September 03, 2026

The Khmer Movement for Democracy (KMD) strongly condemns the seven-year prison sentence imposed on Thy Thoan, 25, Vice President of a youth association in Cambodia, following two years of pre-trial detention.

This sentence is deeply unjust and sends a dangerous message to Cambodia’s young generation.

At 25 years old, Thi Thoan should be contributing his energy, ideas, and leadership to his community and to the future of Cambodia—not spending seven years behind bars.

Thi Thoan is not alone. He is among many Cambodian young who have been imprisoned or prosecuted for peacefully expressing their views, defending their communities, or advocating for Cambodia’s environment and future. This includes five youth environmental activists from Mother Nature Cambodia, who have also faced imprisonment for their peaceful activism.

Young people are not a threat to Cambodia. They are Cambodia’s greatest national human resource and its future.

When a young Cambodian leader is imprisoned after years of pre-trial detention, it creates fear among an entire generation and discourages young people from participating in civic life, speaking openly, and taking responsibility for their country’s future.

Cambodia cannot achieve genuine peace, reconciliation, development, or democracy by silencing and imprisoning its youth.

KMD calls on the Cambodian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Thi Thoan and to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all young Cambodians.

We also call on the international community, including Cambodia’s partners and human rights institutions, to closely monitor his case and speak out against the criminalization of peaceful civic participation.

The future of Cambodia belongs to its youth.

Free Thy Thoan.

Let Cambodia’s youth speak.

Let Cambodia’s youth lead.

Let Cambodia’s youth build the future.