AFP
"Those holding public positions should be willing to accept criticism for their decisions. Criticism is not a crime but an exercise of freedom of conscience, an act of intelligence"
PHNOM PENH: The UN special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia on Thursday voiced disquiet about a crackdown on freedom of expression in the country and the growing problem of land rights violations.
"I am concerned about the narrowing of space for the people to express their views peacefully and without fear, including those belongings to different political parties," Surya Subedi said at the end of his fourth 10-day fact-finding mission to the country.
The Cambodian government has come under fire from rights groups in recent years for launching a number of defamation and disinformation lawsuits against critics and opposition members.
A controversial new penal code launched in December introduced a string of laws that could see a person jailed or fined for expressing dissenting views.
"Peaceful expression of opinion should not be dealt with under the penal code," Surya said during a press conference in the capital, adding that it was one of the main issues he had discussed with Prime Minister Hun Sen.
"Those holding public positions should be willing to accept criticism for their decisions. Criticism is not a crime but an exercise of freedom of conscience, an act of intelligence," he said.
The UN representative also urged the government to apply the land law properly, saying he was "deeply concerned about plight of the people who are facing the threat of eviction or have been evicted from their land."
He said he had visited several disputed sites, including a lake area in Phnom Penh where thousands of people have been forcibly evicted to make way for a private development project.
Land disputes are a major problem in Cambodia. In 2009 alone, at least 26 cases of mass evictions displaced approximately 27,000 people across the country, according to a UN report issued last year.
During his last visit to the kingdom in June, Surya suggested a host of reforms to improve Cambodia's judicial system, which he said lacked independence.
He told reporters the progress in that area "hasn't been as speedy as it should have been".
9 comments:
UN is usless people!
In Cambodia, criticism is not a crime as long as you don't criticise the government. You can criticise your wife, husband, children but never never the government or you go to jail forever.
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
AH HUN SEN AH KBORT JEAT KAGN JAEH YOUN
kon kmeng naek srae
agree! i think it is rooted in the culture of cambodia that the followers should not tell the leaders what to do. that is outdated thinking as it is better to consult with each other on all perspectives, especially in the public services to the country, really! so, maybe it takes patient and some time for cambodia to get used to this sort of foreign concept to them. yes, again, education can help to make a real, lasting difference. the more the better! god bless cambodia.
i think people in public service should be opened to being criticized. they are put in public service. they have privileges and should act humble and appreciative of the community and public that entrusted them, really! maybe it takes changing perception of these individuals too that they are entrusted by the public, it's not their birth rights to do whatever they pleased, you know! a good leader should start making a difference and set forth these rights. without the rule of law in place for good governance, people in privileged position act like they own the country, etc. that aren't right!
also, that said, the public too should be educated to respect the law and know their rights! yes, getting good education is a start in all of this, ok! god bless all.
people are too quick to make judgment. it's the human way, i guess! that's why in khmer, we say think before your draw and so forth, you know!
agree that criticism is not a crime; however, to cambodia, it is a weapon to harm us; that's when a line must be drawn, you know!
Criticism is not a crime,
The CPP, "criminals people party", committs endless crimes.
defamation is abuse! can you tell me it's not? i doubt you can!
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