Citizens Should Report Police Abuse: Lawyer

Posted by Cambodian News

November 18, 2008

Citizens should lodge complaints against authorities who violate their rights or the law, a leading lawyer said Thursday.

The constitution guarantees a citizen’s freedom from abuse of authority and right to file legal complaints against it, said Ouk Phuri, a member of the Cambodian Bar Association, as a guest on “Hello VOA.”

“I’m not just telling people to file a complaint because I’m a lawyer,” he said. “We have to do it. If there’s any question, there are many lawyers than can help, such as lawyers who aid the poor.”

Cambodia’s police are widely criticized for being politically controlled or for abuses such as wrongful arrest, unlawful detention and abuse in custody.

There was a dearth of complaints filed against such abuse, Ouk Phuri said.

Source: VOA news