Enforcing the law does not mean silencing the opposition (sic!): Tith Sothea

16 Sept 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

In response to the criticisms leveled by human rights group indicating the Cambodian government had tightened the freedom of expression in Cambodia, Tith Sothea, mouthpiece of the Press and Quick Reaction Unit (PQRU) of the Council of Ministers, declared that in a number of cases, the civil society’s freedom of expression was not right (sic!), i.e. they only express their opinion to ask for financial aid from foreign countries only (sic!). Tith Sothea said: “I think that the enforcement of the law does not mean silencing the civil society or the opposition party, but it is a mean to put down illegal activities for the sake of strengthening the law and democracy.” Nevertheless, the report on freedom of expression in Cambodia which was published on Tuesday by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) indicated that almost all the judges and the prosecutors have close ties with the ruling CPP party, and major players in the judicial system are no other than high-ranking CPP officials.