Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) - The new draft law on Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and associations strongly penalizes, rather than promote, the development of civil society in Cambodia. That is why a large number of 315 organizations, local and international associations and religious Christian congregations, define it as being "unacceptable" and ask for it to be abandoned in its current form and for it to be totally rewritten. This is what Fides learns from local church sources, worried about the possible consequences of the project. According to the cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the approval of the law is on the agenda of the government in the coming weeks, after examining an anti-corruption law.
The law on NGOs would also directly affect social activities promoted by the Church, as now – Fides sources inform - congregations, communities and religious institutions wishing to engage in education, health, solidarity must register as NGOs.
P. Kevin Conroy, an American missionary from Maryknoll to Phnom Penh, a psychologist and professor, told Fides: "I believe that a law on associations cannot avoid the comparison with the world it addresses. You cannot issue it without the approval of civil society. Among Christians there is a lot of attention to this crucial measure. Even our community of missionaries in Maryknoll, working in the field of education, care for AIDS patients, the young and poor, is registered as NGOs.
The associations ask to be heard by the government to review the text of the law. The law, the draft which has been circulating since December 2010, "exposes NGOs to abuse by local and national officials. And the proposed revision by the government makes the situation worse”, said Yap Swee Seng, director of the NGO Network " Forum-Asia”. The major problems encountered are: the confirmation of the compulsory registration, without which it is forbidden to operate (while for international standards it should be voluntary), excessive bureaucratic procedures of registration (which discourage), the lack of legal protection for associations.
According to Souhayr Belhhasse, president of the consortium of NGOs “FIDH” (Fédération internationale des ligues des Droits de l'Homme), “the law intends to reinforce the government`s control by undermining the independence of the civil society". "No" to the law was signed and has been circulating in recent days from 315 organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Forum-.msia, Global Witness, South Asia Press Alliance, Frontline Defenders, FIDH, and others, which are also appealing to the international community.
Civil society in Cambodia is strongly growing: in the early 90's there were only 12 NGOs existing, in 2000 they grew to 360, today there are about 3000: The figures show a steady increase and a real awakening as regards to the associations in Cambodia , which are giving valuable results for human development and cultural, economic and social promotion of the population. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/04/2011)
