Recent crackdowns on online free expression by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), including Friday’s arrest of student Kong Raiya, create a disturbing outlook for the future of Internet freedom in Cambodia. The Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) urges the RGC to take immediate and decisive actions to end Internet censorship and protect human rights online.
“The recent arrest of Mr. Raiya reaffirms a pattern of increasing government restrictions of online freedom of expression,” said CCIM Executive Director Pa Nguon Teang. “The Internet, once Cambodia’s last open and free medium for press freedom and free expression, is now becoming increasingly restrictive and subject to the government controls that have for so long limited the country’s mainstream media.”
In the past month, the RGC has taken action against two opposition lawmakers and, as of Friday, one citizen, over comments posted to social media website Facebook. In the cases of Mr. Raiya and CNRP Senator Hong Sok Hour, the government has alleged incitement of a “color revolution” and has threatened to arrest other Internet users who post similar comments, or journalists who cover these so-called revolutions. CCIM condemns these threats against the media, both online and off, and pledges to continue offering the public access to accurate and independent information through its VOD news outlet.
CCIM calls on the RGC to protect the rights to free expression and freedom of the press by abiding by its own constitution, by international human rights law, and by UN General Assembly resolution 68/167, which affirms that all human rights apply equally online and offline.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Sor Sorthy, CCIM Communications & Advocacy Officer
Tel: +855 (0)60 411 777
Email: communications@ccimcambodia.org
