The Editor,
I would like to point out that your article "When eight years
is not enough..." (April 7 - 20, 1995) contained an inaccuracy.
It is not
true to say that "despite the Kampot police, prison officials, prosecutor and
judge all supporting Sok Hun's release, the Justice Ministry has said
no."
Under Article 71 of the Provisions to the Judiciary and Criminal law
and Procedure "convicted persons who have served two-thirds of their term for a
crime may be granted conditional release by the court which convicted
them..."
As Sok Hun was arrested on Feb 10, 1987 and sentenced to 16
years, she has not served two-thirds of her term, and is therefore not eligible
to be considered by the Kampot judge for early release. From this, you can see
that the Ministry did not, and could not, say no.
It is correct, but
implies some impropriety, to say "the Ministry of Justice is instead insisting
on the rule of law." I suspect that if the Ministry did not follow the rule of
law, the media, including the Phnom Penh Post, would be the first to
criticize.
- H.E. Chem Snguon, Minister of Justice
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