Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
“The meaning of registration seems unclear.”
Members of civil society met with government officials on Monday over the latest version of a contentious law to regulate NGOs, but many said at the end of the day the draft is still flawed.
Monday’s meeting was meant to solicit recommendations from local and international NGOs before the draft is sent to the Council of Ministers for approval for parliamentary debate and passage.
Ou Virak, head of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said the latest version of the law, which was kicked back to the Ministry of Interior in October for revision, has three main points of concern.
The law still contains complicated registration procedures, a requirement to sign an agreement with the government, and could still hamper the activities of smaller grassroots organizations, he said.
“The meaning of registration seems unclear,” he said. “The language is not clear, and we are just worried the authorities will not fairly implement this law and that the authorities will use this as a pretext to interpret the meaning of the law for wrongdoing.”
Critics of the law have long worried it could be used by powerful government officials to curb the activities of organizations they deem as troublesome.
Yeng Virak, executive director for the Community Legal Education Center, said the complicated process could make it difficult for small organizations to legally register, as well.
“It violates rights and freedoms [of assembly] guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.
Ou Virak also pointed to a provision in the law requiring international NGOs to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government over their operations, which could restrict their work, especially those that advocate for better human rights and democratic improvements.
Ahead of Monday’s meeting, many NGO leaders said they were not given enough time to review the draft and make proper recommendations.
Nuth Sa An, secretary of state for the Ministry of Interior, said at the meeting organizations have one week to submit recommendations before another meeting is held.
2 comments:
Khmer must know how to think right.
These traitors SEE PEE PEE are facilitating Vietnamization in Cambodia. Whatever steps that Vietnam wants, Vietnam just push a button to these traitors and they will execute perfectly.
Concerning the so called Democratic parties:
Abandon the stupid idea 10 people 10 political parties. We got to know how to put our self interest or ego behind. Otherwise, we play right into Vietnam's trap.
If you are a Nationalist, can you see the danger posed by Vietnam right now? Which one is more important: Vietnam or other political party? We got to set the priority straight.
Regarding the Human Right party and Sam rainsy parties:
- The SRP has existed already. The Human Right Party thought that they could not joint it because of some differences.
- So, they needed to create another party.
- Then, they exhort to Sam Rainsy Party to combine together to make one new party.
- How can they combine? Wasn't it that the Human Right party's leaders who sensed in the first place that they could not joint Sam Rainsy’s party?
- Please judge justly in this issue: who is the real Khmer breaker?
Just remember, whatever reason you fail to work "under" other Khmer, you inadvertently work under Vietnam and its puppet. This is important. Please think carefully if I am wrong.
- Who is the winner? Vietnam
- Who is the loser: Khmer people and Cambodia.
So, if the Human Right Party is happy to work under Yuon, keep doing of what you are doing right now. You (Human Right Party) have successfully broken Khmers apart.
Please convey this message to Mr. Mam Sonando too.
Note: This is my point of view. Again, I am not SRP's member. I keep emphasizing on Khmers to lose to other Khmer in order to build a powerful union to combat the expansionist Vietnam.
Khmers will fight with other Khmers to improve our country after Vietnam's influence disappears.
si le gouvernement hun sen ou p p c et le viétnam sont transparences pourqoi il n'accepte pas au samdeach sihaknouk = samdeach oev d'exposer librement? pourquoi museler et pour quelle raison? nous répetons et répétons encore quel bisare? alors si le gouvernement p p c =hun sen , chear sim , hen samrin ect ..... et le viétnam en particuler sont transparences pourquoi ils si craintifs au tribunal khmer rouge . pourquoi museler samdach sihanouk s v p laisse lui d'exprimer librement S v p au nom de la justice transparence! soyez raisonable et au nom humanitaire
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