NGOs call out holes in EIA law

18 March 2015
The Phnom Penh Post
Environment and natural resources / Environment and natural resources policy and administration / Environmental impact assessments
Danh Serey / Department of Environmental Impact Assessment / Draft Law on Environmental Impact Assessment / Ministry of Environment / Say Sam Al

The Ministry of Environment is close to finalising a draft environmental impact analysis (EIA) law for development projects, but NGOs and civil society groups raised concerns that the draft law, as it stands, prevents indigenous people who live on the land from opposing such projects. Speaking at a national consultation workshop in Phnom Penh to garner feedback on the draft law, NGOs and rights groups said that while the article assures indigenous groups a “free, prior and informed consent” process, it also allows projects to go ahead in the case of a disagreement. … Speaking at the workshop earlier, Environment Minister Say Samal said the law, once approved, will be an indicator for the government to make better decisions before approving development projects. …

 Chan Muyhong and Ananth Baliga
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/ngos-call-out-holes-eia-law