Govt passes law to strip citizenship from treason convicts

Cambodia’s Parliament has passed a law that could strip citizenship from anyone convicted of treason.

Transcript

00:00Cambodia's parliament has passed a law that could strip citizenship from anyone convicted of treason.

00:07The move is seen as part of a broader crackdown on opponents of the long-ruling Cambodian People's Party or CPP.

00:17The new measure was approved by 120 of 125 CPP-dominated lawmakers.

00:23It targets anyone accused of treason or colluding with foreign owners or plotting against Cambodian interests.

00:31Since the Supreme Court banned the main opposition party in 2017,

00:36more than 100 opposition figures have faced mass trials, many jailed in absentia.

00:42Prominent politicians have fled the country to avoid arrest.

00:46Human rights groups and Western governments, including the US, say

00:49the crackdown has effectively eliminated political competition,

00:54leaving the CPP in near total control.