By Prak Chan Thul
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodia has come under fire over a draft law to regulate non-governmental organisations that critics, including the United States, say is another attempt by the authorities to restrict public freedom and silence dissent.
Cambodia says it wants to regulate more than 3,000 foreign and local NGOs and civil society groups, but opponents argue the law will give the state powers to shut them down for no reason and with no right of appeal.
The draft follows the passage of draconian laws in the past 18 months that increased punishment for defamation and placed restrictions on protests. Rights groups say that is designed to intimidate government critics and the political opposition.
Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the law would give the Interior Ministry “boundless discretition” to disband any body it disagreed with and many organisations would be unable to meet registration requirements.
“Such a result will have chilling repercussions for the freedom of association and expression of ordinary people and will significantly reduce the democratic space in Cambodia,” he said. Cambodia, one of Asia’s poorest countries, is enjoying an unprecedented period of stability and economic growth after decades of civil war.
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