A recent constitutional amendment in Cambodia has sparked significant criticism from international human rights organizations, legal experts, and civil society groups. The amendment, approved by Cambodia’s National Assembly, allows for the revocation of Khmer citizenship. On Friday, Amnesty International condemned the amendment, expressing concerns that it may be used as a tool to suppress dissent and potentially render individuals stateless.
Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director, has openly criticized the legislation, stating that citizenship revocation, especially when leading to statelessness, contravenes international law. Montse Ferrer argued that citizenship should not become a tool for political intimidation. The international community is being urged to denounce this proposed change and pressure Cambodia to uphold its human rights obligations.
The amendment is supported by Senate President Hun Sen, who suggested it targets those collaborating with foreign entities against Cambodia’s interests. This proposal arrives amidst increased tensions with Thailand and mirrors Cambodia’s escalating authoritarian practices. The amendment’s legal standing is challenged, given its contradiction with Article 33 of the Cambodian Constitution and Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), both of which safeguard the right to nationality.
Critics highlight that the judiciary’s lack of independence, under the control of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, exacerbates these threats to human rights and democracy. International guidelines like Article 8(1) of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness explicitly prohibit revocation of nationality that results in statelessness, emphasizing profound global concerns over these legislative developments.
For more information, the comprehensive analysis on the topic is available here.