A senior figure from Cambodia’s dissolved opposition party has accused the government of favouring Vietnamese nationals over its own people. Um Sam An, a former lawmaker from the Cambodia National Rescue Party, claims the ruling government under the Hun family has granted more protection and rights to ethnic Vietnamese than to ethnic Khmer citizens.

In a post published on his personal Facebook page, Um Sam An pointed to government data showing that by 2019, nearly 90,000 Vietnamese immigrants, both documented and undocumented, had received permanent residency in Cambodia. He argued that while ethnic Khmer citizens now face the risk of losing their birthright citizenship, Vietnamese nationals are being increasingly integrated and protected under Cambodian law.

Um Sam An noted that once these Vietnamese residents receive legal permanent residency, they become eligible to apply for Cambodian citizenship after seven years, as outlined in the country’s naturalisation law.

He warned that the group of nearly 90,000 Vietnamese could, in the future, hold key leadership roles in Cambodian society, including village chiefs, commune council members, district and provincial governors, ministers, military officers and police chiefs. He also suggested they would be eligible to vote in the upcoming commune elections in 2027 and the national election in 2028.

A letter issued by the Ministry of Interior on July 10, 2020 and recently made public confirms that more than 89,000 foreign nationals across Cambodia have applied for permanent residency. According to the letter, these applicants represent nearly 29,000 households across 11 nationalities, with Vietnamese nationals accounting for 89,471 individuals, including over 42,000 women.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the permanent residency cards are issued for two years at a time, allowing foreign residents to remain in the country legally and access public services. These include administrative procedures, healthcare, banking, real estate transactions, and business activities.

Separately, on July 8, 2025, the General Department of Identification issued a clarification, stating that since 1999, Cambodia has granted Khmer citizenship to just over 5,000 foreign nationals in total. Officials noted that this figure remains relatively low compared to naturalisation rates in other countries in the region.

The debate over naturalisation and citizenship comes amid heightened political sensitivity around immigration, national identity and voting rights. While government officials maintain that all processes follow legal norms, critics continue to raise concerns over transparency and national priorities.

Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has officially signed into law a constitutional amendment that allows for the revocation of Cambodian citizenship by birth. The royal decree, authorising the use of the amendment to Article 33 of the Constitution, was signed on July 15 but made public only at the start of this week.

The amended Article 33 now states that Cambodian citizens cannot be exiled or extradited to any foreign country unless under a mutual agreement. It also stipulates that Cambodians residing abroad remain under the protection of the state. Provisions for acquiring, losing or revoking citizenship will be defined by law.

The legislative process to amend Article 33 moved swiftly. The National Assembly unanimously approved the draft on July 11, followed by the Senate on July 14, where it passed with 58 votes in favour out of 60 members. The King signed the amendment the next day, completing the process in just five days from the initial National Assembly approval. The entire process, starting from the proposal by Hun Sen on June 27, took only 19 days in total.

The amendment has drawn criticism from opposition figures. Um Sam An, a former lawmaker from the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, claimed on Facebook that Hun Sen’s aim is to replace ethnic Khmer blood with Vietnamese, asserting that the new law reflects a belief that only Vietnamese nationals would consistently support the Cambodian People’s Party in elections far into the future.

Um Sam An alleged that most ethnic Khmer voters would not support the ruling party, and he linked the citizenship revocation measure to a broader agenda, claiming it aligns with former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh’s vision of expanding influence westward and establishing a future Indochinese federation.

In earlier remarks on July 14, Cambodian People’s Party leader Hun Sen responded to growing criticism by accusing unnamed Cambodians of plotting with Thailand to create a force to attack Cambodia. He described these individuals as traitors and said they were the primary targets of the new citizenship revocation law.

The amendment has sparked debate among legal experts and observers, who question the implications for civil rights, political dissent and national identity in Cambodia. While the government has framed the change as a matter of national security, critics warn that it could be used to target opposition voices and dissidents abroad.

A senior opposition figure is urging Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to explain to the public why Thai soldiers have been permitted to dig and build fortifications near the Ta Moan Thom temple without any objection from the Cambodian government.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Cambodia National Rescue Party official Um Sam An said Ta Moan Thom is historically Cambodian territory. He questioned why Thai troops are being allowed to carry out military construction at the temple site, despite Cambodia having previously submitted the case to the International Court of Justice.

Um Sam An pointed to the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding between Cambodia and Thailand, which prohibits unilateral construction or new developments in disputed areas. He noted that when Cambodia once dug a trench in the so-called Mom Bei area, Thailand objected and demanded Cambodian troops withdraw. He argued that Thailand’s current actions, if left unchecked, represent a serious insult to Cambodian sovereignty and show weakness in Hun Manet’s leadership.

Video footage circulating online shows Thai military forces using heavy machinery, including excavators and trucks, to build a fortified road or ramp near the base of Ta Moan Thom. The construction uses large concrete pipes and piles of compacted earth, reportedly strong enough to support the deployment of around 100 troops.

Um Sam An urged the Cambodian government to file new legal complaints with the International Court of Justice over four disputed areas: Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Takrabei, and Mom Bei area. He called for urgency, comparing it to the recent Senate-approved constitutional amendment allowing the revocation of Khmer citizenship from foreign nationals accused of treason. He also asked the Foreign Ministry to formally demand that Thailand dismantle the fortifications.

Citing French colonial-era maps from the 1907 treaty between France and Siam, Um Sam An claimed that Cambodian territory extends more than one kilometer beyond Ta Moan Thom. He accused Thailand of unilaterally redrawing the border to occupy the area.

On July 1, Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that the areas of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Takrabei, and Mom Bei area remain unresolved and are awaiting judgment from the ICJ. He warned that no party has the right to act unilaterally in these zones.

Critics have pointed out that what the Cambodian government calls “unresolved areas” are often zones that neighboring countries have effectively controlled for decades. These include Koh Tral, Koh Kood, and parts of the Trilateral Economic Development Zone bordering Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

In 2008, during a previous administration, Cambodia allowed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to invest in Koh Kong’s coastal islands, agreeing to road and bridge infrastructure funded by Thailand.

In October 2023, Vietnam pledged 3.7 billion US dollars to develop the Trilateral Economic Zone, including 1.7 billion for four Cambodian provinces. However, in November, journalist Soy Sopheap, seen as close to Hun Sen, announced that the project had been paused in favor of constructing the Techo Funan Canal.

As tensions rise, Thai authorities told reporters they are gathering evidence of Cambodian military activity near Phnom Mak Khoe in the Preah Vihear region, adjacent to Sisaket Province. Thai PBS reported on July 16 that Thai forces are monitoring structures such as tents, roads, stairways, and power lines being built inside Cambodian territory. The Thai military says these activities violate the 2000 MoU and plans to file formal protests with Cambodia’s border affairs office.

Despite Hun Manet’s assurances that legal steps have been taken with the ICJ, the Cambodian government has yet to release any official documentation of such filings to the public. Meanwhile, Thai forces continue to press their claims on the ground.

A senior opposition figure in Cambodia has voiced support for a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the government to revoke Khmer citizenship from foreign nationals who commit acts of treason against the country. However, he opposes applying the same measure to Cambodians by birth.

Speaking on The Cambodia Daily’s “Idea Talk” program on Monday evening, Cambodia National Rescue Party official Hing Soksan said Article 33 of the Constitution currently addresses only the granting of citizenship to foreigners, but makes no mention of the legal process for revoking it when recipients break the law.

Hing Soksan argued that when foreign nationals who have acquired Cambodian citizenship commit serious crimes or acts of treason, it severely undermines the dignity and value of Khmer identity and citizenship. He said this applies regardless of whether the individual obtained citizenship through naturalization or other legal channels.

He added that while Cambodians by birth who betray their country deserve heavy penalties, they should not be stripped of their citizenship. Instead, he suggested alternative forms of punishment, saying this would demonstrate a commitment to national values and respect for one’s own people.

Hing Soksan also dismissed recent remarks by Justice Minister Keut Rith, who claimed that the United States has laws allowing the revocation of citizenship from native-born Americans. Hing Soksan said that claim is inaccurate, noting that U.S. law permits the revocation of citizenship only in cases involving naturalized citizens, not those born in the country.

The proposed amendment to Article 33 was approved during a Senate session on July 14. The measure received 58 votes in favor from the 60 senators present.

Following the vote, the Senate Secretariat issued a statement saying the purpose of the amendment is to strengthen the patriotic spirit of the Cambodian people. It said the law is intended to promote national ideals, deepen loyalty, and reinforce the love and commitment of citizens to their homeland and fellow Cambodians.

Cambodia’s Defence Minister Tea Seiha says the country still has sufficient forces ready to deploy to the Thai border in the event of further escalation, amid growing tensions between the two neighbours.

Speaking on July 15 during a ceremony welcoming the return of Cambodian peacekeepers from the Central African Republic, Tea Seiha stated that Cambodia will not withdraw its troops or heavy weapons from the border unless Thailand does the same and restores the situation to what it was before June 7.

He said Thai forces have yet to fully reopen border checkpoints or withdraw their own troops and equipment from conflict zones. As long as that remains the case, Tea Seiha insisted, Cambodia will maintain its own deployments in place.

The Defence Minister added that more troops are on standby, prepared to be sent to the front lines if necessary to defend Cambodian territory.

On July 14, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced plans to begin enforcing Cambodia’s long-dormant military conscription law starting in 2026. He said the law would first need to be amended to reflect the country’s current needs and security situation, especially in light of ongoing border tensions with Thailand.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Chhum Socheat told local media that all military units remain on alert and committed to defending the country’s territorial integrity at any cost.

Also addressing the issue during the 32nd anniversary of Cambodia’s Royal Gendarmerie, Hun Manet called on Thailand to respect previous agreements between the two countries and to cease aerial surveillance activities, including the use of drones over Cambodian territory.

He said mutual trust between border forces requires reciprocal respect and adherence to agreed protocols, particularly regarding border crossing points and troop movements. He urged both sides to halt any provocative actions, especially the deployment of drones into Cambodian territory.

The latest flare-up in border tensions began on May 28 after Thai soldiers allegedly launched a surprise attack on a Cambodian military post at Mom Bei in Preah Vihear province, killing one Cambodian soldier.

Since June 23, land border crossings between the two countries have operated irregularly, contributing to the ongoing strain. In response, Cambodia has filed a case with the International Court of Justice over four disputed sites: Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabei and the Mom Bei area.

A senior Cambodian opposition official has warned that Thai authorities could seek an Interpol red notice for the arrest of Cambodian People’s Party leader Hun Sen, if Thai prosecutors move forward with criminal charges against him.

Mu Sochua, deputy head of the outlawed Cambodia National Rescue Party, wrote on her official Facebook page that Thailand’s cybercrime police have launched an investigation into leaked audio recordings of a phone call between Hun Sen and suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The probe follows a formal complaint lodged by the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

Mu Sochua alleged that the release of the recording was an intentional move by Hun Sen to damage the political standing and reputation of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister and father of Paetongtarn, who is currently facing legal proceedings in Thailand.

She further claimed that the fallout from the leak has prompted the Thai government to retaliate, targeting prominent businessman Kok An, who is widely believed to be a financial backer of Hun Sen. Kok An now faces allegations of online criminal activity and money laundering.

According to Mu Sochua, the leaked recording has become the basis for potential legal action against Hun Sen in Thailand. Paetongtarn Shinawatra has already been suspended from office by the Thai Constitutional Court while the matter is under review.

Thai media outlet Khaosod reported on July 14 that the country’s cybercrime police had submitted the case file earlier this week to the public prosecutor. The file concerns the leaked telephone conversation between Hun Sen and Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Prosecutors are now said to be considering requesting an Interpol red notice for Hun Sen’s arrest.

Sources cited by Khaosod said the complaint was filed on June 20 by Somkid Chueakong, deputy secretary-general for political affairs of the Pheu Thai Party. The 50-page submission accuses Hun Sen under Section 116 of Thailand’s criminal code, which covers offenses related to national security, as well as provisions of the country’s cybercrime laws.

Thailand’s cybercrime investigation chief, Siriwat Deepo, stated that Thai law can apply to acts committed either inside or outside the country, whether by Thai nationals or foreigners, so long as national security is affected.

Thai attorney general’s office spokesperson Sakasem Nitraiyok confirmed that if there is sufficient evidence, the case will be submitted to court. If Hun Sen fails to appear in response to a Thai court summons, prosecutors may pursue his arrest through Interpol.

The audio of the call between Hun Sen and Paetongtarn Shinawatra was originally recorded on June 15 and made public by Hun Sen himself on June 18, after the recording had already begun circulating online.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that the country will begin enforcing its military conscription law starting in 2026. The law, passed in 2006 but never implemented, will now be revised to reflect Cambodia’s current political and social context.

Speaking on July 14 in Kampong Chhnang province during the 32nd anniversary of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ elite unit, Hun Manet said the revised law will focus on extending the conscription period to up to 24 months to ensure effective training and readiness of conscripted soldiers.

Hun Manet stated that implementing the law would allow Cambodia to strengthen its troop numbers across all military units and improve the selection process for professional soldiers. He emphasized that enforcement has become necessary, noting that although the law was drafted nearly two decades ago, it has never been put into practice.

The Prime Minister added that once in effect, the law will also give Cambodia the capacity to mobilize trained conscripts to support the professional military during times of national emergency or security threats.

Soeng Senkaruna, head of the Australia-based Khmer Democracy Organization, welcomed the announcement. He said the law should have been implemented long ago, citing continued concerns over neighboring countries allegedly harboring territorial ambitions against Cambodia. He added that conscription could play an important role in strengthening the country’s defense capacity.

The 2006 military service law consists of six chapters and 18 articles. It mandates that all Cambodian citizens, male and female, aged between 18 and 30, are required to serve in the military for 18 months. For women, participation remains voluntary under the principle of personal choice.

The government has not yet detailed when the legal revisions will be finalized or how implementation will be rolled out nationwide.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has voiced strong concern over what he described as Thailand’s provocative military activity near the two countries’ shared border. He questioned whether Thailand’s actions were aimed at easing tensions or escalating them, after Thai forces reportedly expanded road access and brought in heavy weapons close to Cambodian military lines.

Speaking during a ceremony marking the 32nd anniversary of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ elite unit, Hun Manet called on Thailand to respect previous agreements and cease drone overflights and military movements into Cambodian territory.

Hun Manet said that to maintain mutual trust between frontline troops on both sides, each country must uphold its commitments through dialogue. He urged Thailand to suspend all military actions near the border, particularly patrols and drone activity, which he warned could trigger conflict if left unchecked.

He further stressed that both militaries should notify each other of any planned movements or patrols near the border and must avoid advancing into buffer zones or relocating troops without prior communication.

Thai newspaper Bangkok Post reported on July 14 that Thailand’s influential Second Army Region commander said talks were underway with Cambodia to scale back long-range weapons deployments and restore troop levels to those agreed in 2024.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks following a Cambodian Ministry of National Defence statement issued on June 17, accusing Thailand of stepping up drone surveillance, digging trenches, moving weapons and building infrastructure along the border in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces. The Cambodian government also claimed Thailand had increased its troop numbers in those areas, though Thai authorities have not acknowledged the allegations.

Border tensions between the two countries escalated following a May 28 incident in which a Cambodian soldier was killed during what Phnom Penh described as an unprovoked Thai attack on a Cambodian army post in Preah Vihear province’s Mom Bei area. The confrontation led to the closure of a key border crossing from June 23.

In response, Cambodia has formally notified Thailand of its intention to file a case with the International Court of Justice, or ICJ, concerning four contested areas: the temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabei and the Mome Bai region.

However, as of now, Cambodia has yet to submit an official complaint to the ICJ regarding the border dispute.

Cambodia’s ruling party leader Hun Sen has said that a proposed constitutional amendment allowing the government to revoke Khmer citizenship is aimed at a specific group of Cambodians allegedly collaborating with Thailand to form an armed force against the country.

Speaking on July 14 during a parliamentary review of the draft amendment to Article 33 of the Constitution, Hun Sen clarified that the law is not intended to punish political opposition or dissent, but rather individuals committing acts of treason by conspiring with foreign powers.

Hun Sen stated that revocation of citizenship would only apply to those working with foreign governments to undermine the Cambodian nation. He added that Cambodian citizens who do not engage in such activities have no reason to fear the law.

“No Cambodian has had their citizenship revoked simply for expressing opposing views,” Hun Sen said, “but those who are worried might be the very ones engaging in acts of betrayal.”

In the same address, Hun Sen also issued a warning to two senators from the Khmer Will Party, Kong Monika and Seng Marady, after they voted against the proposed amendment. The Senate saw two dissenting votes out of 60 members present.

Kong Monika later told local media that while he did not support the amendment, he is not concerned by the threats. He stated he is not involved in any actions that would fall under the category of treason as defined by the government.

“I do not know what specific conditions would qualify someone as a traitor or collaborator with a foreign state,” said Kong Monika, adding that the law must clearly define such terms to prevent arbitrary interpretation.

The proposed amendment has drawn international attention and domestic criticism. In South Korea, the Cambodia National Rescue Youth Movement is preparing to stage a protest in Seoul on July 27, opposing the law that would allow revocation of Khmer citizenship by birth.

Some observers have described the amendment as a campaign against Cambodian identity, warning that it could be used to strip rights from native citizens while enabling the naturalization of foreign nationals. They argue it may pave the way for Vietnamese nationals to gain citizenship and electoral rights in place of native Cambodians.

Critics note that while the government is accelerating the passage of the citizenship revocation law, it has for years facilitated the granting of Cambodian citizenship to foreign nationals. According to a Ministry of Interior report released in 2022, more than 2,500 foreigners from 50 different nationalities were granted Cambodian citizenship between 1999 and 2022, mostly through naturalization or donations to the government. Vietnamese nationals made up the largest portion of these recipients.

A leading Cambodian tax expert has warned that the United States’ new tariff rate of 36 percent on Cambodian exports could hinder China’s backed infrastructure plans and push Cambodia deeper under Vietnam’s export shadow.

Speaking to The Cambodia Daily, tax specialist Pheng Borith said the disparity in U.S. import duties, 36 percent on Cambodia and 20 percent on Vietnam, will likely force Cambodian exports to rely on Vietnam as a gateway to the American market. Cambodia, he said, will struggle to export directly, even via its much-anticipated China-funded Funan Techo Canal.

According to Pheng Borith, the tariff difference not only places Cambodia at a disadvantage in export competition but also weakens its position in labor market competitiveness. Cambodian labor costs are already higher than Vietnam’s, and this new tariff will only deepen that gap.

He explained that if Cambodia wants to maintain access to the U.S. market with lower tariffs, it may have to channel goods through Vietnam, allowing Vietnamese firms to act as intermediaries. However, investors are likely already considering shifting their operations to Vietnam, where the tariff difference offers up to a 16 percent advantage.

The expert further warned that if the European Union decides to increase tariffs on Cambodian exports in 2026 from 20 to 30 percent, up to 80 percent of Cambodia’s economy could face serious disruption.

On July 7, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a letter revising tariff rates for several countries, including Cambodia. In that letter, he announced that tariffs on Cambodian exports would be reduced from 49 to 36 percent, effective from August 1.

Under the new rate, Cambodia is grouped with Thailand at 36 percent, but still ranks above Vietnam’s 20 percent. Other regional rates include Bangladesh at 35 percent, Indonesia at 32 percent, Malaysia and Singapore at 25 percent, Brunei at 24 percent and the Philippines at 18 percent. Laos and Myanmar face the highest rate at 40 percent.

Responding to the decision, Sun Chanthol, First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, said the tariff reduction is a positive result of Cambodia’s sincere negotiations with U.S. trade officials. He noted that the new rate reflects a 13 percent decrease and marks a 26.5 percent drop from the April 2 tariff level, making Cambodia one of the top beneficiaries among over ten countries affected by the U.S. revisions.

Meanwhile, Casey Barnett, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, wrote on his Facebook page that the improved rate stems from Cambodia’s active engagement with U.S. trade representatives. He acknowledged, however, that Cambodia still trails Vietnam due to Hanoi’s tariff-free access for U.S. goods.

Despite the tariff reduction, Barnett noted that some factories in Cambodia are already eyeing relocation to countries with both lower labor costs and more favorable U.S. duties.

Khun Tharo, Program Manager at the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights, told The Cambodia Daily that the new 36 percent tariff will likely affect Cambodia’s export growth and economic momentum in the short term.

He said the impact could be long-lasting, particularly for the garment and footwear sectors, which currently employ more than one million workers. Comparing Cambodia’s 36 percent rate with competitors across ASEAN, Tharo warned that the country could face mounting difficulties maintaining its export share to the U.S. market.

Still, he emphasized that Cambodia retains opportunities for further negotiation if the new tariff rate can be revised or adapted into a longer-term framework.

A group known as the October 23 Council has warned that the ongoing failure to implement the Paris Peace Accords of 1991 continues to fuel geopolitical and political conflict in Cambodia and the surrounding region.

In a statement released on July 1, the council stressed that the accords, signed by representatives of 18 countries along with the United Nations, were intended to bring lasting peace, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity to Cambodia. The council said that all signatories, including Cambodian factions, are bound to uphold these principles to ensure regional stability.

The council argues that despite Cambodia being a signatory to the accords, the country has continued to experience instability due in part to what it describes as external interference in its internal affairs. The statement specifically points to Vietnam, which the group claims has maintained military influence in Cambodia since 1979, even after the signing of the Paris agreements, albeit in different forms.

The council also notes that China, a longtime ally of Cambodia, has sought to assert its strategic dominance in the country. It accuses Beijing of using Cambodia as a strategic geopolitical outpost to advance its ambitions in the broader Asia-Pacific region.

The statement highlights China’s role during past border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, claiming that China took the opportunity to showcase advanced military equipment such as missile systems, fighter jets and naval vessels. The council suggests that this display of force may have dissuaded Thailand from escalating the conflict into open war.

The group raises concerns about calls by the Hun political family for national unity, which, according to the statement, have involved pressure on opposition parties and dissenting citizens to align with the ruling party. It questions whether this is in the spirit of the Paris Peace Accords or simply an extension of foreign-influenced political strategy.

Now more than three decades since the signing of the accords, the council claims that successive governments, particularly the ruling party, have ignored the agreement’s core provisions, despite repeated calls by opposition politicians and civil society for its implementation.

Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades, has frequently stated that the Paris Peace Accords were fully incorporated into the 1993 Constitution and are no longer legally binding. Critics argue that this interpretation has served to justify the government’s abandonment of the agreement’s broader goals of political pluralism, rule of law and democratic reform.

As Cambodia marks 34 years since the accords were signed, debate continues over their relevance and legacy, as well as the ongoing role of external powers in shaping the country’s political future.

Rights observers are sounding the alarm over a proposed constitutional amendment in Cambodia that would allow the government to revoke Khmer citizenship from its own nationals. They are warning that such a move could amount to what they describe as “modern-day ethnic cleansing.”

Speaking to The Cambodia Daily, Man Nath, head of the Cambodian Watchdog Council, called the plan a “dissolution of the Khmer nation.” He said no other country in the world applies such laws to its own people, adding that “even animals protect their species,” while educated human beings in positions of power should not be orchestrating the removal of their own citizens’ national identity.

Man Nath further accused the ruling Cambodian People’s Party of giving citizenship and housing to Vietnamese nationals who allegedly entered the country illegally, while simultaneously seeking to erase the citizenship of native-born Cambodians.

He warned that such a policy risks drawing the country into dangerous territory. Even under the Khmer Rouge regime, he said, Pol Pot never revoked the citizenship of Hun Sen, who defected from the regime and sought Vietnamese assistance to overthrow it. For that reason, he claimed, the Hun Sen government may be more oppressive than the genocidal regime it helped replace.

“This law contradicts natural law, international law, and the founding spirit of Cambodia’s own constitution,” Man Nath said. “If you pass a law that strips people of their citizenship, then every Khmer citizen is left with incomplete status, even those who wrote the law themselves.”

The controversy stems from a July 2 announcement by Cambodia’s Constitutional Council confirming that it would be legally possible to amend Article 33 of the Constitution. The proposed revision would pave the way for authorities to revoke the citizenship of Cambodian nationals deemed to have acted against national interests.

This follows a proposal by Hun Sen, now president of the Senate, who earlier called on the Ministry of Justice to explore legal options to strip citizenship from Cambodians accused of colluding with Thailand amid ongoing border tensions.

Rights groups have pointed out that the proposal stands in direct conflict with international norms. Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to a nationality” and that “no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.” Cambodia’s own constitution, in its current form, states clearly in Article 33 that “a Khmer citizen shall not be deprived of his or her nationality.”

Legal experts and human rights advocates warn that amending this article could have far-reaching consequences for civil liberties, national identity, and social cohesion in Cambodia.

The proposed law is expected to be a focal point of political and legal debate in the weeks ahead.