At least 82 people were arrested and charged after voicing and posting their thoughts and opinions last year. The arrests show a systematic lack of respect for the protections for freedom of expression in Cambodia's Constitution and international law.

Throughout 2025, LICADHO documented 82 arrests related to freedom of expression, with 76 people still detained in prisons across the country, as of December 2025. The arrests came after people shared their opinions, most often on social media, spanning topics such as the assassination of former opposition politician Lim Kimya, the situation of international funding levels, the Thai-Cambodia border conflict, and a range of other social issues.

At least 33 of the 76 people still detained in prisons were affiliated with a political opposition party, including six who were elected officials from the opposition; three were journalists; and one was a union vice-president. Their ages span from 20 to 78. Most of those arrested were men, with seven women among them. Women face persistent barriers to participation in political and public life.

Authorities most commonly filed charges of "incitement to commit a felony" under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code, which carries up to two years in prison. National security charges, including "plotting an attack on the state" under Article 453 and "supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to national defence" under Article 445 were also filed against 10 people, carrying up to 10 or 15 years in prison, respectively.

Some people were arrested by plainclothes police while they were at home, on their farm, at work, and in public places. Most were not informed of the reasons for their arrest or shown a warrant, with family members at times left without information about their whereabouts or the reason for arrest.

Some of those arrested include:

Porn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, two journalists who were arrested in July 2025 and charged with "supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to national defence" under Article 445. The two journalists were photographed alongside Cambodian soldiers near the front lines, and Thai media later used the photograph to allege that unplaced landmines were visible in the background. In December 2025, both journalists were sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Four political activists and elected officials were at least 70 years old at the time of their arrest, including Leng Lon, 70, a deputy district chief for the Nation Power Party; Chhin Chhorn, 71, a Candlelight Party commune councilor; Keo Heang, 75, a Nation Power Party provincial member; and Muth Rin, 77, a Khmer Will Party district councilor.

Young people using social media were also targeted. Oy Dyna, 20, filmed a Tik Tok video about low rice prices and the economy, leading to her arrest and sentence of 18 months in prison on incitement charges. Thou Vakhim, 24, a youth activist, was arrested and charged with incitement for criticizing the government's actions related to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict.

People with disabilities were also arrested. Phon Yuth, who was previously arrested in 2019 and 2024, was arrested again at his home in Takeo in October. The longtime and well-known political activist has limited mobility and has previously described difficulties caused by Cambodia's overcrowded and under-resourced prisons. Hok Ren, a tuk tuk driver with an amputated leg, was arrested in December following comments he made on social media. He was charged with incitement and "demoralising the armed forces" under Article 472.

Article 41 of Cambodia's Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly. The right to freedom of expression is also part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international covenants that Cambodia has accepted or embedded into national legislation. These arrests indicate that the Cambodian government blatantly disregards the Cambodian people's right to freedom of expression. We call on the government to protect all citizens' right to express their ideas and opinions, whether in-person or on social media, and to stop the arrest and detention of social media users, journalists and political activists due to their speech.

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