And why does the government want to regulate them? Opposition, or a more honest accounting system?

From the PPP:

Trust us,’ HE urges
Wed, 3 June 2015
Vong Sokheng, Sarah Taguiam and Taing Vida
Prime Minister HE yesterday had a message for Cambodia’s NGOs about the highly contentious draft law that could soon govern their activities: “Don’t worry.”

Speaking at the opening of Chinese-funded National Road 41 – even as a US envoy in Phnom Penh was voicing doubts about the law’s very necessity – the premier assured civil society the law on associations and non-governmental organisations was for their own good.

“To the NGOs and the associations, please do not worry about the law. This law will protect you, this law will support you and [be] widely open for your activities … and I guarantee that this law is in accordance with the Constitution,” HE said.

The premier also seemingly closed the door to further discussions on the subject, despite repeated calls in recent weeks by local and international NGOs to undertake a serious consultation with civil society.

“The consultations have happened too many times already, and we paid strong attention to the recommendations,” he said.

The law’s latest draft, which was released in 2011, was met with widespread outcry by civil society due to concerns that its proposed mechanisms – including purportedly complex registration and stringent annual reporting processes – could muzzle activism and impose burdens on NGOs that will inhibit their ability to work in the country.

The Council of Ministers is scheduled to discuss it over the weekend.

In his speech, the prime minister again stuck to a consistent government theme: that one of the primary purposes of the forthcoming law is to monitor the NGOs’ funding sources, some of which could otherwise be international terrorist groups or organised crime syndicates.

Ny Chakrya, head of local rights group Adhoc’s human rights monitoring section, however, said that the prime minister’s explanation – and reassurances – will not suffice.

“If the law would be adopted while it is controversial, which it is, then the implementation of the law will not be effective and [will] violate human rights,” Chakrya said.

Scott Busby, US deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, yesterday joined in the chorus of draft law critics, offering what may have been the most explicit US criticism of the law yet, saying there is “little need” for such legislation in Cambodia.

“I urge the government to reconsider whether an NGO law is in fact needed at this time, as there are already Cambodian laws on counterterrorism and criminal activity, as well as a civil code, that address the concerns this proposed legislation is intended to address,” Busby said during a press conference at the US Embassy yesterday that concluded a two-day visit to Cambodia.

“If it is deemed that this legislation is indeed in the public interest, I urge the royal government to make the draft legislation available to members of civil society and to the public as soon as possible and before it is introduced in the National Assembly . . . and that the Cambodian people be afforded sufficient time for review and consultations on any legislation.”

Despite HE’s earlier assertion that there had been “enough consultations”, following a meeting yesterday with Busby, Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong said that the government remains willing to open lines of communication with the public and civil society.

“After the draft law is sent to the National Assembly, there will be public discussions with NGOs before the draft is enacted. So I think it’s enough for NGOs to give ideas,” Namhong said, though NGOs have in the past criticised such public discussions of legislation as little more than window dressing.

The minister went on to admonish NGOs, saying that since they demand transparency from the government, they too should be candid about their operations.

“The NGOs themselves also need to be transparent. There is nothing to hide since they are working for Cambodian people,” he said.

Contact authors: Vong Sokheng, Sarah Taguiam and Taing Vida

I don't know if it's news, or even right, but Lucky Lucky told me that NGOers require work permits, backdated, with the penalties to be enforced in the next 12 months.

It's possible, but I know they get free visas. It will be interesting to see if the NGOs will try and weasel out of their legal obligations like some schools did.

I can almost hear GMJS getting a small-winkie hard-on already.

Isn't this law just about govt control over NGOs? If you say something that could embarrass the govt then you will be closed down ? ie; any NGOs that work on environment, labour or human rights issues.

Financial transparency for NGOs is of course more important than Cambodian govt transparency.
http://www.transparency.org/country#KHM

The comment to us was "you can pay the backdated amount now or later, but it will probably be more expensive later."

Username Taken wrote:

Anchor Moy wrote:Isn't this law just about govt control over NGOs?

I think the law has more to do with the next election, and who/what is disseminating what kind of information (propaganda).

Yes, it is a political tool that will be used primarily to get a handle on local/grass roots Cambodian associations such as farmers, land and workers associations, secondarily to get some leverage over foreign influenced politically oriented NGOs like ST and CCHR, and hardly at all about free visas and accountability, except in so far as that can be used to stifle NGO political involvement. Look at the name of the law: "Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations"

Here is a draft of the law from a couple years ago. The current draft is probably similar:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DAM ... l=en&pli=1

StroppyChops wrote:The comment to us was "you can pay the backdated amount now or later, but it will probably be more expensive later."

scare tactics.

vladimir wrote:

StroppyChops wrote:The comment to us was "you can pay the backdated amount now or later, but it will probably be more expensive later."

scare tactics.

Possibly. We might pay the year in advance, and see what comes of the year gone.

NGOs told to file annual reports or face closure
12 December 2017
The Ministry of Interior warned NGOs and associations yesterday to submit their annual financial reports or face legal action, including being shut down.

The ministry released a statement setting a February deadline for NGOs to comply with the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (Lango) to submit their operation activities and bank statements.

“There are only 648 associations and NGOs that have fulfilled the obligation to comply with Lango,” the statement said.

Chhim Kan, chief of association and political affairs department at the Interior Ministry, said that they are waiting for the remaining organisations to comply with the procedure.
The controversial Lango has been enforced since 2015...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5095401/ngo ... e-closure/