Pen Bona, chief of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit (RGSU). RGSU
The government spokesperson unit (RGSU) has rejected accusations by a Candlelight Party (CP) leader that the new seventh-mandate government is leading a worsening democratic environment.
On the contrary, said the unit, the government is continuing to introduce legal reforms and strengthen the rule of law.
The rejection followed comments by CP president Teav Vannol which were broadcast on February 5 by Japan’s Nikkei Asia Media, and then cited by Radio France International (RFI ) in the Khmer language.
The RGSU said the accusations misrepresented the facts.
“Through his quotes in the two media outlets, Vannol claimed the government has installed a camera in front of his home to maintain a 24-hour watch over his activity,” it said in a February 7 statement.
“Vannol also claimed that the government led by Prime Minister Hun Manet has gone from bad to worse, in terms of democracy. He accused the government of apprehending political rivals and critics,” it added.
The RGSU explained that Vannol’s comments were clearly an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the government, especially with the Senate election approaching, and that the interviews were a “show” to garner the sympathy of the public.
It added that this was a clear example of speech that violated and affected the honour of others, against the Constitution.
“We have not installed any cameras to monitor his activities, as his slanderous accusations have claimed. Various cameras have been installed in many public places in Phnom Penh, and across the country, for reasons of security, safety and public order, as well as traffic management,” it said.
The statement added that the government had no intention to install any cameras to watch over any individual, but would apply the law to law-breakers.
“The law must be enforced, regardless of a person’s rank or position. In Cambodia, there are no political prisoners; only politicians who break the law are prosecuted,” it said.
According to the statement, the implementation of all laws is an essential part of strengthening the rule of law. In all countries, especially advanced democratic ones, the strengthening of the rule of law is indispensable to a functioning democracy, it said.
“Democracy without law enforcement would be tantamount to anarchy. Democracy and individual rights and freedoms must adhere to legal limits,” it added.
Em Sovannara, a political science lecturer, opined that in a situation where the political space contracts, the right to free expression is a sensitive issue, especially when perceived restrictions are applied to it.
“In the current context, some civil society organisations and opposition activists have been sued [for their remarks]. This is a sensitive topic, so it was good that the government responded by just denying these accusations [instead of filing a lawsuit],” he said.
