Phnom Penh, 2 November 2025 — On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we, the undersigned civil society organizations, urge the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to take immediate and concrete action to ensure the effective, independent, and transparent investigation of all crimes committed against media workers and human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Based on the records of journalists killed, as compiled by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), at least 15 journalists have been killed in Cambodia since 1994. Twelve of these individuals were reporting on sensitive issues, such as environmental issues and political issues that shine a light on the actions of powerful individuals, officials and state institutions in Cambodia.

Human rights violations and crimes against journalists continue to be a growing area of concern this year. According to the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA)’s monitoring report, there have been 47 instances of human rights violations against journalists and media organization between January to September 2025. Of these 47 instances, 37 involved legal threats, actions and legal harassment, which included arbitrary interrogations/summons, arrests and detention, and pre-trial detention.  Additionally, five media licenses were revoked, and five instances of physical assault were reported –   with a majority of these violations committed by state actors (41 out of 47). This pattern reflects a broader issue of impunity, where those responsible for violations against journalists are state actors, often going unpunished and further eroding trust in the justice system.

At this current moment, seven journalists continue to be held in prison on charges of incitement. Authorities continue to reject any criticism of information by journalists and human rights defenders, deeming it “incitement information”. This appears to be another form of repressing independent media reporting by the government. Unsurprisingly, Cambodia has ranked 161 out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index 2025, categorizing it among 42 nations where the situation is “very serious.” Targeting journalists – particularly those reporting on human rights and public interest issues – undermines press freedom and freedom of expression, thereby threatening the public’s access to information. This environment further complicates efforts to hold those in power to account for their wrongdoings. When authorities fail to investigate and punish perpetrators of crimes against journalists, it conveys the message that such offences are permissible and have no consequences.

Impunity for such crimes extends beyond attacks on journalists. The inadequate investigations and lack of proper criminal proceedings were also observed in the cases of environmental activist, Chut Wutty, trade unionists, Chea Vichea and Ros Sovannareth, and political analyst, Kem Ley, highlight the pervasive culture of impunity in Cambodia. These cases represent only a fraction of the thousands of instances of abuse against journalists, human rights defenders, political opposition members, trade unionists, and activists, which remain unaddressed by the very institutions responsible for safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Cambodians. 

Attacks on journalists and media workers are an attack on us all, as they are critical voices for civic society. We demand justice for all of those whose rights have been violated and disregarded. The RGC must strongly condemn and put an end to impunity for perpetrators of crimes against journalists and HRDs. Enough is enough. 

This joint statement is endorsed by: 

1. Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA)  
2. Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) 
3. Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM)  
4. Communication and Media Promotion Organization (CMPO)
5. Cambodian Institute for Democracy (CID) 
6. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)
7. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)-Malaysia 
8. Prachatai (Thailand)
9. National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP)
10. Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI)-Indonesia
11. Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm)-Malaysia
12. Transparency International Cambodia (TI Cambodia)

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