Marchers for freedom of expession and non-violence in Cambodia, an event organized by AFEC. They are demanding, among others, the abolition of criminal charge for defamation cases. (Photo CCHR)PRESS STATEMENT
AFEC welcomes intention of the Prime Minister to decriminalize defamation and calls for the withdrawal of the actual draft new law on defamation
Phnom Penh, February 14th, 2006
The Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) strongly welcomes the intention of Prime Minister to decriminalize defamation in the Cambodian law.
Samdech Hun Sen has made such a statement today during a ceremony at the Teaching Pedagogy Institute. "This will be an important step towards a more democratic Cambodian society where all people can express their political convictions and opinions without fear for repression. Private persons must be and can be protected from defamation by civil law.
Governmental authorities and public figures like politicians should be excluded from filing defamation complaints because there is too high risk that the judiciary system will be abused for silencing legitimate criticism. Reforms of the Cambodian legislation are overdue since Freedom of Expression is guaranteed by international human rights law and the Cambodian Constitution", stated Kem Sokha, Chairman of the AFEC Steering Committee.
Furthermore, the AFEC calls on the participants of the Joint Donor-Government Technical Working Group that will meet on Wednesday, February 15th, 2006 to support the drop of the actual draft new law on defamation that was recently elaborated with the participation of foreign advisors. "This draft law is very harmful to Freedom of Expression in Cambodia because it continues to criminalize defamation in a very bad tradition of authoritarian regimes. Moreover, it does not bring any significant progress compared to the UNTAC law.
After the speech of the Prime Minister this draft should be withdrawn and the discussion about defamation and the implementation of international human rights standards should be reopened on a broad basis", Kem Sokha added.
The AFEC is a network of 28 Cambodian institutions. Since founded in November 2005, AFEC has advocated for the releases of arrested human rights activists, withdrawal of all the charges, and decriminalization of defamation. These were the key objectives of its Yellow Ribbon Campaign and the peaceful march to Wat Oudong on the previous weekend.
For all questions and interviews please call Ou Virak, General Secretary of the AFEC, Tel. 012-404051.
1 comment:
Dear Virak,
I am grateful to APEC for their efforts to find out any other improvement for Cambodia nation. Is it possible to do another jobs for more progressive?. They are the Curruption Law and Immigration Law. I hope AFEC or other organizations would pay much attention about these matters.
We have to be aware that, the meeting of donor countries will come soon, and after meeting everything which our present leaders will change their heads suddenly like the lighting.
Sincerely
Apsara
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