(Phnom Penh): During the third session of the fifth legislature of the Senate, held on Monday morning (Jul. 14) to review a proposed constitutional amendment concerning Article 33 related to deprivation of nationality, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said that expressing opinions in opposition to the Royal Government or being part of an opposition political party does not constitute treason and should not be a cause for concern regarding deprivation of nationality.

According to Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the application of the law on nationality deprivation targets individuals who collaborate with foreign entities to harm the Cambodian nation. He clarified that only those who commit acts of treason in collusion with foreigners fall under this law, and therefore, those who do not commit such acts have no reason to worry.

“The law does not stipulate that any Khmer citizen will have their citizenship revoked unless they commit acts that betray or work against the national interest. So, there’s no need to be afraid unless one betrays the nation. [...] The definition of treason does not include the right to express opinion or to oppose or form an opposition party. Treason refers to actions taken in collaboration with foreign actors to destroy the nation,” Samdech Techo underscored.

The Senate president also emphasized that the law on nationality deprivation would apply broadly to naturalized foreign nationals. He noted that many foreigners of various nationalities had previously obtained Cambodian citizenship through naturalization, but the existing laws did not allow for revoking it even when they were found to be conspiring with foreign entities against Cambodia.

Samdech Techo stressed that under the new law, foreign nationals who gained Cambodian citizenship and later engaged in acts of treason or betrayal of national interest would be subject to revocation. As a concrete example, he cited a case in Cambodian history involving a Thai national who had obtained Cambodian citizenship, then returned to Thailand and financed Thai military action against Cambodia, specifically in Battambang province.

Furthermore, Samdech Techo Hun Sen issued a stern reminder that anyone who does not wish to lose their Cambodian citizenship should refrain from treasonous acts and from conspiring with foreign entities to harm the nation. Samdech continued, “If you are afraid of losing your citizenship, don’t betray the nation or conspire with foreigners.”

Regarding these foreign conspiracies, he revealed that a group of Cambodian nationals is currently collaborating with Thai actors to prepare an armed force aimed at attacking Cambodia. As such these individuals are committing treason and are the targets of the deprivation of nationality law.
=FRESH NEWS