(Phnom Penh): Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, revealed two historical legal documents on the revocation of Khmer citizenship from the People’s Socialist Community era, stressing that Cambodia is not unique as around 150 countries worldwide have similar nationality deprivation laws.
Samdech Techo wrote on his social media on Saturday (Jul. 5) as follows:
“The law on Khmer nationality deprivation is not a new matter for Cambodia today. Such legal provisions also existed during the era of the People’s Socialist Community.
I have recently found two legal documents concerning the ‘revocation/loss of Khmer citizenship’ applicable to individuals who have committed acts detrimental to national interests.
I would like to present the two documents that outline the legal procedures for the revocation of Khmer citizenship under the socialist regime:
1. Royal Kram promulgating the Law on the Loss of Khmer Citizenship, dated 16 October 1968
2. Civil Code, Article 25–bis (excerpted from Royal Kram No. 397 NS. dated 26 October 1959)
Moreover, Cambodia is not the only country with such laws. Based on available information, approximately 150 countries around the world have legislation allowing for the revocation of citizenship. These laws are typically applied in cases involving: actions against national interests, disloyalty to the nation, threats to national security, or crimes related to terrorism.
The 1968 Royal Kram on the Loss of Khmer Citizenship stipulates in one article that: ‘Any Khmer national convicted by a court of at least a first-degree felony for treason, rebellion, or serious threats to internal or external peace may lose their citizenship.’
Article 25 bis of the 1967 Civil Code (Point 3) states: ‘A Khmer national residing abroad who refuses to return to serve in the Khmer military; Khmer soldiers who flee abroad—even during peacetime; and Khmer nationals who, after committing acts that seriously disturb the peace within or outside the Kingdom, flee to seek refuge abroad and continue subversive activities (as outlined in the document), may have their citizenship revoked.’”
=FRESH NEWS
