Dozens of judges and prosecutors face various disciplinary action for their alleged misconduct including demotion, suspension and transfers while one prosecutor was sacked in a move which has been lauded by a civil society group. It also called on the Supreme Council of the Magistracy to continue reviewing irregularities in the judicial system.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Council of the Magistracy met to approve the decision of the Disciplinary Council of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary where there were cases of misconduct involving 14 judges and nine prosecutors. In four of the cases, the wrongful parties were verbally reprimanded while 11 received letters, and three suspended from the promotion list or removed from it for a period not exceeding two years.

For the rest of the cases, the disciplinary council ordered forced transfers, demotion and suspension of jobs without salary for six months, as well as the dismissal of a deputy prosecutor from the official prosecutorial framework, the statement read.

According to a media outlet last August, Preah Vihear provincial deputy prosecutor Kim Samleng was dismissed from his position for his “misconduct and unprincipled behavior”. 

Supreme Council of the Magistracy secretariat chief Sam Pracheameanith could not be reached for comment.  

Separately, the Supreme Council of the Magistracy decided to appoint 35 judges and 20 prosecutors to fill up positions in the Court of First Instance in the province. Amid this, prosecutors, Chheng Hak Ngin and Say Nora, requested unpaid leave for two years.

In February, Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc) published its report Trial Observation which highlighted 16 points of misconduct and irregularities that continue to occur in the judicial system.

Adhoc president Ny Sokha applauded the administrative punishment of court officials for the misconduct in their profession, which is a “good sign of reforming the judiciary system”.  

“As we know the justice system still has concerns in relation to the need for judges and prosecutors to build people’s trust,” he said. “Our justice system has not gained people’s trust yet. We have to strengthen that,” Sokha said.

Cambodia’s corruption score and rule of law remain the worst among other countries according to Transparency International and the World Justice Project.

Sokha urged the magistracy to expedite its work and increase its review of judges and prosecutors who have failed to correctly carry out the court procedure, notably on cases of corruption and nepotism.

Regarding the Supreme Council of the Magistracy’s decision, Justice Ministry spokesperson Seng Dyna said the administrative measures demonstrated “tightening of disciplinary measures” in reforming the judicial system and promoting efficient justice system in Cambodia.

These measures will continue in line with the ministry implementing two campaigns promoting and accelerating the resolution of cases in the courts.

The ministry will also monitor and resolve irregularities in the courts to strengthen and improve the service and quality of justice to the citizens, he said.

Last month, the ministry published its results from a one-year campaign where 188,942 cases out of 229,272 criminal and civil cases were resolved.