Cambodia acid attack law set for passage in coming weeks

Tat Marina, one of victims by acid attack in Cambodia

Fri, 19 Feb 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - The Cambodian authorities are finalizing a law to criminalize acid attacks and expect to send it to parliament by April local media reported Friday. The deputy head of a government committee drafting the law said the government had recorded eight acid attacks this year alone.

Ouk Kimlek told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper that those found guilty of carrying out the most serious acid attacks should face life in jail, as should those who help them.

"We are trying to do our best to create an acid [attack] law in order to protect people and society," he said.

The announcement comes after the government had earlier refused to regulate the sale of acid to combat an apparent surge in attacks in which people are injured or killed after being doused with strong acids such as sulphuric acid.

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