The National Assembly Wednesday began debate over a long-awaited penal code, aiming to officially pass into law regulations that has been followed on an ad hoc basis for a decade.
Cambodia will get help from France and Japan on a law that covers duties of authorities, nature of charges and the role of investigation and interrogation in the judiciary. It also limits the roles of prosecutors, judges and police.
The law enables the wire tapping or electronic surveillance of suspects by investigating judges.
"The penal code legislation is a very special instrument for criminal cases," Ministry of Justice Secretary Y Dan said. "The new penal code legislation is a measure for special law enforcement people to use, meaning the courts."