Original report from Phnom Penh
29 September 2008
Local human rights groups on Monday expressed concern over Prime Minister Hun Sen’s push to pass a law to monitor and restrict the work of non-governmental agencies, following the ruling party’s widened control of state power.
Hun Sen told his new cabinet on Friday the government should push to adopt the so-called “NGO law” to monitor the financial status and payment methods for Cambodia’s non-governmental organizations.
The law would help prevent funding from “terrorist organizations,” Hun Sen said.
Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party began a new mandate last week, with an overwhelming 90 of 123 National Assembly seats, control of all cabinet ministries, and a large majority of high-level positions.
A draft NGO law was written by the Ministry of Interior in 2006 and must now be approved by the Council of Ministers before it is voted on by the National Assembly. It would then be revised by the Senate and signed by the king into law.
Rights workers said on Monday the law could be abused to keep non-governmental organizations out of politics.
Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc, told VOA Khmer Monday his group was concerned about “pressure” on the activities of rights groups, especially the monitoring of their finances and their work in politics.
“I’m simply wondering if this is the beginning of the closure of democracy in Cambodia,” he said. “The development of the situation from now on, where is it moving? Will it have positive development, or not, in the plural democratic process and the respect of human rights? Will it move forward or backwards?”
Sok Samoeun, president of the Cambodia Defenders Project, said Monday a monitoring law was unnecessary.
“Thousands of NGOs in Cambodia stay within the law already,” he said. “If any NGO operates outside its own statutes, the government has the right to close down or eliminate that NGO.”
“I believe that the law will restrict NGO work,” he said. “I am not interested in that law. The law is not necessary. It is not a priority.”
Hun Sen said Friday many non-governmental agencies, including human rights groups, have criticized the government merely to gain more financial assistance. The law would not hurt the processes of human rights and democracy, he said, but would strengthen the rule of law.
“We don’t make strong pressure,” he said. “But NGOs must have laws to control them.
Hun Sen told his new cabinet on Friday the government should push to adopt the so-called “NGO law” to monitor the financial status and payment methods for Cambodia’s non-governmental organizations.
The law would help prevent funding from “terrorist organizations,” Hun Sen said.
Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party began a new mandate last week, with an overwhelming 90 of 123 National Assembly seats, control of all cabinet ministries, and a large majority of high-level positions.
A draft NGO law was written by the Ministry of Interior in 2006 and must now be approved by the Council of Ministers before it is voted on by the National Assembly. It would then be revised by the Senate and signed by the king into law.
Rights workers said on Monday the law could be abused to keep non-governmental organizations out of politics.
Thun Saray, president of the rights group Adhoc, told VOA Khmer Monday his group was concerned about “pressure” on the activities of rights groups, especially the monitoring of their finances and their work in politics.
“I’m simply wondering if this is the beginning of the closure of democracy in Cambodia,” he said. “The development of the situation from now on, where is it moving? Will it have positive development, or not, in the plural democratic process and the respect of human rights? Will it move forward or backwards?”
Sok Samoeun, president of the Cambodia Defenders Project, said Monday a monitoring law was unnecessary.
“Thousands of NGOs in Cambodia stay within the law already,” he said. “If any NGO operates outside its own statutes, the government has the right to close down or eliminate that NGO.”
“I believe that the law will restrict NGO work,” he said. “I am not interested in that law. The law is not necessary. It is not a priority.”
Hun Sen said Friday many non-governmental agencies, including human rights groups, have criticized the government merely to gain more financial assistance. The law would not hurt the processes of human rights and democracy, he said, but would strengthen the rule of law.
“We don’t make strong pressure,” he said. “But NGOs must have laws to control them.
12 comments:
Hun Sen is the greatest leader in the history of Cambodia, He is so great that he will continue to be Prime Minister, King of all Kings.
Japan,China, Cuba, Loas, Vietnam, Thialand, USA, France, and so forth can change leaders. But not Cambodia. A great leader is born only once in a 1000 year. He is the greatest he will lead the UN, the US, Iraq, and Afganistan into PEACE.
But most of all he put HIS people ahead of himself. Tha'ts why he must keep a close watch on all of NGO money.
Terrorist is you ah Kwack! and the biggest gangster in Cambodia is you too.
Why is NGO so afraid to disclose information about their funding?
2:31AM,
You right Hun Sen is the greatest leader he ruled Cambodia
Became the poorest country in the south East Asia.
And Hun Sen is the King of lands grabbing.
2:31AM,
Okay 500riel toilet, you have many shits in your brain, you need go
to the restroom and flush your self in the toilet bowl.
Sounds like 500 Real Shit is the best man for now that The Viet has for defending its slave - Hun Sen!!!
What? Since when Cambodia was a rich country and PM spoils it for everyone, 4:40? It is Ah Khmer-Yuon and Ah Khmer-Oversea who destroyed what left of Cambodia and made us all dirt poor. Let's get our fact strait, shall we?
since i fucked your mom 5:46am, get your facts straight
OKAY for those who can't read... I was being sarcastic. let me translate for you.
All of the countries mentioned, have had more than one leaders leading the country. But not Cambodia, Hun Sen has been in power for more than 23 years and the gap of rich and poor has widen. Those who are rich are mostly from Korea, China, Vietnam, Australia, USA, etc... So where does that leave Cambodian? a servant, a slave in their own country?
Hun Sen is the Master. Cambodian are the slaves.
Yes Hun Sen is the King of stole the votes.
The King of stole country resource.
The King of sold Cambodia islands to foreigner.
Who care? The bottom line is Cambodia is one of the fastest growing countries in the world where previous Khmer leader can only dream about.
It's time for Cambodia to stand with the rest of the world to route out all terrorists wherever they may hide.
Post a Comment