Lack of judiciary consultation on key Cambodian laws draws concern of UN rights expert
The lack of consultative process on three draft laws has set a worrying precedent for future key legislation, according to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Surya P. Subedi. “For many years in my capacity as the Special Rapporteur…I have been continuously pressing for the enactment of the three fundamental laws on the judiciary without further delay,” explained Mr. Subedi. The laws, which focus on judicial reform, were at the core of his recommendations in a 2010 report. Notwithstanding that in 2012 the Government pledged to its partners in legal and judicial reform that it would hold public consultations on the three draft laws, the authorities did not publically share them until the day before the National Assembly started examining them. While in principle the National Assembly of Cambodia’s enactment of the legislation was welcomed, Mr. Subedi regretted that despite its commitment – and repeated calls for public consultations, including from civil society – the Government did follow through. …
UN News Centre
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47904#.U4WD6PmSxqV
