Sub-decree establishing

the Special Police Corps

for the Protection of Cultural Heritage

 

60/ANKR/PK

 

The Royal Government,

 

having regard to :

 

-         the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia promulgated in 1993,

-         the Royal Decree of 1 November 1993 establishing the Royal Government of Cambodia,

-         the Royal Decree NS/RKT/1094-83 of 24 October 1994 redefining the composition of the Royal Government of Cambodia,

-         the Royal Decree NS/RKT/1094-90 of 31 October 1994 redefining the composition of the Royal Government of Cambodia,

-         the Royal Decree CS/RKT/0897-147 of 16 August 1997 redefining the composition of the Royal Government of Cambodia,

-         the Royal Kram no 2/NS-94 of 20 July 1994 establishing and defining the functioning of the Council of Ministers,

-         the Royal Decree NS/RKM/0196-08 of 24 January 1996 establishing the Ministry of the Interior,

-         the Royal Decree NS/RKT/0295-12 of 19 February 1995 establishing the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siemreap (APSARA),

-         the Royal Kram NS/RDM/0196-26 of 15 January 1996 concerning the protection of cultural heritage,

-         the proposal of the co-Ministers of the Interior,

-         the adoption by the Council of Ministers during the cession of 21 August 1997,

 

Decides

 

Article 1 :

 

There is hereby established the Special Police Corps for the Protection of Cultural Heritage with its headquarters in the Angkor Park in Siemreap province. The Special Police Corps for the Protection of Cultural Heritage is supervised by the Ministry of the Interior and is required to work in collaboration with APSARA and the authorities of Siemreap province.

 

Article 2 :

 

The Special Police Corps for the Protection of Cultural Heritage has the following obligations and rights :

 

a-     Obligations

 

1-     Establish and implement measures according to the general directives of the Ministry of the Inerior and in close collaboration with the APSARA Authority and the authorities of Siemreap Province.

2-     Ensure security and public order in the Angkor region as defined by the APSARA Authority.

3-     Investigate, take preventive measures and repress illegal acts – destruction, theft, harboring, armed robbery, buying, selling and transport of cultural and historical heritage – within the limits of its competence.

4-     Ensure the security of national and international tourists and official visitors in the Angkor region.

5-      Investigate criminal actions, arrest, hold in custody and search those involved with the destruction, theft, harboring, armed robbery, buying, selling and transport of cultural and historical heritage in the Angkor region. Prepare reports and send the arrested party, along with supporting evidence, to the tribunal.

6-     Establish guard posts and organize regular patrols in the most sensitive areas of the Angkor region.

7-     Collaborate with the Siemreap Provincial Police Corps, the Commander of the Fourth Military Region, the Commander of the Operation Zone of Siemreap province, the Commander of the Military Police of Siemreap province, the Angkor Conservation Office, the Provincial Branch of Religious Affairs, the Provincial Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, the Provincial Customs Department, and other relevant Departments in view of implementing measures for the prevention and the repression of all activity causing destruction to the cultural and historical heritage.

8-     Maintain relations with UNESCO and other international organizations through the APSARA Authority in order to solicit recommendations, diffuse fundamental information and receive assistance in view of protecting the cultural heritage.

9-     Submit reports to the ministry of the Interior and the APSARA Authority, with copies to the provincial authorities, on a regular basis, and when needed in emergency situations, concerning any matters related to protection work.

10- Establish an inventory of its own moveable and immoveable properties according to procedures defined by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

11- Organize its own working administration – personnel, equipment, accounting and budget – according to procedures defined by the Ministry of the Interior and the APSARA Authority.

12- Implement regulations and fulfill other duties assigned by the Ministry of the Interior and the APSARA Authority.

 

b-      Rights

 

1-     Obtain regularly updated inventories of the cultural and historical heritage from the APSARA Authority.

2-     Submit to the Ministry of the Interior and the APSARA Authority any propositions regarding regulations and preventive measures to be taken against reprehensible actions associated with destruction. Request reports and supporting documentation associated with the protection of the cultural and historical heritage from provincial ministerial branches.

3-     Administer and command the national police within the Special Corps in view of ensuring the implementation of directives from the Ministry of the Interior and the APSARA Authority.

4-     Authorize vacation for, assign grades to, propose promotions, assignment and transfer of positions of , take disciplinary measures against, remove from position and strip rand of officers and police agents in the Special Corps according to procedures defined by the Ministry  of the Interior.

5-     Exercise other rights accorded by the Ministry or the Interior and the APSARA Authority.

 

Article 3 :

 

The Special Police Corps for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, directed by a Commissioner who is seconded by a Vice-commissioner, has the same rank as the Provincial Police corps.

 

Article 4 :

 

All details concerning the obligations, rights and administrative structures of the Special Police Corps for the Protection of Cultural Heritage are to be defined by Prakas of the Ministry of the Interior.

 

Article 5 :

 

All provisions contrary to the present sub-decree shall be considered null and void.

 

Article 6 :

 

The Co-Minister in charge of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Co-Ministers of the Interior, the APSARA Authority, the Governor of Siemreap and the Directors of other concerned institutions shell be responsible for the execution of the present sub-decree as of the date of signature.

 

Phnom Penh, October 8, 1997

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Signed :

 

Ung Huot         Hun Sen

 

 

(unofficial translation)

 

 

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