(WAN/IFEX) – In an 18 July 2000 letter to Information Minister Lu Laysreng, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern at the thirty-day suspension order imposed on the “Cambodia News Bulletin” and the threat to bar a foreign journalist from Cambodia. According to reports, during the week of 10 July, the […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In an 18 July 2000 letter to Information Minister Lu Laysreng, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern at the thirty-day suspension order imposed on the “Cambodia News Bulletin” and the threat to bar a foreign journalist from Cambodia.
According to reports, during the week of 10 July, the English and Khmer-language “Cambodia News Bulletin” ran a story it had taken from the “South China Morning Post”‘s website, that referred to King Norodom Sihanouk. The article, entitled “Search for one who would be King”, discussed the issue of succession in Cambodia and labelled the King as “mercurial” and “capricious”.
The government is reportedly considering forbidding “Post” writer William Barnes from entering Cambodia and permanently closing the newspaper. This is the second time the newspaper has been suspended during the past three months (see IFEX alert of 7 April 2000).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the information minister:
– reminding him that the suspension of the “Cambodia News Bulletin” is a clear breach of the right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by numerous international conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia is a party
– noting that the covenant states: “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”
– calling on him to ensure that the suspension order imposed on the “Cambodia News Bulletin” is lifted immediately and that Barnes is permitted to travel freely in Cambodia
– urging him to do everything in his power to ensure that in the future his country fully respects its international obligations to press freedom
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
The Right Honourable Lu Laysreng
Information Minister
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Fax: +855 23 725 432
Please copy appeals to WAN.
