-news-sites-before-unopposed-election-/7185151.html 

[4] OHCHR, Joint Declaration on media declaration and democracy, (2 May 2023), available at: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/expression/activities/2023-JD-Media-Freedom-and-Democracy.pdf 

[5]CNN, Cambodia’s ruling party claims landslide win in one-sided election, (23 July 2023), available at:

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/23/asia/cambodia-election-result-landslide-intl/index.html; 

The Guardian, Cambodia strongman Hun Sen set to claim landslide election victory after banning opposition, (23 July 2023), available at:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/23/cambodia-strongman-hun-sen-set-to-claim-landslide-election-victory-after-banning-opposition [6] See Article 41, 1993 Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia (with latest amendment in 2008), available at:

https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cambodia_2008.pdf?lang=en; 

1995 Law on the Media, available at:

https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=42145