DPA
Phnom Penh - The UN's human rights office in Cambodia Wednesday appealed to the judiciary to respect the country's national and international obligations on freedom of speech, saying that a recent spate of lawsuits risks stifling public debate.
Cambodia's courts have found against three defendants in recent weeks, and fined or jailed them for disinformation or defamation.
Human rights groups have complained that the cases, which were brought by the government against perceived critics, are politically motivated.
'Under international law, freedom of expression is to be restricted only in exceptional cases, where clearly necessary and proportionate to the value that the restriction seeks to protect,' the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.
Opposition parliamentarian Mu Sochua was found guilty Tuesday of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen and fined 16.5 million riel (4,124 dollars).
In June, the editor of an opposition-aligned newspaper was fined and jailed for a year for articles alleging corruption within the government.
And last month, the director of a local cultural organization was fined and sentenced to two years in prison, in absentia, for suggesting that new lighting at Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple could damage the stonework.
The government has consistently denied the charges are politically motivated, saying it is acting only to maintain social order.
Cambodia's courts have found against three defendants in recent weeks, and fined or jailed them for disinformation or defamation.
Human rights groups have complained that the cases, which were brought by the government against perceived critics, are politically motivated.
'Under international law, freedom of expression is to be restricted only in exceptional cases, where clearly necessary and proportionate to the value that the restriction seeks to protect,' the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.
Opposition parliamentarian Mu Sochua was found guilty Tuesday of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen and fined 16.5 million riel (4,124 dollars).
In June, the editor of an opposition-aligned newspaper was fined and jailed for a year for articles alleging corruption within the government.
And last month, the director of a local cultural organization was fined and sentenced to two years in prison, in absentia, for suggesting that new lighting at Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple could damage the stonework.
The government has consistently denied the charges are politically motivated, saying it is acting only to maintain social order.
29 comments:
UN should take hunsen to court do it now. and put him in jail.
Disgrace Mu Sochua’s problem all along, is that she is trying to be a politician. She's not, never has been and quite obviously, never will be. She should have just been herself, provide alternative policies and show Khmer people what a great alternative MP opposition she would be. Instead, her foray into being a politician has been a disaster. She comes across as pretending to be something she's not. Now, her political career is on the line and herself also in the hot water.
While the nation is facing complex economic, social and environmental issues disgrace Mu Sochua tried to promote her political stunt, aimed to get media attention. If this wasn’t such a clear demonstration of her selfish pursuit of personal ambition it would be laughable. There is no doubt that Mu Sochua has no real regard for the best interest of the nation. She is driven solely by a desire to become a “Champion of Women” by any means available to her, even if that has the potential to destabilize the country. Even worse she now says that she will appeal her case against Prime Minister Hun Sen to the Appeal court following the announcement of her guilty verdict by the Phnom Penh municipal court.
People of integrity admit their faults, make amends and are judged fairly...Disgrace Mu Sochua is lacking in integrity and common sense and tries to change Cambodia into her own world. As long as Cambodia’s Court doesn’t issue any verdict which is fitted for her political stunt, she will scream for the justice all day long.
Khmer Australian
only disgrace khmer australian and ah ppu blame mu sochua on this case. un, ngo and international around the world blame hun sen and his government i think disgrace khmer australain and ah ppu got brainwashed by cpp .
4:40 PM
Action: Like what the UN did during the Khmer Rouge era?
Should we blame the UN on its colossal failure?
PPU
4.18PM
Do you think who is disgrace, Mu Sochua or yourself ?
I am so disappointed for a Khmer person who live in Australia and cannot define between right and wrong, good and evil.
Buddha said Preit cannot define flower and shit and likes to kiss and eat shit rather than smelling flowers.
Good people in the world blamed Hun Sen and you blamed the victim woman. Where were you born from ? From dog or pig ?
Use your brain my son if you have one, don't let it be too late otherwise you might be falling into the fire lake of hell.
5:03 PM
Does "hell" really exist?
I'm not sure!
PPU
In this country has never respect the international Law, but only internaltionale DOLLAR (USD). The perwerfull and rich people have the rights to say. On the ducoment ist perfect for all, but doing is other way.
Khmer Austalian, you are an exception of Khmers living in Australia, part of free world. Will you be happy if the prime minister of Australia abuses his power of office and insults you and then sues you for speaking out for your own right? Hun Sen is a prime minister, just like other prime minister of the world. He has to abide by laws. He's not God. He must not control all executive, legislative and judiciary branches of the kingdom. People has rights to agree or disagree with everything. I even disagree with God for creating a non-perfect world that has a person like Hun Sen as prime minster of Cambodia, who acts like he's God.
We need a lot of changes in Cambodia so all Khmers can better their live just like all the people living in the West. Freedom of speech is one of the most important components of the free world that you're are enjoying rith now in Australia.
Have a nice day!
Only time will tell!!!!!!!!!!
IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING....
IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING....
IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING....
IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING....
We Stop We're Dead....
We Stop We're Dead....
We Stop We're Dead....
We Stop We're Dead....
Khmer Australian
PPU,
comments on the blogger is really your professional job for propaganda, no body in the url have times like you(congratulation). You will know your IP-PC very soon.
Group of IT engineer
5.32PM
When you are still young and strong, you don't want to believe in any thing. You don't want any religion to interfere in your life, you only think about yourself, you only look at things in front of you. When you get older and ailing you start to realize that you would not have much longer to live on this earth. Then you will start to use your inner eyes to look be yon this life. It's also up to individual some people don't care about what's going to happen after this life when they die that's it no more to worry about.
For me I believe Buddha was real and accepted his good teaching. And I also believe in Jesus, He came to the world to die for the sins of the world including yours and mine and He was resurrected from death and living forever. I also believe that the Bible is the Word of God and it is the truth. We cannot find any human's ideas and wisdoms are equal to the Word of God in the Bible. If you want to be save from this dying world you just pray to Jesus and confess your sins and your wrong doing and follow His teaching in the Bible He will forgive you and receive you to be with Him in God's kingdom where there is no more suffering and death.
It 's impossible to convince you unless the spirit of God is working in you. I don't think you are different from me when I was young.
5.48PM
Khmer Australian are you the one from 4.18PM ?
If it was you I would like to congratulate you on your awakening.
Congratulations again!
May the living God bless our nation!
CPP (Claimed People Property)
PPU (Prosecute People Union)
and Khmer ASStralian lickzard.
PPU
Your "hell" is up hun sen's ass!
This is Khmer Australian "While the nation is facing complex economic, social and environmental issues disgrace Mu Sochua tried to promote her political stunt, aimed to get media attention's comment". Let me ask you a question, who or what party is the ruling body that put Cambodia in this situation? Have you not understand ho much money the international nations have donated to Cambodia for all of those issues? Where did the money goes? Have you ever heard how large Hun Sen's bank accounts are? For cry out loud, the idiot even own a branch of the banking system. Let me see, the Khmer women are selling their bodies so that they can support their family, people are evicted from their lands, Vietnamese can control of everything including Angkor...who the hell do you think responsible for all of these issues? You have to be a complete moron not to see it.
The U.N. is wise to have taken an interest in the current crackdown by Mr. Hun Sen government in Cambodia and the various other misconducts involving acquiring land forcefully for development.
While developments on building infra-structures for Cambodia future generation is of the utmost important, Mr. Hun Sen should be mindful of the law of gravity or in the case of Cambodia Buddhist believe -- the law of Karma.
Cambodia must somehow reconcile progress with consideration for the needs of its people -- especially those whose have perceived that their lands have been forcefully taken by the government or corporation associated with governments.
If Mr. Hun Sen government does not reconcile progress with the need of those who land hand be acquired by force, the progress gained is worrisome because somehow the progress seem shallow. It is like building a house on straws.
The straw house will remain strong and firm as long as Mr. Hun Sen is in power. However, as soon as Mr. Hun Sen reaches his twilight, the law of Karma will rear its ugly head. Those the government managed to put down while it is strong can revisit this later and engage in lawsuit to reacquire those land which were taken by force.
More than anything Cambodia should and must worry about the legacy of progress that is full of blood "bomnol".
Throughout Cambodia's history, we have seen that progress full of blood "bomnol" often time harvested bloody revenge.
Thus, it is good that the U.N. step in the remind Cambodia's leadership of it obligation to its people. Cambodia is developing and along with this development, missteps will occur. We need outsiders and the outside word, especially those that do not harm Cambodia, to keep Cambodia leaders from spiraling into darkness.
In regard to Ms. Mu Sochua, Cambodia's should let her be, and Mr. Hun Sen should let her be. She has earned the rights to seek redress for the perceived wrong upon her person. She is not an enemy of Cambodia. If anything she believe in Mr. Hun Sen Cambodia and Cambodia. Otherwise, she would have not serve Cambodia for so long, and play along with Mr. Hun Sen's lawsuit.
Right now she is serving Cambodia well by putting Cambodia in the news.
Cambodia has many problems --Thailand, economy, employment.., Ms. Mu Sochua is the least of Cambodia's problem..
Let her be. Honor her services and contribution. Let her live in peace and enjoy what little left in her life. Like all of us, she has lost much...
khmer Australian,
You are not literate!
You must amend your signature "Khmer Australian. You don't represent Khmer Australian. You probably don't deserve one.
The dictator took shit for flower and put it on his face. He thinks that his looks good with this. A justice system, reduced to a mere instrument to perpetrate crimes against Cambodians, has no idea what so ever about justice. Corrupted judges can only follow orders from politicians. Soon this evil man will encounter the same fate as his Vietnamese buddy Hok Lundy. Killed by lightning struck and be remembered as disgrace small dictator, with only one ambition in mind which is to perpetuate the dictatorship on Cambodia to serve his Vietnamese master.
Great post 9:09, I think it is wise for the UN to take a closer look at the situation in Cambodia. We do not need another Khmer Rouge regime or anything similiar to it to ever happens again. The situation happening right now are eerily similiar to that of 1975. One more thing, yes, the world is experiencing a financial crisis but that is not the only reason why tourism is dropped by 30-60%. Who on Earth would want to visit a country that you see policemen beat up on ordinary citizens? Lawlessness have a way of deterring a lot of good people away. It is unfortunate, because the one that suffer the most from this crisis are the poors. So go ahead, sugar coated the situation anyway you wanted but if these governmental things does not improve the financial crisis will be worsen. If you think things are bad now wait another six months to a year.
Video of Hun Sen speech threatening critics labeling Cambodia a dictatorship: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/khmermediawatch/video/xa2o7g_hun-sen-message-to-critics-be-caref_news
The most effective way to teach CPP a lesson on how to respect human right is CUT OFF all aids and encourage rebellion.
It is over reacting from the government of Hun Sen.
Dear KI forum members:
As of today, I’m handing in my resignation. From here on out, you will no longer see me in this forum group. As I’m leaving you, I must also acknowledge that throughout my trials and tribulations, I have amassed colossal amount of information and learned so much from your tireless contributions. Therefore, with my hard-earned knowledge, it is my sincere hope that with the information and knowledge that I’ve learned from this forum site, I have no doubt that I will make me a better leader for tomorrow.
Again, thank you for your tireless compassion toward me. Further, irrespective of our philosophical and ideological differences, you and I are entitled to agree to disagree on a particular issue.
Resigned: PPU
Dear KI forum members:
As of today, I’m handing in my resignation. From here on out, you will no longer see me in this forum group. As I’m leaving you, I must also acknowledge that throughout my trials and tribulations, I have amassed colossal amount of information and learned so much from your tireless contributions. Therefore, with my hard-earned knowledge, it is my sincere hope that with the information and knowledge that I’ve learned from this forum site, I have no doubt that I will make me a better leader for tomorrow.
Again, thank you for your tireless compassion toward me. Further, irrespective of our philosophical and ideological differences, you and I are entitled to agree to disagree on a particular issue.
Resigned: PPU (Chan Keo)
PPU (Perpetrate Perverted Unheard)
CPP (Corporateion of Pimping Party)
Khmer never stop fighting with each other! It is the chronic disease of the Khmer race.
Most Khmer are tireless of using their words to inflame the nation to against each other.
6:14pm
Where was Jesus when we need him during the Khmer Rouge era? How come Jesus let millions of Khmer died? Perhaps Jesus hid himself in the bible.
TO THE UN ....YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND WHATS HAPPENING IN CAMBODIA.. SO INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING THEM KNOW WHY DONT YOU GUYS DO SOMTHING ABOUT IT....YOU GUYS HAVE THE FUCKING POWER OF EVERY 1 UNITED IN TH WORLD YOU FUCKING IDIOTS.....................YOU GUYS ARE STALLING HERE, YOU GUYS ARE STALLING AT YOUR FUCKINH UN BACKED CAMBODIAN COURT ....YOU GUYS TAKE LIKE FOEVER JUST TO INTERVIEW THE FUCKING SUSPECTS OF TOUL SLENG....WTF FUCK ASKING THOSE MOTHERFUCKERS QUESTION YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID TOO ALL THOSE PEOPLE BACK IN THE DAY...........JUST ASK ONE QESTION YES OR NO..............IF YES , TAKE NO EXPLINATION...JUST THROW THEM IN JAIL OR KILL THEM WHATS SO HARD ABOUT THAT....THESES IDIOT GAURDS IN TOUL SLENG KILL ALOT OF PEOPLE AND SHIT
FUCK STOP FUCKING STALLING
FUCK THAILAND AND ALL THE STUPID MOTHERFUCKERS IN THE WORLD
That why America under President Bush didn't give a shit about the UN. Bomb the damm mF Saddam Hussein and get over it. To hell the Tela-ban in Afghanistan or Iraq!
The turtle is better than Mr. Coffee Anan. He drove American up t h e wall.
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