Legal Institutions Back Sub-Decree

Written by DAP NEWS -- Monday, 05 October 2009

(Post by CAAI News Media)

The Cambodian Bar Association, Urgent Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers, legal experts of the Council of Judiciary Reform, and the School of Judge Training have all announced that they completely support the sub-decree for the effective work of discipline council of the Supreme Council of Magistracy because it will help reform the court system and judiciary sector of the country, a joint press release said on Saturday. The statement seemed an attempt to deflect international criticism over a perceived infringement of freedom of speech and freedom of expression in Cambodia.

Tit Sothea, member of the Urgent Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers, said that the sub-decree of effective work of the discipline council of the Supreme Council of Magistracy will play a key roe loin forwarding the reform of the court system in Cambodia.

But, stressed the official statement, “this does not mean that the Government is putting its hands into the court body,” claiming that court bodies “always cooperated with the Government to seek and provide justice for the general public.”

The court system here has repeatedly been accused of corruption and injustice despite Government attempts at reform. Referring to requests of civil bodies and the political opposition for institutions and freedoms available in countries across the world, Tit Sothea claimed, “We do not understand what they need.”

He also criticized those from opposition parties and civil bodies who have accused the ruling party of interfering the court body. Chiev Song Hak, the chairman of the Cambodian Bar Association, said that reform needs the order of the executive body. “Administrative affairs help the process of the discipline council only and contribute to enhance the effectiveness of the work of the top legal body,” he added.

Tep Narong, the director of the Judge Training School, said the sub-decree has not affected the process of the Supreme Council of Magistracy because the co-chairmen are Sok An, deputy prime minister and minister of the Council of Ministers, and Dit Monty, president of the Supreme Court. “It will help to contribute to build the legal process and help to protect the value of the judges and prosecutors for the country,” he said. “It has been agreed to have this kind of the legal reform mechanism.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen issued the sub-decree on September 23 to enhance the effective work of the discipline council of the Supreme Council of Magistracy.