CCHR welcomes the Joint Declaratio​n on Freedom of Expression and the Internet, and releases a briefing note on Internet censorship with specific recommenda​tions for the Cambodian context

CCHR PRESS RELEASE, Phnom Penh, 13 June 2011

CCHR welcomes the Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Internet, and releases a briefing note on Internet censorship with specific recommendations for the Cambodian context

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”), a non-aligned, independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect democracy and respect for human rights throughout Cambodia, welcomes the 11th Annual Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Internet (the “Joint Declaration”). The Joint Declaration was issued on 1 June 2011 in Budapest by the four specialized mandates of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organization of American States, and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. In many countries around the world – including Cambodia – the Internet has become the main forum for freedom of expression, so it is timely that the focus of the Joint Declaration should be upon the Internet.

CCHR today releases a briefing note titled “Internet Censorship: the Ongoing Crackdown on Freedom of Expression in Cambodia”. The briefing note provides an overview of new media in Cambodia, the recent trend towards Internet censorship, and the grave implications for freedom of expression in Cambodia. The briefing note concludes with specific recommendations, placing the principles of the Joint Declaration in a Cambodian context.

CCHR President Ou Virak commented: 

“The Royal Government of Cambodia should do its utmost to develop mechanisms to increase Internet penetration in Cambodia and to promote online space for free expression by ensuring that old barriers are not applied to new frontiers: everyone should be able to access the Internet. The Internet is quickly becoming the new battleground for freedom of expression and must be defended.”

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For more information, please contact Ou Virak via telephone at +855 (0) 12 40 40 51 or e-mail at

ouvirak@cchrcambodia.org.

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