Who is Mother Nature Cambodia?

The NGO Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC), winner of the 2023 Right Livelihood Award (the "Alternative Nobel Prize"), uses non-violent and media-effective campaigns to oppose the powerful political and economic forces that are destroying Cambodia's environment.

Since 2012, MNC has been documenting and exposing systematic abuses such as illegal logging, water pollution, destructive dam projects and illegal sand dredging. In doing so, the NGO also uncovers the corruption and massive revenue losses to the state that are related to these issues.

One of MNC's main focuses is the protection of Koh Kong, Cambodia's largest island, from deforestation, destructive construction projects, sand dredging, mega-tourism and questionable land concessions.

Why were the five activists criminalised and imprisoned?

Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC) has reached millions of people, exposed injustices and raised environmental awareness. As a result, the NGO has been subjected to surveillance, intimidation and politically motivated persecution.

Long Kunthea, Ly Chandaravuth, Phuon Keoraksmey, Thun Ratha and Yim Leanghy are among the ten activists of Mother Nature Cambodia who were convicted in Phnom Penh on 2 July 2024. All five activists were sentenced to six years in prison for "conspiracy against the state". Yim Leanghy also received an additional eight-year prison sentence and a fine of 10 million riel (approx. 2,500 USD) for "insulting the king".

This is not the first time that MNC activists have been sentenced to imprisonment and fines. The Cambodian authorities have acted against MNC on several occasions: arrests in connection with a planned peaceful demonstration in September 2020, further arrests in June 2021 for documenting water pollution, and the current charges of "conspiracy" and "insulting the king". The allegations are based on the NGO's activities between 2012 and 2021 and the “evidence” used includes illegally obtained private communications data and information extracted during police interrogations using psychological pressure and emotional intimidation.

What has happened since their incarceration?

Since July 2024, the five activists have been held in prisons across Cambodia, hundreds of kilometres away from their families and legal counsel. Living conditions in Cambodian prisons are notoriously poor, characterised by overcrowding, poor hygiene and lack of access to potable water and food. According to the international observatory World Prison Brief, Cambodia is one of the countries with the highest prison overcrowding rates in the world, with an occupancy rate of around 409%.

The activists’ appeal against the convictions from July 2024 has been significantly delayed and their requests for release on bail have been rejected multiple times, most recently in March 2026.

The long-term imprisonment of the five environmental defenders is intended to silence them and send a chilling effect. However, the courage and conviction of these young activists continue to inspire many people in Cambodia.

That's why we need you:

• The five activists of Mother Nature Cambodia should not have to spend another day in detention for peacefully campaigning to protect Cambodia's forests and rivers.

• At least 96 people are currently in detention in Cambodia for political reasons. Human rights violations and environmental destruction in Cambodia must finally come to an end.

The Bruno Manser Fonds is working with international partners and using United Nations and diplomatic instruments to build political pressure for the release of the five.

But for this we need your help. 

Sign our petition now – and support the campaign with a donation.