Continued from here ...

A couple of reports on the state of affairs in Cambodia have been issued this week.

From the European Union, this one on human rights ... it also discusses Guatemala and Nigeria, by the way ... that condemns the murder of trade unionists Beorn Sammand and Sok Sam Oeun, saying, the EP is "seriously concerned that these cases demonstrate that there is still no guarantee of the independence and impartiality of the judiciary".

This leads into a mention to the trials, of course.

The European Parliament then lists resolutions such as insisting, "that the Cambodian Government must put an end to the prevailing climate of impunity and effectively apply the law to violators of human rights and civil liberties".

Well worth a read.

The UN has also issued a report, this one on "rampant human right violations".

This is actually little more that a regurgitation of the US State Department's "Country Report of Human Rights Practices for 2006 Cambodia", so you're probably better off just skipping the UN version and going straight to the US Governments version ... the horses mouth, so to speak. (So the UN is ... ?)

While we're once again treated to in depth and shocking (NOT) illuminations of corruption in a developing country, we might as well take a look at good old Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his not showing up for his trial that sentenced him in absentia to 18 months in prison.

The action should make it difficult for Ranariddh, a once-influential national figure who is the son of former King Norodom Sihanouk, to stage a political comeback. Ranariddh was co-prime minister of the country from 1993-97, and his supporters alleged the move was politically motivated.

Well, there's a double 'duh' for you.

He's not done with the law yet, though, as he's still facing a lawsuit his estranged wife is slapping on him for adultery. He could get a year for that, and have to pay a fine of up to ... Are you ready? ... $245.00! Gasp!

Continued ...