Cambodia’s Justice System Plagued by Corruption, Inefficiency

Phnom Penh, Cambodia - The judicial system in Cambodia has been plagued by numerous shortcomings, including corruption, government constraints, and lack of access to information on legal rights.

Judiciary Criticized for Corruption

The judiciary is widely regarded as corrupt, with judges often facilitating unlawful charges against activists and journalists on behalf of the ruling party.
Overcrowding and underfunding in jails, with thousands of Cambodians detained without trial in so-called drug rehabilitation centers.

COVID-19 Exacerbates Issues

Limited prisoner access to lawyers or family visitors during the pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, there were reports that prison guards and officials often demanded bribes from inmates before allowing them to see visitors, attend their own hearings, or leave after serving the full term of their imprisonment.

Law Enforcement Struggles

The Cambodian National Police (CNP) is understaffed, undertrained, and underequipped in many rural areas.
Corruption among high-level officials has hindered the effectiveness of the CNP.
“The patronage system results in police officials having to pay a proportion of their salary to their superiors, which leads to greater police corruption and less time spent tackling organized crime,” said a source.

Border Issues

The porous border between Cambodia and its neighbors, Vietnam and Thailand, has made it a key transit zone for drug and human trafficking.
Despite efforts to improve cross-border cooperation and enhance border security, Cambodian authorities struggle to stop the activity of organized crime and trafficking groups in and around border areas.

Economic and Financial Environment

Cambodia is ranked as having one of the highest risks for money laundering and terrorist financing worldwide due to its weak anti-money laundering regime, cash- based economy, porous borders, and limited capacity to oversee the fast-growing financial and banking industries.
The country’s casino industry has also been linked to money laundering, with highly favorable tax rates encouraging illegal activities.

Cambodia lacks support mechanisms for trafficking victims, and authorities have failed to identify and protect victims among vulnerable populations.
The country’s criminal law does regulate protection for witnesses and whistleblowers, but implementation remains weak.
The Cambodian government has also been criticized for its handling of gender-based violence, with limited information available on the effectiveness of community-based policing initiatives.

NGOs Under Attack

Civil society organizations in Cambodia have faced increased harassment from the government, including journalists, human rights defenders, and trade unions.
The country’s press freedom is severely restricted, and negative reporting on the government can result in arrests or harassment of journalists.
Despite these challenges, some civil society organizations continue to contribute to the protection of victims and witnesses in cases of child sexual exploitation and forced labor.

Call for Action

The Cambodian government has been urged to address the numerous issues plaguing its justice system, law enforcement agencies, and economy. Until then, the country’s citizens will remain vulnerable to corruption, inefficiency, and organized crime.