Original report from Phnom Penh
04/07/2007
The Center for Social Development said Tuesday it was concerned over "deteriorating freedom speech" and "troubling self-censorship" in the National Assembly, following a month observing the nation's lawmaking body.
Six observers monitored the National Assembly between March 21 and June 26, finding that parliamentarians who spoke out over the country's ills were shouted down by ruling party representatives.
Members from Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party who criticized the Assembly, the government or draft laws under debate were "effectively silenced" and reprimanded for "disrespecting internal regulations" and "wasting time," the Center said in a statement.
Some draft laws offered up by members not of the Cambodian People's Party were "completely rejected," the Center said.
"Due to the National Assembly's routine silencing and intimidation of parliamentarians who oppose the current government's agenda, it has stifled its own internal debate and imposed a culture of fear and self-censorship," the Center said.
National Assembly President Heng Samrin, from the ruling party, said the group's findings "cannot be accepted." "The National Assembly does not restrict anything," he said. "Having freedom and democracy means there is expression of opinion. But you speak on the subject and speak correctly according to the given time.
The National Assembly does not pressure [anyone], does not oppress freedom."
CPP legislator Chiem Yeap called the findings "destructive criticism."
But the Center's executive director, Seng Theary, said her monitors found that "courageous people" went unprotected in the Assembly.
Ruling party lawmakers "should not dismiss those opinions, and should not think that this is an opposition party, a royalist party, any party," she said.
Of the National Assembly's 123 seats, the CPP holds 73, Funcinpec 26 and SRP 24.
Six observers monitored the National Assembly between March 21 and June 26, finding that parliamentarians who spoke out over the country's ills were shouted down by ruling party representatives.
Members from Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party who criticized the Assembly, the government or draft laws under debate were "effectively silenced" and reprimanded for "disrespecting internal regulations" and "wasting time," the Center said in a statement.
Some draft laws offered up by members not of the Cambodian People's Party were "completely rejected," the Center said.
"Due to the National Assembly's routine silencing and intimidation of parliamentarians who oppose the current government's agenda, it has stifled its own internal debate and imposed a culture of fear and self-censorship," the Center said.
National Assembly President Heng Samrin, from the ruling party, said the group's findings "cannot be accepted." "The National Assembly does not restrict anything," he said. "Having freedom and democracy means there is expression of opinion. But you speak on the subject and speak correctly according to the given time.
The National Assembly does not pressure [anyone], does not oppress freedom."
CPP legislator Chiem Yeap called the findings "destructive criticism."
But the Center's executive director, Seng Theary, said her monitors found that "courageous people" went unprotected in the Assembly.
Ruling party lawmakers "should not dismiss those opinions, and should not think that this is an opposition party, a royalist party, any party," she said.
Of the National Assembly's 123 seats, the CPP holds 73, Funcinpec 26 and SRP 24.
4 comments:
It 's very clear that most of those MP are just robots. They just wait to receive order to speak, to raise hand, to be silent, and to get the monthly salary. Many never have opened their mouth during that 3 Mandates. A big shame, who are you?!Animals or human?
AH Heng Samrin and AH Chiem Yeap need to stand down and let the spirit of democracy take root in Cambodia! The only time that is wasted when the CPP clan is not willing to acknowledge of the true picture of what is going on in Cambodia where million and million of Cambodian people continue to face hardship!
This is a gangster government. This is how it works. If you oppose them you will be punished. Their concern is to protect themselves. There is no democracy in this CPP government. Everyone is their enemy. Once you in, you can't get out or you'll be punished. What do you call this CPP government?
You must call Yeam Yeap "His Excellency Doctor Yeam Yeap".Where and when he got Doctor Degree?
You can also call him "Pandit Excellency Yeam Yeap. "Pandit" in Pali language means Doctor and Is proouced "Bandit" in Khmer. In French "Bandit" mean Thief, robber or Chor.
Cheyo Excellence Bandit Cheam Yeap!
Post a Comment