New Report Reveals Distrust Between NGOs and Government
More than two months of research into relations between NGOs and the government was officially presented in Phnom Penh on Thursday, with an overriding message of distrust, and concerns that the proposed NGO Law will be repressive. Following the release on Wednesday of a summary of the report, Assessment of the Enabling Environment for Civil Society, one of the authors Thursday outlined some of the key concerns raised by 23 NGO representatives and one government adviser during the research, which aimed to determine what hampers NGOs from operating effectively. … Study author Louise Coventry said the study would hopefully prompt constructive dialogue between the government and NGOs “instead of focusing on weaknesses and challenges.” … Meas Sarim, an adviser to Interior Minister Sar Kheng, attended Thursday’s presentation. Reached by telephone afterward, he provided a more upbeat assessment of the environment for NGOs. … Mr. Sarim said NGOs must respect the conditions set by the government governing their activities and that the NGO law “is coming soon.” “In this fifth mandate, the government is committed to passing it,” he said, adding that it was untrue that Interior Ministry officials had sought bribes from NGOs during the registration process.
Lauren Crothers
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/new-report-reveals-distrust-between-ngos-and-government-48205/
