Phnom Penh: A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice and the Human Rights Committee is advising analysts to conduct scientific analysis and clear research as evidence for their opinions. Chin Malin wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon that what he called “illegal analysis” was not an exercise of the right to freedom of expression and legal opinion in a democratic society.

He wrote: “Some of the analysts in Cambodia whose group has been branded and referred to as independent analysts for criticizing the government are not offering professional and scientific analysis, but rather emotional analysis, along with political tendencies.”

He advised analysts to use professional analysis based on clear research methods, theoretical aspects, general principles, interviews and practice, and not to follow interviewers who tend to be anti-government and against the national interest if they wished to avoid legal action.

The President of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, Dr. Pa Chanroeun, told EAC News that he had no direct response to Chin Malin's remarks, but stated that freedom of expression for all citizens is protected by state law and the Cambodian constitution. He also added that all analysts base their opinions on existing data, synthesis of information extracted into conclusions, logical analysis and their personal observations. He added: “Generally, if an analyst does not have the information, they can use personal experience through their own observation. In general, professional analysts usually avoid this method, unless they lack the information to use.”

On Tuesday, 28 civil society organisations issued a joint statement calling on the government to stop intimidating Cambodian social analysts for simply expressing their views and opinions. Last Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen warned analysts not to be “arrogant” in their analysis. He added that Cambodia respects the right to freedom of expression, but does not allow analysts to exercise their right to freedom of expression while ignoring crimes that harm the interests of the nation and people.