Amnesty International Statement on Khmer Rouge Denial Law

 Full text: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA23/003/2013/en/f5a00fdf-9285-4de5-bbd7-e68fc7a97311/asa230032013en.pdf

Amnesty International is concerned about the new Law on Refusing to Recognise Crimes Committed in the Period of Democratic Kampuchea Law (hereinafter the “Khmer Rouge Crime Denial Law”). In the light of information about the bill so far available publicly, the organization recommends that the law be scrapped. The law was passed by the National Assembly on 7 June 2013.

This Open Letter, submitted to the National Assembly on the morning of 7 June, sets out reasons for concern and possible negative consequences, including damaging efforts at truth and reconciliation, undermining the Khmer Rouge trials, misuse for political gain and the wider chilling effect on freedom of expression.

Amnesty International recommends that Cambodia’s National Assembly:

• Undertakes a public consultation on the law to consider whether it is indeed required. Allow consultation between Cambodian lawyers, prosecutors and judges, international legal experts, civil society actors and international non-governmental organizations, and invite comments by the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;

• Ensures that any such law is fully compatible with Cambodia’s international human rights obligations, including the relevant provisions under the ICCPR, as explained and interpreted by the Human Rights Committee; and

• Ensures that adequate resources are made available for training police, prosecutors, judges and others on the correct implementation of the law, in line with Cambodia’s international human rights commitments.