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Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Comment by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk after shutdown of independent media outlet in Cambodia

13 February 2023

A sign of Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM), which runs the local media outlet Voice of Democracy (VOD), is seen after Prime Minister Hun Sen revoked the media outlet's operating license in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, February 13, 2023. Ⓒ REUTERS/Cindy

Geneva (13 February 2023) – I am alarmed that the licence for the independent media outlet Voice of Democracy has today been revoked.

I am concerned that this decision appears arbitrary as it was not preceded by a thorough and transparent process as required under Cambodia’s own press law, and fails to meet the tests of legality, necessity and proportionality that international human rights law requires for any permissible restriction on freedom of expression.

I call on the Government of Cambodia to rescind this very troubling decision, to protect the civil and political rights of all, and to ensure an enabling environment for civil society, including independent media outlets.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

In Geneva
Ravina Shamdasani :  + 41 22 917 9169 / [email protected] or
Jeremy Laurence +  +41 22 917 9383 / [email protected] or
Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / [email protected]

In Nairobi
Seif Magango : +254 788 343 897 / [email protected]

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