Where: Cambodia
Who is affected: Domestic and international associations and NGOs
What happened: The government has just passed a Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO) which will impose mandatory registration on all domestic and international associations and NGOs, in order to have legal standing. They must also file annual reports on their activities and finances to the government.
The legislation has involved long and painful negotiations. Civil society organisations and NGOs continued to protest throughout, and there were protests outside the parliament today as the law was passed.
What are the implications? Cambodia has one of the highest concentrations of NGOs in the world. This bill will give the government powers to monitor activity and to fine or take legal action against NGOs. The government will also have the power to disband NGOs if their activities “jeopardise peace, stability and public order or harm the national security, national unity, culture, and traditions of Cambodian society”.
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights has argued that the LANGO will allow the government to suppress dissenting voices, and also may be put to improper use in the future.
According to the Cambodian Center for Human Rights: “It is deeply deplorable that the government of Cambodia has decided to pursue a rushed adoption process of a deeply undemocratic law and has ignored the local and global call for a participatory drafting process. Cambodian and international civil society organisations, the UN Special Rappourter on Freedom of Assembly and Association, the UN Human Rights Committee, several diplomatic representatives and most recently the EU parliament have repeatedly requested the government to ensure transparency and engage in meaningful consultations. Those lacking, CCHR calls for the immediate withdraw of the law and for its rejection by the National Assembly.”
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