Judiciary Reform: Framework for a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict

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Judiciary Reform: Framework for a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict

Implementations

Judiciary Reform – 1991

No information was available on judiciary reform for 1991.

Judiciary Reform – 1992

During the Supreme National Council (SNC) meeting of 10 September 1991, parties discussed issues related to the peace process, including principles governing the Cambodian judicial system, legal code, and legal procedure, as well as various other issues. All parties, except for the Khmer Rouge, were unanimously in agreement on the issues discussed. The Khmer Rouge rejected the documents and principles governing Cambodia’s judicial system, legal code, and legal procedure.1

  1. “Supreme National Council Meeting on 10th September,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, September 14, 1992.

Judiciary Reform – 1993

In 1993, Hun Sen presented a plan of action for the Provisional National Government of Cambodia (PNGC) that suggested that they “improve the judicial system and make it absolutely independent, create appeals courts and provide more judges for provincial and municipal tribunals in order to increase work efficiency in a timely manner” (BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 1993).2

The new Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia was promulgated on September 21, 1993. According to Article 39, “Cambodian citizens shall have the right to sue, appeal and demand reparations for damage caused by the illegal acts of state and social organizations and personnel thereof. Settlement of appeals and reparations of damage shall be under the jurisdiction of the court.”

  1. “Hun Sen Presents Transitional Government’s Action Plan to Assembly,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 7, 1993.

Judiciary Reform – 1994

No developments observed this year.

Judiciary Reform – 1995

No developments observed this year.

Judiciary Reform – 1996

Judicial reform was not extensive. In a newspaper report, a leading Cambodian lawyer said that Cambodia needed to implement extensive legal reforms to accommodate rapid economic changes and instill confidence in foreign investors during this crucial transition period.3

  1. “Legal Reforms Urged to Ensure Economic Growth,” Emerging Markets Data File in NATION, August 28, 1996.

Judiciary Reform – 1997

“The lack of an independent judiciary also continued to pose a problem. A Supreme Council of Magistracy, mandated by Cambodia’s constitution to appoint and discipline judges, was expected to meet for the first time in November, but a Constitutional Council that is to provide independent confirmation of legislative compliance with the constitution had yet to be established.”

“U.N. Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia Thomas Hammarberg made several visits to Cambodia in 1997. After a visit in March, he raised concerns about the poor functioning of the judicial system.”4

  1. “Human Rights Watch World Report 1998 — Cambodia,” Human Rights Watch 1998, accessed July 20, 2010, http://www.hrw.org/legacy/worldreport/Asia-02.htm#P210_63166.

Judiciary Reform – 1998

During 1998, the court system was virtually powerless. The judiciary was subject to political pressure.5

On March 19, 1998, the Cambodian parliament passed legislation that created the Constitutional Council as the country’s supreme judicial body. The nine-member council is mandated to interpret Cambodia’s constitution and its laws.6 The body’s two eldest members, Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum and Son Sann, boycotted the meeting of the Constitutional Council, claiming many of their colleagues were illegally appointed and that the body was stacked in favor of strongman Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). The CPP, which effectively controlled Cambodia’s judiciary, would now also control the Constitutional Council.7 Judiciary reform did not take place.

  1. “Human Rights Watch World Report 1999 — Cambodia,” Human Rights Watch 1999, accessed July 20, 2010, http://www.hrw.org/legacy/worldreport99/asia/cambodia.html.
  2. “Cambodian parliament passes law establishing supreme judicial body,” Deutsche Presse-Agentur, March 19, 1998.
  3. “Cambodia’s top judicial body finally convenes despite boycott,” Deutsche Presse-Agentur, June 15, 1998.

Judiciary Reform – 1999

The judiciary was far from independent, and numerous court decisions were influenced by corruption or political dictates.8

  1. “Human Rights Watch World Report 2000 — Cambodia,” Human Rights Watch 2000, accessed July 20, 2010, http://www.hrw.org/wr2k/Asia-02.htm#TopOfPage.

Judiciary Reform – 2000

“Little progress was made in reforming Cambodia’s judicial system, plagued by corruption and low-paid and poorly trained personnel. A council for judicial reform, established in 1999 at the urging of Cambodia’s international donors, was completely inactive during the year. A legal reform unit established by the Council of Ministers in 2000 with World Bank funding accomplished little apart from hiring consultants to conduct a number of studies. The Supreme Council of Magistracy (SCM)- responsible for overseeing and disciplining judges and commenting on draft laws-began to meet more regularly. During the second half of the year the SCM Disciplinary Council investigated a number of complaints against court officials and took disciplinary action against five judges and one prosecutor” (Human Rights Watch, 2001).9

  1. “Human Rights Watch World Report 2001 — Cambodia,” Human Rights Watch 2001, accessed July 20, 2010, http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/asia/cambodia.html.