Recognition of same-sex unions in Cambodia

It can serve as an evidence-based documentation of a relationship for same-sex couples; "Written in accordance with key elements of Cambodian civil law, the [Declaration] is legally non-binding but nonetheless creates an immediate and interim protective tool that same-sex couples can access despite not yet being able to legally marry under Cambodian law.

Khav Sokha and Pum Eth were married on 12 March 1995 in the village of Kro Bao Ach Kok, Kandal, where they are from.

Sokha said in an interview with The Phnom Penh Post, "The authorities thought it was strange, but they agreed to tolerate it because I have three children already (from a previous marriage).

It was a popular event, with 250 people coming to the ceremony and partying, including Buddhist monks and high officials from the province.

[2][15][16] Following the enactment of the Constitution of Nepal in September 2015, several governmental organisations and spokespeople expressed support for same-sex marriage and partnerships in Cambodia.

[18] In May 2017, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) announced it would hold a referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage if elected to government.

The Khmer National United Party (KNUP) likewise said they would consider legalising same-sex marriage if they won the 2018 general election.

[19][20] They resulted in a widely expected landslide victory for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), which won all 125 seats in the National Assembly.

[27][28] At Cambodia's third Universal Periodic Review on 30 January 2019, Iceland, the Netherlands and Canada recommended the government to legalize same-sex marriage.

[33] In December 2023, LGBT activists and government representatives met to discuss the legalization of same-sex marriage, and suggested the formation of a joint working group to begin drafting legislation.

[3][34] According to a 2018 report by CamAsean Youth's Future, a group that works to promote LGBT rights, there were about 6,000 same-sex couples in Cambodia.

This level of support was the third highest among the six Southeast Asian countries polled, behind Vietnam at 65% and Thailand at 60%, but ahead of Singapore at 45%, Malaysia at 17%, and Indonesia at 5%.