Publication : Press Release

Today, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”)releases an analysis (the “Analysis”) of the fourth draft of the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (the “LANGO”). CCHR welcomes the improvements made to the LANGO, especially in terms of clarity. Some of civil society’s recommendations have been listened to and implemented, which is to the credit of the Royal Government of Cambodia (the “RGC”). As a result, the fourth draft of the LANGO is a better piece of legislation than any of the previous three drafts. However, CCHR highlights three existing areas of significant concern, namely: (1) the pervasive discrimination against foreign associations and NGOs throughout the LANGO, which could not be much worse for such organizations; (2) the lack of clarity and transparency as regards the registration approval process; and (3) the power that the LANGO grants to the executive to de-register associations and NGOs – with no recourse to appeal.

Information Source : CCHR Releases an Analysis of the Fourth Draft of the LANGO that welcomes the improvements made and highlights existing areas of significant concern

• CCHR