NGO
A meeting with government officials and representatives of rights groups Licadho and Sahmakum Teang Tnaut on September 4, 2019 at the Council of Ministers in Phnom Penh (Khun Vanda/VOD)

NGOs Refuse to Talk Creating Human Rights Body Amid Human Rights Abuses

Civil society groups are refusing consultations with the government and U.N. on establishing an independent national human rights body, saying they should not be talking about a new committee without showing genuine interest in promoting and protecting human rights.

Dozens of villagers involved in a land dispute with Chinese company Union Development Group protest outside the Koh Kong provincial hall on February 3, 2020. (Adhoc)

Long-Absent Human Rights NGO Director Resigns

The director of human rights group Adhoc has resigned after five years living abroad following the arrests of his staff members, a decision seen as both an “opportunity” for new leadership in civil society and a new chapter for the NGO.

Vorn Pao, president of tuk-tuk drivers union Independent Democracy of Informal Economic Association (IDEA), speaks at an NGO event in November 2018. (Chorn Chanren/VOD)

7 Labor, Youth Groups Targeted in Police Survey

Police have targeted seven unions and associations for a “survey” of employees and their documentation, though a police official said the project has been put on hold for now after investigating two of the groups.

Cambodian Civil Society Deemed ‘Repressed’ by Global Watchdog

Criticizing legal attacks against NGOs and independent media and the “one-party election” held last year, international nonprofit Civicus rated civil society in Cambodia as “repressed” in its latest State of Civil Society annual report.