• Cambodian parliament passes law allowing stripping of citizenship for foreign collusion.
• Rights groups fear the law will suppress dissent and freedom of speech.
• 110 lawmakers, including PM Hun Manet, voted unanimously for the bill.
• Concerns raised over potential misuse of the vaguely worded law.
• Opposition leader Kem Sokha faces harsh penalties under the new legislation.

Cambodian parliamentarians passed legislation on August 25 that allows the government to strip citizens of their nationality if they are deemed to collude with foreign nations. All 120 lawmakers present in the National Assembly voted unanimously in favor of this controversial bill, which many rights groups argue will be misused to silence dissent. A coalition of 50 rights organizations warned the law "will have a disastrously chilling effect on the freedom of speech of all Cambodian citizens," highlighting the potential dangers of the vague legal language used in its formulation, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The new law draws criticism for its ambiguous wording, which rights advocates argue could allow authorities to target individuals based on ethnicity, political stance, or activism. “The government has many powers, but they should not have the power to arbitrarily decide who is and is not a Cambodian,” the rights coalition stated. The legislation must still pass through Cambodia's upper house and receive approval from the head of state, steps perceived as mere formalities, as reported by TRT and Le Monde.

Historically, Cambodia's constitution enshrined the unconditional right to citizenship; however, recent amendments allow for nationality to be "determined by law." Justice Minister Koeut Rith justified the changes, stating, "If you betray the nation, the nation will not keep you." This shift aligns with broader authoritarian practices, as highlighted by Amnesty International, who condemned the law as “a heinous violation of international law,” according to The Jakarta Post.

The law also empowers authorities to strip citizenship for actions perceived as threats to national integrity, leading to concerns over tyrannical governance, as many opposition activists face legal repercussions. Notably, opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced to 27 years in prison under treason allegations—a claim he vehemently denies—further exemplifying the law's oppressive potential, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.