Photo: by VOA Khmer
The government says it needs the NGO law to better manage the thousands of organizations operating in the country, but critics say it will hamper their work and make it harder for smaller associations to form.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
“Some NGOs will begin to be afraid.”
A coalition of non-governmental organizations says it received a warning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to “readjust” some of their work, following a controversy over land rights along a railway line development.
The government says it needs the NGO law to better manage the thousands of organizations operating in the country, but critics say it will hamper their work and make it harder for smaller associations to form.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
“Some NGOs will begin to be afraid.”
A coalition of non-governmental organizations says it received a warning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to “readjust” some of their work, following a controversy over land rights along a railway line development.
The NGO Forum said Monday it is preparing a response letter to the ministry, after it wrote a letter to the Asian Development Bank in 2010 warning of dangerous construction on a line slated for rehabilitation.
The latest row between the NGO sector and the government comes amid increased warnings that the government is moving to curb the influence of the country’s burgeoning civil society. A new law moving toward parliamentary debate has raised concerns that organizations critical of the government can be shut down or have their work impeded under ambiguous regulations.
Koy Kuong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said it had warned NGO Forum, the Housing Rights Task Force, Bridges Across Borders and Sahmakum Teang Tnut, or STT, to rethink the way they worked with Cambodians whose lands are threatened by development.
Some of those same NGOs have given their support to a highly public land dispute in Phnom Penh over a development project at Boeung Kak lake. Residents there were recently promised a small plot of land on the development site after years of protest and only after the World Bank threatened to withdraw funding to the country if the problem was not addressed.
Koy Kuong said the four NGOs had written to complain to the ADB in October 2010 over the rehabilitation of a railway line in Battambang province, where two children were killed. “The four NGO representatives blamed the death of the two children on the government,” he said, calling the claim “false.”
STT, meanwhile, which works with poor communities on housing rights, has had its activities suspended by the Ministry of Interior, for “failing to modify its leadership” at the behest of the government.
Critics say the group was suspended for its work with the urban poor in Phnom Penh, who have proven a headache city officials and developers.
Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said the STT suspension and the ministry warning to the four NGOs represented “pressure” on civil society.
“Some NGOs will begin to be afraid,” he said.
Tith Sothea, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers, which is currently reviewing the latest NGO law, said the government “cannot accept” accusations it is trying to put pressure on the rights of non-governmental agencies.
5 comments:
what is the regulation? NGO has to abid by the country law. They cannot make up their own rule. This is Cambodia. If you want to operate in Cambodia, you need to obey Cambodia law.
Why would some volunteers traveled half way across the world apart from friends, family, and way of life to help Cambodia. Is it out of good heart or personal benefits? NGOs' money help Khmer about 10% while the other 90% goes into their pocket. Poor Khmer is a tool they use to ask for money or support from charities. Large amount of money goes to pay for their personal income, falsely claimed business expenses,and their high living standard. Khmer would not have a problem if they truly have compassion for humanity and not a passion for greed. If the NGO volunteers take advantage of Khmer in order to gain their personal benefits, that's when we have a problem.
There are good and bad NGO. However, if you look at each NGO budget, then you will know that the money spend on salary not program. However, they are quick to point finger at the government not realizing that they are the one that design the program. Try to tell them to reduce their NGO salary, you will see their loving kindness compassion behavior. Why would anybody went to law school, got a law degree and work without pay while student loan is up to their neck? This is the reality. NGO needs to chill otherwise they will be exposed and they will not like the exposion.
good comments and i agree to all of it. most NGO are up to no good. Most of them are christians and exploiters !! i am glad we have laws to control this scums.
In United States; all non profit agencies and NGO must comply with federal and state law depending on the jurisdiction of the agency. However, NGO in Cambodia feels that they don't have to obey Cambodia law. They find excuses not to comply; let them try it in the United States. I bet you they will get shut down 24 hours.
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