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Cambodia's NGO Law complies with Constitution: Constitutional Council

Xinhua, August 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Constitutional Council of Cambodia announced Wednesday that the controversial Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), which was passed by the Parliament and Senate last month, is constitutional.

"The Constitutional Council declares that the Law on Associations and NGOs, that was adopted by the Parliament on July 13 and finally reviewed by the Senate on July 24, complies with the Constitution," Ek Sam Ol, President of the Constitutional Council, said in a decision made after a plenary session.

He added that the council's decision is final, which is not allowed to be appealed.

The council's plenary session was held to hear arguments from the government and opposition party representatives about the law before sending it to King Norodom Sihamoni for final approval.

The Law on Associations and NGOs has been criticized by some NGOs along with western country diplomats, who worry that it will impose restrictions on the freedoms of associations and NGOs.

However, the government defended that the law does not restrict the freedoms of associations and organizations, but protect them and enhance cooperation between those organizations and the government.

According to government figures, currently, there are approximately 5,000 associations and NGOs operating in this Southeast Asian nation.

Under the law, associations and NGOs will be required to register their nationalities with the government in order to have legal standing and must file reports on their activities and finances each year to the government.

The bill will also allow the government to delete the name of any association or NGO, which has conducted any action that jeopardizes peace, stability and public order, or harms national security, unification, culture, traditions and custom. Endit