NGOs defend right to aid rally

Civil society groups yesterday hit back at the government after a Ministry of Interior statement released on Wednesday warned NGOs that they would be breaking ministry protocols on political neutrality by “directly or indirectly” supporting an unnamed political party or its protests.

The Cambodia National Rescue Party has planned three days of ongoing demonstrations starting from Sunday and has invited NGOs to address the crowd if they wish.

A statement released yesterday by the “Situation Room” – a coalition of election monitors that will send a representative to speak about the election at the demonstrations – did not address the government warning directly, but outlined its rights in relation to the protest. …

A proposed draft law to regulate NGOs was shelved in late 2011 after outcry that the government was trying to give itself undue powers to control the civil society sector and stifle criticism.

This has left NGOs in a legal grey area in which they must be registered with the Ministry of Interior, provide internal codes of conduct and pledge not to be politically active, Cambodian Center for Human Rights president Ou Virak said.

“As it stands now, we are under direct control of the Ministry of Interior. Without the law, we are still not completely independent or protected,” he said. …

 Kevin Ponniah and Chhay Channyda
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ngos-defend-right-aid-rally