Five environmental defenders from Mother Nature Cambodia—Long Kunthea, Yim Leanghy, Thun Ratha, Phuon Keoraksmey, and Ly Chandaravuth—have spent nearly a year and a half in prison awaiting their appeal hearing. Since their July 2024 conviction by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, they have remained imprisoned and isolated, separated not only from their families but also from one another. On 2 July 2024, the five activists were convicted of "plotting," with Yim Leanghy facing an additional conviction for "lèse-majesté." They were sentenced to terms ranging from six to eight years; five other members were convicted in absentia on the same day. The Phnom Penh Appeal Court originally scheduled their hearing for 26 June 2025. However, just days before the date, the trial was postponed, reportedly due to administrative issues regarding court summons for those convicted in absentia. Throughout this period, the five bail requests have been repeatedly rejected: bail requests were denied by the Appeal Court on 17 February and 1 December 2025, and by the Supreme Court on 30 April 2025, and 2 March 2026.

In May 2026, defense lawyers received a notification from the Phnom Penh Appeal Court inviting them to an appeal hearing scheduled for 2 June 2026. However, days later, the court postponed the hearing without setting a new date, citing the 'personal duties of the Presiding Judge.' 2 July 2026, marked two years of imprisonment of five Mother Nature activists following their conviction—all without an appeal hearing ever taking place. Throughout these two years, the activists have remained behind bars, separated from their families and from one another.

Cambodia: Conviction of youth activists a further blow to Cambodia’s environmental movement

Potential violations of the right to a fair trial for five Mother Nature Cambodia activists https://cchrcambodia.org/en/publications/briefing-note/potential-violations-of-the-right-to-a-fair-trial-for-five-mother-nature-cambodia-activists