The following statement was issued by Mr. Ian Porter, World Bank Country Director for Cambodia, in response to the recent arrests in Cambodia of prominent human rights activists
BANGKOK JANUARY 9 2006 —"The continuing detentions of leading figures from the political opposition, trade unions, the media and NGOs and the use of criminal law in cases of expression of dissenting opinions on matters of politics and policy will send a worrying message to potential investors and Cambodia's development partners about Cambodia’s commitment to openness, transparency and sustainable development.
The Government’s actions also risk undermining Cambodians' faith in their Government's commitment to good governance and their willingness to engage in free and open discussion of issues that affect their lives.
In a country where corruption is extensive and accountability is weak, greater openness and more vigorous public scrutiny -- not less -- are essential ingredients of development policy. The World Bank's research, which has been widely disseminated, bears this out. The Government of Cambodia itself, in its own development strategy, has said that good governance requires 'wide participation, enhanced sharing of information, accountability, transparency, equality, inclusiveness and the rule of law.' And the need for more open and accountable systems of governance is a central theme of the World Bank's work in Cambodia. Indeed, the prospects for such improvements, which largely depend on the actions of the Cambodian Government, are a key consideration underlying the World Bank's programs of assistance in Cambodia.
We are deeply concerned by the recent arrests and prosecutions and urge the Government to consider very carefully the compatibility of such actions with the commitments it has made towards building a more open, democratic and just society."
BANGKOK JANUARY 9 2006 —"The continuing detentions of leading figures from the political opposition, trade unions, the media and NGOs and the use of criminal law in cases of expression of dissenting opinions on matters of politics and policy will send a worrying message to potential investors and Cambodia's development partners about Cambodia’s commitment to openness, transparency and sustainable development.
The Government’s actions also risk undermining Cambodians' faith in their Government's commitment to good governance and their willingness to engage in free and open discussion of issues that affect their lives.
In a country where corruption is extensive and accountability is weak, greater openness and more vigorous public scrutiny -- not less -- are essential ingredients of development policy. The World Bank's research, which has been widely disseminated, bears this out. The Government of Cambodia itself, in its own development strategy, has said that good governance requires 'wide participation, enhanced sharing of information, accountability, transparency, equality, inclusiveness and the rule of law.' And the need for more open and accountable systems of governance is a central theme of the World Bank's work in Cambodia. Indeed, the prospects for such improvements, which largely depend on the actions of the Cambodian Government, are a key consideration underlying the World Bank's programs of assistance in Cambodia.
We are deeply concerned by the recent arrests and prosecutions and urge the Government to consider very carefully the compatibility of such actions with the commitments it has made towards building a more open, democratic and just society."
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