VOA Khmer

Increased Expectations in Phnom Penh, Concerns about Potential Political Violence, as Politics in Cambodia Churn

Sam Rainsy has been in exile since 2015, when an arrest warrant was issued for him, causing him to remain in self-imposed exile. Since then, Cambodian courts have found him guilty on multiple charges, which he says are trumped up

Security Forces Fortify Border Town ahead of Sam Rainsy’s Return

The extreme security measures have made But Pov’s husband, Kat Buny, anxious and reluctant to speak to the media. He is worried any comments can be misconstrued by the authorities, who have characterized Sam Rainsy’s return as an attempted coup

CNRP Leaders, Supporters Face ASEAN Blockade Over Planned Return

If Rainsy did not return to Cambodia on November 9, it certainly would deal a heavy blow to the morale of CNRP supporters, said Astrid Norén-Nilsson, author of Cambodia's Second Kingdom: Nation, Imagination, and Democracy. 

Prime Minister Hun Sen Sends Another Warning To CNRP Supporters

The prime minster was speaking at a development strategy event in Phnom Penh and even mocked Sam Rainsy, saying he was too cowardly to return to Cambodia.

E.U. To Release ‘Everything But Arms’ Investigation Report in November

The trade scheme is critical to Cambodia’s garment and footwear sector, which employs nearly one million people

Interior Ministry Increases Security Ahead of Sam Rainsy’s Return

The minister also ordered the monitoring of people at the village level and asked officials to educate them to stay away from any anti-government activities

Government Admits to Monitoring Opposition Officials ahead Of Sam Rainsy’s Return

Cambodian observers have long expressed concern over the government’s surveillance capabilities

Rights Groups Call for Release of Youth Activists Arrested During Kem Ley Memorial

The APHR statement criticized the Supreme Court’s failure to rule on Kong Raiya’s bail application, pushing back the decision to November 4. Soung Neak Poun’s bail application is due before the court on November 15

Cambodia's Draft 2020 Budget Shows Significant Increase in Defense Spending

Cambodian Village Depends on EU Program That May End

Almost all Cambodian-made goods now enter EU duty-free; revocation of nation’s status would be disaster for villagers dependent on income from work in garment factories

Hun Sen Directs Government to Renew Cooperation with United States

Hun Sen said in the cabinet meeting that the relationship was not starting from the zero mark, instead was a continuation of an existing healthy relationship

South China Sea, Free Trade Deal to Feature at Asian Leaders Summit

ASEAN, China and five other countries are expected to show strong progress toward finalizing a free trade deal that would cover 45 percent of the world's population

Cambodia Faces Possible Food Crisis: ‘Water But No Fish’

Tonle Sap Lake provides more than 70% of the nation’s protein but a growing population, changes to the lake’s unusual seasonal rise and fall, dams and illegal fishing practices may combine this year to mean a smaller than usual catch, and higher

U.S. Investor-Linked Land Dispute Threatens Cambodia’s GSP Access

World Bank: Cambodia’s Business Rankings Fall, Starting a Business Gets Costlier

Regionally, Cambodia fared better than Lao PDR and Myanmar, but was considerably lagging compared to its neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam

Civil Society Groups Say Government Failed To Uphold Peace Agreement Values

“The economic development will not remain intact if the development is made without justice,” said Pa Chanroeun.

Journalists Form A New Press Association, Plan to Protect At Risk Reporters

The development comes amid an ongoing press crackdown by the government that has seen the shuttering of independent news organizations and radio stations in the country

Ahead of Return To Cambodia, CNRP Leader Says Thailand Refused Her Entry Into The Country

Following Sam Rainsy’s August announcement of a planned return, Hun Sen said arrest warrants for opposition members had been sent to all ASEAN states

U.S. Lawmakers Say Cambodian Government Violating Paris Peace Agreement, Call For Action

The United States has taken no public steps so far to review Cambodia’s GSP access but the House of Representatives has passed the Cambodia Democracy Act 2019.

Hun Sen Says Paris Peace Agreement No Longer Relevant, Critics Disagree

Hun Sen argued that invocation of the 1991 agreement should nullify any resulting developments