This is Cambodia’s first-ever historic report based on existing data in response to a lack of comprehensive, holistic, and consistent national data for planning indigenous peoples’ development.
It is a joint effort of the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Rural Development, with support from the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs/Division for Social Policy and Development, Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization, Heinrich Boll Foundation, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Oxfam in Cambodia, Diakonia, and Norwegian People’s Aid.
The Kingdom of Cambodia, one of the United Nations’ 143 member states, ratified the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a document on indigenous peoples’ human rights, in 2007. At the same time, numerous laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia recognize and safeguard indigenous peoples’ rights, particularly the right to communal land, the ability to engage in traditional business without discrimination, and the right to manage its existing community according to traditional rules.
According to the research on the demographic and socioeconomic situation of indigenous peoples in Cambodia, there are approximately 22 indigenous species in Cambodia, with 179,193 people in 2008 and a 0.51 percent growth in 2013, with 183,831 people.
Indigenous peoples about 1.25% of the total population in Cambodia includes:
Bounong, Kuy, Tampoun, Jarai, Kreung, Preav, Kavet, Steang, Kroal, Milka, Kachak, Por, Khoang, Chung, Suy, Thmorn, Lun, Souch, Rodekhi,r Khek, Roeng, Spong, Lern Samre, who is living in 15 provinces such as Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Stung Treng, Oddar Meanchey, Tbong Khmum, Pursat, Kampong Speu, Koh Kong, Battambang, Sihanoukville, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap.
