MP Sok Pheng requests Sar Kheng to clarify the registration and issuance of Cambodian ID for Cambodian people living overseas
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
To: H.E. Vice-Prime Minister, Miniter of Interior
C/O: Samdech President of the National Assembly (Heng Samrin)
Subject: Request for directive in the registration and obtaining Cambodian identification card for Cambodian people living overseas who would like to return back to live in Cambodia
According to: Article 33 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Based on the subject requested above, I would like to inform H.E. Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Interior that in the past, Cambodian people who are currently living overseas would like to register and obtain their Cambodian identification card so they can return back to live in Cambodia. However, they face difficulties in the registration process as the local authorities require them to provide a certification indicating an address change from their previous location inside Cambodia, however, these people never registered in Cambodia before. In order to obtain this address change certification, these people had to contact local authorities from another region to issue it to them. This action is a hidden fact that does not look legal at all and it could also cause anarchy for the registration process. Furthermore, this action seems to indicate that Cambodian people living overseas has lost their right guaranteed by the Constitution stating in Article 33 that: “…Khmer citizens residing abroad enjoy the protection of the State.”
As indicated above, I am requesting Your Excellency Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to issue a directive regarding the registration process and how to obtain Cambodian identification card for Cambodian people who are living overseas and who would like to return back to live in Cambodia like any other Cambodian citizens, so that they have the full right as prescribed by Article 33 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Phnom Penh, 27 September 2006
Sok Pheng
Kompong Thom Region Member of Parliament
