Cambodians Regularly Face Pre-Trial Detention: Rights Group
Cambodian authorities frequently hold suspects, especially the young, in detention pending trial, even though the law could allow them to be released on bail while awaiting the completion of their judicial proceedings, according to a report released Wednesday. Minor crime suspects are also provided a “worryingly low” level of legal representation and judges routinely fail to offer defendants a full explanation of their rights, said the report by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), which analyzed data collected from 354 trials in the first half of 2012. … The trials involved a total of 719 individuals and were drawn from proceedings at the court of first instance of Phnom Penh, Banteay Meanchey and Ratanakiri provinces, it said. … In its sixth annual report, the CCHR said that the cases it monitored highlighted the “continued prevalence of pre-trial detention despite the presumption of bail required under both Cambodian and international law,” adding that such detention was particularly high amongst juvenile cases. … The “worryingly low” level of legal representation for suspects of misdemeanors and the failure of judges to afford defendants with a full explanation of their rights were responsible for “further impeding fair trial rights” during the reporting period, CCHR said. … CCHR did record improvements in fair trial rights during the reporting period, including what it said were “very few” issues related to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defense. … CCHR did record improvements in fair trial rights during the reporting period, including what it said were “very few” issues related to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defense. …
Radio Free Asia
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