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1. Cambodia DEMOCRATIC STATUS OF THE COUNTRY YEAR (according to the Freedom In The World index) 2020 25/100 2021 24/100 2022 24/100 2023 24/100 DIGITAL SPACE & ONLINE FREEDOM STATUS OF THE COUNTRY (Digital Space Status) (according to the World’s Press Freedom Index) 43/100 144/180 (54,54) (Not NOT Free) FREE NOT Free) FREE (Not (Not NOT Free) FREE (Not NOT Free) FREE FREE Scores 100-70 PRESS & MEDIA FREEDOM STATUS OF THE COUNTRY (Partly PARTLYFree) FREE DIFFICULT Difficult 43/100 144/180 (53,16) PARTLYFree) FREE (Partly DIFFICULT Difficult 43/100 142/180 (43,48) (Partly PARTLYFree) FREE VERY VerySERIOUS Serious 44/100 147/180 (42,02) (Partly PARTLYFree) FREE PARTLY FREE Scores 69-40 VerySERIOUS Serious VERY NOT FREE Scores 39-0 GOOD SATISFACTORY PROBLEMATIC DIFFICULT VERY SERIOUS 85–100 points 75–85 points 65–75 points 45–65 points 0–45 points Fig. 1.1: Summary of freedom ratings for Cambodia, 2020-2023.1 1.1 Legal Framework Freedom of Expression is Guaranteed but Illegitimately Restricted The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia explicitly applies only to Cambodian citizens, the freedom of guarantees the right to freedom of expression, press expression of foreigners living in Cambodia is protected and publication for all Khmer citizens, under Article under Article 31, which makes international human 41. However, such a right cannot be exercised to rights instruments directly applicable in Cambodia’s “infringe upon the rights of others, to affect the good domestic law.3 Nevertheless, there are multiple traditions of the society, to violate public law and repressive laws that illegitimately restrict freedom order and national security.”2 Although this article of expression, whether for Khmers or foreigners. 40 Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia

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Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia March 2024

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Restrictions

Author(s)

MANUSHYA

Date Published: Mar 8, 2024

Abstract: Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia March 2024 Whether we like it or not, we are living through a pivotal moment for the future of human rights. This includes the issue of our digital rights, and the question of our online freedoms. In places like Southeast Asia, where the majority of its peoples are experiencing immense threats to their online and offline freedoms, at the hands of opportunistic governments and corporations, this is especially prevalent. The digital space has become an integral part of human life, and is still growing in its influence over our world. Accordingly, if our freedoms in the digital space are endangered, our freedoms overall are endangered as well.

It is understandable to feel powerless while possessing this knowledge. But it is not enough to just know about the forces acting against our human rights, and understand that they are dangerous. If we truly want to create a safer, more equitable, more liberated world - which we all know, deep down, is possible - we must understand these forces, and act accordingly. We must equip ourselves with knowledge about what governments, corporations, and other powers that be are doing, alongside demanding our rights to freedom. The powers that be have weaponised the online and digital space, as well as the law, against the people that these things are supposed to serve and protect. It is our right to protect ourselves with research, knowledge, advocacy, and the power of the people. When we understand the powers we are up against, fighting back will become less daunting.

This is what our report, titled Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia, is for. Join us in powering ourselves with knowledge, in order to compel ourselves to action!

As always, our work is rooted in decolonial, feminist, intersectional values, with historically marginalised people at the centre. Thus, this work was a collaboration between a coalition of groups oriented in these values: ALTSEAN-Burma, Cambodian Center for Human Rights, ELSAM, Free Expression Myanmar, Foundation for Media Alternatives, ILGA Asia, Manushya Foundation, The Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, SAFEnet, Viet Tan, and Women’s Peace Network. What is the ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship? The ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship was established in 2020, by human rights and digital rights activists from Southeast Asia, on a mission to decolonize digital rights and restore our online democracies.

Together, we stand in solidarity with one another, with people from the Global Majority, resisting and pushing back against authoritarian governments and complicit tech companies.

We tell our realities from the ground, and we develop solutions together.

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Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia March 2024

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