All domestic and international NGOs in Cambodia may now have to report their activities and finances to the government, according to a controversial new law announced on Monday, writes the Bangkok Post.
An NGO in Cambodia. Image Credit: Cambodia4kids.org Beth Kanter (Flickr)
Failing to do so may result in fines, disbandment and other legal action.
The new regulatory NGO law will go before the Senate on Friday, sparking hundreds of protesters taking to the streets yesterday in opposition to the legislation draft.
Cambodia currently has upwards of 5000 NGO’s operating in the country, many of which provide essential services in impoverished communities.
Thailand Lawyers Chaninat and Leeds have decades of experience in the successful registration of foundations and NGOs in Thailand.
Interior Minister Sar Kheng said: “Nothing is perfect. People have the right to criticize […] Don’t worry, this law will not affect or restrict the rights and freedoms of civil society groups.”
Rights groups, UN officials and Western diplomats have expressed strong concern over the news. Chak Sopheap, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told AFP, said:
“Today is a very sad day for civil society in Cambodia, [there is] a stubborn refusal of this government to listen to Cambodian people and to the international community”.
See Bangkok Post for the full story.
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