Monday, 10 August 2009
Sebastian Strangio
The Phnom Penh Post

THE European Commission has strongly condemned the government's recent legal offensive against outspoken critics, warning it could lead to a severe narrowing of the democratic space in Cambodia.

During a meeting with foreign ministry officials, three EU representatives said a recent string of defamation and disinformation cases against opposition figures and journalists could have "serious consequences for civil society's willingness to engage in democratic debate".

According to a classified terms of reference approved by the EU's 27 member states prior to the Friday meeting, EU representatives tabled concerns about "the use of criminal defamation and disinformation charges, including severe penalties imposed by the courts, to target those in civil society who raise minor criticisms of government policy".