Voice of America
Phnom Penh
26/10/2006
Click here to listen to Yim Sovann talks about Conscription on 'Hello VOA' (Real Media Player required and can be downloaded for free here)
Cambodia's national assembly has voted on Wednesday to introduce a military draft bill. The conscription makes it mandatory for young men and women between 18 and 30 years to serve 18 months in the military.
A government spokesman said conscription was an important way of reinforcing the army.
In an interview with BBC, opposition leader Sam Rainsy warned that the new law would help the government hide one of its major failures - unemployment.
Sam Rainsy said that, “every year, around 300, 000 young people the age of 18 and cannot find jobs”, and because of this they are in some way forced to join the army.
Defense Minister, Tea Banh commended the passing of the bill, and says that Cambodia can increase its military capacity up to 2,000 people.
About half of Cambodia’s population is currently under 18 years old.
Cambodia Center for Human Rights (CCHR) does not support the new conscription, saying that this might have a negative impact for people in poverty.
A government spokesman said conscription was an important way of reinforcing the army.
In an interview with BBC, opposition leader Sam Rainsy warned that the new law would help the government hide one of its major failures - unemployment.
Sam Rainsy said that, “every year, around 300, 000 young people the age of 18 and cannot find jobs”, and because of this they are in some way forced to join the army.
Defense Minister, Tea Banh commended the passing of the bill, and says that Cambodia can increase its military capacity up to 2,000 people.
About half of Cambodia’s population is currently under 18 years old.
Cambodia Center for Human Rights (CCHR) does not support the new conscription, saying that this might have a negative impact for people in poverty.
1 comment:
I have said many time already that this law is illegal because the Chairman of the Nationa Assembly has asked all members to vote by raising hand. This raising hand system is very undemocratic and represente a thread and fear. It doesn't allow member to vote according to their conscience. Therefore, the opposition can propose this rules to the King not to approve it. It is shame for CPP to create this law.
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