Cambodia Moves to Strip Citizenship from 'Disloyal' Nationals

[geovalin]

CCC

 

 

Cambodia’s government is pushing ahead with a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to revoke the citizenship of any citizen found conspiring with foreign powers against national interests—a move that has drawn strong reactions both at home and abroad.

 

Prime Minister Hun Manet, speaking on 3 July at a ceremony in Kampong Thom province, dismissed fears over the amendment, saying only those seeking to harm Cambodia should be concerned. “If you are truly patriotic, you have nothing to fear,” he said. “But if you’re working with foreign forces to destroy the country, then you should be afraid—and you should not be Cambodian.”

 

The initiative, backed unanimously by all 125 members of the National Assembly and the government, has already been submitted to King Norodom Sihamoni. The Constitutional Council has confirmed the request may proceed, paving the way for a parliamentary vote on 11 July.

 

The proposed change would amend Article 33 of the Constitution, which currently forbids the state from stripping Cambodian citizenship, deporting citizens, or extraditing them without mutual agreement. The government argues the revision is in line with global norms, citing research that 150 countries—including the US, UK, and 18 EU states—have similar laws.

 

Senate President Hun Sen, who is spearheading the campaign alongside his son, made it clear the amendment is a direct response to activities by overseas opposition figures. He accused them of plotting with foreign powers to undermine Cambodia, particularly amid growing tensions with Thailand over contested border areas.

 

The move follows Cambodia’s submission of border documents to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning disputed temple sites where a Cambodian soldier was recently killed. Hun Sen said the legal change is necessary to prevent such disputes being exploited by opposition voices to weaken national unity.

 

However, legal experts have raised concerns. Prominent lawyer Sok Sam Oeun warned that the amendment could be used to silence dissent rather than defend national sovereignty. “Even without this change, the courts can already strip political rights,” he said, calling the proposal more political than practical.

 

While the government insists the move aligns with international standards, critics say it risks deepening divisions and setting a dangerous precedent in a country where opposition space is already tightly controlled.

 

-2025-07-04

[FlorC]

On 7/4/2025 at 8:43 AM, geovalin said:

allow the state to revoke the citizenship of any citizen found conspiring with foreign powers against national interests

So they become stateless ?

No ID , no passport ?

Pretty extreme.

[khunjeff]

On 7/4/2025 at 8:43 AM, geovalin said:

The government argues the revision is in line with global norms, citing research that 150 countries—including the US, UK, and 18 EU states—have similar laws.

 

I can't speak for the others, but the US absolutely does not have any such law.

[chickenslegs]

24 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

 

I can't speak for the others, but the US absolutely does not have any such law.

I guess it can only apply to people holding dual citizenship.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

I guess it can only apply to people holding dual citizenship.

Still unconstitutional unless US citizenship was obtained illegally or through fraud in their original application. 

[Caldera]

That is just wrong. If a citizen's wrongdoing against the state amounts to a crime (such as treason), the criminal justice system can deal with that. If it doesn't, it's just harmless dissent that those in power need to tolerate.

 

But I think we can all make an educated guess who they are targeting with this: (self-) exiled Cambodian opposition figures.

[JimHuaHin]

Will Thailand be following shortly?

[KhunLA]

Stripped of citizenship, then what ... sent adrift in a raft 

[TexasCowboy]

Does Cambodia recognize birthright citizenship?