Hang Chakra is currently jailed for publishing articles criticizing Sok An: Is this an example of freedom of speech in Cambodia as Sok An claimed?January 25, 2010
Xinhua
Regarding the issue of defamation, Sok An, who is also minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, said that Cambodia de-criminalized last year so as to contribute the freedom of expression and speech in the kingdom. "So it is very positive one compared with other countries," he said.The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia informed Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An on Monday that he has seen real progress in this Kingdom's rights respect.
Surya Prasad Subedi told Sok An at the meeting that "I am familiar with the progress you have made over years, which is very encouraging ones."
Subedi, who is visiting here from Jan. 18 to 30 for his second mission to Cambodia, focus on the functioning of state institutions that should promote and protect rights, ensure checks and balances on the power of the executive, and promote and protect democratic development.
He also informed Sok An that he is "not coming here to criticize Cambodia to do this or that" but rather to work together with Cambodia as partnership in term of promoting human rights and the rule of laws.
Sok An, meanwhile, told Subedi that "the judicial aspect is very important issue", which has been taken seriously by the government for reform.
Regarding the issue of defamation, Sok An, who is also minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, said that Cambodia de-criminalized last year so as to contribute the freedom of expression and speech in the kingdom. "So it is very positive one compared with other countries," he said.
Sok An, also co-chairman of the legal and judicial reforms, said Cambodian government has set up school of magistracy, registrar and notary so as to improve the country's judicial system."Judiciary is a very big task, so we have to start from the foundation," Sok An explained the U.N. envoy.
"The number of new judges is not sufficient, so we need to train more judges to work in the judicial system," Sok An added.
Cambodia has produced an estimated 55 judges per year.
5 comments:
You can set up a judiciary system and produce judges, however the institution is pointless if they are unable to stand and fight for justice! The judicial system in Cambodia is bias and serves only in favor of the ruling party and the powerful, perpetuating a culture of impunity and corruption!
It's flagrant abuse of power, aimed in silencing government crtics, human rights advocated are clear detriments to the freedom of speech and expression that are core rights in a civil society! Journalist and activist like Mr. Hang Chakra will continue to suffer and pay the price for exercising free speech, which is the current in an unjust society such as Cambodia!
10:22pm WRONG PLACE, BUT DO MA AH KWEACK HUN XEN!
Is it that ?
Hang Chakra would to say that Hun Sen and Sok An have a cold war, Sok An despises and wants the sit of Hun Sen and Hun Sen replaced most of Sok An supporters because of that.
This UN Reps, Mr. Subedi is blind and closed minded to say human rights in Cambodia is improved. Is he scared to tell the truth or Hun Sen paid him?
It is Pathic! UN also afraid to say the truth about the government uncharateristic.
human rights in cambodia? thats a laugh. the only human rights here are when u pay the police. i just returned from thailand on holiday and tourism is really down there but here i can count the amount of tourism dollars on one hand. i look around at the shops and eateries and they are practically always empty. hun sen and the police are so corrupt they shouldnt get one dollar from foreign aid. oh i forgot the government and police that drive around in their lexus and mercedes like it just the way it is-they are doing just fine.
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