INTRODUCTION
Since the early 1990s Cambodia has transformed from a socialist
system to a multi-party democracy. Today Cambodia is recognized
as a country with freedom of expression, freedom of press, and
the freedom to form associations and political parties. The
government is making real efforts to bring efficient, democratic
reforms to the system of administration. Notwithstanding
achievements made, there are still many obstacles to the
efficient implementation of the principle of good governance and
transparency.
The concept of good governance is broadly characterized by
transparency, responsibility, public participation, adherence to
the rule of law and cooperation between government and civil
society.
KEY ISSUES
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Lack of respect for the law
The weakness of Cambodian democracy is reflected in the lack
of respect for the law, and the fact that the administration
of society is still based upon the system of patronage.
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Weak public administration
Good governance relates to the efficient management of
public resources. In the context of Cambodia the
government's ability to effectively manage public resources
is constrained by a weak public administration. The civil
service is overstaffed, and there is a low level of
technical and managerial capacity.
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Absence of transparency
The absence of transparency leads to inequitable allocation
of resources, injustice, and an ineffective rule of law that
encourages corrupt practices.
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Corruption
The issue of corruption is closely linked to the absence of
transparency. Corruption exists at all levels in Cambodian
society despite government policies and measures to combat,
contain and reduce it. The major impediment to reducing
corruption is the incomplete implementation of good governance and transparency in Cambodia. A national survey on Public Attitudes Towards Corruption was
conducted between January and May 1998. The Corruption
Survey reported that 84 percent of the 1,513 survey
participants agree that corruption is the norm in Cambodia,
91 percent believe that it is harming the nation, and 98
percent would like it stopped as soon as possible.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To promote good governance, NGOs recommend that the Royal Government of Cambodia and the donor community:
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Encourage public participation in state affairs
Conditions should be encouraged for people to discuss and debate issues of public importance. Three public forums were recently organized by a NGO on the trial of the Khmer Rouge and National Reconciliation in Battambang, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.
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Promote freedom of expression and freedom of the press
Encouraging the voices of the people and the media are prerequisites for transparency and accountability.
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Promote the passage of anti-corruption legislation
Recent efforts to pass anti-corruption legislation have involved a collaborative approach between NGOs and the
government. Civil society actors have worked closely with the Ministry of Parliamentary Relations and Inspection on draft laws, and the Jurist Council invited NGOs to comment upon draft legislation. We welcome the engagement of civil society actors in the process of reviewing and commenting upon draft legislation and hope this process will continue. We urge the government and donors to take a holistic approach in their anti-corruption efforts.
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Develop education programs to raise public awareness
Create training programs that help people to understand the concept of legitimacy of government, the nature of public affairs and the responsibility of government to the public.
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Disseminate information
Transparency is build upon the free flow of information. An important factor for
transparency in society is the dissemination of accurate information. For the effective provision of information the government should promote the publication and
distribution of all draft budgets with projected taxes, income, revenue and public expenses, and publicize the mandates, rules and
procedures of all executive institutions.
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Strengthen existing democratic institutions
Encourage existing democratic institutions to function properly according to their mandates. The Supreme Council of Magistracy should assume its proper role and the Constitutional Council should be provided with the necessary resources to fulfill its functions.
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Act as models of transparency and
accountability
It is often too easy to blame Cambodian officials and institutions and accuse them of corruption. The more difficult task is for those very organizations, that provide the means and funds by which Cambodian
institutions and officials may be corrupted, to lead by example. NGOs remind
international lending institutions that any loans must be approved pursuant to Article 90 of the Constitution, and ratified by the National Assembly.
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