UN Rights Expert Warns of Shrinking Civic Space and Political Repression in Cambodia

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn, has voiced strong concern over the country’s deteriorating political and civic environment, warning that the government’s tightening control over dissent and opposition voices is eroding democratic freedoms.

In his report to the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Muntarbhorn said that Cambodia’s civic space remains “severely restricted,” with opposition parties, environmental activists, journalists, and human rights defenders facing ongoing harassment, intimidation, and imprisonment.

“Opposition parties have been undermined by elections that have been neither free nor fair in recent years. The same clique has enjoyed monopolistic power despite intergenerational changes,” Muntarbhorn said, highlighting what he described as a “systematic exclusion” of pluralistic politics.

Suppression of Political Opposition

The Special Rapporteur’s report criticizes the Cambodian government’s continued repression of political opponents, particularly members of the Candlelight Party, former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) members, and activists affiliated with independent movements.

Muntarbhorn noted that elections in recent years have failed to meet international standards, pointing to the disqualification of opposition parties, restrictions on campaigning, and widespread surveillance of dissenting voices. “The outcome of such elections cannot be deemed legitimate when opposition candidates are barred, and citizens cannot exercise their rights without fear,” he said.

The UN expert called on the government to drop charges against political opponents, release detainees, and fully implement the recommendations outlined in his Cambodian Human Rights Action Agenda. These include restoring freedom of association, reforming electoral laws, and guaranteeing judicial independence.

“It is imperative that Cambodia opens up its political and civic space,” Muntarbhorn said. “No society can progress sustainably when critical voices are silenced.”

Crackdown on Environmentalists and Indigenous Activists

Muntarbhorn’s report also documents a pattern of criminalization of environmental defenders, land rights activists, and Indigenous communities protesting against deforestation, land grabbing, and illegal economic concessions.

He described how activists from groups such as Mother Nature Cambodia and Indigenous leaders in provinces like Mondulkiri and Preah Vihear have been arrested or prosecuted for peaceful advocacy.

“The connection between tycoons and those in power has created an ecosystem where environmental degradation and land seizures go unpunished,” Muntarbhorn noted. “Those who speak out in defense of Cambodia’s natural resources and Indigenous lands are increasingly treated as criminals.”

He urged the authorities to halt all prosecutions of environmental activists and ensure that communities displaced by development projects receive fair compensation, land tenure recognition, and access to justice.

New Nationality Law Raises Alarm

Another major concern highlighted in the report is Cambodia’s new nationality law, which grants authorities sweeping powers to revoke the citizenship of individuals accused of “treasonous acts” or “collusion with foreign elements.”

Muntarbhorn warned that the law could be used to target political dissidents and exiled critics, many of whom live abroad after fleeing persecution.

“The new nationality law should not be applied due to its excessive power to revoke Cambodian nationality, which is clearly intended to intimidate dissidents outside the country,” he said.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have echoed these concerns, describing the legislation as a “tool of political control” that undermines basic principles of international law, particularly the right to nationality.

Economic Elites and Political Power

The report also draws attention to the close nexus between political elites and economic tycoons—a dynamic that Muntarbhorn argues has entrenched corruption and hindered equitable development. He emphasized that resource exploitation, including deforestation and land concessions, has benefited a small circle of politically connected business figures while marginalizing rural communities.

This economic concentration, he said, has eroded trust in governance and widened social inequality. “Economic power must not be used as a means to buy influence or suppress public participation,” the UN expert stated.

Support for Ceasefire and Appeal for Dialogue

While condemning political repression, Muntarbhorn expressed support for the ceasefire agreement reached in July 2025, urging all parties to uphold their commitments and prioritize the protection of civilians.

He stressed that humanitarian assistance must reach those affected by the ongoing tensions and that steps must be taken to counter misinformation and prevent further escalation.

“It is high time to prevent and refrain from misinformation and disinformation, and to de-escalate tensions through dialogue, mutual understanding, and humanitarian practices,” he said.

Balancing Progress and Human Rights

The report acknowledges that Cambodia has made some progress in social and economic development, including poverty reduction and expanded social protection programs. However, Muntarbhorn warned that economic gains cannot substitute for political freedoms.

“Cambodia’s social and economic achievements are noteworthy, but they cannot conceal the erosion of civil liberties,” he said. “The human rights situation remains precarious as long as basic freedoms of expression, assembly, and participation are denied.”

The Special Rapporteur called on the international community to continue supporting civil society organizations in Cambodia and to monitor the government’s compliance with human rights obligations under international treaties.

A Call for Reform and Reconciliation

Muntarbhorn concluded his statement by urging the Cambodian government to embrace reform and dialogue as the only sustainable path forward. He called for the restoration of an open civic space, the release of all political prisoners, and the creation of an inclusive political environment that reflects Cambodia’s pluralism and democratic aspirations.

“For the sake of Cambodia’s future generations, it is crucial to respect the rule of law, empower civil society, and end the cycle of fear and suppression,” Muntarbhorn said.

The report will be debated at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where member states are expected to call on Cambodia to adopt the Rapporteur’s recommendations and cooperate with international human rights mechanisms.