CAMBODIA: Judicial independence is the key to reducing defamation lawsuits against critics and upholding freedom of expression

'Prime Minister Hun Sen is utilising much of the country’s electronic media to assert his leadership of the country and send out messages to his people through his public speeches at different functions. Now and again in such speeches he rebukes his critics and makes disparaging remarks and even or threats against them. At times, such threats have been accompanied by legal action. Such legal action has now become part of Cambodia’s political landscape as Hun Sen himself and other powerful people in his government have sued Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition, journalists and human rights defenders for defamation, disinformation and/or incitement. Over recent months, such lawsuits have multiplied. Mua Sochua, an MP from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), sued Hun Sen for defamation.'

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URL Link: http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2009statements/2095/

Author Organisation: Asian Human Rights Commission