Interior ministry holds WMD law workshop

THE Ministry of Interior held a workshop on March 25 to publicise the law on combating the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The virtual workshop was led by interior ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and attended by 377 officials and participants from 147 NGOs, according to the ministry’s press statement about the results of the workshop.

“It was held to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement officials and to mainstream the law to associations and NGOs to ensure their participation in enforcing the law ... to fulfil the tasks set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to prevent, combat and eradicate the financing of the proliferation of WMD,” said the statement.

The workshop had explained the contents of the law, with special focus on penalties and the enforcement of the UN sanction resolution. Participants also exchanged ideas on the contents of the law, legal procedures, and the requirements of reporting entities.

“The participants now understand the content of the law and the relevant legal standards, including the procedures needed to fulfil the tasks required of reporting entities by the law. Participants were encouraged to publicise the law to their colleagues and the general public to help ensure effective enforcement of the law,” the statement said.

In 2020, Cambodia promulgated the laws on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and the Law on Combating the Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction as well as other relevant legislations in a drive to combat the crimes in accordance with legal standards required by FATF to remove Cambodia from their 2019 Money Laundering “grey list”.