(Kyodo) - Cambodia's National Assembly adopted a law on monogamy Friday that will include up to a year in jail for adulterers. Heng Samrin, president of the National Assembly, told reporters the law is aimed at "protecting dignity and strengthening harmony and mutual respect" between a husband and a wife.
The law says Cambodian citizens must have only one husband or wife, and if they take a second spouse or lover, it will be viewed as a criminal act.
If a person has an affair while they are married, they will be fined from $50 and $250 and could spend between a month and a year in jail, according to the new law.
If a person formally marries a second husband or wife when they are already married, they will be liable to the same fine and between six months and a year in the prison.
Khuon Sodary, a lawmaker from the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said she fully supports the law, saying it reflects the current situation in Cambodia.
"The law will help reduce corruption as government officials are currently acquiring money dishonestly to lavish on their mistresses," she said.
Critics, however, say treating adultery as crime is hard to accept in a modern and civilized society.
Eng Chhay Eang, an opposition lawmaker from Sam Rainsy Party, said such a law could only apply in the Khmer Rouge regime of late 1970s or the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Khieu Kanharith, the information minister and government spokesman, also disagreed with the law, calling to too extreme.
"Cambodia should not be too extreme because the country is not a society of all Buddhist monks," he told reporters.
The initiators of the law were six female parliamentarians and senators from the ruling CPP.
Chan Bopha, 43, a cosmetic seller in Phnom Penh, opined that once the law is put in force, and "if it is really implemented," Cambodia "might not have enough prisons."
Heng Samrin said the legislation would affect anybody that has multiple spouses, and will also help reduce social problems and poverty.
"The law will help reduce poverty in the country because there have been many domestic disputes and divorces due to extramarital affairs," he said.
Koul Panha, director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, suggested CPP officials may be afraid that extramarital affairs are undermining their powerful family dynasties, which are cemented by intermarriage among the political and business elite.
The law says Cambodian citizens must have only one husband or wife, and if they take a second spouse or lover, it will be viewed as a criminal act.
If a person has an affair while they are married, they will be fined from $50 and $250 and could spend between a month and a year in jail, according to the new law.
If a person formally marries a second husband or wife when they are already married, they will be liable to the same fine and between six months and a year in the prison.
Khuon Sodary, a lawmaker from the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said she fully supports the law, saying it reflects the current situation in Cambodia.
"The law will help reduce corruption as government officials are currently acquiring money dishonestly to lavish on their mistresses," she said.
Critics, however, say treating adultery as crime is hard to accept in a modern and civilized society.
Eng Chhay Eang, an opposition lawmaker from Sam Rainsy Party, said such a law could only apply in the Khmer Rouge regime of late 1970s or the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Khieu Kanharith, the information minister and government spokesman, also disagreed with the law, calling to too extreme.
"Cambodia should not be too extreme because the country is not a society of all Buddhist monks," he told reporters.
The initiators of the law were six female parliamentarians and senators from the ruling CPP.
Chan Bopha, 43, a cosmetic seller in Phnom Penh, opined that once the law is put in force, and "if it is really implemented," Cambodia "might not have enough prisons."
Heng Samrin said the legislation would affect anybody that has multiple spouses, and will also help reduce social problems and poverty.
"The law will help reduce poverty in the country because there have been many domestic disputes and divorces due to extramarital affairs," he said.
Koul Panha, director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, suggested CPP officials may be afraid that extramarital affairs are undermining their powerful family dynasties, which are cemented by intermarriage among the political and business elite.
2 comments:
Yes, I am okay with Mr Heng but I didnot agree with the CPP government because their said but not obey the law, it just for low residents and low rang offier but the stop rang. the dog said pleace dont lestion but you have to listion but pleace to listion the monk bestter or keep your child in school okay Mr. HS and HL
Sdach Thmil Sihanouss
What do you think of this law.
You will hear soon Your beloved son AH- KROM -PRET RUNNER-RIDDH, your other SON and Your ROTTEN FAMILY will be in prison for having a mistress. And why not YOURSELF?
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