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Free Theary Seng
Cambodian-American human rights lawyer. Genocide survivor. Senator Mardi Seng's sister. Jailed for Facebook posts.
1,554days imprisoned
Free Theary Seng
Imprisoned since 14 June 2022
Who she is
Theary Seng
Theary Seng survived the Khmer Rouge as a small child — she was in the prison camp with Mardi when their mother was taken — and grew up in Michigan. She studied international relations at Georgetown University and law at the University of Michigan, returned to Cambodia, and became one of the country's best-known human rights advocates.
On 14 June 2022 the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced her to six years in prison for “conspiracy to commit treason” and “incitement” over social-media posts critical of then-Prime Minister Hun Sen, in a mass trial of some sixty defendants. She arrived at court dressed as the Statue of Liberty in chains.
Timeline
Four years, documented
- 14 June 2022
Sentenced to six years; imprisoned
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted her of “conspiracy to commit treason” and “incitement”.
- June 2023
UN rules the detention arbitrary
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found her detention arbitrary and politically motivated, and called for immediate release.
- December 2023
Hunger strike and hospitalisation
Nine U.S. senators and nine representatives, led by Senator Edward Markey, urged the State Department to designate her wrongfully detained.
- 2024
Transferred to Prey Sar Prison, Phnom Penh
Her brother told Radio Free Asia she is strong and maintains her innocence.
- 1–14 June 2025
Fourteen-day hunger strike
Cambodian civil-society groups called for her unconditional release.
- May 2026
Kem Sokha pardoned; Theary Seng is not
The opposition leader convicted in the same crackdown was pardoned.
- 14 June 2026
Four years in prison
Take action
How to help free Theary Seng
2. Write to your representative
For visitors in the United States: ask them to support her designation as wrongfully detained.
3. Follow the case
4. Support the advocates
Coverage
Theary Seng in the press
- Radio Free Asia — interview with her brother (March 2024)
- UCA News — four years in a Cambodian jail (June 2026)
- The Cambodia Daily — civil society calls for release (June 2025)
- Senator Markey — letter to the State Department (December 2023)
- The Diplomat — could Cambodia's new prime minister release Theary Seng? (October 2023)
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1,554 days. Free Theary Seng.
#FreeThearySeng
Mardi Seng · mardiseng.com