Cambodian Senate OKs restrictions on non-government groups

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cambodian Senate OKs restrictions on non-government groups

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's Senate on Friday approved tight restrictions on non-governmental organizations, rejecting appeals from rights groups that say the law could be used for political repression.

About 400 protesters gathered peacefully outside Parliament during the vote on the bill, which states that local and foreign non-governmental organizations must register with the government, and that all NGOs must be politically neutral. It also gives the government unchecked power to block registrations and dissolve groups in the name of national security.

Senators from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party boycotted the session in protest against the bill, as the party's lawmakers in the lower house did last week when the bill passed there.

All 44 Senators present from the ruling Cambodian People's Party approved the bill, which now faces the formalities of a legal review and signing by King Norodom Sihamoni.

The U.N. human rights office in Geneva said the draft law "falls significantly short of international human rights laws and norms governing the right to freedom of association.

"The draft law threatens the existence of a free and independent civil society in Cambodia and the crucial work that NGOs in the country carry out on development, governance, and human rights," its statement said.

Cambodian opponents of the bill said they would not give up the fight.

Chak Sopheap, executive director of Cambodian Center for Human Rights, called the draft that passed "unacceptable and in contravention with our constitution and international law." She said her group would "advocate for a review from the Constitutional Council and for the King not to promulgate this law."

According to figures from the Interior Ministry, there are about 5,000 associations and NGOs operating in Cambodia.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-25