Cambodia’s Constitutional Council has officially informed His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni that the proposed amendment to Article 33 of the Constitution is legally feasible. This significant decision was reached during a plenary session of the Council on July 2, which was presided over by its newly appointed Chairman, Mr. Hi Sophea.
The plenary session was specifically convened by the Constitutional Council’s Secretariat to thoroughly review, discuss, and formulate its official opinion regarding a royal message from His Majesty dated June 30, 2025. In this message, the King had sought the Council’s expert advice on the request to amend Article 33 of the Kingdom of Cambodia’s Constitution.
Following its extensive deliberations, the Constitutional Council formally conveyed to His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodia’s revered Head of State, its conclusion that ‘the request to amend Article 33 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia can be proceeded with.’ The full text of the Council’s detailed opinion to the King is expected to be publicly accessible on its official website, www.coc.gov.kh, as further elaborated by the Secretariat.
Chapter 3, Article 33 of the Cambodian Constitution currently stipulates that a Khmer citizen cannot be deprived of their nationality, deported, or extradited to any foreign country. This safeguard is conditional, allowing such actions only under specific circumstances involving mutual agreements with other nations. This article serves as a fundamental protection for the rights of Cambodian citizens concerning their national identity and freedom of movement.
Complementing this, the revised Article 49 of the Constitution mandates that all Cambodian citizens must prioritize the national interest above all else. It further explicitly prohibits any direct or indirect actions that could adversely affect the interests of Cambodia and its people, reinforcing the principle of national loyalty.
The initiative for this significant constitutional amendment stems from a proposal made by Senate President Samdech Hun Sen. He had urged the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly explore the possibility of amending the Constitution to enable the revocation of Cambodian citizenship from individuals found to be colluding with foreign entities in ways that undermine Cambodia’s national security or sovereign interests.
Speaking at a gathering with provincial, municipal, district, commune, and sangkat council members in Preah Vihear province on June 27, Samdech Hun Sen emphasized the critical need for Cambodia to amend its Constitution. His rationale was to ensure that the nation remains fully protected from foreign interference and exploitation, particularly when such interference might involve its own citizens. He stressed that such an amendment would serve to further secure and uphold the country’s paramount national interests.
It is noteworthy that Cambodia has undertaken constitutional amendments ten times since its constitution was first adopted in 1993. The most recent amendment prior to this current proposal was enacted in 2022, reflecting the nation’s ongoing efforts to adapt and refine its foundational legal framework.
