• Cambodian constitution amended to enable citizenship revocation for foreign collusion.
• All 125 lawmakers, including Prime Minister Hun Manet, voted unanimously for the change.
• Rights groups express fears this law will target political dissenters and critics.

Cambodian lawmakers have made a significant amendment to the constitution, allowing for the potential stripping of citizenship from individuals accused of colluding with foreign powers. This change was unanimously supported by all 125 members of the National Assembly, including Prime Minister Hun Manet. The revised wording now states that "receiving, losing, and revoking Khmer nationality shall be determined by law," which replaces the previous guarantee that "no Khmer citizen shall be deprived of their nationality" without mutual consent, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

Justice Minister Koeut Rith remarked that this constitutional change would soon facilitate a citizenship revocation bill targeting those deemed to have betrayed the nation. "If you betray the nation, the nation will not keep you," he stated. Despite this explanation, human rights activists have raised concerns that the new law could be used oppressively against political opponents and dissenters, potentially making them stateless. Amnesty International has condemned the amendment as a "heinous violation of international law," warning that it could result in a crackdown on critics of the ruling government, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

The contentions surrounding this amendment echo in the backdrop of ongoing tensions in Cambodia, particularly related to border disputes with Thailand, where calls for changes to citizenship laws are perceived as political maneuvers against exiled opposition figures. Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who influenced the call for constitutional revisions, had previously lamented actions by critics purportedly harming national interests, illustrating how the law might serve as a tool for stifling dissent. "Scores of opposition activists have been jailed or face legal cases," highlighting the oppressive political environment, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.