Phnom penh: The Senate has unanimously approved the proposed amendment to Article 33 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, which allows for the revocation of Khmer citizenship under specific circumstances. All 58 senators voted in favour of the amendment during an extraordinary session of the Senate's fifth legislature, held this morning at the Senate Palace under the chairmanship of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, in his address at the session, Samdech Techo Hun Sen reassured the public that ordinary citizens need not be concerned. 'If you don't betray the nation-if you don't conspire with foreign countries to undermine national interests-then you have nothing to worry about,' he emphasised.
The Senate President also responded strongly to criticisms that the amendment could violate human rights or even lead to acts of genocide. He defended the amendment by highlighting that more than 150 countries around the world have similar laws regarding citizenship revocation. Additionally, out of the 10 ASEAN member states, 9 already have such laws, making Cambodia the only exception thus far.
The proposed constitutional amendment to Article 33 was unanimously approved on July 11 by all the 125 lawmakers during the 4th session of the National Assembly's 7th legislature, chaired by Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly. This amendment establishes a legal framework for revoking Cambodian citizenship from individuals convicted of treason or colluding with foreign powers in ways that seriously harm national interests.
This two-article amendment aims to strengthen national sovereignty and security by deterring foreign interference and punishing acts of treason. It aligns with Article 49 of the Constitution, which mandates every Khmer citizen to prioritise national interests and participate in the defence and development of the motherland. Cambodia has a legal history of regulating annulment of citizenship, including the Civil Code of 1920 and the Law on the Loss of Khmer Citizenship promulgated in 1968.