DPA
Phnom Penh – The United Nations’ human rights envoy to Cambodia highlighted freedom of expression issues and concerns about land rights as he wrapped up his visit to Cambodia Thursday.
‘Peaceful expression of opinion should not be dealt with under the penal code as is currently the case with crimes such as defamation,’ UN envoy Surya Subedi said of the government’s efforts to use the courts to punish its perceived critics in politics, media and civil society.
Subedi said those in public positions should be willing to accept criticism, adding that he was ‘concerned about the narrowing of space for people to express their views peacefully and without fear.’
‘Criticism is not a crime but an exercise of freedom of conscience, an act of intelligence,’ he said at the close of his fourth visit.
He also dismissed the government’s claim this week that it had decriminalized defamation, saying people could still be fined for speaking their mind, and could be jailed if they refused to pay that fine.
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