AKP Phnom Penh, January 24, 2025 --

The Draft Law Against Non-Recognition of Crimes Committed During the Democratic Kampuchea Period (Khmer Rouge) was approved in a plenary cabinet session held here at the Peace Palace this morning under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. 

The seven-article draft law was elaborated at the request made by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party when he presided over the commemoration of the 46th Anniversary of January 7 Victory Day over the Khmer Rouge Genocidal Regime (Jan. 7, 1979-Jan. 7, 2025).

According to a press release issued after the cabinet meeting, this draft of law is designed to punish those who do not recognise, but glorify the crimes which were committed during the Democratic Kampuchea period (1975-1979) and whose existence has been recognised by a final decision or in the proceedings of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), with the aim of providing justice to victims and preventing these crimes from recurring in Cambodia.

The draft law also clearly outlines the types of crimes identified by the ECCC, including genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes violating the Geneva Convention of Aug. 12, 1949. 

Moreover, the draft law aims to record all atrocities against humanity committed during the dark period of 3 years, 8 months and 20 days. 
The draft law prescribes an imprisonment from 1 to 5 years and a fine from KHR 10 million (about US$2,500) to KHR 50 million (some US$12,500).

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By Heng Panha