Cambodia

Download this country entry as a PDF Print this page

Cambodia remains under the rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen (in power since 1985), following a military coup orchestrated by Hun Sen in 1997. Hun Sen’s government is regularly accused of neglecting human rights and repressing political opposition. Cambodia is one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world.

Constitution and government	Education and children’s rights	Family, community, society, religious courts and tribunals	Freedom of expression advocacy of humanist values
There is systematic religious privilege There is an established church or state religion State-funding of religious institutions or salaries, or discriminatory tax exemptions	Religious or ideological instruction is mandatory in at least some public schools (without secular or humanist alternatives)	Discriminatory prominence is given to religious bodies, traditions or leaders	Expression of core humanist principles on democracy, freedom or human rights is somewhat restricted

Constitution and government

There is systematic religious privilege

There is an established church or state religion

State-funding of religious institutions or salaries, or discriminatory tax exemptions

Education and children’s rights

Religious or ideological instruction is mandatory in at least some public schools (without secular or humanist alternatives)

Family, community, society, religious courts and tribunals

Discriminatory prominence is given to religious bodies, traditions or leaders

Freedom of expression advocacy of humanist values

Expression of core humanist principles on democracy, freedom or human rights is somewhat restricted

Legend

Systemic Discrimination

More information about rating table

Contents

Constitution and government
Education and children’s rights
Freedom of expression, advocacy of humanist values

Constitution and government

The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as freedom of opinion and expression. However, Buddhism is the official state religion, and is strongly favoured by government practice.

The constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion. However, the government promotes Buddhist holidays, provides Buddhist training and education to monks and others in pagodas, and modestly supports an institute that performs research and publishes materials on Khmer culture and Buddhist traditions.

Education and children’s rights

The government permits Buddhist religious instruction in public schools. Other forms of religious instruction are prohibited in public schools; however, non-Buddhist religious instruction may be provided by private institutions.

Freedom of expression, advocacy of humanist values

The government does not fully respect freedom of expression and exerts significant control over the media. The internet is mostly free of government control.

Constitution and government

Education and children’s rights

Freedom of expression, advocacy of humanist values

Support our work