NGO Law To Aid Counterterrorism: Official
A proposed law to govern Cambodia’s non-governmental organizations will also help in the fight against global terrorism, a senior offic
A proposed law to govern the activities and monitor fundingof Cambodia’shundreds of non-governmental organizations will also help in the fight againstglobal terrorism, a senior official said Monday. The proposed “Law on Organizations,” sometimes mistranslatedas the “Organic Law,” has been criticized by rights groups and otherorganizations as an attempt by the government to control them. But the law will also prevent funding from Islamic extremismto Cambodia’sMuslim communities, said Sak Setha, secretary of state for the Ministry ofInterior, which drafted the law. “We focus on international terrorist organizations, notassistance from countries,” he said, as a guest on “Hello VOA.” “I believe thatassistance from any country, if it’s proper by this law, will not be impacted.” Sak Setha pointed to Muslim organization Um Alkura, whichwas linked to the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah and closed by the governmentin 2006, as evidence that extremist funding was finding its way to Cambodia. Many of Cambodia’sMuslim communities receive funding from Muslim patrons from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Tieng Saphorn, a project manager for the NGO StarKampuchea, welcomed the law. “NGOs are partners of the government, and we have nevercommitted any wrongdoing,” he said, also as “Hello VOA” guest. “The law is in the interest of NGOs,” Sak Setha said,dismissing concerns from groups that the law would adversely affect them. When the new law is passed, many of the country’s more than2,000 NGOs will have to reapply and fill out additional documentation, he said.