Police delay in deadly childbirth, family says

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Tuesday, 24 November 2009 15:02 Chrann Chamroeun and Mom Kunthear

THE family of the woman who died during childbirth at the Cambodian-Russian Friendship Hospital on November 5 has criticised police for dragging their feet in bringing their complaint to court.

Moeun Chhun Leng, 40, an uncle of the victim said Monday: “It has been nearly one month since I filed a complaint to Chamkarmon district police.

But they don’t seem to be interested in my complaint because though I have met them many times to urge them to send the letter, they still have not done it.”

The victim, 23-year-old Ban Rany, died at the hospital immediately after being injected with a serum during childbirth.

Moeun Chhun Leng added that he felt disappointed and thought that the authorities did not want to help them because they were a poor family and could not offer money to the police.

“A lawyer costs from US$300 to $500. I don’t have enough money to find a lawyer. So how can I have money to give them,” said Moeun Chhun Leng.

He added that the victim’s husband, Ly Kok Meng, had prepared himself for court but is slowly losing faith in the authorities: He “is ready to attend court, but he does not know when his complaint will be received because police don’t seem to care about it”.

Uch Sokhon, police chief of Chamkarmon district, denied the accusations that it was a matter of money.

“The accusations are wrong because we always work with all cases regardless if those involved are poor, taxi drivers or beggars. We are busy with lots of work, so the process is prolonged,” he said.