Cambodia: Rights groups concern over arrests & harassment of individuals, activists and journalists during COVID-19 pandemic
In late January, Cambodia's Prime Minister made a televised statement about the spread of misinformation regarding the COVID-19 virus outbreak originating from Wuhan, China. He also threatened to “kick out” reporters or officials seen wearing a face mask.
Since the outbreak and ongoing spread of the Covid-19 in Cambodia, the Cambodian government has taken more agressive measures to contain the virus. As a consequence, rights group has reported a number of cases related to arrests of activists and individuals allegedly speading fake news about the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest incident is a direct warning of arrest made by the Cambodia's Prime Minister towards a deputy director of LICADHO, a local human rights NGO, over his comments on govt's responses to curb the pandemic.
Photo credit: The Phnom Penh Post