CAMBODIA – Government shows no detail of law to control NGOs
17 September 2009 3:04 am

In
September 2008, the Cambodian government announced its intention to
prioritise the Associations and NGO Law, without any disclosure of its
objectives. The government has been silent, despite statements by civil
society for dialogue and transparency. Below is the statement on 1
September 2009 by more than 200 civil society organisations in the
country.
In
September 2008, the Cambodian government announced its intention to
prioritise the Associations and NGO Law, without any disclosure of its
objectives. The government has been silent, despite statements by civil
society for dialogue and transparency. Below is the statement on 1
September 2009 by more than 200 civil society organisations in the
country.

We
note that the NGO sector in Cambodia has positively contributed to
reconstruction and social development and continues nation building
through the processes of participatory democracy, service delivery in
all sectors, capacity building both within government arenas and civil
society and through launching humanitarian responses in areas of need.
This development work has been positively viewed by civil society,
government and donor partners.

Civil society organizations are
already registered with the government and have worked towards the
establishment of the NGO Code of Ethical Principles and Minimum
Standards and the NGO Voluntary Certification System. The NGO Code and
certification system gained recognition both nationally and
internationally for its role in strengthening civil society in Cambodia.

The
Council for Development of Cambodia has noted how governance tools,
such as the NGO Code, can play an important role in improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of NGO practices, hence furthering the aid
effectiveness agenda. In addition, the Code was held up as a role model
for improving development practices by the Advisory Group on Civil
Society and Aid Effectiveness at the High Level Forum in Accra (Ghana).

Given
the above we believe that the current registration processes are
adequate to ensure regulation and more importantly are seen as
supportive of an "enabling" environment for civil society to exercise
its right to engage in participatory democracy.

International
and National NGOs have legitimate concerns as to how this law may be
interpreted and implemented. This concern focuses on the fact that the
legitimacy of civil society to create space for the "voice" of affected
communities is being called into question by the government.

Multiple
statements by government officials claim that NGOs are guilty of
"incitement" of communities – a claim raised especially when there are
land disputes and affected communities become vocal. NGOs are also
berated for being part of the "opposition" when they raise concerns
about policy, process or practice by government. In this context the
introduction of an NGO law, without adequate consultation and debate,
is of grave concern.

To read the complete statement, please click here (pdf).