"The verdicts by the Cambodian Court on the recent defamation and disinformation cases are in compliance with the existing laws in relation to these offences," he added

Cambodia committed to democracy, human rights with rule of law:
official
August 11, 2009

Cambodia is more than ever committed to human rights promotion and
protection approach with its organic laws, said a government statement
released on Tuesday by the Foreign Ministry's spokesman.

The statement was made after Ouch Borith, secretary of state for
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Friday exchanged
views on the issues of human rights with European Union's delegation
led by the British Ambassador Andrew Mace, who is representing Sweden
in their presidency of the EU.

During the meeting, Ouch Borith underlined that "Cambodia is more than
ever committed to human rights promotion and protection approach with
its organic laws."

At the same time, Ouch Borith stressed that Cambodia's democracy is
based on the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights.

"While individual rights, freedom of expression and a culture of
debates are taking deeper roots in Cambodia, we must recognize that
the exercise of these rights and freedoms in any democratic society
must be within the rule of law," he said

EU's meeting with the government follows a Phnom Penh Municipal Court
ruling on Aug. 4 that found opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker
Mu Sochua guilty of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen and ordered her to
pay about 4,100 U.S. dollars in fines and compensation.

The EU expressed "concern over a number of instances in which criminal
charges of defamation and disinformation have been used against
representatives of civil society, the media and the political
opposition," according to the report of the Cambodia Daily.

"Laws and regulations concerning defamation and disinformation exist
worldwide, particularly in developed countries, to protect and
guarantee the right to dignity of everyone," Ouch Borith said.

"The verdicts by the Cambodian Court on the recent defamation and
disinformation cases are in compliance with the existing laws in
relation to these offences," he added.

Admitting "the country still faces many challenges," Ouch Borith
reassured the delegation of the EU that "Cambodia is firmly committed
to ensuring that the country embraces the principles of democracy and
human rights with the rule of law."

Source: Xinhua
.

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