Joint NGOs’ and Civil Society’s Statement on the Outcome of the National Consultation Workshop on the Draft Law on Associations and Non-governmental Organizations

We, domestic and foreign non-governmental organizations and associations, would like to thank the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) for giving us the opportunity to participate in the National Consultation Workshop on the Draft Law on Associations and Non-governmental Organizations on 10 January 2011.  

We highly value the Royal Government’s willingness to openly accept our comments and recommendations shared during the one day consultation, and we sincerely trust that these recommendations will be reflected into the second draft, which we strongly hope will be once again shared and consulted broadly and publicly.  

Due to the time constraints during the National Consultation and in consideration of the lengthy process from this point to the enactment of the law, we sincerely trust the Royal Government would favorably consider our firm recommendation for the creation of a joint Technical Working Group consisting of representatives from the Royal Government and Civil Society. Such a mechanism is critically important to ensure further constructive dialogue to achieve greater clarity and mutual understanding on process and contents of the draft law and to avoid any unintended consequences of the law.

As we are awaiting decision, we strongly hope that the Royal Government will respond positively in the following days to provide opportunities for additional consultations on this very important legislation, so that practical concerns of civil society organizations across the country are well reflected in the next draft of the NGO Law.

The attached report summarizes all the inputs and recommendations from NGO and other Civil Society organization’s presentation shared during the first National Consultation on January 10, 2011.

Phnom Penh, 12 January, 2011

 
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