A peaceful sit-in demonstration at
freedom park monitored by OHCHR
The rights to peaceful assembly and association are one of the fundamental freedoms legally guaranteed under international human rights law, namely under Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), under Article 21 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Article 15 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. These international instruments have been accepted by the Royal Government, and they are also part of the Cambodian law under Article 31 of the 1993 Cambodian Constitution and by the decision of the Constitutional Council in 2007. The Cambodian Constitution guarantees this freedom under its Article 41 and 42. According to Article 5(1) of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which has the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels to meet or assembly peacefully.
Peaceful assembly is a broad term covering all types of gatherings, including peaceful demonstrations. The general rule under Article 21 of the ICCPR is that any restriction placed on such freedom shall be prohibited, unless it is provided by law, subjected to a strict test of necessity in a democratic society, and imposed only in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of health and public morals, or of the rights and freedoms of others.
In 2009, Cambodia adopted a national Law on Peaceful Demonstrations, which gives a clear definition of what is to be considered as a peaceful demonstration. This Law also establishes a set of procedures for notifying the authorities. Under Article 4 of the Law, a peaceful demonstration is recognised as:
1. A peaceful assembly or march conducted by a group of people
2. To publicly demand, protest or express their sentiments, opinions or will
3. By using various forms or means peacefully
A peaceful march on Monivong
boulevard monitored by OHCHR
Law on Peaceful Demonstration
Cambodia adopted the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in 2009. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of organizations and the responsibilities of municipal and provincial authorities. The purpose of the law is “to assure freedom of expression of all Khmer citizens through peaceful demonstrations” but provides that “this right shall not be used abusively affecting the rights, freedoms and honour of others, good customs of the national society, public order and national security” (Article 2).
Download the information leaflet on the procedures for notifying the authorities of a forthcoming peaceful demonstration in English | Khmer.
Download the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in English | Khmer.
Download the Implementation Guide to the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in English | Khmer. - See more at: http://198.1.103.96/en/civil-society-fund-freedoms/freedom-association#sthash.cNfoFctz.dpuf
Law on Peaceful Demonstration
Cambodia adopted the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in 2009. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of organizations and the responsibilities of municipal and provincial authorities. The purpose of the law is “to assure freedom of expression of all Khmer citizens through peaceful demonstrations” but provides that “this right shall not be used abusively affecting the rights, freedoms and honour of others, good customs of the national society, public order and national security” (Article 2).
Download the information leaflet on the procedures for notifying the authorities of a forthcoming peaceful demonstration in English | Khmer.
Download the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in English | Khmer.
Download the Implementation Guide to the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in English | Khmer. - See more at: http://198.1.103.96/en/civil-society-fund-freedoms/freedom-association#sthash.cNfoFctz.dpuf
Download the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in English | Khmer.
Download the Implementation Guide to the Law on Peaceful Demonstration in English | Khmer.
Download the information leaflet on the procedures for notifying the authorities of a forthcoming peaceful demonstration in English | Khmer.
Download the UN 10 principles for the proper managenment of assemblies in English | Khmer, and implementation checklist of the 10 principles in English and Khmer.
Listen to OHCHR-Cambodia's radio shows on freedom of peaceful assembly and association:
Download the 2013 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, in English (esp. paras. 43 to 78) in English.
Download the 2016 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, in English (esp. paras. 65) in English.
