Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Defamation lawsuits: UN is concerned

Monday, June 15, 2009
By A.L.G.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French


The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rigths (OHCHR) in Cambodia indicated that lawsuits stemming from political debates “undermine the constitutional freedom of opinion and expression which everyone in Cambodia is entitled to.”

Eight defamation or disinformation lawsuits were brought up in Cambodia since April 2009, the UN OHCHR noted with concerns in a communiqué dated Monday 15 June.

The experience in other countries shows that limiting freedom of expression, instead of addressing issues and criticism through discussion and a reasonable debate, not only provokes self-censorship but nurtures fear, frustration and anger, with the risk of leading to further conflict and violence,” the communiqué stated.

The UN OHCHR also notes that, among the current legal cases, a lawsuit was brought up for defamation against the “government” rather than against a particular individual, as is in normal cases.

The lawsuits involve SRP MP Mu Sochua (who, along with Kong Sam Onn, her lawyer, are sued for defamation by Hun Xen); Hang Chakra, Editor-in-Chief of the Khmer Machas Srok newspaper; Meoung Sonn, President of the Khmer Civilization Foundation; Sam Rainsy who is sued by Kep Chuktema, the governor of Phnom Penh city; SRP MP Ho Vann, as well as Soung Sophon, an official of the SRP Youth Movement who is part of the 4,000 families in Boeung Kak Lake threatened with eviction by the Shukaku Co.).

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The cpp only law they can understand is " disinformation, defmation, and killing " those in their way.

Animals also know how to attack their opposition and kills too. That is how smart and killer the cpp are.

Doing right and abiding by the laws, interpreting the laws is the tasks they can't seem to follow as government official.

What an imbarasment.