The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) filed a submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in Cambodia ahead of the 46th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group.

ANFREL's submission is based on the pre-election assessment missions it conducted during the 2022 Commune and Sangkat Council Elections and the 2023 National Assembly Election. In both elections, ANFREL stressed the the elections continue to fall short of being free, fair and democratic due to the shortcomings of the law, the management of elections, and the rampant curtailment of rights and freedoms in the country.

The blocking of an opposition party to contest a national election, bias of election management body and crackdown on independent media, among others, have negatively affected the electoral environment in Cambodia.

Since the 3rd cycle of the UPR in 2019, ANFREL noted that the situation in Cambodia has not improved despite a number of recommendations related to elections and other civil and political rights.

ANFREL offered a set of recommendations in its submission especially calling the government of Cambodia to cease the crackdown on the dissenting voices and take the necessary actions to ensure genuine multi-party elections.

Read the full submission here: "ANFREL submission to the 46th Session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group on Cambodia"