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