Smear Campaigns, Threats, and Harassment against HRDs and Activists A New York Times investigation from August 2020 several unknown assailants on a motorbike in Phnom found evidence of a government-directed smear Penh, leaving her with serious injuries. The attack campaign on Facebook which targeted a Buddhist came after she gave an interview with the media monk and HRD, Luon Sovath, as a result of his outlet Radio Free Asia (RFA) two days earlier in criticism of the RGC.57 Videos were shared by a which she commented on the persecution of youth fake Facebook page alleging him of having a sexual activists in Cambodia.59 On April 19, 2022, youth relationship with a woman and her three daughters activist Eng Malai, who is known for her activism and quickly spread through the platform in the weeks and outspokenness, including online, was assaulted that followed. The page had reportedly stolen photos in a similar way in the capital, an attack that she uploaded by both Sovath and one of the women prior considered to be a repercussion of her continued to publication of the videos. It has since been taken activism.60 In December 2022, fearing for her and down by Facebook, but the videos themselves are still her family’s lives, she fled the country and applied circulating. The two government officials suspected for refugee status in Thailand after she allegedly to be behind the content remain on the platform. received death threats.61 Since her escape, Eng Luon has since been living in exile in Switzerland Malai has remained discreet to avoid transnational and continues to advocate for social media as a repression, and no information about her has been useful tool in combating authoritarianism.58 On Sept. found in the media. 26, 2021, activist Touch Srey Nich was attacked by The reason I decided [to go] is firstly the death threat, and, secondly, they threatened to stir up trouble for my brothers and sisters. We are always being threatened. 62 –Eng Malai, youth activist Cambodia 49