UN expert urges Cambodia to free over 100 detainees ahead of Francophonie Summit

A United Nations human rights expert has urged Cambodia to release more than 100 people believed to be imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms, as Phnom Penh prepares to host the 20th Francophonie Summit on 15–16 November 2026.

Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, called on the Cambodian government to release those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

He also urged world leaders attending the summit, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to use their influence to secure the release of those he described as unjustly detained.

The summit, organised under the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), will bring international attention to Cambodia as it hosts heads of state and senior ministers from French-speaking countries and other member states.

Andrews said the gathering presented an opportunity for Cambodia to demonstrate its commitment to the organisation’s principles of peace, democracy and human rights.

“By releasing those detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms, the Royal Government of Cambodia would be honoring the values of the OIF while making a statement that would be much stronger than words,” he said.

More than 100 people believed to be detained

Andrews said he had begun examining reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions in Cambodia and believed more than 100 individuals were likely imprisoned for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association.

“No one should be detained for defending human rights, reporting on matters of public concern, or voicing critical opinions,” he said.

Among those whose detention has drawn international scrutiny are Cambodian-American lawyer Seng Theary, former Khmer Student Intellectual League Association president Koet Saray and five activists from the environmental organisation Mother Nature Cambodia.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has determined that their continued detention is arbitrary and inconsistent with Cambodia’s international human rights obligations.

In a recent report to the UN Human Rights Council, Andrews also raised concerns about restrictions on civic space, harassment of political opposition figures, cyberscam networks and the treatment of human trafficking victims.

The report additionally addressed the situation of Cambodians displaced by the border conflict with Thailand.

Summit puts Cambodia’s human rights record in spotlight

Cambodia has described its hosting of the Francophonie Summit as a demonstration of its enduring commitment to Francophone ideals.

However, Andrews said the event should be an opportunity not only to celebrate Cambodia’s cultural heritage and strengthen international cooperation, but also to address concerns about fundamental freedoms.

He said he had raised Cambodia’s human rights record in meetings and correspondence with the OIF secretariat and member states, encouraging them to engage the Cambodian government before the summit.

“The continued detention of activists, human rights defenders and journalists mere kilometers from the halls where world leaders will gather could distract from the important work that will be done during the Summit,” Andrews said.

He added that constructive engagement resulting in the release of those unjustly detained would demonstrate the values and potential of the Francophonie.

The OIF is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to promoting the French language and cooperation among its member countries, with peace, democracy and human rights among its core objectives.