STATEMENT
Civil Society Concerned about Independence of Phnom Penh Municipal Court
Phnom Penh, 24 July 2009
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 21 NGOs, is
expressing its grave concern about a recent “defamation” court case heard by Phnom Penh
municipal court against Mrs. Mu Sochua, a female parliamentarian of the Sam Rainsy
Party, on 24 July 2009.
According to its monitoring of this morning court proceeding, CHRAC notes that the
municipal’s prosecutor decided to charge Mrs. Mu Sochua of defamation after a press
conference was organized by her at her party office, as a result of Prime Minister’s speech
of “a strong lady” in April this year. In this morning hearing, fully participated by national
and international public and observers, Mrs. Mu Sochua was self-represented in the court
room due to no any defense lawyer to represent her in this court case.
CHRAC therefore calls for the municipal court, in the future, to provide a legal counsel to
the requested party in order to ensure “equality of arms” before the court. CHRAC
further urges also that the judge should act independently and impartially in making its
judgment of the case to be announced in the upcoming days based on its high spirit of
supporting, protecting and promoting freedom of expression in Cambodia which is fully
guaranteed in the Constitution.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Sok Sam Oeun CHRAC Chairman/CDP Executive Director Tel: 012 901 199
Mr. Thun Saray President of ADHOC Tel: 016 880 509
Mr. Hang Chhaya Executive Director of KID Tel: 012 865 910
Ms. Say Vathany Executive Director of CWCC Tel: 092 993 358
No comments:
Post a Comment