Cambodian authorities have arrested 14 youth and environment activists since August for organising peaceful protests. The protests were organised to demand the release of Rong Chhun. Chhun was arrested on July 31st on incitement charges for speaking about the land rights of Cambodian villagers near the Vietnam border - a sensitive topic for the authorities.
Youth activists had planned an 8-day protest at a designated protest spot called "Freedom Park". According to Cambodian law, any peaceful protest can be conducted in the designated areas provided they simply notify authorities. It also states that officers must provide a positive response unless it falls on a major national holiday or there is clear information indicating possible violence. However, the authorities rejected the activists' notification.
Human rights in the country have been at risk since the 2019 elections. In the national elections, Prime Minister Hun Sen and the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) secured all 125 National Assembly seats. This was facilitated by the dissolution of the main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), by the CPP-backed judiciary- effectively creating a one-party rule. Involvement with the CNRP was criminalised by authorities. 107 out of 118 senior CNRP members were banned from engaging with politics for five years.
Sam Rainsy and other senior CNRP leaders are in self-imposed exile and face arrest warrants if they return. Rainsy’s announcement that CNRP exiles would return to Cambodia in November has prompted the government to allege the CNRP is plotting a coup. Since the CNRP announcement on August 16, the government has threatened charges against more than 50 former CNRP members and detained at least 30 of them.
Written by Anushree Appandairajan
Artwork by Izzy Johns
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