The IPI global network condemns the Cambodian government鈥檚 order to block access to the websites and social media accounts of news outlets and a public database in advance of the country鈥檚 July 23 general election. Such actions are in direct contravention of democratic principles and Cambodian and international law. IPI calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen to immediately unblock these outlets and end his government鈥檚 ongoing crackdown on independent media.聽
On July 12, in a letter obtained by , Cambodia鈥檚 telecommunications regulator ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to immediately block access to the websites and social media accounts of Cambodia Daily Khmer and Radio Free Asia following pressure from the state鈥檚 Information Ministry, which regulates Cambodia’s news media. A third outlet, Kamnotra鈥攁 of government documents that launched last month after the government鈥檚 closure of Voice of Democracy earlier this year鈥攚as also blocked.聽
In the letter, the government claimed that allowing the outlets to operate freely would 鈥渕ake confusion, affect the government鈥檚 honor and prestige, and fail to fulfill the operating conditions of the Information Ministry.鈥� Restrictions on press activity in the leadup to elections is not new in Cambodia: in the days before the country鈥檚 last national election in 2018, the government of at least 15 news outlets.聽
A spokesperson from Radio Free Asia the government鈥檚 most recent action to stifle the free press, calling the blockings a 鈥渃lear violation of Cambodian law鈥�. In a , the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association and other press freedom advocacy groups said the government’s action constituted 鈥渁 serious violation of the people鈥檚 right to information鈥�.聽
The leadup to Cambodia鈥檚 July 23 election, during which voters will choose members of the National Assembly, has been marred by to limit opposition and ensure the preeminence of Prime Minister Hun Sen鈥檚 ruling party. The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) currently holds all the parliamentary seats in the country, and is virtually guaranteed to win given that all viable opposition parties have been or by the government.聽
While Cambodia鈥檚 1993 constitution freedom of expression and freedom of information, the media environment in the country has become extremely restrictive in recent years following a crackdown that began in 2017. Very few independent media outlets continue to operate in Cambodia, and many journalists routinely face at the hands of authorities.聽
Cambodia鈥檚 press laws and criminal code are also vaguely worded, giving the government wide latitude to define what constitutes libel or defamation and target critical voices. Earlier this year, a Cambodia Daily Khmer reporter received from a popular social media commentator, and three news websites saw their after publishing a report exposing government corruption.聽聽
鈥淐ensoring media outlets the week before a national election is a blatant and direct assault on the freedom of the press and the public鈥檚 right to information鈥�, IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said. 鈥淒emocracy requires that members of the public have the freedom to access timely, diverse and independent sources of news and information in order to make informed decisions about the future of their country and government. We urge Prime Minister Hun Sen to make an immediate course correction and restore access to these outlets in advance of Sunday鈥檚 election, and take concrete steps to restore the freedom of the press in Cambodia.鈥澛�