Cambodia Seeks to Rein in the NGOs

Hun Sen says the NGOs are a pain in the rear

Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Asia Sentinel

The government promotes a draft law that critics say is designed to mute criticism

The Cambodian government, which has long been bedeviled by the scores of non-governmental organizations operating in the country, has set out to draft a law designed to still their criticism.

The draft, in circulation since December 2010, would require compulsory registration to operate in the country. In addition, it carries a long list of sub-clauses that the NGOs say would make it virtually impossible to operate. There are no legal safeguards or meaningful judicial review, nor is there right of appeal, the organizations say. Denial of registration appears to be irrevocable. Hundreds of groups have signed petitions saying the most recent public draft of the law continues to be unacceptable.

The country has yet to recover fully from the secret 1960s carpet bombing by US B52s during the Vietnam War, followed by the years in which the murderous Khmer Rouge headed by Pol Pot are believed to have been responsible for the deaths of as many as 2 million people, either by outright murder or by starvation. The Khmer Rouge wrecked virtually all of the social institutions in the country and substituted nothing in their place. It remains strewn with land mines.

Accordingly, as many as 200 international NGOs have been operating in the country, many of them working to keep the government in line on depredations against the environment in addition to seeking to rehabilitate, rebuild and develop the country. They have continued to provide the most basic of social services. They are present in all of the country’ provinces, promoting national reforms in health, education, human rights, developing a legal system and advocating for women and children’s rights, among other issues.

In addition, there are believed to be nearly 400 local NGOs and 600 associations registered with the government. An estimated 13,000 Cambodians are believed to be working in the NGO sector, usually holding an often-recalcitrant government’s feet to the fire on any number of issues.

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