Strengthen Democracy by strengthening Civil Society in Cambodia

1. Strengthen Democracy by strengthening Civil Society in Cambodia “ A SINGLE STICK BREAKS EASILY, BUT A BUNDLE STANDS THE STRAIN” Nhek Sarin, Executive Director of STAR Kampuchea ASPBAE Basic Leadership Development Course March 29, 2008Siem Reap, Cambodia

2. CONTENTS • Cambodian Geography and Its current situation • Cambodian History • Cambodian Democracy • Bad Governance • Development of Cambodian NGOs • Achievements of Cambodian NGOs • Conclusion

3. 1. Cambodian Geography and Its Current Situation • Total Land: 183 035 Km squares • Population: around 13 millions • 53% of total population are women, 65% of them working for agricultural and textile industry sectors • 91% of the country’s poor living in rural areas • Agriculture sector accounts for almost half of total economics • Civil wars from the 1970 -93 diminished the country’s population and thus vital human resources “Cambodia Is A poor Country”

6. Cambodian History • Angkor: Glory Empire between 12th – 16th Century • 1865 – 1953 French Colonial Era • 1953 – 1970 Monarchy Regime • 1970 – 1975 Republic Regime • 1975 – 1979 Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge Terror

7. Brother number 1: Pol Pot (Saloth Sar), 1925-1998 • CPK Secretary-General • Prime Minister of DK, 1976-1979

8. Genocide against Buddhist monks, Khmer krom (Khmers with Vietnamese descent), the Vietnamese, the Chinese, the Muslim Cham minorities. “the Year Zero”.

11. Cambodia Killing Field sites, 1975-1979

12. …Cambodian History • 1979 – 1989 People’s Republic of Kampuchea • 1991 Paris Peace Accord • 1992 Start of the UNTAC Era

13. …Cambodian History • 1993 First National Election • 1993 Passing of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia • 1996 Violent conflicts • 1998 2nd National Election / stalemate of government formation • 2003 3rd National Election • 2008 4th National Election be in 27 July

14. 3. Cambodian Democracy • Elections - not satisfactory free and fair • Executive, legislative and court – the power is not clearly separate • Constitution, based on principles of liberal democracy and pluralism – but is not fully implemented

15. Freedom of the press, of expression, to form political parties and associations – not always respected • Cambodia can hardly be seen as a full democracy in a broader sense. • Hun Sen’s CPP has no real challenges to his power.

16. 4. Bad Governance… • Shrinking democratic space and human rights violations • Bureaucracy; lack of transparency • Corruption within the government, administration and the court; impunity.

17. …Bad Governance • Nepotism within the private and the public sector • No protection of rights of Cambodia’s indigenous ethnic minorities Global Witness report “Cambodian Family Trees” June 2007: Cambodia is run by an elite that generate much of its wealth via the seizure of public assets, particularly natural resources”.

18. 5. Development of the Cambodian NGOs • Establishment of CSOs/NGOs, most of them concentrating on human rights, democracy, fair election and relief work. • CSOs have become a political actor in Cambodia • Today there are approx. 2,000 registered NGOs in Cambodia

19. …. Development of the Cambodian NGOs • At the beginning, the government did not recognize NGOs as legitimate political actors. • Until today NGOs are partly oppressed and threatened by the government. For example, some NGO and unions federation’s activists were jailed in December 2005.

20. 6. Achievements of the Cambodian NGOs NGOs address the political system to • express their opinions and • influence decision makers. They address the political system • formally and informally and • at high and low political levels.

21. …Achievements of the Cambodian NGOs • Public ForumsThat are meetings with authorities to create a basis for policy making and peaceful conflict solution at the local level. • Cooperation to education authorities and the peopleIncludes workshops, training courses, seminars.

22. …Achievements of the Cambodian NGOs • Participation in the legislative processIncludes lobbying, workshops and meetings to discuss draft laws with state representatives. • Other co-operationsInclude cooperation in working groups or joint organization of events.

23. …Achievements of the Cambodian NGOs • Nearly all NGOs stay in contact with the local authorities in the provinces • Many NGOs are able to address high governmental representatives and ministries

24. …Conclusion • NGOs participates in several political processes; sometime their political participation of NGOs is restricted • Represent, strengthen and channel the voice of the people; • Act as the people’s advocates towards the government

25. …Conclusion • Regular contact with state representatives • Contributes ideas and recommendation into the legislative process • Voices are heard by the government, but more often ignored • Well recognized in the public, by international organizations and the media

26. …Conclusion • The development of a strong NGOs movement and political participation are important steps on the way towards pluralist democracy • NGOs contribute to a continuing democratization in Cambodia

27. WANGO CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AWARD, HUNGARY 2004

28. Plan for tomorrow, but LIVE for today THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION!!!!