Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - CNRP asks to grill justice minister

CNRP asks to grill justice minister

Kem Sokha speaks to senior party members at CNRP headquarters earlier this week about the current political situation. Photo supplied
Kem Sokha speaks to senior party members at CNRP headquarters earlier this week about the current political situation. Photo supplied

CNRP asks to grill justice minister

Amid a flurry of recent arrests related to the Kem Sokha sex scandal, opposition lawmakers in a letter yesterday asked Prime Minister Hun Sen to have the National Assembly convene a session so they could question Justice Minister Ang Vong Vanthana about the increasing politicisation of the judicial system.

The letter cites Article 96 of the constitution, which gives lawmakers the right to monitor and question the work of government officials, with CNRP chief whip Son Chhay saying their concerns went beyond the recent arrest of human rights workers and summonses for Sokha and two fellow parliamentarians.

“The government has changed the entire judicial system so that the whole court is now politicised and the government fully controls it through the minister,” he said.

He said a “dangerous situation” had been created with the Anti-Corruption Unit’s recent cases against members of parliament and alleged widespread phone tapping.

“The government has always said they are trying to strengthen the rule of law,” he added. “So if they are really serious about what they are saying, they should answer our questions and also face the nation.”

National Assembly spokesman Leng Penglong said his office had yet to receive the letter and would forward it to the prime minister once he did. Justice Ministry spokesman Kim Santepheap could not be reached for comment.

However, in a statement released earlier in the day, the Justice Ministry slammed the CNRP for questioning the court’s actions, which it claims have been independent of any outside influence.

“They interpret the law with a lack of knowledge about the law and the procedures of the prosecutor and court, including their wrong accusations of twisting the law,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, at a meet-and-greet organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, Minister Prak Sokhon met with 29 representatives from the diplomatic community.

However, ministry spokesman Chum Sonry said the topic of Kem Sokha had not been broached, saying it was a simple stock-taking meeting following the minister’s first month on the job, with no other topics discussed.

“This meeting had not a single head of diplomatic missions raise concerns about the current political situation in Cambodia,” he said.

Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon meets with Ugo Astuto, acting managing director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon meets with Ugo Astuto, acting managing director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. Heng Chivoan

The US Embassy confirmed the presence of Ambassador William Heidt but refused to divulge the substance of the closed-door meeting. Attempts to reach other embassies to discuss the meeting were unsuccessful yesterday.

But, speaking to the Post earlier this week, a member of the diplomatic community said there was a sense the government was nervous, resulting in them seeking refuge in remedies they’ve used against adversaries in the past.

“I think decisive parameters have changed since, and what may have worked then will not necessarily work now anymore,” the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

While the government could succeed in paralysing the opposition party, the diplomat believed there was a “silent opposition” in the streets that would make itself heard loud and clear when the time came.

While yesterday’s meeting allegedly avoided the current political tumult, a joint statement issued following another meeting this week, between a visiting EU delegation and Cambodian officials, showed the topic had been broached.

“We raised our concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the fairness of law enforcement, and specifically about the recent arrests of civil society representatives, and we called for their release,” said Ugo Astuto, acting managing director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service.

In response, Huy Vannak, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Interior, said the law was taking its course and that the meeting was held in a “spirit of cooperation, there was no pressure”.

Additional reporting by Shaun Turton and Vong Sokheng

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument