Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Sar Kheng pushing for streamlined drug trials

Sar Kheng pushing for streamlined drug trials

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng was addressing an annual meeting of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) to review the work results of 2022 and set the direction for 2023. SAR KHENG VIA FACEBOOK

Sar Kheng pushing for streamlined drug trials

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has advised the Ministry of Justice and its partners to facilitate the acceleration of trials for drug offences.

Sar Kheng was addressing an annual meeting of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) to review the work results of 2022 and set the direction for 2023.

He suggested that the justice ministry and relevant authorities work closely with judicial authorities to make drug trials more efficient.

“All of the police officers and justice ministry officials involved should be working to make sure that drug offences – and money laundering charges – are proceeded against as efficiently as possible. This includes the seizure of assets,” he said.

“They must be instruments of the government’s will to work within the global framework and investigate the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” he added.

Following the meeting, he advised the NACD to coordinate with relevant state institutions to accelerate the drafting of amendments to the Kingdom’s laws on drug control.

“They should formulate policies and legal documents that reduce drug activities in Cambodia. Specifically, they should prepare new laws relating to drug control and the use of [precursor] chemicals, as this should prevent the production of illegal drugs more effectively,” he said.

He also instructed all state agencies, the private sector, religious institutions and members of the armed forces to educate members of the public about the dangers stemming from the use of drugs.

“They should be working to improve the mechanisms we use to treat and rehabilitate drug addicts, while following a strategy that cuts the supply of drugs,” he added.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director of rights group LICADHO, said that given the number of drug cases before the courts, the problem of overcrowding in prisons is unlikely to be resolved soon.

He said that although the justice ministry has launched a campaign to speed up procedures to clear the backlog of court cases, challenges remain as nearly half of prisoners in the country are in custody for drug-related offences. He expressed concerns that the backlog of cases would continue if the problem of drug use persisted.

Sam Ath said he was pleased that the interior minister had identified the problem, and called on the judiciary to work to address the issue.

“It is an excellent sign that Sar Kheng has made this appeal, but we should remember that the justice ministry has previously campaigned to speed up the processing of cases. Perhaps the ministry needs to play more of a role in coordinating the efforts,” he said.

According to the NACD report, it cracked down on 6,390 drug-related cases in 2022, netting 15,002 suspects – a small increase compared to the previous year. But drug seizures were up 218.14 per cent, with over 14 tonnes confiscated.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.