Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
Inspector says he wants no part in review of SRP lawyer Kong Sam Onn, who is fighting charges he breached Bar ethics in lawsuit against PM.
SAM Rainsy Party lawyer Kong Sam Onn appeared before an inspection team at the Cambodian Bar Association for the first time Monday as part of an investigation into accusations that he breached the Bar's professional code of ethics.
Kong Sam Onn, who is representing opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua in her defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Hun Sen, was himself accused of defamation by Hun Sen's lawyers following comments he made at a press conference on April 23.
Lawyer Hem Socheat, a member of the inspection team who was absent, told the Post that Kong Sam Onn had done nothing wrong, and that he did not want to sit on the review panel.
"I tried to escape getting involved with the investigation into his case two or three times but they still tried to call me," he said.
"If Kong Sam Onn is punished, my stance must be to defend him on behalf of other lawyers."
During the aborted meeting, at which he was to answer questions relating to the case, Kong Sam Onn said he hoped the Bar would judge him fairly and that Hun Sen's involvement would have no impact on the case.
"I think that the Bar will decide my case legally if there's no pressure from politicians. I didn't do anything illegal, and the Bar will rule properly if there is no pressure," he said.
Once the inspection team finishes its work, it will send its report to the 19-member Bar Council to make a final ruling on the case. If found guilty of misconduct, Kong Sam Onn faces dismissal from the Bar.
Battle in the courts
Mu Sochua is suing Hun Sen for comments he made during a speech in Kampot province on April 4.
The opposition party leader says Hun Sen referred to her as cheung klang - a term meaning "strong legs" in Khmer, but which she says is derogatory when used to describe women.
In response, Hun Sen is countersuing for defamation, saying his remarks did not refer to Mu Sochua.
The SRP lawmaker and her lawyer have since received support from abroad in their clash with Hun Sen.
In a letter to Bar President Chiv Song Hak dated Thursday, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, a Vancouver-based NGO, said: "We wish to offer our moral support to the Bar Association ... in fulfilling its function to uphold and defend the independence of the legal profession."
"We sincerely and respectfully hope that the [Bar Association] and its Disciplinary Council will not be used inappropriately."
Bar spokesman Ly Tay Seng could not be reached for comment Monday.
SAM Rainsy Party lawyer Kong Sam Onn appeared before an inspection team at the Cambodian Bar Association for the first time Monday as part of an investigation into accusations that he breached the Bar's professional code of ethics.
Kong Sam Onn, who is representing opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua in her defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Hun Sen, was himself accused of defamation by Hun Sen's lawyers following comments he made at a press conference on April 23.
"IF KONG SAM ONN IS PUNISHED, MY STANCE MUST BE TO DEFEND HIM..."But the hearing at the Bar Association's Phnom Penh office was postponed when two of the five-member inspection team failed to show up, with one absent lawyer saying he did not want to participate in the investigation.
Lawyer Hem Socheat, a member of the inspection team who was absent, told the Post that Kong Sam Onn had done nothing wrong, and that he did not want to sit on the review panel.
"I tried to escape getting involved with the investigation into his case two or three times but they still tried to call me," he said.
"If Kong Sam Onn is punished, my stance must be to defend him on behalf of other lawyers."
During the aborted meeting, at which he was to answer questions relating to the case, Kong Sam Onn said he hoped the Bar would judge him fairly and that Hun Sen's involvement would have no impact on the case.
"I think that the Bar will decide my case legally if there's no pressure from politicians. I didn't do anything illegal, and the Bar will rule properly if there is no pressure," he said.
Once the inspection team finishes its work, it will send its report to the 19-member Bar Council to make a final ruling on the case. If found guilty of misconduct, Kong Sam Onn faces dismissal from the Bar.
Battle in the courts
Mu Sochua is suing Hun Sen for comments he made during a speech in Kampot province on April 4.
The opposition party leader says Hun Sen referred to her as cheung klang - a term meaning "strong legs" in Khmer, but which she says is derogatory when used to describe women.
In response, Hun Sen is countersuing for defamation, saying his remarks did not refer to Mu Sochua.
The SRP lawmaker and her lawyer have since received support from abroad in their clash with Hun Sen.
In a letter to Bar President Chiv Song Hak dated Thursday, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, a Vancouver-based NGO, said: "We wish to offer our moral support to the Bar Association ... in fulfilling its function to uphold and defend the independence of the legal profession."
"We sincerely and respectfully hope that the [Bar Association] and its Disciplinary Council will not be used inappropriately."
Bar spokesman Ly Tay Seng could not be reached for comment Monday.
11 comments:
Congratulation Hem Socheat for your stance to defend righteousness. Of course, your stance is to protect yourself, the dignity of Bar, and your colleagues from bullying by politicians or political affiliate like Ky Tech.
If this time, Kong Som Onn is punished, it means next time it is your turn, and every lawyer...
Congratulations Lauk Hem Socheat !
I would like to take my hat off for your noble act and defending the dignity & principle of the Bar Association.Thanks.
Cheers,
Ung Bunheang
នេះគឺជាការសម្រេចដ៏ប្រពៃណាស់លោកហែមសុជាតិ។លោកត្រូវតែការពារនូវអ្វីដែលត្រឹមត្រូវ
និងសហការីណាដែលធ្វើសកម្មភាពត្រឹមត្រូវ។
ម្យ៉ាងទៀតការសម្រេចរបស់លោកមិនត្រឹមតែការ
ពារមនុស្សសុចរិតទេវាថែមទាំងការពារនូវសេចក្ដី
ថ្លៃថ្នូរនិងកិតិ្ដយសរបស់ក្រុមអ្នកការពារក្ដីនៃប្រទេ
សកម្ពុជាទាំងមូលដែរ។
សង្ឃឹមថាសមាជិកមេធាវីដ៏ទៃទៀតក៏នឹងឈរដោយជំហនិងស្មារតីខ្លួនឯងដូចលោកដែរ។
សិមសោភា
Congratulation Hem Socheat,i wish you luck as always on you profesional. Now our khmer out side of country still have some hope that we still have real khmer who love khmer like you. i am very very respected you as one of kon khmer live oversea. thank you for your brave and corages.
thank you for your carage and bravnes, i wish you well.
Mr. Hem Socheat,
You are really a professional lawmaker. I highly respect you for your stance for justice and human rights.
Thanks.
I am deeply touched and proud to see that we have another hero-lawyer in Cambodia. Thank you indeed for your contribution to the protection and promotion of the Bar independence.
Justice will prevail.
My best regards to you, Mr. Hem Socheat.
RD
I believe all together we can make a difference. Hand in hand by now.
Hem Socheat is a courageous man. Let his example be a fully shining light to other Khmers who love justice, equality and freedom.
He can also be an example to the king of Cambodia who continues to remain silent on injustice, inequality and the destruction of the environment.
Monarchy in Cambodia, though respected, will eventually die in the end through lack of purposes and vision!
An apolitical king does not mean that the king should remain silent to all injustices and inequality that happen right in front of his own eyes in his own kingdom for if it should be so, then its very existence to provide a cool shade for the people of Cambodia should be seriously questioned! At the very least, the king should stand strongly for justice and equality for his people in his kingdom. He continues to lose opportunity to receive earned respect and love from his people.
My sincere respect for you, Mr. Hem Socheat.
Anet Khmer
Soum Korup bang Hem Socheat!!
I am so pleased to see that there are more good people like you in our society. Your words and stances touch me deeply. Our beloved nation needs people like you!!! Thank you so much for standing up and fighting for justice!!! I hope that with your good and bravery, our country will be cleaned!!
Again, please do more for our people. Your noble act will never be gone from us!!!
Hem Socheat, I admire you for being a true professional and standing for what's right for your colleague and for yourself as an independent lawer . I wish some of those lawers will follow you .
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