This document outlines challenges to freedom of expression in Cambodia. It discusses political oppression, unfair defamation laws, arrests and murders of journalists, media restrictions, and informal censorship as key challenges. Freedom of expression is important for individual dignity, improving democracy through criticism of government, protecting other rights, and social development. Solutions proposed include making media independent and professional, reforming defamation laws, protecting journalists, and increasing civic education. While some progress has been made since 1998, more reforms are needed to fully protect freedom of expression in Cambodia.

1. Topic: Challenges to Freedom of Expression in Cambodia Presented by: Mr. SovannaPisakha Van. Sam ChanThoeurn Mr. SokLeangHort Mr. SamlengPhearun

2. Outline Background Problems formulation Objectives and advantage Scope II. Understanding of Freedom of Expression III. A. The main challenges to freedom of expression in Cambodia B. The fourbasic advantages of Freedom of Expressions in democracy C. Solution to tackle down the challenges IV. Conclusion and Recommendations V. References

4. General political situation: from 1998- present

7. To explore the general situation of freedom of expression in Cambodia

8. To explore what really the barrier to freedom of expression are

9. To explain the advantages and the relationships between freedom of expression and democracy

10. To explore some of the mechanisms to solving and improving the condition of freedom of expression

12. II. Understanding of Freedom of Expressions Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely concerning any issues– politic, social welfare, economy…etc. Freedom of expression is not only about verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas.( United Nations)

13. Con’t Freedom of expression has been recognized as human rights by many international law and covenant. UDHR: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

14. ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) 1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference. 2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. 3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals.

15. The constitution of Cambodia Article 41: All Cambodian citizens shall have freedom of expression of their ideas, freedom of information, freedom of publication and freedom of assembly. Article 35: Khmer citizens of either sex shall have the rights to participate actively in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the nation.

17. The unfair practice of defamation Law

18. Arresting or Murdering

19. Media restriction

20. Corruption

21. Informal censorship

23. B. The Four main basic advantages of Freedom of Expressions 1. First, it is a key rights for ensuring individual dignity. It gives people autonomy to express themselves as they see appropriate and exchange ideas with others so as to obtain a better understanding of themselves and the society around them.

24. Con’t 2. Essential to improving democracy. criticize the authority or the government for development expression of political opinion get to know more clearly about the government standing for election curtail or decrease corruption better accountability

25. Con’t 3. Basic rights to other rights: Without the space to exercise freedom of expression it becomes increasingly difficult to protect and promote other human rights and bring to light violations of those rights. 4. Social Development

27. Practice professionally based on the work ethic of journalists (truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability )

28. Provide all information from all angles to all Cambodian citizens

29. Provide only true information and avoid provocation

31. Maintain funding and technical support to local NGOs and others working towards the realization of human rights in Cambodia

32. Take actions to implement the 91 recommendations it accepted as part of the UPR process.

35. Human Rights Defenders:The Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Project seeks to protect people at risk and to promote the right to defend human rights. HRDs are those individuals who, in a professional or personal capacity, stand up to promote or protect the rights of others. The premise underlying the Project is that those who stand up for human rights in Cambodia do not stand alone.

36. IV- Conclusion and Recommendation Although we have seen a lot of improvement in democracy in Cambodia since 1998, freedom of expression, still, is not yet freely practiced. Media, human rights activists, lawyers and Cambodian people have been threaten and become the victims of freedom of expression. Also, there are a lot of more things the RGC not yet and should improve.

37. Recommendations make amendment to the law on defamation and disinformation Improve access to public information Invite and provide convenience for the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to visit and assess the situation in Cambodia, and to make recommendations for improving protection of the right to freedom of expression. Provide more conveniences for the opposition parties and citizens to practice their rights

38. V. References http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4672bc122.html. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech http://www.licadho-cambodia.org/campaign/ www.seamedia.org/largeprint.php?story_id Phnom Penh Post Newspaper Vol. 2 dated June 6-12, 1993. Akashi "Election Free and Fair“ Comment of Mr. Sok Sam Oeurn, President of Cambodia Defenders Project, at the round table "Defamation and Disinformation" organized by the Club of Cambodia on Oct. 05, 2006.

39. Thanks for Your Attentions Q&A