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Cambodia elections. The politically motivated charges against Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha now effectively keep the two most popular Cambodia opposition politicians out of politics for the benefit of Hun Sen to maintain power. For the 2023 elections, the Candlelight Party, which was founded following the dissolution of the CNRP in 2017, was also particularly targeted. Son Chhay, a senior lawmaker from the CNRP who later joined the Candlelight Party, has been ordered by the Supreme Court in February 2023 to pay more than 1 million USD to the CPP and the pro-government National Election Committee. This is a result of a defamation case arising from an interview with the Cambodia Daily Khmer in 202271. Former advisor of the Candlelight Party, Kong Korm, was also forced to give up the house and land he had been living in since 1982 after Hun Sen posted on Facebook that these are the government’s property72. Party vice-president Thach Setha was also arrested in January 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 2023 for allegedly issuing a false cheque. He was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment in September 202373. Hun Sen has also regularly used social media to single out critics, apart from attacking political opponents74. As a result, some critics on Facebook are reportedly quickly arrested and detained. Many of them have been charged for offenses including incitement for posts that mock or criticize the government75. Some opposition activists who were arrested have also been reportedly given the opportunity to defect, for which they were given government positions and other benefits. In defecting to the government, former critics would post video apologies to Hun Sen and criticize the opposition76. Needless to say, those who refused to apologize stayed in custody to serve their convictions77. “Cambodia Opposition Figure Loses $1 Million Appeal to Supreme Court.” Radio Free Asia, 23 Feb. 2023, www. rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodia-sonchhay-02232023145827.html. “Hun Sen demands opposition party advisor vacate his home within the month.” Radio Free Asia, 11 Jan. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/kong-korm-01112023170955.html. “Cambodian Opposition Leader Sentenced to 18 Months in Bad Check Case.” Radio Free Asia, 21 Sept. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/thach-setha-sentence-09212023170800.html. Mao, Frances. “Cambodia Faces Rigged Election as Hun Sen Extends Total Control.” BBC News, 21 July 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66231548. Meyn, Colin. “Hun Sen Comes Full Circle on Facebook: From Skeptic to Star to Scorned.” Voice of America, 18 July 2023, www.voacambodia.com/a/hun-sen-comes-full-circle-on-facebook-from-skeptic-to-star-toscorned/7185651.html. “Top Opposition Party Youth Leader Switches Allegiance to Hun Sen’s Ruling Party.” Radio Free Asia, 21 Apr. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/opposition-defector-04212023161700.html. “6 Khmer Opposition Leaders Charged With Incitement.” Radio Free Asia, 14 Sept. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/ news/cambodia/defect-09142023163321.html. 31

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

Report

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions

Author(s)

DigitalReach

Date Published: Aug 6, 2024

Abstract: It is undeniable that information technology has significantly impacted human rights and democracy these days. Different governments around Southeast Asia continually attempt to control digital space through, for example, using repressive laws and regulations, forcing social media platforms to follow their orders, and using spyware and similar technology to surveil critics. In Southeast Asia, democracy and human rights have deteriorated because of these attempts, especially for countries under authoritarian regimes.

In order to better understand the situation, DigitalReach publishes annual reports to present and analyze the events and trends around the region. The 2023 annual report analyzes the digital rights situation in eight countries across Southeast Asia—namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam–from January 2023 to December 2023, with glimpses of key updates into 2024, given the timing of its release.

The report format has been changed completely from the previous years. In order to more systematically present the developments observed, the report is organized into three key areas: (1) Legal and Policy Developments, (2) Information Control and Manipulation, and (3) Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition.

From a regional perspective, legal and policy developments in countries that are known to restrict human rights are still mainly about using or coming up with new policies to further suppress human rights in the digital sphere. Countries considered to be more democratic also attempt to change or repeal their laws, but still without a clear sign of improvement toward digital rights.

In terms of information control and manipulation, social media platforms continue to be deployed for political ends, with different platforms serving a specific purpose for each country. The shift toward short video format, TikTok in particular, continued from 2022 to contribute toward information disorder, especially during election periods. The use of video shorts is important when targeting young voters, who played an important role in determining election results in Thailand and Indonesia this year like they did in the Philippines and Malaysia in 2022. State-sponsored cyber armies were also documented, while some governments preferred to assert more effective control of social media platforms. Other important methods related to the flow of information include suppression of media freedom and internet disruptions, which are particularly severe in Myanmar following the 2021 coup.

Judicial harassment is a key form of threat used against critics and political opposition in 2023. It is still common for people in Southeast Asia to be thrown in jail for what they say or do online. Others who do not subscribe to the government’s ideology face online harassment from state-sponsored cyber armies or government supporters. In terms of surveillance, 5 out of 8 countries included in this report have been found to have or are likely to have spyware technology.

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2023-Annual-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
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Myanmar Internet Project

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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