A group of young activists in Cambodia, passionate about protecting the country’s fragile environment, faced serious legal repercussions for their peaceful campaigns. Mother Nature Cambodia, a group praised by climate activist Greta Thunberg, has recently faced the sentencing of ten of its members to up to six years in prison on charges of conspiracy against the state.

These activists, who successfully opposed a hydroelectric dam project in 2015, were accused by the Cambodian government of inciting social unrest. However, his supporters see the sentence as part of a broader crackdown on environmental activism in the region.

Fridays for Future, the global climate strike movement founded by Thunberg, called for the immediate release of Mother Nature Cambodia activists, condemning their imprisonment as a suppression of environmental advocacy. Exiled opposition leader Mu Sochua criticized the conviction and claimed that Cambodian courts are used to suppress public speech.

Cambodia, a country rich in natural resources, is facing major environmental threats such as illegal logging, water pollution and an increase in plastic waste. Despite having about 46% forest cover, deforestation and wildlife crimes continue to endanger the country’s biodiversity, according to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Critics argue that these environmental threats worsened under Hun Sen’s nearly four-decade rule. Although his son, Hun Manet, succeeded him as prime minister, Hun Sen remains a powerful figure within the ruling party.

Alejandro González-Davidson, co-founder of Mother Nature Cambodia, highlighted that climate activism in Cambodia focuses on the exploitation of natural resources by powerful tycoons and corrupt officials. The Ica describes the nation’s environmental problems as a result of officials exploiting the environment for profit, leading to the systemic destruction of natural habitats.

Although the government denies the charges for political reasons, activists and their supporters see the recent sentence as a move to silence dissent. The group’s peaceful demonstration outside the court on the day of the sentencing quickly turned chaotic, with activists and supporters facing violent arrests by armed police.

Founded in 2012, Mother Nature Cambodia has been openly opposed to environmental destruction and state corruption. His effective use of social media earned him a large following among Cambodian youth. In 2023, the group received the Right Livelihood Award, often called the “Alternative Nobel Prize”, for its courageous struggle for environmental rights and democracy.

Mother Nature Cambodia’s innovative and often humorous protests had a wide resonance, particularly on platforms like TikTok. Its viral content has exposed several environmental violations, such as illegal exports of rare silica sand and unauthorized coastal constructions, involving the young public in the defense of the environment.

Despite the threats, harassment and legal challenges they face, the group remains determined. Gonzalez-Davidson, who had been sentenced to eight years in prison, expressed hope that the sentence would inspire a new generation of environmental activists in Cambodia. She emphasizes that the spirit of the movement remains intact and that the public campaign must continue.

The imprisonment of these activists drew international attention, and the United Nations Human Rights expressed concern about the use of “lèse majesté laws” and other legal measures to suppress human rights for Cambodia. The global community continues to watch closely how Cambodia’s environmental and political landscapes are evolving.

The plight of Mother Nature Cambodia underscores the broader struggle for environmental justice and freedom of expression in the affected regions natural resources are threatened. As the group’s members face imprisonment, their efforts highlight the urgent need for sustainable environmental policies and the protection of activists around the world.