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CFM2025 Template

Introduction
At a Glance
Key Indicators
International Rankings
Legal Snapshot
Legal Analysis
Reports and Assessments
News and Additional Resources

Recent Developments

Recent developments in Cambodia have raised concerns for civil society and civic freedoms. Four opposition political leaders were arrested in the first half of September alone, including Sun Chanthy of the Nation Power Party, who criticized the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet. In addition, the government is increasingly monitoring “fake news,” with a staggering 1,700 cases documented this
year. This has negatively affected independent media and journalists, who face increasingly difficulties with information access and legal reprisals. Please see the News Items section below in this report for additional details.

Introduction

Cambodia is an example of a post-conflict society in which traditional forms of civil society organizations (CSOs) were devastated and then re-emerged in new forms as part of the reconstruction process. CSOs include Buddhist institutions, trade unions, media associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In 1979 the first humanitarian international NGOs (INGOs) arrived and the establishment of local NGOs soon followed.

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and development partners recognize that NGOs and INGOs have made important
contributions to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development for the last 30 years. NGOs are viewed as important partners in the delivery of basic social services. Formally, the RGC has a number of mechanisms that involve NGOs in national development strategy formulation and policy implementation and dialogue. In practice, however, NGOs have limited influence on government strategy and policy, and an increasingly limited space for meaningful dialogue.

Aside from the service provision sphere, the environment for NGOs is not enabling. NGOs involved in advocacy, legal rights and human rights are seen by the RGC as unwanted opposition, and the environment for their activity is restrictive. The Cambodia People’s Party (CPP), which maintains control over the Cambodian State, is becoming more authoritarian despite an increasingly vocal political opposition. There is widespread concern from NGOs and other stakeholders on key issues relating to the increased violation of land rights and the restriction of fundamental human rights, such as the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Human rights defenders are continually the target of threats and attacks. The recent UN UPR submissions and outcomes document this.

Civic Freedoms at a Glance

Organizational Forms	NGOs and associations
Registration Body	The Ministry of Interior is responsible for local NGOs and associations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is responsible for international NGOs.
Approximate Number	According to the Ministry of Interior, there are 6,109 NGOs and associations that have registered with the Ministry of Interior since 1993.
Barriers to Entry	Registration is mandatory for all NGOs and associations. The procedural requirements for the registration of both domestic and international NGOs are complex and burdensome. Procedural safeguards regarding registration are lacking, with the Government having full discretion to deny registration.
Barriers to Activities	Advance notification to the state or governmental approval is required for certain activities. International NGOs are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The RGC is increasingly applying pressure and intimidation on certain NGOs and the communities in which they work.
Barriers to Speech and/or Advocacy	Laws criminalizing defamation, disinformation, and incitement.
Barriers to International Contact	No barriers in law and policy, but in practice most activists are monitored by the government, and international contact can especially subject activists to scrutiny and harassment.
Barriers to Resources	No barriers in law and policy.
Barriers to Assembly	Vague definition; right restricted to Cambodian citizens only; excessive use of force on protesters; restrictive prior notification requirements which in practice act as a prior permission regime.

Legal Overview

This section provides a brief overview of Cambodia’s legal framework for the promotion and protection of civic freedoms. Click a
subheading for more, or click here to expand all subheadings.

RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

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CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

NATIONAL LAWS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS

PENDING REGULATORY INITIATIVES

Legal Analysis

This section provides an in-depth assessment of Cambodia’s legal environment for civic freedoms, including the barriers to the exercise of the freedoms of association (formation, operations, resources), expression, and peaceful assembly. Click a
subheading for more, or click here to expand all subheadings.

ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATUS

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

BARRIERS TO FORMATION

BARRIERS TO OPERATION

BARRIERS TO RESOURCES

BARRIERS TO EXPRESSION

BARRIERS TO ASSEMBLY

Additional Resources

This section contains links to external reports and news reports relevant to civic freedoms. The “Historical Notes” section contains links to past developments which ICNL has reported on. Click a subheading for more, or click here to expand all subheadings.

GLOBAL INDEX RANKINGS

REPORTS

NEWS

ARCHIVED NEWS

HISTORICAL NOTES