Cambodia's prime minister Hun Sen has called for the country's criminal defamation law to be abolished.

14/02/2006 20:59:54 AEST

Cambodia's prime minister Hun Sen has called for the country's criminal
defamation law to be abolished.

The announcement comes amid claims that the prime minister has used the
legislation to silence his critics.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony in the capital, Phnom Penh, Hun Sen
said removing the law from the criminal statute would improve freedom
of speech.

He said defamation should become a civil offence, punishable with a
fine.

Earlier this week, Cambodia's opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, returned
home from self-imposed exile in France, where he had been sentenced to
18 months' jail for defaming Hun Sen.

The prime minister himself sought a royal pardon to allow the
opposition leader to return.

He also dropped defamation complaints against seven other activists and
ordered those in jail be released.

Hun Sen's apparent reversal has been welcomed.

But some human rights activists believe he is trying to get the
international community on side before an important donor meeting next
month.

ABC Asia Pacific TV / Radio Australia

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