Cambodia passes law to strip citizenship of people convicted of treason

"Measure comes amid sustained crackdown on opponents of the ruling Cambodian People's Party. Cambodian lawmakers have passed a law giving the government the power to strip citizenship from people who collude with foreign countries. The law passed on Monday empowers authorities to revoke the citizenship of anyone convicted of conspiring with foreign countries, scheming against Cambodian interests, or committing acts leading to destruction of sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security."

"In June, Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for more than three decades before his son took the reins in 2023, said Cambodia needed to take action against nationals who side with foreign nations. Numerous prominent political figures have fled Cambodia to avoid arrest amid the crackdown, including Sam Rainsy and Mu Sochua, the cofounders of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party."

"Before the parliamentary vote on the law, a coalition of 50 rights groups on Sunday warned that the legislation would have a disastrously chilling effect on the freedom of speech of all Cambodian citizens. The potential for abuse in the implementation of this vaguely worded law to target people on the basis of their ethnicity, political opinions, speech, and activism is simply too high to accept, the group said."

Cambodia's National Assembly approved a law enabling the government to strip citizenship from individuals convicted of colluding with foreign countries or undermining national sovereignty, territorial integrity, or security. Revocation decisions will be made by a committee formed at the request of Interior Minister Sar Sokha. The legislation passed with all but five votes in the 125-member assembly dominated by the Cambodian People's Party and still requires upper house and royal approval, which are widely seen as formalities. The law was enacted amid a sustained crackdown on opponents, prompting warnings from rights groups about chilling free speech and potential abuse.

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