Freedom of Expression in Cambodia: Practice

1
Freedom of Expression in Cambodia Practice Law

• PSI III
• July 21, 2007
• CHEA Samrach
• ROS Bophana
• Y Samphy

2
Outline

• Freedom of expression in Cambodia Situational
  and Legal Development
• Heated issues concerning freedom of expression

3
Situational development

• Khmer Rouge
• 1979-1993 (Law on the Press Regime and Law on
  Demonstration)
• 1993 to date

4
Laws and regulations

• Constitution Art. 41, 31
• Law on Demonstration, 27 Dec 1991
• Law on the Regime of the Press, 1995
• Law on Public Assembly for Peaceful Demonstration
  (draft)
• Criminal law Art. 57 (defamation was a criminal
  offence until recently)

5
Heated issues

• Political
• Arrests of HR and opposition activists for
  defamation under Art. 57 of the transitional
  penal law 1992 ? Decriminalization of defamation
• Buddhist monks (election and other political
  rights)
• Media
• reporters ousted, sued for defamation. Yet, more
  freedom seems to be given in opinion column.
• Entertainment V. Culture
• Education Freedom of expression in academy
• Free speech
• Labour Strike/Lockout