Border conflict Thailand-Cambodia

Cambodian government wants to be able to revoke citizenship

Cambodia's lower house has voted through a proposal that means the government can revoke citizenship for residents who have been guilty of "collusion" with a foreign power, writes AP.

According to Interior Minister Sar Sokha, the aim is to strengthen patriotism in the Asian country. The decision is made shortly after the country was in armed conflict with Thailand over a border dispute, which led to strong nationalist movements.

For the proposal to become a reality, it must also be approved by the Senate and by the king, which is considered a formality. The ruling party, the Cambodian People's Party, has 120 of the 125 seats in the country.

Critics are furious: "Risking losing our identity"

The new law that gives the Cambodian government the ability to revoke citizenship in the event of "collusion" with a foreign power is criticized by 50 organizations. In a statement, they say the law is too vaguely written, and that it could have a “devastating effect” on freedom of expression.

“With this change, all Cambodians risk losing their identity and the basis for our rights in our own country,” the non-profit organizations write, according to the AP.