Cambodia as a country is no stranger to negative human rights and suffers from many issues rights now. Two of the most prevalent human rights issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and media/internet restrictions. Both these groups experience a hefty amount of discrimination and a lack of freedom.
For the LGBTQ+ community in Cambodia, many laws, or lack thereof negatively affects community members by not protecting them from discrimination. There are currently no laws that persecute those who attack them, and it creates a horrible environment for anyone LGBTQ+ to even be associated with. They are not even legally protected in the workforce, which makes work environments potentially hostile. Not only are they completely unprotected by the laws, but they are also minimally acknowledged. While the act of being homosexual is acknowledged and legal, marriage between any 2 of the same genders is not legally recognized. Culturally same-sex marriage may vary based on the families involved in terms of socially being on board with a same-sex couple, but unfortunately, even if everyone involved is supportive there is not much a couple can do to legally defend themselves.
Another aspect of negative human rights lies within the general restriction of the internet and media. The Cambodian government has used its power to restrict what groups and journalists can publish, especially concerning the criticism of the Cambodian government. This is also assisted by a level of corruption in the judicial system that enables this degree of political issues.
Fortunately, some groups have attempted to raise awareness about the human rights issues going on internally in Cambodia, but until these issues can be solved, many people will suffer at the hand of the lack of human rights.
By Daniel Asiamah
