- Cambodian MP Mu Sochua sentenced for defamation by Supreme Court
- Liberal Leader Sam Rainsy facing jail sentence
This week, Cambodian MP and member of the Sam Rainsy Party (LI Observer) Mu Sochua was convicted for defamation by the Cambodian Supreme Court, after being stripped of her parliamentary immunity earlier this year. The Court’s ruling, despite the sheer lack of evidence against Mu Sochua, shows the court did not base its decision on an independent and impartial application of the facts to the elements of the law, but instead bowed to political manipulation by the executive. Local human rights groups have described freedom of expression in Cambodia as in a "perilous state".1
Earlier this year, the Cambodian government initiated a politically motivated lawsuit against Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy of Liberal International member party the Sam Rainsy Party on the charges of falsifying public documents and distribution of false information. Mr. Sam Rainsy is facing up to 18 years in prison. Liberal International stresses its concern regarding the political persecution of Mr. Rainsy and members of his party, who are democratically elected liberal opposition members, by the Cambodian authorities.
Mr. Rainsy is currently living in exile after being sentenced in absentia by a Cambodian court in 2009 to two years' in prison for a political protest directed against the government. Mr. Rainsy’s immunity as an MP had been lifted in February 2009 to enable prosecution against him for allegedly insulting the Camdodian People’s Government. Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly warned that he would not request a pardon for Mr. Rainsy should he be found guilty. The Cambodian government has issued an order against Mr. Rainsy, which prohibits him from returning to his country.
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