On March 20, 2025, during the General Debate on Item 4: Country situations requiring the Council’s attention at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Right Livelihood delivered a statement raising alarm over the escalating repression in Cambodia.
The statement denounced the ongoing crackdown on dissent, including the unjust imprisonment of 65 individuals, among them five environmental activists from 2023 Right Livelihood Laureate Mother Nature Cambodia, under charges lacking credible evidence. Right Livelihood urged the Council to address Cambodia’s deteriorating human rights situation and called for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms.
Read the full statement below:
Mr. President,
Right Livelihood is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Cambodia, where fundamental freedoms are under attack, as the government consistently intensifies the persecution of political opponents, human rights defenders and anyone daring to express dissent.
65 individuals are currently detained in the country for exercising their fundamental rights. Among them are five environmental activists affiliated to Mother Nature Cambodia. They were sentenced in July 2024 between 6 to 8 years for allegedly “plotting against the government” and “insulting the king” – a verdict that was reached through judicial proceedings marred by irregularities and lack of credible evidence.
We are appalled by the recent rejection of their request for bail and condemn their continuing detention in overcrowded facilities, that are difficult to reach by their families and lawyers – in clear violation of the Nelson Mandela rules.
Mr President,
The increasing disregard by Cambodian authorities towards their international human rights obligations must be met with a stronger response.
We call on the Council to consider addressing Cambodia’s situation under item 4, and to urge its authorities (1) to end the crackdown on independent media and civil society, refraining from weaponizing its judiciary against dissenting opinions and upholding its international human rights commitment under the ICCPR; (2) to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms, including Ly Chandaravuth, Long Kuntha, Phuon Keoraksmey, Thun Ratha and Yim Leanghny.
Thank you.