30 May 2008By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
A 3-day seminar in which ministers and municipal and provincial governors were invited to provide an account of their work, took place on Thursday 29 May in Phnom Penh. On Friday 30 May, Om Yentieng, who is both the president of the government human rights commission and of the government anti-corruption unit, stressed on the advancement made by the kingdom in these two fields.
On the prison side, Om Yentieng judged that the situation for the prisoners has improved. 10,902 prisoners are currently being detained in 21 jails and 3 rehabilitation centers in the country.
Om Yentieng reminded that the amount spent for each prisoner has increased by 1,000 riels, jumping to 1,500 riels ($0.38) per day. Furthermore, following an intervention from Hun Sen, the number of days over the preventive detention (detention prior to a judgment) limit has decreased. In 2003, 171 persons stayed behind bars 6 months over the legal limit. In 2007, this number dropped to 22. “These problems were due to lack of judges. The municipal court counts only 14 judges, whereas 7,899 cases reach the court each year. Each judge must take care of 700 cases. Furthermore, there is a lack of defense lawyers, and imprecision regarding the identity of those charged or on the investigation time which takes too long,” Om Yentieng explained. According to Sok An, the vice prime minister who was also present during this meeting, Cambodia would need 600 judges, i.e. 400 more than the current number.
Regarding the fight against corruption, Om Yentieng indicated that his unit investigated 20 cases since its formation in 2006. While not wanting to provide any details on each of these cases, he nevertheless indicated that a racketeering case and an illegal car import case were successful.
In spite of the absence of law in this matter, Om Yentieng said to be satisfied with the work accomplished so far. Sok An also intervened on this subject to indicate that the government needs a law for the common interest, in conformance to the penal code. But, he said that such a law wouldn’t resolve the corruption problem on its own, “Three steps are needed to fight against corruption: prevention, application of the law and support from the public.”
On the prison side, Om Yentieng judged that the situation for the prisoners has improved. 10,902 prisoners are currently being detained in 21 jails and 3 rehabilitation centers in the country.
Om Yentieng reminded that the amount spent for each prisoner has increased by 1,000 riels, jumping to 1,500 riels ($0.38) per day. Furthermore, following an intervention from Hun Sen, the number of days over the preventive detention (detention prior to a judgment) limit has decreased. In 2003, 171 persons stayed behind bars 6 months over the legal limit. In 2007, this number dropped to 22. “These problems were due to lack of judges. The municipal court counts only 14 judges, whereas 7,899 cases reach the court each year. Each judge must take care of 700 cases. Furthermore, there is a lack of defense lawyers, and imprecision regarding the identity of those charged or on the investigation time which takes too long,” Om Yentieng explained. According to Sok An, the vice prime minister who was also present during this meeting, Cambodia would need 600 judges, i.e. 400 more than the current number.
Regarding the fight against corruption, Om Yentieng indicated that his unit investigated 20 cases since its formation in 2006. While not wanting to provide any details on each of these cases, he nevertheless indicated that a racketeering case and an illegal car import case were successful.
In spite of the absence of law in this matter, Om Yentieng said to be satisfied with the work accomplished so far. Sok An also intervened on this subject to indicate that the government needs a law for the common interest, in conformance to the penal code. But, he said that such a law wouldn’t resolve the corruption problem on its own, “Three steps are needed to fight against corruption: prevention, application of the law and support from the public.”
