Phnom penh: Cambodia has taken a significant step by amending its Constitution and enacting a new law that enables the government to strip citizens of their Khmer nationality if they are found guilty of treason, colluding with foreign powers, or undermining national security. The government claims this move is designed to bolster nationalism amid ongoing border tensions with Thailand. However, critics argue that it represents another authoritarian measure aimed at stifling dissent.
According to Global Voices, the amendment was initially proposed by former Prime Minister and current Senate President Hun Sen on June 27, 2025. It received approval from the Constitutional Council on July 2, 2025, was passed by the National Assembly on July 11, 2025, and subsequently endorsed by the Senate on July 15, 2025. The citizenship law amendment was officially passed on August 25, 2025, with the Sub-Decree on Implementing the Law on Nationality published on January 22, 2026.
The revised Constitution grants officials the power to revoke the citizenship of individuals convicted of crimes such as treason, collusion with foreign nations, or actions that compromise national sovereignty or security. Prime Minister Hun Manet, son of Hun Sen, emphasized in a speech that law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear from the amendments, urging patriots not to worry but warning those conspiring with foreign entities.
Despite assurances from the government, around 50 civil society organizations issued a joint statement expressing concerns that the amendments could be used to target activists and human rights defenders, potentially leading to legalized statelessness. They fear the vaguely worded law might be exploited to strip individuals of their citizenship based on ethnicity, political opinions, speech, and activism.
Human rights groups have highlighted the severe consequences of losing citizenship, including the loss of rights to own land, access healthcare, receive education, marry, work legally, participate in politics, and travel. They argue that the amendments could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and risk rendering Cambodians stateless.
The Khmer Movement for Democracy pointed out the absence of explicit protections against statelessness in the law, noting that it does not guarantee that revocation will only apply to those with dual nationality. This omission could leave individuals with only Cambodian citizenship without any legal identity or rights.
While authorities have pointed to similar laws in other countries, civil society groups remain wary, citing Cambodia's history of using laws and the judicial system to silence dissent. Critics fear the new law could be weaponized to threaten opponents and political rivals, further limiting the country's civic space.
The ruling party, led by Hun Manet and his father, has faced accusations of using legal means to suppress media outlets, disband opposition parties, and imprison activists. The continued detention of members of Mother Nature, an environmental rights group, exemplifies the ongoing crackdown on dissent.
The international community's response to these developments will be crucial in shaping the future of civil liberties in Cambodia. As border tensions with Thailand persist, the ruling party's consolidation of power raises concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms in the country.