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Cambodian soldiers carry aid, to be used to combat the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, from a Chinese military plane as a Chinese soldier wearing a protective suit looks on at Phnom Penh International Airport on April 1, 2020. - China's Ministry of Defence provided on April 1 medical equipment to the state-run Preah Ket Mealea military hospital to support the fight against the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Proposed Emergency Powers in Cambodia Would Obliterate Human Rights

The Cambodian authorities must urgently withdraw or substantially redraft the egregious State of Emergency Law which poses a grave threat to human rights in Cambodia, said Amnesty International today.

April 2, 2020

A vendor is wearing a mask in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, March 25, 2020 -- A vendor wearing mask is seen in front of the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 25, 2020. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Wednesday that he is considering to put the country in a state of emergency after a spike of COVID-19 cases. Cambodia has recorded a total of 93 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 to date. (Photo by Mao Pengfei/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Mao Pengfei via Getty Images)

Press Release

Overcrowded detention centers in Cambodia a “ticking time bomb” for COVID-19 amid raft of “fake news” arrests

Overcrowded and squalid prisons and detention centers risk becoming detonators for a major COVID-19 outbreak in Cambodia that will make the pandemic much harder to control, said Amnesty International today, amid a mounting crackdown on people detained for “causing scares” by talking about the outbreak on social media. “Instead of addressing the overcrowding crisis in detention centers, Cambodian authorities have used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to further harass and detain government critics,” said Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty International’s Regional Director. “Meanwhile, Cambodian prisons and drug detention centers are dangerously overcrowded and lack even the most basic health services. They…

March 27, 2020

Press Release

Cambodia: Release of Kem Sokha must be made permanent

Responding to the news that opposition leader Kem Sokha has been released from prison on bail and is now being held under house arrest, Minar Pimple, Amnesty International’s Senior Director of Global Operations said:

September 10, 2018

Press Release

Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms

On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.

February 22, 2016

Press Release

Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International

International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

February 18, 2016

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Sheet of paper Report

Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016

International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

February 18, 2016

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Sheet of paper Report

Use of Force – Guidelines for Implementation of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by law enforcement officials

From the streets of Ferguson, Missouri to the favelas of Brazil, the police use of force and firearms makes global headlines when it turns fatal.

September 2, 2015

Press Release

Cambodia: Quash ‘insurrection’ ruling against opposition activists following unfair trial

The Cambodian authorities must immediately quash politically motivated convictions against 11 opposition party activists handed down today after grossly unfair trials.

July 21, 2015

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Sheet of paper Report

State of the World 2014/2015

This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.

February 25, 2015

Press Release

Cambodia Must Investigate Protest Killings by Security Forces

Cambodian authorities must hold security forces to account for today’s killing of at least four people at a protest by garment workers that turned violent in Phnom Penh.

January 3, 2014

Sheet of paper Report

Annual Report: Cambodia 2013

Kingdom of Cambodia Head of state King Norodom Sihamoni Head of government Hun Sen Respect for freedom of expression, association and assembly deteriorated. The authorities increasingly used excessive force against peaceful protesters. Human rights defenders faced threats, harassment, legal action and violence. Forced evictions, land disputes and land grabbing continued to affect thousands of people. Impunity for perpetrators of human rights abuses and a non-independent judiciary remained major problems, with flawed or no investigations into killings and shootings. Judicial investigations at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia stalled as allegations of government interference persisted. Background The ruling Cambodian…

May 16, 2013

Press Release

Two Cambodian Women Campaigning Against Forced Evictions Must Be Released

Two women human rights defenders facing lengthy prison sentences in Cambodia on trumped-up charges must be freed immediately, Amnesty International said today.

December 19, 2012