Judicial reform pledged by PM
The Cambodian government has privately pledged that it will pass the long-awaited “three fundamental laws” aimed at reforming the judiciary during the first session of parliament in early 2014, UN rights envoy Surya Subedi said.
The laws – which focus on codifying the court’s jurisdiction, laying out guidelines for the duties and discipline of judges and prosecutors, and clarifying the role of the Supreme Council of Magistracy – have been languishing for years.
Although civil society groups have long criticised the government’s snail-like progress in adopting these laws – considered key to bolstering the independence of the Kingdom’s courts – Prime Minister Hun Sen also raised hopes in a speech yesterday that the government would follow through on such a promise. …
Speaking at the Peace Palace, Hun Sen said the new government would give the justice minister full power over drafting the laws to facilitate their speedy adoption. …
Although the government has frequently pledged it would soon adopt the laws in recent years, sources within the working group tasked with developing the laws told the Post in December that no new drafts had been disseminated since 2006. …
Kevin Ponniah
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/judicial-reform-pledged-pm
