(Phnom Penh, 26th – Comprehensive Report) Cambodia's National Assembly on Monday (August 25) passed a new law authorizing the government to revoke the nationality of traitors.
Out of 125 lawmakers, 120 voted in favor. The legislation stipulates that anyone convicted of colluding with foreign entities or plotting to harm national interests can have their citizenship revoked.
The constitution originally guaranteed citizens unconditional nationality, but last month parliament amended the constitution to add a provision stating that “the acquisition, loss, and deprivation of Cambodian nationality shall be determined by law.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Keut Rith bluntly stated after the amendment passed: “If you betray the country, the country will not keep you.”
Since the Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party has stepped up its crackdown on the opposition, forcing many politicians into exile to avoid arrest.
A coalition of 50 human rights organizations issued a statement on Sunday (24th), criticizing the new law for “having a catastrophic chilling effect on freedom of expression for all Cambodians,” and emphasized: “The government may have many powers, but it should not have the power to arbitrarily decide who is or is not Cambodian.”
Senate President Hun Sen emphasized as early as the end of June that the country must take action against citizens ‘colluding with foreign powers.’ To date, dozens of opposition figures have been imprisoned or face prosecution. Opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2023 for treason.