PHNOM PENH – September 30 – Starting 1 October, 2009, Members of Parliament the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) will join the parliamentary debate on the current draft of the Penal Code, which has been passed by the Cambodian Council of Ministers, but must still be approved by the National Assembly.
The SRP welcomes efforts to reform the Penal Code, and recognizes many positive provisions. However, the current draft Code unduly restricts freedom of speech and assembly, the most fundamental of civil liberties. These freedoms allow for participation and creativity at a time when finding solutions to poverty, unemployment, land conflicts, corruption and other critical national issues should be the first priority of the Government. When lawmakers, NGO workers, journalists, trade unionists, villagers and others are not able to freely debate new ideas and challenge the status quo, development is restricted.
The SRP is particularly concerned about the surge in criminal prosecutions for defamation and disinformation against peaceful critics of the Government over the past six months that have attracted the attention of national and international sources. Based on the above facts, SRP strongly urges that articles related to defamation and insult be removed from the Draft Penal Code. SRP recommends and welcomes a new draft law on these issues or include them in the current Civil Code through amendments.
For immediate release, contact: 012 788 999
The SRP welcomes efforts to reform the Penal Code, and recognizes many positive provisions. However, the current draft Code unduly restricts freedom of speech and assembly, the most fundamental of civil liberties. These freedoms allow for participation and creativity at a time when finding solutions to poverty, unemployment, land conflicts, corruption and other critical national issues should be the first priority of the Government. When lawmakers, NGO workers, journalists, trade unionists, villagers and others are not able to freely debate new ideas and challenge the status quo, development is restricted.
The SRP is particularly concerned about the surge in criminal prosecutions for defamation and disinformation against peaceful critics of the Government over the past six months that have attracted the attention of national and international sources. Based on the above facts, SRP strongly urges that articles related to defamation and insult be removed from the Draft Penal Code. SRP recommends and welcomes a new draft law on these issues or include them in the current Civil Code through amendments.
For immediate release, contact: 012 788 999
No comments:
Post a Comment