Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Clemency list of 542 inmates sent to King for nod ahead of Khmer New Year

Clemency list of 542 inmates sent to King for nod ahead of Khmer New Year

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Inmates are transported to Preysar prison in Phnom Penh last year. Heng Chivoan

Clemency list of 542 inmates sent to King for nod ahead of Khmer New Year

A national commission has approved and sent a list of 542 inmates to King Norodom Sihamoni after reviewing requests for pardons and sentence reduction from 23 prisons and four correctional centres for the upcoming Khmer New Year holiday.

The approval came during an evaluation meeting chaired by Minister of Justice Koeut Rith on March 31, with Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutors and officials from relevant institutions in attendance, according to the justice ministry.

Among the 542 inmates, 68 of them women, 70 were eligible for pardons and 472 for sentence reductions.

The Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Prisons spokesman Nuth Savana said most of the clemency requests were for inmates who had committed misdemeanours.

“The justice minister clearly understands cases relating to misdemeanours, especially those involving minors,” he said.

Savana said most of them have changed their behaviour, and most correctional centres have also provided them with vocational training such as hairdressing, motorcycle repairs, electronics, construction and agriculture work.

“When we receive a royal decree, we have to work according to administrative procedure. The prosecutors will announce the decree to inmates before releasing them,” he said.

The justice ministry said last week that sentence reductions and pardons are granted on humanitarian grounds for inmates who have severe illness, pregnant women or those with a child living with them in detention. Inmates who are mentally ill and elderly inmates are also eligible for the requests. Consideration is given for inmates who have served at least one-third of their sentence.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director for rights group Licadho, said that in recent years sentence reductions and pardons have had fewer irregularities compared to the past years after Prime Minister Hun Sen told the commission to ensure a more stringent process.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.