Four committees were formed to clear court cases in an attempt to solve the issue of overcrowding in prisons. Preah Sihanouk Provincial Prison
Minister of Justice Koeut Rith on Monday announced the creation of a court commission made up of four working groups to tackle the issue of overcrowding in prisons.
Rith will serve as committee director and will be joined by secretaries of state Chan Sotheavy and Prum Sithtra as deputies, and five other secretaries of state at the ministry as members.
The committee will be tasked with issuing guidelines, rules and action plan necessary to implement effective campaigns to clear a backlog of cases at each municipal and provincial court.
“This campaign will contribute to improving the institutional capacity and improve the judicial service as well as reduce overcrowding in prisons.
“The committee will also issue solutions to the challenges arising from its implementation and follow up, check and evaluate the campaign [as it goes forward],” he said.
Ministry of Justice spokesman Chin Malin who is also a member of the committee said on Tuesday that detailed plans will be revealed next Monday.
“At that time we will make clear the rules and mechanics of the programme, practice actors, expected results and implementation period.
“The creation of this committee is to carry out this campaign and its purpose is to solve the issue of overcrowding in prisons.”
Malin said Rith will chair the Monday meeting although, if necessary, it could be led by a deputy director. He said the ministry could use its seal and budget to fulfil the duties of the committee. He said the four working groups will deploy members to each municipal and provincial court.
“We will conduct the campaign by dividing responsible areas at each court,” he said.
Secretary of state Kim Santepheap will head the first working group along with a deputy and another 21 members. The group is in charge of implementing the campaign at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and the Kandal, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provincial courts.
The second working group will be led by secretary of state Long Chorin and include 14 members. It will oversee the provincial courts of Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie, Stung Treng, Tbong Khmum and Preah Vihear.
Secretary of state Chiv Song Hak is in charge of the third working group along with 12 members with jurisdiction over the provincial courts of Kampong Chhnang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Pailin, Battambang, Oddar Meanchey and Pursat.
Malin will oversee the fourth with 11 members and will implement changes at the provincial courts of Kampong Speu, Takeo, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Koh Kong.
Each is charged with implementing guidelines, action plans and other decisions issued by the committee and collect all necessary data and information related to case classification of each municipal and provincial court.
Each will determine priorities for solving cases and follow up to push and solve the actual challenges facing the courts. They will also implement other duties as instructed by the director, Malin said.
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