Indigenous peoples in Cambodia

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The indigenous peoples of Cambodia comprise approximately 20 different groups. The size of the indigenous population is unknown. 1.34% of the total population or approximately 179,000 people, however, reported an indigenous language as their mother tongue in the 2008 population census.

Legislation concerning indigenous peoples

The 1993 Cambodian Constitution guarantees all citizens the same rights, “regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religious belief”. In recent years, the Cambodian government has made reference to indigenous peoples (literally, indigenous minority peoples) in various laws and policies. These include:

• 2001 Land Law
• 2002 Forestry Law
• 2009 National Policy on Development of Indigenous Minorities
• 2009 Policy on Registration and Right to Use of Land of Indigenous Communities in Cambodia
• 2009 Sub-Decree on Procedures of Registration of Land of Indigenous Communitie

In 2010, an indigenous community was granted a collective title for the first time. Protection of indigenous peoples’ land rights is, however, vastly inadequate and threatened by the increase in granting of concessions for plantations, mining and hydroelectric dams.

Yearly update

Read the 2012 yearbook article on indigenous peoples in Cambodia to learn about major developments and events during 2011 (internal link)

Download the 2011 yearbook article on indigenous peoples in Cambodia to read more about major developments and events during 2010