Revoking citizenship: Cambodia’s new weapon against dissent

The new power passed amid border tensions with Thailand is really about consolidating control, critics say. But some in Cambodia defend it

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Cambodians carry their national flags during a “Solidarity March” in Phnom Penh on June 18 in support of the government’s decision to deploy troops to the country’s disputed border with Thailand. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:00pm, 16 Jul 2025Updated: 4:02pm, 16 Jul 2025

Cambodia’s government has given itself the legal means to strip dissidents and dual nationals of citizenship, a step denounced as “draconian” by critics who say the government is exploiting border tensions with Thailand to silence opposition and cement its grip on power.

The National Assembly unanimously passed a constitutional amendment last Friday enabling Phnom Penh to strip citizenship from lifelong Cambodians, dual nationals and naturalised citizens found guilty of conspiring with foreign nations or otherwise endangering the country’s national interest.

Justice Minister Koeut Rith announced that the government would “urgently” draft the requisite legislation to enforce the measure against those convicted of treason or collaborating with foreign entities to the detriment of Cambodia and its people.

Critics have denounced the measure, describing it as a “pre-emptive” strike against internal dissent and a calculated effort to eliminate opposition to the government and Hun Sen’s long-ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

Hun Sen, Cambodia’s prime minister of almost four decades, is president of both the Cambodian People’s Party and the country’s Senate. Photo: Reuters

The legislative shift is being driven by both the ongoing border dispute with Thailand and a desire to fortify political control as regional geopolitics grow increasingly uncertain, according to analysts.

Revoking citizenship: Cambodia’s new weapon against dissent

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The new power passed amid border tensions with Thailand is really about consolidating control, critics say. But some in Cambodia defend it

The new power passed amid border tensions with Thailand is really about consolidating control, critics say. But some in Cambodia defend it