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Negotiations for the wages of workers in the garment and textile industry is set to start next month and workers are expecting to see their minimum wages rise to at least $200 per month. Garment workers in Cambodia, want to see a further increase of wages to more than $200 a month to match the current living expenses and the current economy. The global economic crisis is also affecting the daily lives of workers. Many workers want to see a pay rise in line with today’s prices. Chhong Hong and Saing Sothea, currently working in a garment factory in Phnom Penh’s Veng Sreng district, said their wages had been steadily increased to $194 a month, but rent and food expenses also increased. Kaing Monica, Deputy Secretary-General of the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC), said that the minimum wage negotiations should be based on seven criteria that are realistic and based on official figures. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501116547/minimum-wages-for-garment-and-textile-sector-workers-to-rise-to-at-least-200/

Theary Seng is detained in a prison in Cambodia’s north, making it difficult for her lawyer and family to visit. A Cambodian American democracy activist jailed on treason charges will request a transfer back to a prison in Phnom Penh, one month after authorities transferred her to a remote prison in the northern part of the country due to what they claimed were security concerns. Theary Seng was sentenced to six years in prison on June 14 along with 50 other activists for their association with the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), once the main opposition in the country before the Supreme Court dissolved it in 2017. Dressed as the Statue of Liberty as she waited in protest in front of the courthouse as the verdict in the mass trial was reached, Theary Seng was quickly taken into custody and sent to Prey Sar prison in the country’s capital. Just a day later, however, Cambodian authorities transferred her to Preah Vihear prison far to the north. Prison officials at that time told RFA that they made the move to maintain public order and to ensure her safety, but her lawyer said it isolated her from her family and legal counsel. The lawyer, Choung Chou-Ngy, told RFA’s Khmer Service on Monday that he would visit her on Tuesday to prepare the paperwork to request she be transferred back to Phnom Penh. “If Miss Seng Theary needs to be transferred to [Prey Sar Prison], I will prepare the form for her this week,” he said. “I expect that it will be honored according to her wishes [because] it is difficult for her relatives to see her when she is so far away and it is difficult for her to see a lawyer.” Authorities will only approve the transfer if they determine that it will not disturb the social order, Nuth Savana, spokesman for the General Department of Prisons of the Ministry of Interior, told RFA. “She has the right to request, but we will study her request. If the study sees that the situation can be better for her to be back to Phnom Penh, then we will get her back,” he said. “But if the assessment is still not good for her to return, we will leave her there.” The court seemingly wants to deprive Theary Seng of visits from relatives, friends, legal counsel or anyone else who would want to visit her, said Ny Sokha, president of the local Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc) NGO. “This seems to have been done in a sense that cut her off from family and friends, making it difficult for the family to meet. Thus, it is not easy. It hurts her mental health and it seems like she is being persecuted,” he said. Ny Sokha also said that he doubted official statements that claimed the transfer was done for security, as officials have said. Theary Seng was a high-profile activist for democratic reforms in Cambodia prior to her arrest, often wearing elaborate costumes to attract attention to her cause. Her support of the CNRP and the return of its exiled leader, Sam Rainsy, led to the charges that sent her to prison. Citizens and civil society officials have called for Theary Seng’s release because they believe that none of her actions constitute treason or incitement. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Eugene Whong. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/thearyseng-07182022190448.html

Thirty more Cambodian artefacts will be returned to the Kingdom from the United States on August 8 after several lawsuits were settled in US courts. This comes after 27 cultural treasures were returned by the US on July 13. Hab Touch, secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said yesterday that some of the artefacts were confiscated by US authorities from private collectors which required lengthy court proceedings, delaying repatriation, but eventually the Cambodian and American sides agreed on an official handover ceremony in New York, USA on August 8. “The Cambodian people are very happy that our ancestral souls are back,” he said. “The Cambodian cultural treasures that will be returned to Cambodia are from different sources and styles. Some are made of sandstone and others made of bronze, while some are from the pre-Angkorian period, some the Angkorian period and others from the post-Angkorian period. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501115795/30-artefacts-en-route-to-cambodia/

Local police in a Chinese local administration have issued a warning that people from the territory involved in illegal work in Cambodia must return immediately or face severe consequences. The warning added that anyone in the territory who comes to Cambodia without their job offer being reviewed by local authorities would also face punishment. The public security bureau in Xianyou county, a territory within Fujian province, issued an order on July 14 to all its citizens to leave Cambodia if they had either overstayed their visa or engaged in illegal activities, including money laundering, online gambling, fraud, smuggling and drug trafficking. The statement said residents’ crimes would not be punished if it were deemed “significantly minor and the harm is small,” but those who don’t return home would face consequences. read more https://vodenglish.news/chinese-territory-orders-fraud-workers-to-return-home-from-cambodia/

On a sunny May morning in 2020, Sok Oudom joined fellow journalists to cover a protest over military plans to claim land in Cambodia's Kampong Chhnang province. Armed with a microphone and a smartphone, and with a traditional red krama scarf wrapped around his head, Oudom started a livestream for his digital and radio media outlet, Rithysen News. Several protesters were forthcoming with Oudom about their opposition to the plans. One took the mic and questioned whether the spike in land disputes could bring war back to Cambodia. Oudom himself called on Prime Minister Hun Sen to intervene, then called out the governor at the time, Chhour Chandoeun. The broadcast caught the attention of authorities. The following day, police raided Oudom's home in the city of Kampong Chhnang and charged him with incitement. The Information Ministry in Phnom Penh revoked the license for Rithysen News. That December, a court sentenced Oudom to 20 months in prison. The journalist's case was cited in a report by the American Bar Association Center for Human Rights, a U.S.-based organization that advocates for vulnerable communities and seeks to hold governments to account. The association said Oudom's case is indicative of the challenges for journalists and activists accused of incitement. Local and international rights organizations have previously cited Cambodia's use of the charge against critics. The independent Cambodian Journalists Alliance, or CamboJA, has documented at least 168 cases of legal and physical harassment against journalists in the past two years, with nearly all those detained facing accusations of "incitement." "The case of Mr. Sok Oudom is a personal tragedy, but it is also indicative of a wider issue of Cambodian authorities using draconian laws to target journalists and human rights defenders," Oliver Windridge, an international human rights lawyer who advised the ABA, told VOA Khmer. "The right to freedom of expression protects not only the right to say things that are complementary or in favor of governments and authorities, but importantly, also the right to be critical and challenge governments and authorities." Chin Malin, a spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of Justice, dismissed claims that authorities use incitement and other laws to target critics. When asked about Oudom's case, he told VOA that journalists are not afforded "special privilege or parliamentary immunity to make them an exception from criminal responsibilities if they commit a criminal felony." Media trial In convicting Oudom, judges in Kampong Chhnang provincial court cited Article 495 of Cambodia's Criminal Code, which covers acts deemed to be "incitement to commit a felony or to disturb social security," through provisions laid out in Article 494 including speech, pictures or audio-visual communication. At the final hearing, the provincial court judge told Oudom his words had "the potential to inspire the listener or citizens currently occupying the disputed land to commit acts which are crimes by going to occupy land." The ABA report concluded the prosecution against Oudom ran contrary to both international and domestic legal and human rights practices. Him Khortieth, the research and advocacy manager at CamboJA, followed Oudom's case closely, even attending hearings. "Based on what I heard during directly being present in the trial, there seemed no serious and specific felony committed in their accusation against Mr. Sok Oudom," Khortieth told VOA Khmer. He said many journalists are seeking clarification on where the line is between journalistic work and criminal activity; between protected expression and incitement. Ministry spokesperson Malin said it is up to judges to decide what constitutes "incitement." "Not the so-called Facebook judges, not the journalists, not the analysts, and not the civil society organizations – who are the outsiders – to consider these three aspects instead of a state judge," he said. "If anyone could do that, there would be no need to have a court system or judges in existence at all." Back in Kampong Chhnang, issues of land grabbing, illegal fishing and deforestation are still present. Prime Minister Hun Sen has made public remarks calling for action. In an audio address in November, he said officials involved in land grabs should be held accountable. The following month, Kampong Chhnang's former governor Chandoeun was reported to be under investigation for his alleged involvement in taking 2,000 hectares of flooded forest area in the province. The former governor has not spoken publicly about the investigation. The forces stifling freedom of speech extend beyond the provincial level, the ABA said. Its report found that the ruling party's "omnipresent influence over political and legal processes fosters an environment that punishes expression and gives little legal recourse to the accused." "This is the environment surrounding Sok Oudom's criminal case," it added. In September 2021, Oudom was released after an appellate court reduced his sentence. VOA reached out to Oudom but the journalist declined the request for an interview. He has returned to journalism, but he now maintains a lower profile while gradually restarting his news site and radio station. https://www.voanews.com/a/incitement-accusations-against-media-activists-a-tragedy-legal-analyst-says-/6665688.html

Cambodian authorities’ ban on community forest patrols didn’t stop an environmental group from returning to Prey Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary over the weekend, where they found hundreds of felled resin trees that they say are vital for the local community. The sanctuary, a 90,000-hectare protected area in Preah Vihear province, lost more than 600 hectares of tree cover in 2020, according to Global Forest Watch data. However, independent patrols of protected areas by environmentalists have been banned since early 2020, leading to reports of rising deforestation. San Mala, a former Cambodian Youth Network official who now works for the Forest Defenders Project, which he says is part of another group he would not name due to safety concerns, nevertheless made a three-day trip into the wildlife sanctuary from Friday to Sunday, his second visit this year and the first since February. read more https://vodenglish.news/preah-vihear-forestry-patrol-finds-hundreds-of-felled-trees/

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Phnom Penh has confirmed the participation of Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, in the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (55e AMM) and Related Meetings to be hosted by Cambodia. The news was shared by Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, in an inclusive interview with the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) this morning. The participation of the Russian foreign minister is very importance because Russia is one of the dialogue partners of ASEAN, and more importantly, Cambodia is the Country Coordinator for the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations, he underlined. The Cambodian top diplomat added that 39 foreign ministers, including 27 from the member countries of the ASEAN Regional Forum and 12 as the Chair’s guests are expected to attend the 55e AMM and Related Meetings in Phnom Penh. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501116163/dpm-prak-sokhonn-russian-embassy-confirms-lavrovs-participation-in-forthcoming-meetings-in-cambodia/

The 2 countries joined 20 others in receiving the lowest rank for their efforts to prevent widespread exploitation. Human trafficking worsened in Cambodia and Vietnam over the past year, according to a report issued Tuesday by the U.S. State Department, which placed them in its lowest ranking alongside 20 other countries including China, accused of widespread forced labor and mass incarceration in Xinjiang. The annual Trafficking in Persons Report, issued on Tuesday, documents human trafficking and efforts to combat it in 188 countries. By falling into Tier 3, Cambodia and Vietnam can face U.S. sanctions unless the State Department grants a waiver. China remained unchanged at Tier 3, largely on account of its treatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in the Xinjiang region and abuses of workers in its massive Belt and Road Initiative of infrastructure projects around the world, the department said. “I think if you look at the report, you're going to see a mixed picture of progress,” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said as he presented the report at the State Department in Washington. Though 21 countries improved in ranking, 18, including Cambodia and Vietnam, fell to lower rankings. A decrease in rank indicates "that they either didn't make significant increasing efforts to combat trafficking or, worse, that their governments have a state sponsored policy or pattern of trafficking,” Blinken said. The report said that Cambodia and Vietnam governments do “not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and [are] not making significant efforts to do so, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on [their] anti-trafficking capacity.” In particular, it cited incidents in both countries where diplomats and high-ranking officials were shielded from legal consequences for trafficking due to their official positions. Although Cambodia took steps to address trafficking — arresting and convicting traffickers, identifying victims, and assisting in repatriation of Cambodian trafficking victims — its efforts were hampered by endemic corruption that made law enforcement ineffective, the report said. “Authorities did not investigate or hold criminally accountable any officials involved in the large majority of credible reports of complicity, in particular with unscrupulous business owners who subjected thousands of men, women and children throughout the country to human trafficking in entertainment establishments, brick kilns and online scam operations,” the report said. “The government did not provide adequate protection services for victims domestically or overseas and relied heavily on foreign donors and NGOs to provide much-needed care,” it said. Vietnam also made an effort to address the problem. Authorities were able to identify more victims than the previous year for the first time in five years. But the government reported a decrease in the convictions of traffickers for the fifth year in a row. “Authorities again inspected thousands of establishments most-at risk for sex trafficking without identifying any victims of sex trafficking in the process, despite widespread prevalence at such sites,” the report said. “The government did not hold criminally or administratively accountable two Vietnamese diplomats who were allegedly complicit in subjecting Vietnamese nationals to trafficking abroad during the reporting period, and it did not make sufficient effort to protect the victims in these cases. To the contrary, authorities at times reportedly harassed and pressured survivors and their families in an effort to silence allegations of official complicity,” it said. Vietnamese women who work as domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia hold signs asking the Vietnamese government for help in an undated photo. Photo courtesy of BPSOS/CAMSA International Blinken said that the report identified 11 countries where the government trafficked its own citizens, sometimes as a retaliation for political views or for labor on projects of national interest. “That can look like subjecting people, including children, to forced labor in key sectors … or sending members of ethnic minority groups to be de-radicalized in camps,” he said. Blinken did not mention China’s Uyghur internment camps in Xinjiang where inmates are reportedly forced to provide labor under the guise of vocational training. But the report said the camps were an important reason why China remained in Tier 3. “During the reporting period there was a government policy or pattern of widespread forced labor, including through the continued mass arbitrary detention of Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, ethnic Kyrgyz, and members of other Turkic and/or Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,” the report said. Belt and Road Initiative The report also noted China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which it called a “a trillion-dollar infrastructure development and economic integration strategy connecting at least 144 countries around the world.” Chinese nationals and locals in host countries employed in construction, mining and manufacturing around the globe are sometimes subject to “intimidation and threats, physical violence, denial of access to urgent medical care, poor working and living conditions, restricted freedom of movement and communication, and retaliation for reported abuses,” the report said. The report cited the example of a man from a rural community in China who took a steel production job in Indonesia because it was advertised as high-paying. But when he got to Indonesia, his employers confiscated his passport and told him he would be paid much less than he agreed to even as he had to work longer hours than he expected. After a few months he was able to sneak away to post pictures of himself online, along with handwritten notes asking for assistance in returning home. His family saw the posts and contacted Chinese consular services in Indonesia for assistance but they did not help him. Eventually he and four coworkers saved their money to hire a broker to help them escape the country, but the broker took their money and left them in another China-affiliated industrial park, where they faced similarly harsh conditions. The workers again saved their money to hire another broker to take them to Malaysia. They were dropped offshore and had to swim to land, all the while being shot at. Once on land, they were arrested by the authorities. “Stories like this are not uncommon in dozens of BRI countries,” the report said. It recommended that China create a central governing body for the BRI and make public a full list of all BRI-projects in order to improve oversight to prevent abuse. The report said that sex trafficking and child forced labor have risen in areas near BRI construction projects. “The displacement of local communities to make room for BRI projects — often carried out with little or no timely compensation for those who lose their homes — compounds many of these vulnerabilities,” it said. Laos remained at Tier 2, whereas Hong Kong remained on the Tier 2 watchlist, indicating that although their governments do not meet minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking they are making significant efforts to comply with those standards. North Korea and Myanmar, remained at Tier 3. The Munich-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC) welcomed the report for mentioning the situation in Xinjiang. "Today's report released by Sec. Blinken is particularly important in highlighting the trafficking of Uyghurs and forcing them into slave labor by the Chinese authorities,” Dolkun Isa, the WUC’s president told RFA’s Uyghur Service. “In light of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity actively carried out by China in East Turkestan, we urge the U.S.-led Western democracies to take further meaningful actions to stop China's atrocities against the Uyghur people, including the trafficking and forcing Uyghurs into 21st century slavery," he said. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/tipreport-07192022182327.html

The government has made the goal of eliminating child labour in Cambodia a priority and has called on relevant authorities to prevent children from working in the handicrafts industry, brickworks and agro-industry. Sokhom Chenda, director of the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Labour and Vocational Training, said yesterday that using children in certain industries still exists, while some children accompany their parents to work to make life easier for the family. “Child labour in Siem Reap has been declining, but I have noticed that some brickworks seem unaware that children are working for their company as many children accompany their parents to work to help them,” Chenda said. He added that in Siem Reap province, children are placing themselves in danger when they accompany parents to work and help them with their job. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501115025/govt-launches-campaign-to-stop-child-labour/

Roofs, kitchens, shacks and other extensions built unapproved on houses in the wider Angkor Archaeological Park area will need to be removed, Apsara Authority has told residents, some of whom believe they only have two days left to finish the removals. About 300 people who live 3-4 km from Angkor Wat are affected by Apsara Authority’s warning, according to rights group Adhoc’s land dispute officer Sous Narin, who suggested the residents were far enough from the temples that strict measures should be unnecessary. Ong Chanly, a 52-year-old resident who sells firewood, said she had initially been given a deadline of July 14 to remove some small structures on her land. But the day had passed with no action, and now Angkor guards had suggested that officials will come on Wednesday to remove the unapproved constructions, which included accommodations for her children, Chanly said. “I didn’t build on the roadside, only on my own land,” Chanly said, adding that she had a soft title for the land since 2015. read more https://vodenglish.news/angkor-park-residents-told-to-removed-unapproved-constructions/

July 18 (Reuters) - Hong Kong-based conglomerate Swire Pacific Ltd (0019.HK) said on Monday it would buy the packaging and distribution operations of Coca-Cola in Vietnam and Cambodia, marking its expansion into the southeast Asian beverages market. Swire Pacific will pay $1.02 billion in cash for Coca-Cola Indochina, which packages and distributes the beverage in the two southeast Asian countries. The firm is buying Coca-Cola Indochina through its Swire Beverages and Swire Coca-Cola units, from Coca-Cola (Japan), which is ultimately owned by Coca-Cola Co (KO.N). read more https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/hong-kongs-swire-pacific-buy-coca-cola-bottling-ops-two-countries-2022-07-18/

Observers say the incident is yet another example of political intimidation A group of 10 people on motorbikes on Sunday attacked an official of Cambodia’s main opposition Candlelight Party, causing a severe head injury that required hospitalization, the official told RFA. Nol Pongthearith was on his way to a meeting and on his own motorbike in front of the Candlelight Party office at Por Senchey district in the capital Phnom Penh when he was allegedly attacked by 10 people on four motorcycles. They shouted death threats and struck him, including on the back of his head, with an iron bar. He said he was bruised and bloodied all over his body and required 12 stitches. On Monday, Nol Pongthearith told RFA’s Khmer Service that he was forced to leave the hospital prematurely to continue his treatment at home to ensure his safety. He remains in pain and his wounds require further treatment. “I am concerned for my life because the assailants shouted that [they] wanted me dead. This is not normal,” he said, adding that he believes that he was targeted because he is a member of the Candlelight Party. Candlelight Party officials have complained for several months about incidents of violence and bullying by local officials representing Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), especially in the run up to the June 5 local communal elections. The Candlelight Party ended up winning about one-fifth of the country’s contested commune council seats. “These assaults will continue. Today it happened to me, tomorrow it will happen to other members,” Nol Pongthearith said. “I demand that the government … arrest the perpetrators who caused these injuries to me as well as the other Candlelight Party activists and members, and that they are tried before the law.” The Candlelight Party condemned the attack in a statement it released on Sunday and called on authorities to open an independent investigation to find the people responsible. Police have received Nol Pongthearith’s complaint and require his cooperation to investigate, Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman San Sok Seiha told RFA. San Sok Seiha however urged the victim and journalists not to connect his assault with politics or similar incidents in the past before an investigation is completed. “Don’t just say this or that, because every assessment released by the police needs to be accompanied with clear evidence,” he said. Candlelight Party Vice President Thach Setha told RFA the violence against his activists undermine the credibility of Cambodian elections. He said that if the authorities do not want to see criticism or accusations that the incidents are related to politics, the authorities must seek justice for all victims by allowing an independent investigation. “In the past, political activists and civil society have never seen the authorities arrest the perpetrators and punish them, that is why we are in doubt,” he said. The government wants to protect its own reputation or considers all cases as non-political. “Please catch the perpetrators, and [those who ordered the attack] and bring them to justice,” said Thach Setha. Civil society groups are very concerned about the recurrence of violence against political activists, Am Sam Ath, director general of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights, told RFA. He said that if the police do not prevent these kinds of incidents, they will invite criticism of Cambodia’s political system at home and abroad. “The authorities need to protect the security of the people if there is a crime against an individual. It must be investigated to find the perpetrator and bring justice to victims and eradicate the culture of impunity," Am Sam Ath said. According to RFA statistics, since 2019, around 40 social and political activists have been victims of the brutal assaults by unidentified assailants, causing serious injuries, permanent disability and even death. The authorities were unable to identify the perpetrators in almost all cases. Many of the incidents were similar, involving helmeted attackers chasing their target on motorbikes, beating them or throwing stones at their homes. Sunday’s incident was the second time Nol Pongthearith was attacked — he was also assaulted in 2019, when he was a member of the banned-opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Eugene Whong. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/candlelight-attack-07182022190840.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

Pope Francis appointed Fr Pierre Suon Hangly, the first local priest to lead a Cambodian ecclesiastic jurisdiction since the ouster of Pol Pot. He follows Bishop Joseph Chhmar Salas, who starved to death during the Khmer Rouges’ reign of terror. Phnom Penh (AsiaNews) – Fr Pierre Suon Hangly, a 50-year-old priest from Phnom Penh, is the new apostolic prefect of Kompong Cham, one of the three territorial jurisdictions that make up the Catholic Church in Cambodia. Pope Francis appointed him today in replacement of Antonysamy Susairaj, an Indian-born member of the Missions étrangères de Paris, who resigned in 2019. Fr Suon Hangly’s appointment is an important step for Cambodia’s Catholic community, which began its rebirth 20 years and now can count on 20,00 members in a country of 16 million. Ordained priest for the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh in 2001, Fr Pierre is in fact the first local clergyman to assume the leadership of an apostolic prefecture after the journey through hell the Cambodian Church underwent at the hands of the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot. read more https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Cambodian-priest-becomes-new-apostolic-prefect-of-Kompong-Cham-56273.html

Opponents of Myanmar’s military regime say they won’t allow a planned visit by the Cambodian leader to go ahead on Friday A coalition of anti-regime forces says it will do everything in its power to prevent a visit to Myanmar by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen scheduled for this Friday. In a statement released on Tuesday, the General Strike Coordination Body (GSCB) denounced the visit as a step towards legitimizing Myanmar’s “terrorist” regime and vowed not to allow it to go forward. The group, which comprises more than 260 organizations formed to oppose last year’s military takeover, said that the two-day visit ignores the will of Myanmar’s people, as well as conditions set by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the normalization of relations with the regime. During an emergency meeting held last April to address the crisis in Myanmar, attended by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, the regional grouping reached a five-point “consensus” calling for the cessation of violence and dialogue among all parties as preconditions for engagement with the newly installed junta. read more https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/anti-junta-forces-vow-to-prevent-hun-sen-visit

The amendment would allow Hun Sen to name his son Hun Manet as his successor. A proposed amendment to Cambodia’s Constitution is a thinly veiled attempt by Prime Minister Hun Sen to keep power within his family and does not reflect the will of the people, citizens of the Southeast Asian country told RFA. Critics say the plan to change two articles that determine how prime ministers are chosen is designed to allow Hun Sen to transfer power to his son Hun Manet by eliminating the need for the National Assembly, or legislature, to approve the pick. The two articles, 119 and 125, are among eight that would be changed by the amendment, which would be the country's 10th. “If Hun Sen were not able to stay in power, or he got sick, he might hurriedly [transfer power to his son],” Chan Pov Raksmey, a citizen from the northwestern province of Siem Reap, told RFA’s Khmer Service. “He is afraid of power among the people because so far, what he has done is for himself and his children, not for the national interest,” he said. Changes to Article 119 would dilute the power of the National Assembly and allow the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to sign off on transferring power from father to son, Ly Chandavuth, an environmental activist, told RFA. “They will want to install Hun Manet to be the prime minister, and won’t give any consideration toward the opposition party,” he said. As currently written, Article 119 requires a parliamentary vote before a new leader can be approved. In 2017, Cambodia’s Supreme Court dissolved the country’s main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), allowing the CPP to win all seats in the National Assembly in a general election the following year. If Hun Sen were to step down and appoint his son, the selection would almost certainly be approved by the rubber stamp parliament. But a new opposition party enjoyed some success in Cambodia’s June 5 commune council elections and could capture a significant portion of National Assembly seats in next year’s general election. Should that happen, members of the new Candlelight Party could provide resistance to Hun Sen’s succession plans under the current law. 'Ignoring the people' Hul Sao, a resident of western Cambodia’s Battambang province, told RFA that the proposed amendment “doesn't reflect the people's will.” “Any law amendment should seek the people's consent,” he said. “The National Assembly is creating partisan [laws] and ignoring the people and [the concerns of] NGOs." Even though the CPP will still likely control the National Assembly after next year’s elections, the amendment acts as a safeguard against people in the party who might not support Hun Manet, Phoung Ratha, a law student, told RFA. "There will be a shakeup within the CPP, so Hun Sen doesn't trust the National Assembly members to approve the power transfer to his son,” Phoung Ratha said. The amendment would not be the first attempt by Hun Sen to try to change laws to protect his family. Hun Sen’s political rival Sam Rainsy, who has lived in self-imposed exile in France since 2015, recalled in an interview with RFA on Friday that in 2014 the CPP chief said he would step down if the CNRP submitted legislation that would ensure that he and two of his political allies were pardoned. The request was made at a time when the CPP held only a slim 65-58 majority over the CNRP, and could not pass such a law on its own. Sam Rainsy said he agreed to the request, but Hun Sen reneged on his promise to resign. “I am flexible. I want to make sure that the Khmer people live in peace,” Sam Rainsey said. “I can forgive Hun Sen. I don’t want revenge on him or to imprison him or send him to be prosecuted at an international court.” The proposed amendment has already been approved by the cabinet and the Constitutional Council, a body which verifies its legality. It must next be approved by the National Assembly, the Senate, and finally the king. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. UPDATE: Clarifies that more than one article in the constitution would be changed by the amendment. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/amendment-07152022193014.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

A foreign man has been sent to court in Siem Reap for embezzling $126,000. The suspect has been named as Chinese national TAN QINGBING, Male, Born on 18-12-1984, who is General Manager, XING ZHENG GIAN Co.Ltd Company. On July 11, 2022, the specialized office forces arrested the man for breach of trust between August 26, 2021 and January 11, 2022 at the construction site of the new Siem Reap International Airport in Proval Village, Popel Commune, Sot Nikum District, Siem Reap Province. On July 13, 2022, Siem Reap provincial authorities sent the man to the Siem Reap Provincial Court read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501114122/foreigner-sent-to-court-for-embezzlement-at-new-siem-reap-international-airport/

The Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the iconic Siem Reap hotel and one of the most famous heritage properties in Southeast Asia celebrated its 90th anniversary on Friday with a glittering party set at Angkor Wat. The event, which saw nearly 30 participants, was also aimed at commemorating the recent reopening of the historic hotel with a fresh new look. The occasion began at dawn with the butlers, dressed as ancient Khmer palace guards, welcoming the guests of honour, including US Ambassador Patrick Murphy with his spouse and daughter at the Kravan temple, a beautiful 10th-century temple with five sanctuary towers located in the Angkor Archaeological Park. On their way to the dinner tables set in front of the temple, they were greeted by an authentic performance of Sbek Thom shadow theatre, with natural lighting from a bonfire that threw the puppets’ shadow onto a large white screen. Served to guests at the dinner were the dishes originally on the 1936 menu of the Grand Hotel, which was recently discovered. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501114338/iconic-siem-reap-hotel-celebrates-90th-anniversary/

PHNOM PENH, July 17 (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Mainland China accounted for more than one-third of the value of Cambodia’s imports in the first half of this year, sales which have substantially driven economic growth in the Kingdom and supported conditions for employment sustainability, according to economists and businessmen. Cambodia imported US$5.37428 billion worth of goods from mainland China in the January-June period – up by 24.175 per cent year-on-year from US$4.32799 billion – representing the largest share or 33.88 per cent of total exports, which clocked in at $15.864 billion, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE). In the Greater China market, the Kingdom also imported $560.626 million and $521.615 million worth of merchandise from Taiwan and Hong Kong, respectively, representing 3.534 and 3.288 per cent shares. GDCE did not provide data for Macau. read more https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/07/17/china-accounts-for-more-than-one-third-of-the-value-of-cambodias-imports-in-the-first-half-of-2022

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy, and Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona celebrated the repatriation of 27 looted artifacts to Cambodia at the National Museum today. Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink highlighted a memorandum of understanding between the government of Cambodia and the United States, which has solidified U.S.-Cambodia cultural cooperation, facilitated the return of over 100 priceless antiquities, and built the capacity of Cambodians working on cultural heritage preservation. Kritenbrink also praised the joint efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement, Manhattan District Attorney, Homeland Security Investigations, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and U.S. Embassy that led to the return of 27 pieces. “Today’s ceremony is a testament to the strong relationship between the United States and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts,” Kritenbrink said. “U.S. government initiatives, such as the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, demonstrate our longstanding support for the restoration of historic sites of cultural significance for Cambodia.” read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501113232/u-s-repatriates-27-looted-cultural-artifacts-to-cambodia-in-handover-ceremony/

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Commander-in-Chief General Vong Pisen has vowed to “eliminate extremist groups” if they cause “social unrest” during the country’s National Election next year. This, however, has been interpreted by some opposition parties as a “threat” and “intimidation” but fiercely denied by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Speaking during the 29th anniversary of the National Military Police in Kampong Chhnang province yesterday, Gen Pisen, who stood in for Minister of Defence General Tea Banh at the event, said the army has a strong commitment to eliminating any group out to destroy the peace. He stressed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia has enjoyed the peace and national development. “Under the light of peace, Cambodia has achieved great and positive changes, achieving high and sustainable economic growth for more than two decades and people’s lives have been improved, security and social order have also improved. “Therefore, at any cost, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, which is the backbone of the nation, must immediately stop any ‘colour revolution’ attempts and extremist groups who try to cause social unrest.” read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501112823/armed-forces-chief-general-vong-pisen-warns-extremists-will-be-eliminated-if-they-cause-social-unrest-in-next-years-national-election/

Governor of Battambang, Sok Lou, warned prison officials and drug rehabilitation centres not to engage in drug trafficking in prisons. The warning was issued on Wednesday, when the Governor participated in the International Day Against Drugs. The ceremony saw the participation of three provincial administrations: Battambang, Kampong Chhnang and Pursat. The Governor said that he would like to urge the relevant municipal and district authorities, especially all relevant authorities, to do their best to pay attention to effective drug suppression by making sure that drug traffickers and distributors are not acquitted. He warned prison officials and drug rehabilitation centre officials that drug trafficking in prisons and drug rehabilitation centres is strictly prohibited. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501112717/prison-officials-drug-rehabilitation-centres-warned-against-engaging-in-drug-trafficking/

Critics say change to Cambodian Constitution would reduce the power of the National Assembly. The body designated with reviewing changes to the Cambodian Constitution gave its OK on Thursday to a proposal critics say will make it easier for Prime Minister Hun Sen to transfer power to his son Hun Manet. The process for choosing Cambodia’s leader under Article 119 of the constitution as now written states that the National Assembly must approve a prime minister who has been designated for the role by the country’s king. The proposed changes to 119, approved by the Constitutional Council of Cambodia (CCC), would give the king the power to appoint the prime minister with only the approval of the president of the assembly. Additionally the prime minister could appoint an acting prime minister in times of temporary absence, under a proposed change to Article 125 of the constitution that was also approved by the CCC. Hun Sen’s Cabinet has previously approved the changes. The changes must still be approved by the assembly, which is now made up entirely of representatives from Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). "The amendment makes the National Assembly lose power," Yang Saign Koma, founder of the small opposition Grassroots Democratic Party, told RFA’s Khmer Service. “This isn’t needed. We need transparency. The amendments are not necessary, especially on 125 and 119.” Cambodians should get a chance through a national referendum to vote on the proposed changes, he said. Consideration of the amendments is being rushed to ensure Hun Manet succeeds his father, who has ruled the country since 1985 and is now 69, Yang Saign Koma said. “This is aimed at transferring power after the 2023 general election,” he said. In 2023, Cambodian voters will go to the polls to elect members of the assembly. If the main opposition Candlelight Party were to win a significant number of seats, the transition of power from father and son could be more complicated under the current constitution. The party won about 20 percent of seats in this year’s commune council elections, making it Cambodia’s leading opposition to the CPP. The amendments show that the CPP does not want to relinquish its power, Candlelight Party Vice President Thach Setha told RFA. Candidates for the CPP won every seat in the assembly in the 2018 election after the Supreme Court dissolved the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which had been the leading opposition party, the previous year. That sparked a five-year crackdown on political opposition by Hun Sen and his cronies. "The government should wait until there are multiple parties in the assembly after the 2023 election,” Thach Setha said. “Maybe [the CPP] thinks it would be difficult to do under a new National Assembly. [The amendment] is not necessary. The CPP treats the country as if it has an emergency. This creates a lot of suspicion.” Exiled political analyst Kim Sok told RFA that the amendment makes it unlikely that anyone outside Hun Sen’s family becomes prime minister after him. “The amendment is to serve Hun Sen’s power transfer plan for the Hun Dynasty,” he said. Cambodia’s minister of justice, Koeut Rith, on Thursday defended the proposed amendment, saying that it would close loopholes surrounding high-level government offices in the event of vacancies. “Due to the current situation, it is risky to have the prime minister’s position vacant so amending Article 125 will fill the gaps in the constitution,” he said. “There are four major points, to appoint an acting prime minister, [clarify] reasons for the vacant prime minister position, as either death and resignation, in order to maintain the legislation continuation through speedy new cabinet appointments," he said. The proposed amendment would change a total of eight articles. Thursday's approval sends the amendment to the National Assembly for debate. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/constitution-07142022182122.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

In Summary: Cambodia’s casinos remain mostly shuttered with only 20 properties open on June 30 The collected tax revenue is only 8% of the amount mandated by law Commercial casinos are falling behind on license renewals The Commercial Gambling Committee of Cambodia (CGCC) has provided a look into the operational results of the country’s casinos over the six months ending on June 30, 2022. The regulator said that the casino’s cumulative output fell utterly short of hoped-for results and came to just 8% of the amount required by law. Casino closures had impacted most properties across Cambodia, making for a grim outlook. Cambodia’s Casinos Remain Mostly Shuttered The report also said that only 10% of the country’s casinos were operational as of June 30. This means that out of 200 properties, only 20 were available. Meanwhile, the properties that have sought to reapply for a license have faced red tape, and only 13 licenses out of 129 applicants have been approved. The Financial Industry Ministry of Cambodia and director Ros Phearun issued a statement: We’ve seen that local tourists are taking trips, but international tourism remains limited. The commercial gambling sector depends on this, especially in border areas with Thailand and Vietnam that have only just recently opened. Commercial gambling operations have just resumed, leading to slow revenue collection. Financial Industry Ministry of Cambodia and director Ros Phearun read more https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/cambodias-casinos-generate-8-of-expected-tax-revenue/

The suspects imported drug precursors and equipment to Cambodia’s capital via Vietnam. Cambodia authorities have arrested 11 Chinese nationals on suspicion of illegal drug trafficking, confiscating hundreds of metric tons of narcotics and drug precursors during raids in Phnom Penh and three other provinces, national police said Wednesday. Agents from Cambodia’s National Authority for Combating Drugs worked with local authorities in the capital and in Svay Rieng, Prey Veng and Kandal provinces to arrest the suspects, who were allegedly operating large-scale narcotics factories. The raids took place July 4-9 in seven locations, according to information posted on the website of the General Commissariat of National Police. The factories had allegedly been operating for the past three months, authorities said. Agents confiscated two metric tons of the hallucinogenic drug Ketamine, 300 tons of precursors, and drug-producing equipment. Police are sending the 11 suspects to court for processing, according to the national police. Lt. Gen. Mak Chito, deputy national police commissioner in charge of drug crimes, said the suspects had been importing the precursors and equipment from Vietnam through Phnom Penh’s port since April 7. They then distributed drug ingredients to different locations for production. “They hid those ingredients in containers,” he told RFA. “Those chemical ingredients are banned [in Cambodia]. The finished products were intended for shipment to Taiwan and Australia. They are using Cambodia as a place to produce the drugs,” he said. Mak Chito said many others suspected of illegal drug trafficking are now fleeing Cambodia. He also said there has been no indication that local authorities colluded with the suspects. NGOs have called on government authorities to enact tougher measures against Chinese drug lords operating in Cambodia, as methamphetamine use continues to surge in the country, RFA reported a week ago following news of the arrest in Sihanoukville of seven Chinese nationals who set up a factory in the coastal province to make the drugs from smuggled ingredients. During that operation, authorities seized several tons of drug precursors and production equipment during the arrests. Am Sam Ath, chief of general affairs for the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (Licadho), urged authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into suspected drug operations, including whether local authorities were involved. Illegal drug trafficking threatens Cambodia’s national security and economic development, Am Sam Ath also said. “If there are suspected factories, [authorities] have to take action in advance to prevent them [from operating],” he said. “We have seen loopholes when it comes to authorities cracking down on them.” Am Sam Ath urged routine factory inspections to prevent suspects from using the places of operation to produce illegal drugs. Yong Kim Eng, President of The People's Centre for Development and Peace, an NGO that advocates for human rights and democracy, said Chinese illegal drug operations in Cambodia have detrimentally affected the country’s reputation and that authorities have failed to effectively combat it because of corruption. “This is a tragedy for Cambodia to be used by Chinese to produce illegal drugs,” he told RFA. “We must be vigilant.” During a National Day for Combating Drugs on June 26, Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng said that police seized a combined total of more than 100 metric tons of finished drugs and drug ingredients from 2020 to 2021. However, of the nearly 10,000 metric tons of the finished drugs that were seized, only 6,000 were destroyed, he said. Translated by Samean Yun for RFA Khmer. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/drug-arrests-07132022170715.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036

The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia issued a notice on Wednesday on its website, reminding Chinese citizens in this Southeast Asian country to stay away from online gambling syndicates. Recently, a number of Chinese citizens were illegally detained and held for ransom after being lured into Cambodia by con artist organizations, believing false advertisements of "high salaries" for job vacancies. Due to the prompt response from the victims' families and coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, law enforcement departments in China and Cambodia have taken swift action and successfully rescued the victims. The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia once again reminded Chinese citizens to come to Cambodia through formal channels and to avoid falling for conmen that promise overnight gains. The embassy also reminded Chinese citizens to report to the Chinese and Cambodian police as soon as possible if they are in danger or their personal freedom is restricted. When filing a report or making an emergency call, the embassy specified, it is important to provide as much information as possible, so that a timely rescue can be organized. read more https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202207/1270429.shtml