Hun Sen

Local newspapers the Phnom Penh Post, left, and Khmer Times, right, are for sale at a newspaper's stand on a sidewalk near Monument Independence in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Mach 1, 2024. The Phnom Penh Post, a newspaper founded in 1992 as Cambodia sought to re-establish stability and democracy after decades of war and unrest, announced Friday that it will cease publishing a print edition this month, the latest blow to the country's dwindling independent media. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia’s pioneering post-Khmer Rouge era Phnom Penh Post newspaper will stop print publication

The Phnom Penh Post, a newspaper founded in 1992 as Cambodia sought to re-establish stability and democracy after decades of war and unrest, says it will stop publishing a print edition this month, the latest blow to the country’s dwindling independent media.

FILE - Cambodian former Prime Minister Hun Sen, foreground, of ruling Cambodian People's Party, shows off a ballot paper before voting for senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. The National Election Committee on Monday, Feb. 26, began releasing results by constituency, after earlier announcing that according to a provisional overall count, the Cambodian People’s Party won 55 of the 58 seats that were contested on Sunday. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Cambodia’s ruling party wins Senate election, paving the way for Hun Sen to act as its president

FILE - Cambodian former Prime Minister Hun Sen, foreground, of ruling Cambodian People's Party, shows off a ballot paper before voting for senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. The National Election Committee on Monday, Feb. 26, began releasing results by constituency, after earlier announcing that according to a provisional overall count, the Cambodian People’s Party won 55 of the 58 seats that were contested on Sunday. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Cambodia’s ruling party wins Senate election, paving the way for Hun Sen to act as its president

FILE - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet poses for photo, along with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, not in photo, in Hanoi, Vietnam Dec. 11, 2023. Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Thailand’s capital on his first official visit since becoming his country’s leader last year, seeking to renew the close ties the two countries have maintained in recent times.(AP Photo/Hau Dinh, File)

Cambodia’s new prime minister wins lawmakers’ approval for his youngest brother to become his deputy

Hun Manet, center, army chief, designate prime minister and son of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, attends an assembly session in the National Assembly's hall in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian Parliament approves longtime leader’s son as prime minister as part of generational change

Cambodia approves Hun Sen’s son as prime minister

Cambodian parliament has approved Hun Manet, the son of longtime autocratic leader Hun Sen, to be the country’s new prime minister. Hun Manet, who is Cambodia’s military chief, has been engaging in foreign diplomacy more and more in recent years. (August 22) (AP video/Ouk Navouth)

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A Cambodian court convicts activists for teaching about class differences, suspends their jail terms

A court in Cambodia has convicted four land rights activists of plotting to provoke a peasant revolution by teaching farmers about class divisions and has given them five-year suspended prison terms.

A Cambodian critic is charged with defamation over comments on Facebook

An outspoken critic of Cambodia’s government who was badly hurt by assailants four months ago has been arrested on a defamation complaint brought by a Cabinet member for comments he posted on Facebook.

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, foreground, greets as he heads back to Royal Palace, in front of the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Cambodian king on Monday presided over the opening of the first session of National Assembly in Phnom Penh. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

New faces in Cambodia’s parliament as king welcomes incoming lawmakers

Cambodia’s king has congratulated the country’s new lawmakers and urged them to promote economic growth and equality.

In this photo provided by Kok Ky/Cambodia's Government Cabinet, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, during a meeting in Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Kok Ky/Cambodia's Government Cabinet via AP)

China’s foreign minister visits Cambodia days after incumbent premier hands off the job to his son

China’s foreign minister visited Cambodia to reaffirm his country’s commitment to the southeast Asian country after its incumbent prime minister handed off the job to his son following a one-sided election last month.

Hun Manet, a son of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, receives flowers from his supporters as he leads a procession to mark the end of an election campaign of Cambodian People's Party, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 21, 2023. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Monday, Aug. 7, formally endorsed army chief Hun Manet to succeed his father and long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen as the nation's leader later this month after their party sealed victory in a one-sided election last month. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia’s king appoints army chief Hun Manet as successor to his father, long-ruling Hun Sen

Cambodia’s king has appointed army chief Hun Manet to succeed his father and long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen as the nation’s leader later this month.

In this photo provided by Cambodia's Prime Minister Telegram, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, walks together with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, right, during a meeting at Hun Sen's residents in Takhmua, Kandal province southeast Phnom Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Suaturday, Aug. 5, 2023. Thaksin attended a birthday party for outgoing Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh, according to video posted online Sunday, Aug. 6, a day after Thaksin said he would delay plans to return to Thailand following years of self-imposed exile. (Cambodia's Prime Minister Telegram via AP)

Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seen in video at Cambodian leader’s birthday party

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has attended a birthday party for outgoing Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh.

A man watches his mobile phone of broadcasting the election result by the National Election Committee (NEC), at a coffee shop outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. Cambodia's electoral body on Saturday announced its final result that see ruling party of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen has won a landslide victory from last month election, securing another mandate for the next five years. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia electoral body confirms Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party as the winner after final vote tally

Cambodia’s electoral body has announced its final result for last month’s election — which has been criticized by the West as neither free nor fair — sealing a landslide victory for the ruling party of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and a mandate for the next five years.

FILE- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) raises a ballot before voting at a polling station at Takhmua in Kandal province, southeast Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 23, 2023. Longtime Cambodian leader Hun Sen says he will step down in three weeks as prime minister and hand the position to his oldest son. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Cambodia’s Hun Sen, Asia’s longest serving leader, says he’ll step down and his son will take over

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says he will step down in August and hand the position to his oldest son, though Asia’s longest-serving leader is expected to continue to wield significant power.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) drops a ballot into a box for voting at a polling station at Takhmua in Kandal province, southeast Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Cambodians go to the polls Sunday with incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen and his party all but assured a landslide victory thanks to the effective suppression and intimidation of any real opposition that critics say has made a farce of democracy in the Southeast Asian nation. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

US announces punitive measures over concerns that Cambodia’s elections were ‘neither free nor fair’

Cambodia’s longtime ruling party is lauding its landslide victory in weekend elections as a clear mandate for the next five years.

Hun Manet, center, of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), son of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, also army chief, walks outside a polling station together with his wife, Pich Chanmony, right, before voting at a polling station in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Hun Sen has suggested he will hand off the premiership during the upcoming five-year term to his oldest son, Hun Manet, perhaps as early as the first month after the elections. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian leader’s son, a West Point grad, set to take reins of power — but will he bring change?

Hun Sen has been Cambodia’s autocratic prime minister for nearly four decades, during which the opposition has been stifled and the country has moved closer to China.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) shows off his inked finger, standing next to his wife Bun Rany, left, after voting a ballot at a polling station in Takhmua in Kandal province, southeast Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Cambodians go to the polls Sunday with incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen and his party all but assured a landslide victory thanks to the effective suppression and intimidation of any real opposition that critics say has made a farce of democracy in the Southeast Asian nation. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Hun Sen’s ruling party claims landslide win in Cambodian election after opposition was suppressed

The ruling party of Cambodia’s longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen has claimed a landslide election victory that was virtually assured after the suppression and intimidation of the opposition.

Hun Manet, front right, a son of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, waves from a vehicle as he leads a procession to mark the end of an election campaign of Cambodian People's Party, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, July 21, 2023. Hun Sen says he is ready to hand the premiership to his oldest son, Hun Manet, who heads the country’s army. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian leader’s son, a West Point grad, set to take reins of power — but will he bring change?

Hun Sen has been Cambodia’s autocratic prime minister for nearly four decades, during which the opposition has been stifled and the country has moved closer to China.

FILE - Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, also President of Cambodian People's Party, delivers a speech during his party election campaign in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Saturday, July 1, 2023. Two senior members of Cambodia’s opposition Candlelight Party have been arrested for allegedly teaching voters how to cast a null ballot in this month's general election, becoming the first people to be arrested under the country's recently amended election law. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Cambodian opposition party officials arrested for allegedly encouraging casting of spoiled ballots

Two senior members of the only major functioning opposition party in Cambodia have been arrested for allegedly teaching voters how to cast a spoiled ballot in this month’s general election.

FILE - Theary Seng, right, a Cambodian-American lawyer, dressed in a prison-style orange outfit, greets her supporters as she arrived at Phnom Penh Municipal Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Jan. 4, 2022. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said in a judgement late Wednesday, July 12, 2023, that while attorney Theary Seng had been convicted of conspiracy to commit treason and other charges last year, her only crime was “making two posts on Facebook critical of Hun Sen,” Cambodia's autocratic prime minister. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

UN expert group calls for release of Cambodian-American human rights activist after investigation

A United Nations expert group is calling for the immediate release of a Cambodian-American human rights activist, saying an investigation it conducted has concluded she was being “arbitrarily detained in violation of international law.”

Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, also President of Cambodian People's Party, delivers a speech during his party election campaign in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Saturday, July 1, 2023. The three-week official campaigning period began Saturday for the July 23 general election. Eighteen parties are contesting the polls, but Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian Peoples Party is virtually guaranteed a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia ruling party victory a sure bet as campaigning begins for general election

Campaigning for Cambodia’s general election has officially begun. It’s an exercise that serves more as an affirmation of a nominally democratic process than a prelude to a genuine contest.

FILE - Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen attends the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, on May 10, 2023. Cambodia’s long-serving, tough-talking leader, Hun Sen, says he is considering banning Facebook in his country, largely because he is fed up with the abuse he receives on it from his political foes abroad. On Wednesday, June 28, he suddenly announced he will no longer upload to Facebook and will instead depend on Telegram to get his message across. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, Pool, File)

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen had been a huge Facebook fan. Now he’s threatening to ban it

Cambodia’s long-serving, tough-talking leader, Hun Sen, says he is considering banning Facebook in his country, largely because he is fed up with the abuse he receives on it from his political foes abroad.

FILE - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen claps during the 71st anniversary celebration of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) at its headquarters in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A quasi-independent review board has recommended that Facebook suspend that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for six months for using language that could incite violence. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Oversight board recommends Facebook suspend Cambodian premier’s account for violent language

A quasi-independent review board is recommending that Facebook temporarily suspend the social media accounts of Cambodia’s prime minister.

FILE -Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, shows a mobile device to Philippine's President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., during the ASEAN - South Korea Summits (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, a devoted and very active user of Facebook, says he will no longer upload to the platform, and instead depend on the Telegram app for getting his message across. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File)

Cambodian leader Hun Sen, a huge Facebook fan, says he is jumping ship to Telegram

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, a devoted and very active user of Facebook, says he will no longer upload to the platform and will instead depend on the Telegram app to get his message across.

In this photo released by De Ratha/Cambodia National Assembly, Cambodian lawmaker raise their hands to approve amending the country’s election law at the National Assembly, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, June 23, 2023. Cambodian lawmakers on Friday unanimously approved amending the country's election law to ban anyone who fails to vote from running as a candidate in future elections, a move that critics say is aimed at crippling the opposition's chances at the polls. (De Ratha/Cambodia National Assembly via AP)

Cambodian lawmakers approve changes to election law that disqualify candidates who don’t vote

Pro-government Cambodian lawmakers have unanimously approved changes to the country’s election law that will ban anyone who fails to vote from running as a candidate in future elections.

FILE - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen claps during the 71st anniversary celebration of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) at its headquarters in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Cambodia’s long-serving leader says his government will amend the country’s election law to bar anyone who fails to vote from standing as a candidate in future elections, in what would be the latest marginalization of his political foes. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Cambodian leader says people who don’t vote will be barred from being candidates in future elections

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s long-serving leader said Tuesday his government will amend the country’s election law to bar anyone who fails to vote from running as a candidate in future elections, in his latest move to marginalize his political foes.

FILE - Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, second right, greets villagers on his arrival for a groundbreaking ceremony to build the country's first expressway, in Kampong Speu province, south of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 22, 2019. Hun Sen on Wednesday June 7, 2023 presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the country’s second expressway, which will link the capital, Phnom Penh, to the eastern border with Vietnam. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Groundbreaking held for Cambodia’s second expressway, linking capital to Vietnam

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the country’s second expressway, which will link the capital, Phnom Penh, to the eastern border with Vietnam.

Political party Candlelight Party's poster, right, is displayed near a bridge outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, May 25, 2023. Cambodia’s top opposition party was barred Thursday, May 25, 2023, from participating in elections set for July after the Constitutional Council refused to overturn a decision not to register the party over a paperwork issue. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodia’s top opposition party barred from July elections, leaving Hun Sen’s party unchallenged

Cambodia’s top opposition party has been barred from participating in the July elections after the Constitutional Council refused to overturn a decision not to register the party over a paperwork issue.

Top Cambodian opposition party denied registration for July elections, will appeal ruling

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s National Election Committee refused on Monday to register the opposition Candlelight Party, the sole credible challenger to the governing Cambodian People’s Party, for July elections, saying it had failed to provide necessary documents.

FILE - Son Chhay, second from right, deputy leader of the opposition political Candlelight Party, arrives at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Cambodia’s National Election Committee has announced that 20 political parties have registered for the general election in July 2023 but nine of them still have not been approved, including the Candlelight Party, the sole credible challenger to the governing Cambodian People’s Party.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Top challenger in Cambodian polls awaiting official approval

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s National Election Committee announced Monday that 20 political parties have registered for July’s general election but nine of them still have not been approved, including the Candlelight Party, the sole credible challenger to the governing Cambodian People’s P

Cambodian army chief Hun Manet, a son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, attends a ceremony of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces at the Defense Ministry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, April 20, 2023. Hun Manet, who is widely expected to replace his father, Hun Sen, as the country’s prime minister later this year, was promoted on Thursday to his country’s highest military rank. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian PM’s son, tipped to succeed him, gets promotion

Cambodian army chief Hun Manet, who is widely expected to replace his father as the country’s prime minister later this year, has been promoted to his country’s highest military rank.

FILE - Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on Dec. 13, 2022. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has hinted strongly that he intends to step down as the country’s long-serving top leader when a new government is installed after July’s general election. The 70-year-old Hun Sen has served 38 years as Cambodia’s top leader, and during the last election in 2018 had vowed to stay in office for two more terms, until 2028. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

Cambodian court charges activists with insulting king online

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Two anti-government activists in Cambodia were charged in court Wednesday with insulting the king and incitement to commit a felony for comments they made on social media about Prime Minister Hun Sen and King Norodom Sihamoni.

FILE - Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on Dec. 13, 2022. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has hinted strongly that he intends to step down as the country’s long-serving top leader when a new government is installed after July’s general election. The 70-year-old Hun Sen has served 38 years as Cambodia’s top leader, and during the last election in 2018 had vowed to stay in office for two more terms, until 2028. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

Long-serving Cambodian leader Hun Sen hints at retirement

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen hinted strongly Tuesday that he intends to step down as the country’s long-serving leader when a new government is installed after July’s general election.

Former President of Cambodia National Rescue Party, Kem Sokha, greets from his car in front of his house in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, March 3, 2023. Cambodia’s beleaguered pro-democracy forces face another day of reckoning Friday, as the country’s most prominent opposition politician not in exile is scheduled to hear the verdict in his trial for treason.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian opposition leader gets 27 years on treason charge

A court in Cambodia has convicted opposition leader Kem Sokha of treason and sentenced him to 27 years of house arrest, the latest blow in a campaign by the government to silence its critics or drive them out of the country.

FILE - Cambodia National Rescue Party's President Kem Sokha, foreground, speaks to journalists before heading to the court in his house in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Jan. 19, 2022. Kem Sokha, Cambodia's most prominent opposition politician not in exile, is scheduled Friday, March 3, 2023, to hear the verdict in his trial for treason, for which he was arrested in 2017 as part of a government crackdown on the opposition. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

Cambodian opposition leader set for treason trial verdict

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s beleaguered pro-democracy forces face another day of reckoning Friday, as the country’s most prominent opposition politician not in exile is scheduled to hear the verdict in his trial for treason.

Journalists gather in front of the Voice of Democracy, VOD office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday, Feb. 12, ordered VOD, one of the handful of independent media broadcasters, to shut down for publishing an article he said intentionally slandered his son in connection with the country's relief assistance to earthquake victims in Turkey. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian leader says radio station closure is permanent

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A day after one of Cambodia’s few independent media outlets was shut at his order, Prime Minister Hun Sen declared Tuesday that Voice of Democracy radio will not be allowed to reopen despite pleas and protests from around the world.