Prime Minister Hun Manet addresses a graduation ceremony for pedagogical students at the Phnom Penh Teacher Education College (PTEC) in Phnom Penh on July 4. Manet via social media
Prime Minister Hun Manet advised the relevant ministries to provide social benefits and allowances to pregnant female prisoners, as well as their children until the age of two.
At the graduation ceremony for pedagogical students at the Phnom Penh Teacher Education College (PTEC) on July 4, he instructed the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance to discuss these benefits. He emphasised that this is humanitarian work.
“I ask [labour minister] Heng Sour and the social affairs ministry to ensure benefits are offered to the female prisoners. We already have such benefits for [pregnant] workers and civil servants. [Women’s affairs minister] Ing Kantha Phavi informed me that some female inmates are pregnant and also need care.
“They committed wrongdoing, but their children are not at fault. The benefit expenditures are not substantial. Please provide benefits and allowances to the convicted women who are pregnant and to their babies until the age of two,” he said.
Yong Kim Eng, president of the People’s Centre for Development and Peace (PDP-Centre) told The Post on July 4 that providing this support is a positive step that can help ease their burden.
However, he questioned how the cash allowance would reach them, given their lack of rights and freedom.
“If there is embezzlement committed by any prison official, [the prisoners] do not know how to report it. These are all considerations to ensure the cash provided reaches their hands,” he said.
He stated that young children in prison are not guilty and should be helped, adding that when their parents are convicted, the children are left without direction and cannot do business or work because they are too young. He noted that they just live with their mother in prison.
“Young children should be helped regardless of their ages until they and their parents are released from prison. Only then should the state cut off the support,” Kim Eng said.
He suggested that if there are 10 or more children in a particular prison, the state should open kindergartens for them to ensure they receive an education, as it is the state's obligation under the Constitution to be responsible for the education of Cambodians.
“I think this should be done urgently to ensure that the children are not only supported but also educated.
“If the government can do that, there will be congratulations and rejoicing from their relatives and parents,” Kim Eng added.
