Cambodia’s parliament unanimously approved a constitutional amendment Friday allowing citizenship to be revoked for those accused of colluding with foreign powers, raising concerns it could be used to silence critics.

Previously, the constitution guaranteed that no citizen could be stripped of nationality or exiled. The new wording states that nationality can be “received, lost, and revoked by law.” Justice Minister Koeut Rith said this change paves the way for legislation targeting individuals who act against national interests, adding, “If you betray the nation, the nation will not keep you.”

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the move as a potential tool for political repression and a violation of international law. Amnesty warned it could render dissidents stateless.

The push for the amendment followed former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s call to penalize Cambodians who “side with foreign nations,” after exiled opposition figures criticized the government during a border dispute with Thailand.

Although authorities claim the law targets only acts of treason, critics fear it will be used to suppress dissent. Cambodia has a history of jailing opposition members, including Kem Sokha, sentenced in 2023 to 27 years for treason—a charge he denies.

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