The Cambodian Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure in Comparative Perspective

This report summarizes the key findings and recommendations of a comparative review of Cambodia’s Penal Code (2009) and Code of Criminal Procedure (2007). The analysis assesses the Cambodian legal framework against German law, international human rights standards, and the country’s institutional realities, examining both the legal provisions and the challenges of their implementation in practice. Based on a systematic article-by-article review, the study identifies strengths, gaps, and opportunities for reform, with a particular focus on provisions that raise legal or practical concerns. It builds on the 2022 study “Criminal Justice in Asia: Focus on Procedural Law in Cambodia” and incorporates insights from the civil society workshop on the review of the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure held in October 2025. The report aims to support informed dialogue on strengthening Cambodia’s criminal justice system and advancing the rule of law.