A legislative shackle : Freedom of expression in contemporary Cambodia

Abstract

In the South-East of Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Vietnam and Laos, lays the tropical country of Cambodia. The ancient temples and landscapes rival that of any other from the era, attracting people from all around the world. But Cambodia is a country emerging from conflict. Inevitably, the international occupations, the revolution in the 70’s and the United Nations’ democracy-restoration period have left an impact on society. Many inadequacies are obvious. Despite a multi-party system, the governing party, Cambodian People’s Party, holds much of the power, the judicial system is deficient, corruption is common and human rights are restricted through legislation. Clashes between authorities and civilians often result in violence, intimidation, imprisonment and even death. Since the early 90’s, Cambodia has ratified many of the conventions on the protection of human rights – but the gap between written law and law in action as to the process of democracy remains an issue in the limelight. The purpose of this essay is therefore to establish the current situation in contemporary Cambodia by identifying the gap between written law and law in action. This has been achieved through a SIDA financed minor field study (MFS) conducted in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November to December 2013.Validerat; 20140917 (global_studentproject_submitter