Cambodia's government has approved a draft law that aims to impose strict penalties on anyone denying the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. This recent legislative move, announced during a Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, could see offenders imprisoned for up to five years and fined between $2,500 to $125,000. The announcement comes as the country prepares for the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge's takeover on April 15, 1975, a period marked by extreme violence that resulted in approximately 1.7 million deaths due to starvation, torture, and mass executions.

The seven-article bill characterizes various human rights violations under the rule of Pol Pot as "atrocities," encompassing genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Anyone found to "deny the truth of the bitter past" would be subject to prosecution under this new legislation. The proposed law is expected to pass seamlessly through the National Assembly, where the ruling Cambodian People's Party holds 120 out of 125 seats, as noted by statements from officials [reported by AP News].

The origins of this law trace back to a similar one enacted in 2013, which was introduced after criticisms regarding the acknowledgment of Khmer Rouge atrocities. Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who recently stepped down in 2023, emphasized that the legal framework needed strengthening due to ongoing denialist sentiments among some political factions in Cambodia. Accusations against opposition lawmakers suggesting that evidence of Khmer Rouge atrocities was fabricated prompted Hun Sen's government to push for tougher measures [as detailed by India Times].

The earlier law prescribed fines and imprisonment for up to two years, but critics argue it was largely used to suppress dissent and intimidate political rivals. Human rights organizations have raised concerns that this latest draft law carries similar implications, fearing that it serves as a tool for the ruling party to stifle dissent, as expressed in numerous reports [including analysis from The Guardian].

The United Nations-backed tribunal, which began proceedings against senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge in 2009, has already convicted some of these figures of genocide and crimes against humanity. With this new law, Cambodia seeks to confront its past while attempting to deter denial and ensure justice for victims [read more at AP News].