July 30, 2018
International community calls Cambodia's vote a “setback to democracy”
The United States says it will take further action against the government of Cambodia following a landslide victory for the ruling party. The European Union, Canada and Australia also condemn the election.
July 29, 2018
Cambodia set to become one-party state
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party says it now controls all 125 seats in the National Assembly after an election slammed by rights groups as a sham due the lack of a viable opposition,
July 29, 2018
Polls open in Cambodia's sixth national election
Cambodians head to the polls for an election from which the government has banned the only viable opposition party.
July 28, 2018
Government blocks 15 independent news sites over poll “disruption”
The Cambodian government orders internet service providers (ISPs) to block the websites of 15 news websites of independent outlets including Voice of America for two days before and during the country’s election.
July 27, 2018
Government fines former opposition officials over “clean finger” campaign
Five former CNRP officials in Battambang province are found guilty of obstructing the vote and fined $2,500 each over a Facebook post supporting an election boycott campaign.
July 27, 2018
Election campaign ends as Cambodians prepare to vote
Cambodian political parties wind up their campaigning ahead of a general election expected to be an easy victory for the ruling party.
July 25, 2018
U.S. House passes Cambodia sanctions bill
U.S. House of Representatives passes the Cambodia Democracy Act, paving the way for sanctions to be imposed against members of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s inner circle.
July 25, 2018
Japan opts out of sending election monitors to Cambodia
Japan says it won't send election monitors to Cambodia for the July 29 vote even though Tokyo, a major donor to the Southeast Asian nation, has sent observers to many previous elections.
July 22, 2018
Cambodia threatens legal action against non-voters
The government orders fines or even the arrest of people who uploads images on social media as part of an opposition-organized campaign to boycott the vote.
July 10, 2018
Cambodian government institutions face cyberattack
Cyberattackers are caught hacking key Cambodian government institutions in what is strongly believed to be a coordinated Chinese government assault ahead of the July 29 national elections, according to an investigation by FireEye, a U.S. cybersecurity firm.
July 7, 2018
Election campaign kicks off
Electioneering kicks off for the July 29 national elections. Twenty political parties are registered to participate.
June 27, 2018
50,000 observers to monitor July election, NEC says
Cambodia’s National Election Committee (NEC) says 50,000 observers -- some from China, Myanmar and Singapore -- will monitor July 29 election.
June 20, 2018
U.N. calls political climate in Cambodia “not conducive to a free and fair election”
At the U.N. Human Rights Council, New Zealand and other nations issue a statement calling on the Cambodian government to reverse course, saying the current political environment in Cambodia is not “conducive to holding free, fair and genuine national elections.”
June 12, 2018
U.S. sanctions Hun Sen’s top bodyguard
United States imposes sanctions on Hing Bun Heang, the head of Hun Sen’s bodyguards, citing human rights abuses.
May 28, 2018
Government forms task forces to monitor online content ahead of July election
The government issues an order that it will work with telecommunication firms to monitor and control online news deemed to cause “instability,” as part of the government’s crackdown ahead of July 29 election.
May 24, 2018
NEC sets controversial Journalist Code of Conduct on election coverage
Cambodia's National Election Committee (NEC) issues a controversial code of conduct for journalists covering the July 29 election. It includes a ban on asking detailed questions about results.
May 15, 2018
20 political parties registered
Despite dissolution of CNRP, 20 political parties, including the ruling CPP, register to participate in July 29 election.
May 15, 2018
Election monitoring group backs out of observing July election
The respected Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (Comfrel) says it will not observe and monitor the July election, citing the Cambodian government’s accusation against the group and other organizations in promoting a “color revolution” in Cambodia.
May 9, 2018
U.N. calls for release of Kem Sokha
The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the International Federation for Human Rights issues a statement demanding the immediate release of Kem Sokha, leader of the dissolved opposition CNRP party, calling his imprisonment “inhumane” and “shameful.”
May 5, 2018
Phnom Penh Post sold
The country’s last remaining independent English-language newspaper, the Phnom Penh Post, is sold to a Malaysian investor whose company has links to Hun Sen.
May 4, 2018
PM Hun Sen threatens legal measure against election boycott
Prime Minister Hun Sen describes Sam Rainsy’s call for an election boycott as “a violation of electoral law.”
April 8, 2018
Sam Rainsy calls for July election boycott
Former CNRP leader Sam Rainsy calls on his supporters and voters to boycott the July election.
Jan 2018
Sam Rainsy launches the CNRM
Former CNRP president Sam Rainsy launches the Cambodia National Rescue Movement (CNRM), which he envisions as keeping the CNRP “alive” from abroad. He says it “cannot be dissolved” because it is not registered with the government in Cambodia. Sam Rainsy said the movement's plan includes ensuring free and fair elections in Cambodia in July.
Nov 16, 2017
Supreme Court orders CNRP dissolution
The Supreme Court dissolves the CNRP, a move that causes some opposition members to join Hun Sen's ruling CPP, while opposition leaders flee the country or are forced out of politics.
Oct 3, 2017
Mu Sochua flees country
Opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua flees Cambodia after Prime Minister Hun Sen threatens to arrest opposition politicians in the wake of Kem Sokha's arrest in September.
Sept 2017
RFA ceases operations in Cambodia
Radio Free Asia ceases operations in Cambodia after nearly 20 years, citing the government’s crackdown on media. Dozens of radio affiliates in Cambodia that sold airtime to RFA and VOA are shut down, with the government citing licensing issues. Other remaining licensed radio affiliates stop broadcasting RFA and VOA content.
Sept 4, 2017
Cambodia Daily newspaper shuts down
The independent Cambodia Daily newspaper announces it will cease operations in Cambodia after 24 years when it is slapped with a $6.3 million tax bill, which its publishers said was politically motivated and impossible to pay.
Sept 3, 2017
Kem Sokha arrested
Opposition leader Kem Sokha is arrested at his Phnom Penh home for alleged treason. The government accuses him of conspiring with the U.S. to bring down the Cambodian government. Prime Minister Hun Sen warns the CNRP not to defend Kem Sokha at the risk of being dissolved.
Aug 23, 2017
National Democratic Institute halts operations
The Cambodian government forces the U.S.-funded National Democratic Institute to halt its operations in Cambodia, saying the group is not legally registered.
July 10, 2017
National Assembly bars parties from affiliating with criminals
The National Assembly passes bill barring political parties from having any formal affiliation with convicted criminals.
June 2017
Fourth commune council elections
The CPP wins the majority of seats, but loses ground to the CNRP.
March 2017
Kem Sokha succeeds Sam Rainsy
Kem Sokha succeeds Sam Rainsy as the CNRP president.
Feb 11, 2017
Sam Rainsy resigns from CNRP
Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled leader of the CNRP, resigns in an attempt to save the party from dissolution after Prime Minister Hun Sen threatens to change the law to enable the government to dissolve parties with officials who have committed criminal offenses.
Dec 2, 2016
King Sihamoni pardons Kem Sokha
King Norodom Sihamoni pardons Kem Sokha, as requested by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Sept 9, 2016
Kem Sokha sentenced to five months in prison
Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentences Kem Sokha to five months in prison over a case involving prostitution charges that are believed to be politically motivated. Kem Sokha does not appear in court.
July 10, 2016
Government critic Kem Ley killed
Kem Ley, a well-known political activist and government critic, is shot dead in broad daylight at a petrol station in central Phnom Penh, in what police say is a personal dispute over money, a claim his wife denies.
June 2016
Kem Sokha in hiding
Kem Sokha goes into hiding at the CNRP headquarters to avoid arrest after being accused of procuring a prostitute.
April 2016
Five officials arrested for alleged involvement in the case against Kem Sokha
Four officials with the human rights group Adhoc, as well as the deputy secretary-general of the National Election Committee, are arrested for involvement with the alleged prostitution case against Kem Sokha.
Nov 16, 2015
Sam Rainsy stripped of position, immunity
The government strips Sam Rainsy of his lawmaker status and immunity while the opposition leader is traveling outside Cambodia. The move paves the way for arresting him in connection with a defamation case.
Oct 2015
Mob beats two CNRP lawmakers
Pro-government mob beats two CNRP lawmakers in front of the National Assembly; the mob demands that National Assembly Vice President Kem Sokha step down.
July 13, 2015
National Assembly OKs crackdown on civil society groups
Cambodia's National Assembly approves a controversial law that critics say gives authorities sweeping power to crack down on civil society groups challenging the government.
April 2015
Bipartisan election committee formed
An overhauled National Election Committee, created by bipartisan agreement, moves to spearhead electoral reform.
July 22, 2014
CNRP, Hun Sen strike deal
The CNRP strikes deal with Prime Minister Hun Sen, ending yearlong boycott of parliament.
July 16, 2014
Opposition leaders charged with 'insurrection'
The Cambodian government charges six opposition politicians with leading an “insurrection” after a clash with security forces that prevented opposition supporters from rallying in a public park.
Jan 2014
Military police crack down on CNRP
Military police crack down on CNRP and garment worker protest, ending months of street demonstrations that leave at least four people dead.
Sept-Dec 2013
CNRP supporters protest election results
The CNRP and its supporters hold mass protests in Phnom Penh over the contested election results, calling for Hun Sen’s resignation and an election restaging.
July 28, 2013
Fifth national elections
Cambodia holds its fifth national elections, and the opposition CNRP wins 55 of 123 seats in the National Assembly. The CPP wins the remaining 68 seats. The CNRP rejects the results and launches a high-profile boycott of parliament.
July 2013
Sam Rainsy returns ahead of elections
After King Norodom Sihamoni pardons Sam Rainsy at Hun Sen’s request, the opposition leader returns to Cambodia days before the national elections.
Oct 15, 2012
King Sihanouk dies
King Norodom Sihanouk dies of a heart attack. He was 89 years old, and had spent most of his time after abdicating in 2004 outside Cambodia, favoring Beijing and Pyongyang.
July 17, 2012
CNRP was established in Manila
Top officials from the SRP and HRP meet in Manila to finalize their merger into a new party: the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
June 2012
Third commune elections
Cambodia holds third commune elections and the CPP wins 61.8 percent of communes.
Sept 2010
Sam Rainsy flees Cambodia
Sam Rainsy flees the country again, facing charges of disinformation and falsifying maps after criticizing the government’s handling of the Vietnamese border demarcation.
July 2008
CPP wins majority in national elections
Hun Sen's CPP wins a majority of votes in the national elections.
July 2007
Kem Sokha establishes HRP
Kem Sokha, who founded the human rights organization Cambodian Center for Human Rights in 2002, establishes the Human Rights Party (HRP).
April 2007
Second commune elections
Cambodia holds its second commune elections. The CPP wins 98.2 percent of communes, while the SRP wins 1.7 percent.
Oct 2006
FUNCINPEC ousts Ranariddh
The royalist FUNCINPEC party ousts Prince Ranariddh as president following an accusation by Hun Sen that the prince was appointing unqualified individuals to political positions.Ranariddh was sentenced by the lower court to 18 months in prison and fined $150,000 for alleging breach of trust for buying land with $3.6 million taken from the sale of FUNCINPEC headquarters.
March 2006
Ranariddh resigns, flees to France
Prince Ranariddh resigns as president of the National Assembly after Hun Sen fires then-Co-Minister of the Interior Norodom Sirivudh and Co-Minister of Defense Nhiek Bun Chay. Ranariddh flees to France.
Feb 2006
Sam Rainsy receives royal pardon
Rainsy returns to Cambodia after months of exile to avoid imprisonment on a defamation conviction over his criticism of the government’s border policy with Vietnam. He joins with the CPP to change the electoral law to require a simple majority rather than a two-thirds majority, leaving the royalist FUNCIPEC party less important in the coalition government.
Oct 2005
Under pressure, king signs border treaty
Hun Sen threatens to abolish Cambodia’s monarchy as King Sihamoni delays in signing a controversial border treaty with Vietnam, Cambodia's historic enemy. The king agrees to sign the treaty.
Oct 2004
Norodom Sihamoni becomes king
Norodom Sihamoni succeeds his father King Norodom Sihanouk after a surprise abdication. Prime Minister Hun Sen and National Assembly Speaker Prince Norodom Ranariddh endorse Sihamoni.
July 27, 2003
CPP wins national elections
Hun Sen re-elected as prime minister.
Feb 3, 2002
First commune elections held
Cambodia holds its first-ever commune elections. The CPP wins a majority of seats on local administrative bodies known as commune councils, and thus appoints the majority of commune chiefs.
Nov 1998
Hun Sen and Ranariddh agree to form a coalition government
Hun Sen and Ranariddh agree to form a coalition government, allowing Hun Sen to remain as the prime minister and Prince Ranariddh to become the president of the National Assembly. FUNCINPEC’s agreement with CPP left the SRP as the country’s main opposition party.
July 26, 1998
CPP wins national elections
Hun Sen's CPP wins a majority of seats in national elections, followed by FUNCINPEC and the SRP.
March 1998
Prince Ranariddh returns
Prince Ranariddh returns to Cambodia to run in the national elections.
July 1997
Troops clash in Phnom Penh; Prince Ranariddh exiled
Troops aligned with the CPP and the FUNCINPEC clash in Phnom Penh after public arguments between Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh become increasingly heated. The prince goes into exile and is ousted from his position a month later.
1995
Sam Rainsy founds KNP
Sam Rainsy founded the the opposition Khmer Nation Party (KNP).
June 1993
FUNCINPEC and CPP form coalition government
With King Norodom Sihanouk's intervention, FUNCINPEC and the CPP agree to form a coalition government, with Norodom Ranariddh as first prime minister and Hun Sen as second prime minister.
May 23-28, 1993
First post-war elections held
Cambodia holds first post-Khmer Rouge-era presidential elections under the auspices of the U.N. Hun Sen’s Cambodia People's Party, a linear descendant of the Kampuchean People’s Revolutionary Party, which gave birth to the Khmer Rouge, loses to Norodom Ranariddh’s royalist FUNCINPEC.
Oct 23, 1991
Paris Accords Accords signed
Nineteen nations sign the Paris Peace Accords, formally ending Cambodia's civil war.
Sept 26, 1989
Vietnam leaves Cambodia
Vietnamese troops leave Cambodia after a decade of occupation.
Jan 14, 1985
Hun Sen becomes prime minister
National Assembly appoints Hun Sen prime minister.
Jan 7, 1979
Khmer Rouge regime ends
A group of former Khmer Rouge soldiers, including Cambodia's future prime minister, Hun Sen, end the Khmer Rouge regime. Backed by the Vietnamese military, the group liberates Cambodia and Vietnam sponsors formation of a new Cambodian government.
April 17, 1975
Khmer Rouge takeover Cambodia
The China-backed Khmer Rouge occupy Phnom Penh. Over the next three years, eight months and 20 days, the regime will cause the deaths of at least 1.7 million people.
March 1970
Coup topples Sihanouk
U.S.-backed Gen.Lon Nol leads coup that topples Sihanouk.
April 1960
King Suramarit dies
Sihanouk accepts role as head of state.
Sept 1955
Sihanouk becomes prime minister
King Sihanouk becomes prime minister after abdicating in favor of his father, Norodom Suramarit.
Nov 9, 1953
Cambodia gains independence
King Norodom Sihanouk declares Cambodia’s independence from France.
Norodom Sihanouk
1941 Born on October 31, 1922, King Norodom Sihanouk was the grandson of King Sisowath Monivong, who reigned from 1927-1941. King Sihanouk was 18 years old when he succeeded King Monivong and Cambodia was still a French colony. Although France anointed Sihanouk for the position, in part because Paris thought he would be politically tractable, Sihanouk successfully achieved Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953, and the country became the Kingdom of Cambodia. In 1955, he founded his own political party, the Sangkum Reastr Niyum, or the “People’s Socialist Community.” That same year, King Sihanouk abdicated in favor of his father, Suramarit, and became the prime minister. After his father died in 1960, Sihanouk became the head of state.
