Rights groups press Francophonie states over Cambodian detainees

Around 30 leaders of nearly 100 civil society organisations gathered outside the French and Canadian embassies in Phnom Penh yesterday to submit a joint petition calling for international support for civic space and democratic rights.

The alliance urged French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to press Cambodian authorities to release political prisoners, trade unionists and environmental activists ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for Sunday and Monday in the Cambodian capital.

Human rights group LICADHO operations director Am Sam Ath said the petition seeks international intervention to protect democratic values ahead of the 2027 commune elections and 2028 national elections.

“We urge all Francophonie member states to support and intervene in efforts to reopen civic space, promote citizens’ freedoms and the rule of law in Cambodia,” said Yi Soksan, senior investigator at rights group ADHOC.

The appeal follows statements from UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, who urged the government to release prisoners of conscience, including opposition figures, environmental advocates and activist Seng Theary.

Andrews noted that more than 100 people are detained for exercising their freedom of expression.

In response, Cambodia Human Rights Committee spokesman Sreang Chenda said that while the UN official has the right to express opinions, Cambodia acts as a sovereign state, enforcing its laws based on established legal grounds.