Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia neighbors Cambodia. The
memory of the genocide of about two million people has deep impact in
this area. Ethnically 96% Khmer and religiously 97% Buddhist. It has an
area of 1,81,035 sq km and a population of about 1,55,52,211.
It is the constitutional responsibility of every parent to take care of
the child and provide good education to make them honest citizen.
Besides, it is the responsibility of the children to take proper care of
the old parents. There is constitutional prohibition of production, use
and stockpiling of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
The Parliament will meet every day during the state of Emergency.
Parliament will not be dissolved during Emergency. If elections are not
held in special circumstances, the term of Parliament may be extended
for a maximum of 1 year, but in this case Parliament session will be
held every day.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
Decorative monarchy is in effect in Cambodia, but the way the king is
portrayed is eye-bitter. The motto of the state is "Nation, Religion,
King". Buddhism is the state religion. Authorities will build and
encourage Pali schools and Buddhist institutions.
Admirable Articles of Cambodia's Constitution
Article 5
The official language and script is Khmer.
Article 38 (Part of it)
The law prohibits all physical abuse of any individual.
The law protects the life, honor and dignity of citizens.
Everybody shall have the rights to defend him/herself through the judicial system.
Article 41
Khmer citizens shall have freedom of expression of their ideas, freedom of information, freedom of publication and freedom of assembly. No one shall exercise these rights to infringe upon the honor of others, or to affect the good customs of society, public order and national security.
The regime of the media shall be determined by law.
Article 47
Parents shall have the duty to take care of and educate their children to become good citizens.
Children shall have the duty to take good care of their elderly parents according to Khmer customs.
Article 54
The manufacturing, use and storage of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons are absolutely prohibited.
Article 58
State property comprises land, underground mineral resources, mountains, sea, undersea, continental shelf, coastline, airspace, islands, rivers, canals, streams, lakes, forests, natural resources, economic and cultural centers, bases for national defense and other buildings determined as State property.
The control, use and management of State properties shall be determined by law.
Article 59
The State shall protect the environment and the balance of natural resources and establish a precise plan for the management of land, water, airspace, wind, geology, ecological systems, mines, oil and gas, rocks and sand, gems, forests and forestry products, wildlife, fish and aquatic resources.
Article 60
Citizens shall have the rights to freely sell their products. The obligation to sell products to the State or the temporary use of private property or products by the State shall be prohibited unless authorized by law under special circumstances.
Article 76
The National Assembly shall consist of at least 120 Members.
The Members shall be elected by a free, universal, equal, direct and secret ballot.
Article 85
The National Assembly sessions shall be held in the Capital city of Cambodia in the Assembly Hall unless, due to special circumstances, stipulated otherwise in the summons.
Except where so stipulated and unless held at the place and date as stipulated, any meeting of the National Assembly shall be considered completely illegal, null and void.
Article 86
Under some circumstances when the country is in a state of emergency, the National Assembly shall meet every day. The National Assembly has the rights to declare the above special circumstances terminated whenever the situation permits.
If the National Assembly is not able to meet because of circumstances such as the occupation of the country by foreign forces, the declaration of the state of emergency is automatically extended.
During the state of emergency, the National Assembly shall not be dissolved.
Article 102
The term of the Senate is six years and ends on the day when the new Senate takes office.
In time of war or other special circumstances when an election cannot be held, the Senate may extend its term for one year at a time, at the request of the King.
The declaration of extension of its term must be approved by at least a two-thirds majority vote of all Senators.
Under the circumstances as described above, the Senate shall meet every day. The Senate has the rights to declare the above special circumstances terminated whenever the situation permits.
If the Senate is not able to meet because of circumstances such as the occupation of the country by foreign forces, the declaration of the state of emergency shall be automatically extended.
Facts of Cambodia's Constitution
Preamble (Part of it)
WE, THE PEOPLE OF CAMBODIA
Being the heirs of a great civilization, a prosperous, powerful, large and glorious nation whose prestige radiated like a diamond;
WITH THIS RESOLUTE WILL
We inscribe the following as the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia:
Article 1 (Part of it)
Cambodia is a Kingdom in which the King shall rule according to the Constitution and the principles of liberal multi-party democracy.
Article 4
The motto of the Kingdom of Cambodia is: "Nation, Religion, King".
Article 13
Within a period of not more than seven days, the Council of the Throne shall choose a new King of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The Royal Council of the Throne shall consist of:
● The President of the Senate
● The President of the National Assembly
● The Prime Minister
● The Chief Monk of each of the Orders of Mahayana Buddhism (MohaNikay) and Theravada Buddhism (ThammayutekakNikay)
● The First and Second Vice-President of the Senate
● The First and Second Vice-President of the National Assembly
The organization and functioning of the Council of the Throne shall be determined by law.
Article 43
Khmer citizens of either sex shall have the rights to freedom of belief.
Freedom of belief and religious worship shall be guaranteed by the State on the condition that such freedom does not affect other beliefs and religions or violate public order and security.
Buddhism shall be the religion of the State.
Article 68 (Part of it)
The State shall help promote and develop Pali schools and Buddhist institutes.
