A law in Cambodia has been passed that gives the government the authority to revoke citizenship for people who “collude” with foreigners.
Anyone found guilty of conspiring with foreign countries, plotting against Cambodian interests, or engaging in “destruction of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security” is granted a new legal authority under the law that was passed on Monday.
The 125-member National Assembly, which is dominated by the long-running Cambodian People’s Party, approved the legislation by all but five members.
A committee established at the request of Interior Minister Sar Sokha decides citizenship revocation under the law.
Although the upper house, the king, and the government of Cambodia still have to approve the legislation, these procedures are still regarded as formalities.
The action is in response to the government’s continued crackdown on its foes, which included former strongman leader Hun Sen and his son, current prime minister Hun Manet.
Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for more than three decades before his son took control in 2023, stated in June that it needed to impose laws against those who “side with foreign nations.”
In the midst of the crackdown, a number of well-known political figures have fled Cambodia, including Sam Rainsy and Mu Sochua, cofounders of the under-regime Cambodia National Rescue Party.
A coalition of 50 human rights organizations warned on Sunday that the law would “destroy disastrously chilling effect on the freedom of speech of all Cambodian citizens.”
The group claimed that the abuse potential in the passage of this vaguely worded law, which targeted people based on their political views, speech, and activism, is “too high” a possibility.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply