Political science recognises a phenomenon known as family dictatorship in which – as its name suggests - political power passes within the dictator’s family. Although reminiscent of medieval times where kings, sultans and pharaohs based their authority on divine right, family dictatorship is not naturally required by law. In some cases, a special law might be enacted to formally nominate one particular family member of the present leader as successor.

The European Union (EU) recently told Cambodia that the Kingdom will lose its special access to the world's largest trading bloc, saying that it was ready to punish human rights abuses in the country. The EU warned that it has launched a six-month review of Cambodia's duty-free access to the EU; meaning garments, sugar and other exports could face tariffs within the next 12 months.

Cambodia has witnessed strong growth in terms of its internet penetration rates. In July, Telecommunication Regulator Cambodia spokesperson Im Vutha said the total number of internet users as of the end of June had reached 12 million, up from 10.8 million in December. The number pushes the Kingdom closer to its 2020 goal where the government expects that 100 percent of the urban dwellers and 80 percent of rural dwellers will have access to the internet.

Cambodia's opposition leader Kem Sokha was released from jail early Monday a year after he was detained on treason charges, as the country's strongman ruler loosens his grip on opponents after sweeping one-sided elections.Over a 33-year rule, the wily Hun Sen has tightened and relaxed his chokehold on opponents at will, most recently launching a broad crackdown in the run-up to July elections that gifted his ruling party an uncontested victory.As part of that action, Kem Sokha, the

Two journalists were freed from jail in Cambodia on Tuesday, a day after a prominent land rights activist was pardoned, as the government loosens its grip on dissenters in the wake of a flawed election victory last month.Cambodia's king pardoned land campaigner Tep Vanny late Monday at the request of strongman prime minister Hun Sen, days after he officially extended his 33-year grip on power.And on Tuesday, two journalists who had worked for the US-backed broadcaster Radio Free Asia (RF

Democracy is a four-letter word in Cambodia.After 33 years in power, the country’s strongman leader, Hun Sen is set to prolong his rule when his party, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) announced its victory in a one-horse election.

Along a busy highway in western Phnom Penh, Sam Han is among hundreds of garment factory workers scurrying past signs urging them to support Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party.The 44-year-old plans to head to her hometown near the Vietnamese border to vote in Sunday’s election, even though there’s not much of a choice.

Cambodian political parties on Saturday kicked off a three-week-long campaign for a controversial general election later this month, which strongman Hun Sen is poised to sweep after the main opposition were disbanded and their senior members driven into self-exile.Hun Sen – who has ruled Cambodia for 33 years – told a sea of supporters dressed in matching T-shirts adorned with the logo of his ruling party, that his government would ensure peace, economic growth and raise salaries for the key

Cambodia has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising young markets in recent years, with its construction and garments industries in particular attracting the lion’s share of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the nation, which amounted to US$1.92 billion in 2016.Part of the appeal to regional and Chinese investors, who have wasted no time in relocating manufacturing bases to or launching new ones in the Southeast Asian kingdom, is Cambodia’s young population, more than half whom ar

Cambodian premier, Hun Sen who has held on to power for over 30 years, is now a “fully fledged military dictator” according to a new report by the Human Rights Watch (HRW). The report also highlighted the entrenched militaristic ties that Hun Sen has nurtured and developed with 12 individuals that became the “backbone” of his autocratic regime.