A blow to Cambodian democracy
4th September 2015,
A major blow was dealt to Cambodian democracy when a repressive law which threatens to silence all government critics was introduced.
The Law on Associations and NGOs -- or LANGO as it is commonly known -- grants the government powers to crack down on any activities it considers might "jeopardize peace, stability and public order or harm the national security, national unity, culture and traditions of the Cambodian national society." It also requires all citizen groups to register with the government. Leaders of those that don't could face jail terms or be blacklisted from ever starting another organization.
Effectively giving the government total control over civil society, the LANGO allows them to pick and choose which groups can operate, close down critical organizations and lock up anyone they consider a trouble maker. Even small informal gatherings could be criminalized. Considering gathering some people together to discuss homelessness in your neighborhood, for example, or to raise money for cancer research? Your group would have to register with the Ministry of Interior or potentially face prosecution.
The LANGO is the first of four repressive laws in the pipeline designed to crush a movement for change that began building around Cambodia's 2013 election, when garment workers, land and forest defenders, monks and the urban youth came together to challenge the current government. Planned for the near future is an equally repressive Trade Union Law. These laws will inevitably drive activism online, but the government is one step ahead. A Cybercrime law, due for 2016 again contains vague provisions which criminalise any online communications "undermining the integrity of government agencies". And for emails there's the planned Telecomms law that would grant powers to the government to monitor all online communication and demand information on critics from internet providers.
Cambodian groups haven’t taken this attack on their freedoms lying down and their loud calls for the LANGO to be dropped were backed up by Cambodia’s opposition party, hundreds of international NGOs, foreign governments and the UN. All have warned of the devastating impacts the law will have on Cambodian society. US Ambassador to Cambodia, William Todd, warned that it could seriously impact on Cambodia's image as a destination for foreign investment.
This closing down of democratic space is deeply concerning. Cambodia ranks in 156th place out of 175 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, and the LNGO will only increase the ease with which corrupt elites squirrel away public funds - including much-needed aid money meant for health, education and the fight against poverty.
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DisqusThe LANGO is the first of four repressive laws in the pipeline designed to crush a movement for change that began building around Cambodia's 2013 election, when garment workers, land and forest defenders, monks and the urban youth came together to challenge the current government. Planned for the near future is an equally repressive Trade Union Law. These laws will inevitably drive activism online, but the government is one step ahead. A Cybercrime law, due for 2016 again contains vague provisions which criminalise any online communications "undermining the integrity of government agencies". And for emails there's the planned Telecomms law that would grant powers to the government to monitor all online communication and demand information on critics from internet providers.
Cambodian groups haven’t taken this attack on their freedoms lying down and their loud calls for the LANGO to be dropped were backed up by Cambodia’s opposition party, hundreds of international NGOs, foreign governments and the UN. All have warned of the devastating impacts the law will have on Cambodian society. US Ambassador to Cambodia, William Todd, warned that it could seriously impact on Cambodia's image as a destination for foreign investment.
This closing down of democratic space is deeply concerning. Cambodia ranks in 156th place out of 175 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, and the LNGO will only increase the ease with which corrupt elites squirrel away public funds - including much-needed aid money meant for health, education and the fight against poverty.
