Dear all,
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights ("CCHR") releases today - 27 May 2014 - a Briefing Note on the criminalization of defamation and freedom of expression in the Kingdom of Cambodia ("Cambodia"). The Briefing Note outlines the domestic and international legal framework regulating the criminalization of defamation in Cambodia, where the defamation provisions of the Cambodian Criminal Code 2009 are regularly used by the Royal Government of Cambodia (the "RGC") to crack down on the exercise of free speech by journalists, the political opposition and human rights defenders and activists. The criminalization of defamation further stifles the right to freedom of expression in Cambodia, where the right is already under threat.
The Briefing Note concludes with an analysis of current defamation restrictions in Cambodia and includes recommendations for change to the RGC, including to (1) decriminalize defamation and repeal any laws that does not comply with the Constitution and international law standards on freedom of expression; (2) as a temporary measure, limit the application of defamation laws to only the most serious of cases against individuals and amend the Criminal Code to clear up any vague terminology; and (3) take all necessary steps to prevent public bodies from wasting national resources and occupying valuable court time with charges for defamation.
For more information, please contact CCHR Freedom of Expression Project Coordinator Sorn Ramana via telephone at +855 (0) 1765 5591 or e-mail at ramanasorn@cchrcambodia.org or CCHR Consultant Juliette Rousselot via telephone at +855 (0) 1535 0620 or e-mail atjulietterousselot@
Please find the Briefing Note attached in PDF format in Khmer and in English.
Kind regards,
CCHR
No comments:
Post a Comment