By Philippe Escabasse
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
A communiqué issued by the European Union (EU) reaffirms its support for the promotion of human rights in the kingdom. Through the EIDRH, the EU finances projects undertaken by some NGOs.
Since 2003, the EU disbursed some 9.3 million euros in grant to about 20 local and international NGOs. All these NGOs were involved in programs to defend human rights in Cambodia. The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDRH) is the agency that serves as the link between the EU and its local partners. Five new projects are currently being adopted in 2008. These projects cover fields such as “Democratic reforms and governance, media independence and improvement of professionalism in journalism, follow up on property rights, as well as children aid programs.”
Another aspect of the EU support is a 10 million euros grant, disbursed through the UNDP and in partnership with the ministry of Interior, for the “democratic and decentralized reinforcement of local governance.” This program aims at giving weight to commune councils so that they can network with each others, as well as the setup of an accounting system and the promotion of the cooperation between communes. This project will last until 2010.
It should be recalled that 98% of the commune councils are controlled by the CPP whose vice-president is Hun Sen, the prime minister of Cambodia. Therefore what impact can such EU funding project bring forth in a country where the state and the CPP party constitute a single entity and that they both control the countries for the past 30 years?
Since 2003, the EU disbursed some 9.3 million euros in grant to about 20 local and international NGOs. All these NGOs were involved in programs to defend human rights in Cambodia. The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDRH) is the agency that serves as the link between the EU and its local partners. Five new projects are currently being adopted in 2008. These projects cover fields such as “Democratic reforms and governance, media independence and improvement of professionalism in journalism, follow up on property rights, as well as children aid programs.”
Another aspect of the EU support is a 10 million euros grant, disbursed through the UNDP and in partnership with the ministry of Interior, for the “democratic and decentralized reinforcement of local governance.” This program aims at giving weight to commune councils so that they can network with each others, as well as the setup of an accounting system and the promotion of the cooperation between communes. This project will last until 2010.
It should be recalled that 98% of the commune councils are controlled by the CPP whose vice-president is Hun Sen, the prime minister of Cambodia. Therefore what impact can such EU funding project bring forth in a country where the state and the CPP party constitute a single entity and that they both control the countries for the past 30 years?
1 comment:
9.3 euros can't compare with the hundreds of millions of dollars that China and Japan give to Cambodia each year. Much of the Westerner money goes to their NGO heads who make $10,000 - $20,000 a month any way. So much for human rights.
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