Written by Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post
A pro-Sam Rainsy Party newspaper editor has been arrested for defamation over reports tying powerful Cambodian People's Party members, including Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, to Khmer Rouge atrocities.
Dam Sith, editor-in-chief of Moneaksekar Khmer, was detained on June 8, but some government officials are questioning his arrest, including Information Minister Khieu Kanharith, who told the Post on June 9 that authorities had "no clear reason to detain him."
“I signed a letter asking that Dam Sith be freed as soon as possible," Kanharith said, adding that the government had no role in the arrest.
The matter was “a personal lawsuit between Hor Namhong and Dam Sith,” he said.
Sith has been charged with "defamation" and "disinformation" over an April 18 article in which he quoted opposition leader Sam Rainsy as linking CPP members to the Khmer Rouge, whose 1975-79 regime resulted in the deaths of 1.7 million people and the devastation of Cambodia.
Hor Namhong has denied any ties, and has filed lawsuits against both Rainsy and Sith, who was questioned in Municipal Court earlier this month.
Sith's attorney, Kong Sam On, said that the court has yet to reply to Kanharith's request, while Ke Sakhorn, deputy chief of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, and investigating judge Chhay Kong declined to comment.
Human rights monitors and free press advocates say the arrest is a threat to journalism in Cambodia, and question why Sith can be detained for the alleged defamation.
In May 2006, the National Assembly decriminalized defamation and mandated that all disputes related to the charge be settled through civil lawsuits, not imprisonment.
“The arrest of Dam Sith is a threat to the free press in Cambodia. Dam Sith does not deserve to be arrested because he can publish a correction in his newspaper,” said Chan Saveth of the Cambodian rights organization Adhoc.
“This case clearly shows that the politicians have influence over the courts," he said, adding that Sith was seized by about 10 uniformed and plainclothes military policemen in a Phnom Penh car wash and was being detained at Prey Sar prison.
The International Federation of Journalists and the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists have also called for the immediate release of their colleague.
The IFJ condemned the charges as unlawful and raised concerns over the effect “such harassment of journalists” might have on elections.
“Democracy cannot prevail where the media is hampered in its efforts to report on politics and the election campaign. Journalists must be able to report freely without fear of arrest or harassment,” an IFJ statement read.
Sith is also an SRP parliamentary candidate standing in the July 27 elections with hopes of representing Phnom Penh.
Dam Sith, editor-in-chief of Moneaksekar Khmer, was detained on June 8, but some government officials are questioning his arrest, including Information Minister Khieu Kanharith, who told the Post on June 9 that authorities had "no clear reason to detain him."
“I signed a letter asking that Dam Sith be freed as soon as possible," Kanharith said, adding that the government had no role in the arrest.
The matter was “a personal lawsuit between Hor Namhong and Dam Sith,” he said.
Sith has been charged with "defamation" and "disinformation" over an April 18 article in which he quoted opposition leader Sam Rainsy as linking CPP members to the Khmer Rouge, whose 1975-79 regime resulted in the deaths of 1.7 million people and the devastation of Cambodia.
Hor Namhong has denied any ties, and has filed lawsuits against both Rainsy and Sith, who was questioned in Municipal Court earlier this month.
Sith's attorney, Kong Sam On, said that the court has yet to reply to Kanharith's request, while Ke Sakhorn, deputy chief of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, and investigating judge Chhay Kong declined to comment.
Human rights monitors and free press advocates say the arrest is a threat to journalism in Cambodia, and question why Sith can be detained for the alleged defamation.
In May 2006, the National Assembly decriminalized defamation and mandated that all disputes related to the charge be settled through civil lawsuits, not imprisonment.
“The arrest of Dam Sith is a threat to the free press in Cambodia. Dam Sith does not deserve to be arrested because he can publish a correction in his newspaper,” said Chan Saveth of the Cambodian rights organization Adhoc.
“This case clearly shows that the politicians have influence over the courts," he said, adding that Sith was seized by about 10 uniformed and plainclothes military policemen in a Phnom Penh car wash and was being detained at Prey Sar prison.
The International Federation of Journalists and the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists have also called for the immediate release of their colleague.
The IFJ condemned the charges as unlawful and raised concerns over the effect “such harassment of journalists” might have on elections.
“Democracy cannot prevail where the media is hampered in its efforts to report on politics and the election campaign. Journalists must be able to report freely without fear of arrest or harassment,” an IFJ statement read.
Sith is also an SRP parliamentary candidate standing in the July 27 elections with hopes of representing Phnom Penh.
9 comments:
HUN SEN is a SVAR MONSTER ONE EYE , this SVAR MONSTER ONE EYE will try everything to hang on to the power tree brand .
First she try to buy unstable politician that thirsty bloody power . then after she can't fool the real KHMER HERO , KHMER that love democracy anymore , she try to use the corruption court to imtimidate to arrest and covicte those KHMER real democracy.
DEAD TO DICTATOR AND IT DOGS
When you issue an arrest for a wrong reason or for your personal reason than the issuer should answer to court or pay fine for his/her wrong doing and doesn't matter if you're a minister of such. There should be no man above law. Who do they think they are? and where is respect for other people?
No douth, that is the old strategy of CPP before the election. MR Kanharith knew about this case very well but he plays this theater only the the westerners. Khmer farmer.
When someone say the role of law in this country those are very stupid. The role of law in this country is the law of dictatorship and corruption. Khmer farmer
Ah Kwack 's law! the fucking PHD from ah Goet face Country of Ah Ho Chi Minh mother fucker!
Ah Ho ah pret ah choy maray!
Thank four for cracking down on commies who owned and control the media.
A dump Hor NamHong you should let Mr Dam Sith to be free ok, if your mother fucker not let Mr Dam Sith free now I hope you that very carefull the A Yuon Dracula will be taken your life off very soon and after taken your life off also A Yuon Dracula not let you re-birth again and take you go to liver under ground 18 hell ok and I remind you that you should be kindness ok because during 1975 to 1979 you are killed a lot of our Khmer peoples and you should be open your two eye & wake up not work for A Yuon/Vietnamese slave ok.
THIS INDICATES THAT THE CORRUPT CPP GOVERNMENT IS CLEARLY BEHIND THE JUSTIC SYSTEM.
CAMBODIAN JUSTIC SYSTEM IS NOT INDEPENDENT.
THIS ALSO MEANS THAT CAMBODIAN PEOPLE ARE LIVING UNDER THREAT AND FEAR FROM THE CURRENT GOVENMENT.
THEREFORE, PEOPLE, PLEASE VOTE THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OUT OF ITS POST IN THIS NATIONAL ELECTION.
DOWN WITH CPP!
DOWN WITH CORRUPT CPP!
THANKS,
No, but it is the CPP duty to keep Cambodia free of Scam from people like Ah Dam Sith or Ah Scam Rainxy.
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