A review board has recommended a six-month suspension of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's Facebook and Instagram accounts due to his use of language that could incite violence. The Oversight Board, an independent body established by Meta, made this non-binding recommendation in a detailed report. Simultaneously, the board overturned Facebook's decision to allow a video of Hun Sen threatening his political opponents. In the video, the prime minister warned of legal action or physical harm if accusations of vote stealing continued. This ruling to remove the video is binding on Facebook.

The board's recommendation to suspend Hun Sen's accounts stems from his history of human rights violations, intimidation tactics against political rivals, and his strategic exploitation of social media to amplify these threats. Facebook acknowledged the board's decision and stated it will remove the offending content, further reviewing the recommendation to suspend the accounts. A formal response is expected within 60 days.

Hun Sen, a long-time leader of Cambodia, preemptively announced his shift from Facebook to Telegram. He cited Telegram's effectiveness and ease of use, especially when traveling to countries that restrict Facebook access. Human Rights Watch applauded the board's decision, emphasizing the importance of holding political leaders accountable for online incitement. A spokesperson for Hun Sen's party declined to comment extensively, citing unfamiliarity with Facebook's regulations, but pointed to a perceived double standard where foreign media critical of the prime minister face no repercussions.

Initially, Facebook moderators had decided against taking action against Hun Sen, claiming his remarks didn't violate community standards. Upon appeal, senior moderators argued that his position as a national leader made his statements newsworthy, exempting him from punishment. However, three external users and Meta itself appealed these rulings to the Oversight Board. This case highlights the growing concern surrounding political figures using social media to potentially instigate violence, drawing comparisons to similar instances involving leaders in other countries and former U.S. President Donald Trump.