Cambodia’s long-awaited draft land law will be one of four pieces of legislation to be debated by the National Assembly during its next session, scheduled to start July 2.
The assembly’s Permanent Committee also decided Tuesday to forward the draft Khmer Rouge trial law to the Legislative Committee, even though it will not be debated during this latest session. Prime Minister Hun Sen predicted the legislation to establish a tribunal for former Khmer Rouge leaders could be ready for King Norodom Sihanouk’s signature as early as September.
First, though, will be the land law, a well-regarded piece of legislation meant to begin addressing the country’s massive problem of land grabbing and confusion over property ownership.
Land grabbing was targeted by UN Human Rights Envoy Peter Leuprecht when he arrived here last week as the issue most likely to spark social unrest in Cambodia. “It is good the land law will enter the Assembly’s floor,” said Dien Del, chairman of the Interior, Defense and Inspection Commission, which reviewed the draft legislation.
Other bills to be considered include a constitutional amendment giving the King, rather than Hun Sen, final authority to approve higher ranks or medals for public officials, and legislation related to financial management within the government.
Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh is scheduled to return later this month from France, where he is leading a Cambodia parliamentary delegation, to open the next session.
