Cambodia launches 6-month campaign to clear court case backlogs

PHNOM PENH, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Monday launched a six-month campaign to clear a backlog of nearly 40,000 court cases, of which about 75 percent involved drug crimes, Justice Minister Koeut Rith said.

Speaking during a press conference here after the launch of the campaign, Rith said the backlog of court cases had grown after the Southeast Asian country had carried out measures to crack down on drug crimes in recent years.

Since early 2017 to date, authorities had filed almost 30,000 drug-related cases involving with over 60,000 arrested suspects to courts across the kingdom, he said, adding that a total of 1.66 tons of illicit drugs had been seized from the suspects.

"The campaign's purpose is to reduce a backlog of court cases at municipal and provincial courts, to accelerate the seeking of justice for people, and to reduce overcrowding in prisons," the minister said.

"Tackling the backlog of court cases is our priority in order to enhance justice services and to strengthen public confidence in the judicial sector," he added.

Rith said judges and prosecutors will be required to work harder, as the Ministry of Justice have set up more facilities for hearings and will recruit more judges, prosecutors, and clerks in order to ensure the success of the campaign.

Meanwhile, he said the ministry has also worked closely with the country's Anti-Corruption Unit to make sure that the campaign is corruption-free.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/18/c_139066860.htm