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Japan, the US, and other donors have an opportunity to halt Cambodia's slide into authoritarianism, but only if they take firm action at a meeting this week.

In 2005 Cambodia's opposition political leaders were driven abroad or arrested, while journalists, labor activists, and human rights defenders were charged with criminal defamation and incitement. While most of the complaints were withdrawn early this year, these activists remain vulnerable to re-arrest and prosecution.

The activists represent the last elements of openness and political pluralism in Cambodia.  For them to be silenced will be devastating for the Cambodian people.

Major international donor countries and institutions can influence the Cambodian government to turn away from authoritarianism and repression.

This week we are asking you to do something different: please call on Cambodia's major donors, including the U.S., Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, to make the vulnerable situation of Cambodian human rights defenders a part of their dialogue with the Cambodian government, and to hold Cambodia to its promises to respect human rights.

Learn more about recent criminal defamation cases brought against activists, journalists and politicians in Cambodia.