Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 4 – Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni has approved a Royal Decree promulgating the “Law against Non-Recognition of Crimes Committed during the Democratic Kampuchea Period”, according to the Royal Decree seen by Fresh News on Tuesday (Mar. 4).

The law consists of seven articles and penalises those who deny, minimise, or glorify crimes committed during the Democratic Kampuchea period or under the Khmer Rouge.

It also punishes individuals who dispute the existence of crimes recognised by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), thereby opposing justice for the victims of the Khmer Rouge and efforts to prevent such crimes from recurring.

The newly approved law replaces a 2013 law and increases prison terms to between one and five years, while fines will range from 10 to 50 million riel (approximately USD 2,500–12,500).

This draft law was prepared following an order by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen in May 2024 and was approved by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in July before being passed this month.
=FRESH NEWS