Key Challenges in Cambodia Transition to Democratic Governce

1
Key Challenges in Cambodia Transition to
Democratic Governce

• Cambodia Political Transition
• Kathmandu , Nepal- 10-12 November, 2008

2
Cambodia
3
Cambodia in historical events
Civil War
4
The four factions in the conflict
5
Legacy of war

• Destruction of social, educational and economic
  infrastructure
• Most of educated individuals were either killed
  or live in other countries
• Nascent public institutions weak accountability
• Culture of survival of the fitness
• Destruction of religious institutions
• Unorganized citizen

6
Paris Peace Agreement

• Signed by the four contending faction
• Giving advantage to the faction backed by the
  Vietnamese The Cambodian People Party, CPP
• UN Transitional Authority organized the election
  in 1993
• A parliamentary governance, with King as the
  figure head of state
• Victory to the Royalist (Funcinpeck )party
• Share leadership between the Royalist party and
  the CPP
• Complete cease fire throughout the country in
  1998

7
Post UN era

• United Nation left Cambodia soon after the
  election
• All state institutions are controlled by the CPP
• Power sharing with the Royal ist Party are only
  at the national level
• Market economy, without proper preparation
• Arm built up prior to the coup detat in 1997
• Weaken Royalist party emerging other opposition
  party, SRP Party emerged

8
Cambodian Election System
Direct Election
Indirect Election
9
Cambodian National Election
10
Status of Civil Society

• Up to about over 2000 as of 2008- not counting
  union and federation and other registered with
  other Ministries
• Several networks at the national level are
  operating
• Most 24 provinces developed into network
• CBO formed, supported by NGOs in defending their
  interest
• NGO considered themselves political neutral
• Enjoyed freedom of association, and expression
• Depending on foreign donors

11
Human Rights vs Women Rights

• Using women rights has been less threaten
• Recent push for women to be in public office
• 8 in 2002 to 20 in 2008 at the commune council
• 19 in 2003 to 22 in 2008 at the NA
• 4 in 2003 to 16 in 2008 for member of the
  cabinet
• All provincial and district level have women
  deputy governors
• 1st Women Deputy Prime Minister in 2008
• ASEAN is developing HR mechanism at the regional
  level only women and children rights

12
Economy

• Has been 13 but slowed down to 7 in 2007 and
  2008
• Inflation is up to 20 this year
• Many land concessions has caused displacement and
  land grabbing
• Most economic growth garment, tourism, and
  construction
• Prospect increase of income from mining, oil
  exploration by 2011

13
Key challenges for Cambodia

• Ending impunity in Cambodia the KR trial is
  under way-
• Strengthening democratic institutions, both
  public and public
• Changing people mind set
• Organizing the mass
• Engaging CSO constructively with government for
  social accountability
• Getting the opposition parties to work together
• Getting elected officials to work across parties
  line

14
Key challenges for Cambodia