Published: June 6, 2011
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, June 6 (UPI) -- Some members of the Cambodian Parliament are prohibited in certain circumstances from checking the power of the executive, a U.N. special envoy complained.
Surya Subedi (pictured), the U.N. special envoy on human rights in Cambodia, said the country is making slow gains in embracing democracy. There are shortcomings, however, in free speech and debate.
"Democracy is about dialogue and debate on all issues of national importance," he said in a statement "Some of the current internal rules of procedure of the National Assembly are not conducive to enabling all members to enjoy freedom of speech in holding the executive to account and in defending the rights of the people they represent."
Cambodia faced criticism for targeting opposition leaders and government critics with legal pressure. Subedi said there were incidents where immunity was lifted for members of parliament in certain national issues.
"A properly functioning democracy requires effective checks on the executive and the majority," he stressed. "The ability of Parliament in Cambodia to restrain the executive has been limited."
His assessment follows his fifth fact-finding mission to the country.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, June 6 (UPI) -- Some members of the Cambodian Parliament are prohibited in certain circumstances from checking the power of the executive, a U.N. special envoy complained.
Surya Subedi (pictured), the U.N. special envoy on human rights in Cambodia, said the country is making slow gains in embracing democracy. There are shortcomings, however, in free speech and debate.
"Democracy is about dialogue and debate on all issues of national importance," he said in a statement "Some of the current internal rules of procedure of the National Assembly are not conducive to enabling all members to enjoy freedom of speech in holding the executive to account and in defending the rights of the people they represent."
Cambodia faced criticism for targeting opposition leaders and government critics with legal pressure. Subedi said there were incidents where immunity was lifted for members of parliament in certain national issues.
"A properly functioning democracy requires effective checks on the executive and the majority," he stressed. "The ability of Parliament in Cambodia to restrain the executive has been limited."
His assessment follows his fifth fact-finding mission to the country.
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