Court ‘Information Boards’ Open to Help Judiciary

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
21 May 2008

Provincial and municipal courts hope to strengthen their transparency through a system of public information boards, which will seek to answer questions by citizens on court procedures.

The information boards, funded through $2 million in US aid and launched Wednesday, will list civil dispute filing fees, provide criteria for waiving those fees and will help citizens understand the rights of defendants and criminal court proceedings.

The boards will operate in every province and city, said US Embassy Charge d’Affairs Piper Campbell.

Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana called the boards “an important step toward court transparency.”

Adhoc rights investigator Ny Chakrya said installing such boards without strengthening the rest of the judicial system would produce limited results in reform.

Hun Sen's iron fist's grip on the court system not that strong after all?

PM Seeks Redress for Release of Sex Crimes Suspects

Mean Veasna
VOA Khmer
Washington
21/02/2007

Prime Minister Hun Sen asks the Justice Ministry to file a complaint against the Appeals Court after it freed without trial a hotel owner and others accused of sex crimes.

Hun Sen makes his request during an annual meeting for the Cambodian National Council for Women.

The Appeals Court released Tae Paoli, owner of the Chhay Huor II Hotel, in 2006, after what some groups say was an insubstantial trial.

Opposition party leader Sam Rainsy calls the request political in light of April’s commune elections.

Justice Minister Ang Vong Vatana says he has submitted documents to the Supreme Council of Magistracy, which oversees Cambodian courts.