Cambodia's National Assembly passed a law combating the non-recognition of crimes committed during the Democratic Kampuchea period on February 18. - NA via PPP/ANN
PHNOM PENH: A new law which punishes individuals who deny the crimes committed during the period of the Khmer Rouge rule of Cambodia has increased punishments from a range of six months to two years to between one and five years.
The law was unanimously passed by the National Assembly on the morning of February 18, with all 115 of the lawmakers who were present voting in favour of the bill.
It was drafted with the aim of specifying penalties for individuals who glorify, deny, reject or oppose the recognition of crimes committed during the period of the Democratic Kampuchea Regime.
The recognition of these crimes was acknowledged through the rulings and legal proceedings of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, which was established to provide justice for victims and prevent such crimes from recurring in Cambodia.
The new legislation replaces a 2013 bill, which also imposed penalties on individuals who denied the crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge era. In addition to prison sentences of from six months to two years, the original law imposed fines of from one to four million riel (US$250 to $1,000).
The newly adopted law raises the penalties to one to five years in jail, with fines of between 10 and 50 million riel (US$2,500 to US$12,500).
On the same day, the Ministry of Justice released a statement responding to comments by foreign journalist David Hutt, who claimed that the law restricts freedom of expression.
The ministry clarified that denying crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge era – which have already been prosecuted – is not a matter of freedom of expression, but rather an act of disrespecting the rulings issued by an international court.
The ministry recommended that critics of the law should study similar legislation in other countries.
“At least 17 European countries that underwent the tragic experience of mass killings during World War II have enacted laws punishing those who deny crimes such as genocide or crimes against humanity, similar to the law in Cambodia. Some countries' laws even impose prison sentences of up to ten years for the denial of genocide,” said the February 18 statement.
“As for individuals who deny or promote crimes committed during the Democratic Kampuchea Regime, it means they are supporting the return of the genocidal regime and the resumption of mass killings in Cambodia,” it added.
According to the ministry, the establishment of the new law further demonstrates Cambodia's firm commitment, politically, legally and socially, to combat and prevent the recurrence of such horrific crimes, ensuring that the crimes against humanity that were committed during the Khmer Rouge era do not reemerge on Cambodian soil, and to protect the right to life of the public. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
