LGBTQIA+ Forum advances progress towards marriage equality in Cambodia
The Commission partnered with the Cambodia Human Rights Committee to convene a LGBT+ inclusion, equality and non-discrimination knowledge and experience exchange forum in March 2026
Recently the Commission partnered with the Cambodia Human Rights Committee (CHRC) to convene a LGBT+ inclusion, equality and non-discrimination knowledge and experience exchange forum. The Forum was part of the Southeast Asia Government to Government Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Cambodia, like many countries in Southeast Asia, has not yet legalised marriage equality. Same-sex relations are not criminalised, but there is limited legal recognition of family rights, and persistent stigma and discrimination that the ability of same-sex couples to live openly together.
However, there is growing public discussion and momentum for marriage equality. Following a recent human rights review of Cambodia (the fourth cycle Universal Period Review in 2024), the Government of Cambodia accepted twelve recommendations concerning LGBT+ people’s equal rights, including the recommendation by Australia to “continue positive progress to full equality for LGBTQIA+ persons, including moving toward legalizing same-sex marriage”. The Forum was a pivotal step in Australia’s support to Cambodia in implementing this recommendation.
The Forum convened 101 participants, including representatives of 13 Ministries and 20 CSOs and community members to build awareness of LGBT+ community needs and priorities, and good practices for ensuring LGBT+ equality and inclusion. The Commission facilitated a knowledge sharing session on Australia’s marriage equality legislation, which featured Hayley Conway, CEO of Pride Cup and board member of Equality Australia, and Rachel Power, Associate Director, Deloitte Access Economics, who shared learnings on the social and economic benefits of LGBTQIA+ equality measures in Australia.
This sharing of good practices and practical measures towards marriage equality from the Commission was warmly welcomed by CHRC, who made its most firm public statements to date in support of LGBT+ rights. Her Excellency Long Sonita, Vice-President of the CHRC stated:
Equality is not a challenge to tradition; it is an affirmation of our shared humanity and universal human dignity. We acknowledge that legal recognition serves as an effective tool for influencing societal perceptions, promoting acceptance and curbing discrimination.
The Commission and CHRC will continue to collaborate on this work, with a follow-up activity scheduled for later in 2026.
Through building trusted partnerships and showcasing the depth of Australian expertise on LGBTQIA+ rights, the Commission is able to strengthen the commitment of partners to advocate for equality in Cambodia and beyond.
