2021 in Cambodia
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| See also: | Other events of 2021 List of years in Cambodia | ||||
Events in the year 2021 in Cambodia.
Incumbents
Events
Ongoing — COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia
- 10 February - Cambodia begins COVID-19 vaccinations with 600,000 Sinopharm doses from China; Hun Sen’s sons and ministers are among the first recipients.[1]
- 2 March - Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison, while other senior Cambodia National Rescue Party members receive 20-22 years.[2]
- 11 March - Cambodia promulgates the Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and other Serious, Dangerous and Contagious Diseases (“COVID-19 Law”), introducing penalties including up to 20 years in prison and heavy fines.[3]
- 9 April - Lockdowns are imposed in Phnom Penh and other cities, with “red zones” facing food shortages, mass testing, and extending restrictions for the next month.[3]
- 30 April - Kandal provincial authorities warn farmers in Sa’ang district not to post images of rotting vegetables on social media, pressuring farmers to sign agreements to stop posting such content.[4]
- 1 May - The Cambodian Government Spokesperson Unit demands the immediate cessation of social media posts deemed to “provoke and create chaos” during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
- 3 May - The Ministry of Information announces that only state media or government-invited journalists can report from Phnom Penh’s COVID-19 “red zones.”[4]
- 4 May - Journalists banned from reporting in COVID-19 lockdown area as cases soar.[5]
- 16 May - Environmental journalist Uk Mao from Eagle News is detained without a warrant by plainclothes military officers in Stung Treng Province amid ongoing judicial harassment.[6]
- 18 August - Multiple prisoners, including trade union leader Rong Chhun, arrive at Phnom Penh Municipal Court following multiple convictions.[7]
- 7 October - Prime Minister Hun Sen says that the government might make amendments to the country’s Constitution that would ban dual citizens from serving in the country’s top political posts[8]
- 25 October - The National Assembly (Cambodia) passed amendments to the constitution, banning the prime minister, presidents of the National Assembly, Senate and the Constitutional Council from having dual citizens.[9][10]
- 26 October - A Phnom Penh court fines 14 people and sentences some to up to two years in prison for holding peaceful rallies in support of jailed human rights advocate Rong Chhun.[11]
- 3 November - The King signs the Dual citizenship law ban.[12]
- 16 December - The Phnom Penh Court of First Instance issues a provisional disposition declaring a planned strike at NagaWorld illegal.[13]
- 18 December - Over 1,300 employees of NagaWorld begin a strike for reinstatement of 365 dismissed workers. Authorities order it to stop, citing an inapplicable law.[13]
Deaths
- 13 January – Norodom Yuvaneath, royal (born 1943).[14]
References
- ^ "Cambodia launches COVID-19 vaccinations with shots for PM's sons, ministers". Reuters. 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "'Mockery of justice': Cambodia's Rainsy gets 25-year jail term". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ a b "Authorities must avert COVID-19 humanitarian crisis in Cambodia". Amnesty International. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ a b c "Cambodia: Stop silencing critical commentary on COVID-19: Joint statement". Amnesty International. 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Cambodia Bans Media Coverage From Covid Lockdown 'Red Zones'". International Business Times. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ "Cambodia: Environmental journalist Uk Mao detained without warrant amid escalating judicial harassment | RSF". rsf.org. 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ Human Rights Watch (2021-12-03), "Cambodia: Events of 2021", Share this via Facebook, retrieved 2025-08-31
- ^ "Cambodia Considers Dual Citizenship Ban for High Office Holders".
- ^ "Cambodia passes law barring dual citizenship for holders of top posts". Bangkok Post.
- ^ "Cambodia parliament adopts constitutional amendments prohibiting dual citizenship for top leaders". 27 October 2021.
- ^ Bopha, Phorn. "Cambodia 'bleeding' as space for civil society shrinks". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "King promulgates 'dual citizen' ban for top posts".
- ^ a b "Statement: Strike Action by NagaWorld Employees". LICADHO. 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Prince Norodom Yuvaneath succumbs to illness". khmertimeskh.com. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.