Rights groups object to pre-election media gag on Cambodian lawyers

Thu, 14 Feb 2013

Source: trustlaw // Alison Harley

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen talks to the media during a local commune election in Kandal province June 3, 2012. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

By Alison Harley

BEIJING (TrustLaw) - The Cambodian government and the Cambodian Bar Association have told lawyers they may not speak to the media without authorisation, a move critics say is an attempt to silence opposition ahead of this year’s parliamentary election.

Many lawyers have criticised the government, including over its control of the courts, which have been used to imprison or intimidate political opponents and human rights activists.  

“The new censorship regime attempts to gag some of the most effective and professional government critics,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The Information Ministry issued instructions on Jan. 31 to radio and television stations not to invite lawyers to appear on programmes without the approval of the Cambodian Bar Association.  At the same time, the Bar Association asked all lawyers to seek authorisation before speaking with radio or television stations.  Lawyers who do not comply could be disbarred. 

Rights groups say print media have not been named as print outlets reach a much smaller segment of the population.

Critics say the moves challenge freedom of expression and the independence of the legal profession.

“The Cambodian Bar Association is supposed to be an independent body,” said Ou Virak, president of the Cambodia Centre for Human Rights. “But they answer directly to the Council of Ministers.”

“It is a new low,” Ou said, adding that he expected the government to take further steps to tighten controls in the run-up to the election set for July 28. 

Prime Minister Hun Sen has held power since 1985.  Previous pre-election periods have been marred by reports of violent crackdowns on any dissent.  Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition party, lives in self-imposed exile due to charges he faces in Cambodia which he says are politically motivated.

The Ministry of Information and the Cambodia Bar Association have said the restriction on lawyers is to ensure high-quality dissemination of information, avoid misinterpretations and maintain high professional standards.

Neither responded to requests for further comment.