By Lor Chandara
The Cambodia Daily
The National Assembly passed an amendment to the Untac penal code on Friday abolishing prison sentences for the crime of defamation. By a vote of 81 of 87 lawmakers present the Assembfy set fines of between $243 to $2,428 for defamation, which remains a crime. The law had stipulated that those found guilty faced prison time of eight days to one year. "The amendment shows a positive step. This is sum of money is appropriate," CPP lawmaker Ek Sam Ol said of the fines. Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Keo Remy called on government officials to refrain from filing defamation lawsuits. "If they file a lawsuit they should have resigned from office to compete equally before the courts," he said. But Ek Sam Ol said officials have the right to use the law. "Constructive criticism is welcome but sometimes it is too excessive. For example, some people accuse the head of the royal government of being a traitor for signing a border agreement," he added.
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