The Paris Peace Agreements, a comprehensive political settlement for the restoration of peace in Cambodia, were signed on October 23, 1991 by the four main Cambodian political parties, 19 countries, and the United Nations. Under the agreements, the United Nations was in charge of creating conditions for a long-lasting peace, laying the groundwork for a pluralistic democracy, rehabilitating the country’s infrastructure, and repatriating over 300,000 Cambodian refugees and displaced persons. As a result of the accords, a U.N sponsored general election was held in May 1993 to elect members of a Constituent Assembly which was to draft a new constitution.
During its first plenary session on June 14, 1993, the Constituent Assembly elected a President, 2 Vice Presidents, working commissions, and a General Secretariat. In addition, the Constituent Assembly passed a resolution restoring Prince Norodom Sihanouk Varman as Head of State. A standing committee was formed by the Constituent Assembly on June 30, 1993 to prepare a draft of the new constitution. A draft constitution was debated by the Constituent Assembly beginning on September 15, 1993.
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia was adopted on September 21, 1993 and promulgated by the Head of State on September 24, 1993. Shortly after the promulgation of the Constitution, the country celebrated the coronation of His Majesty the King, Preah Bath Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Varman. Under the terms of the Paris Peace Agreements and under the terms of the transitional provisions of the new Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Constituent Assembly was transformed into the National Assembly upon the Constitution’s promulgation.
