Cybercrime law may silence critics, NGOs say
Cambodia’s cybercrime law, a draft of which was made available online Wednesday, could be used to arbitrarily punish people who share controversial opinions online or air complaints about the CPP government, rights groups said Wednesday. According to the law, people who publish content online that slanders or undermines the government’s integrity would face jail time and fines. The law would also establish a high level, 14-person body known as the National Anti-Cybercrime Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, which would have control over the implementation of the law. Article 28 outlines multiple offenses regarding the publication of content online. Citizens may be subject to punishment for publishing information that is “deemed to be non-factual, which slanders or undermine[s] the integrity of any governmental agencies, ministries, not limited to departments, federal or local levels.” … “This article is very strict on freedom of expression, access to information and dissemination of information,” said Am Sam Ath, technical supervisor for rights group Licadho. …
Joshua Wilwohl and Hul Reaksmey
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/cybercrime-law-may-silence-critics-ngos-say-56288/
