Cambodia acid attack law set for passage in coming weeks

via CAAI News Media

Posted : Fri, 19 Feb 2010

By : dpa

Phnom Penh - The Cambodian authorities are finalizing a law to criminalize acid attacks and expect to send it to parliament by April local media reported Friday. The deputy head of a government committee drafting the law said the government had recorded eight acid attacks this year alone.

Ouk Kimlek told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper that those found guilty of carrying out the most serious acid attacks should face life in jail, as should those who help them.

"We are trying to do our best to create an acid [attack] law in order to protect people and society," he said.

The announcement comes after the government had earlier refused to regulate the sale of acid to combat an apparent surge in attacks in which people are injured or killed after being doused with strong acids such as sulphuric acid.

Currently, attackers are charged with generic criminal offences such as attempted murder or lesser charges.

Many acid attacks, which cause substantial disfigurement and sometimes death, involve assaults on women perceived as love rivals.

Human rights groups said the proposed law must be implemented impartially in order to combat an ongoing record of impunity of the powerful involved in acid attacks.

"I want to see equal practice between people in power and poor people," said Kek Pung, the president of Cambodian human rights organization Licadho.

Kek Pung told the newspaper that the government should also ensure there is sufficient money available to provide specialized in-country care for victims.

At present the worst-affected are taken to neighbouring Vietnam. That was the case in December when a 16-year-old contestant in a beauty pageant was doused with acid by her cousins, who felt she was condescending and arrogant towards them.

Ouk Kimlek said the law would also regulate the transport, production and sale of acid, and require anyone purchasing acid to be at least 20 years old. Vendors would need to be licensed with the government.

The Cambodian Acid Survivors' Charity said at least 194 people were victims of acid attacks between 1985 and 2009, although the actual number of victims is thought to be higher.

Strong acids are widely available in Cambodia, where they are used in the processing of rubber and for domestic purposes.