ALIN Legislative News
From Royal University of Law and Economics
July 15, 2025: Amendment of the
Constitution
It is remarkable that Cambodia amended the constitution
again on July 15, 2025 aiming to revoke the nationality of Cambodian citizens.
Article 33 new clearly mentions as follows:
Khmer citizens shall not be exiled or arrested and
deported to any foreign country unless there is a mutual agreement on
extradition.
Khmer citizens residing abroad enjoy the protection of
the State.
Acquisition and Loss of Khmer nationality, including
revocation of Khmer nationality shall be determined by law.
The Article 33 old of the Constitution mentioned clearly
stated that Khmer citizens shall not be deprived of their nationality. The
original concept of the 1993 Cambodian Constitution tries to maintain the
reconciliation of Cambodian people from the fragile society due to the civil
wars. The Constitutional Council of Cambodia mentioned in the letter sent to
the king that the attempt to amend Article 33 is the allow the opportunity for
the law makers to deprive the Cambodian nationality from any Cambodian citizens
who commit treason or conspiracy with foreigners affecting the national
interests or the interests of citizens especially the act of colluding with
foreigners to destroy the national security, people’s peace and great national
interest. Therefore, Cambodia is necessary to have legal tool to deprive of
the Khmer nationality from Cambodian citizens.
Author: Phalthy Hap
Topic: Deprivation of
Cambodian Nationality
Jurisdiction: Cambodia
Date: October 21, 2025