Advocacy in Cambodia: Increasing Democratic ... - Pact Cambodia

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overview of advocacy campaigns in cambodia Development activities in Cambodia are entering their second decade and advocacy capacity can therefore be considered to be in its early phase. Many advocacy campaigns have been reactive to conflicts arising from the local level, as is the case with forestry, fisheries and land issues. These tend to be needs-based campaigns that address livelihood issues. Other campaigns have been proactive, address broader issues that affect the general population, and do not arise from widespread conflict, such as women’s and children’s rights campaigns. In keeping with the general development of the country, advocacy activities have been intensive and challenging. This section presents brief summaries of eight case studies presented at the end of this report. The case studies were chosen based on the multiplicity of strategies employed, which provide some lessons learned (both positive and negative) regarding organizing advocacy campaigns and their current pertinence. These are meant to be illustrative cases and do not portend to represent all strategies currently used in Cambodia. Readers will find that the case studies offer a comprehensive study of the history of advocacy in each sector as well as analyses of each activity’s impacts. time, the Prime Minister made a surprise announcement that the area allocated to private fishing concessions would be reduced. It is believed that this announcement was a response to increased popular frustration expressed in letters and demonstrations in the capital. NGOs documented violations in case studies and organized public forums to bring together the various actors involved. When the government announced that sub-decrees and new laws would be drafted, NGOs collaborated to obtain comments from fishing communities and brought representatives from the affected communities to a national government workshop in Phnom Penh. Through this consultative process on fishing policies, NGOs, fishing community representatives and Department of Fisheries staff were pleased with the draft of the Community Fisheries Sub-Decree. Due to inexperience, however, NGOs may have been shortsighted in lobbying only as high as the Department of Fisheries because subsequent changes in the draft at the ministerial level have undone some of the achievements of the consultation process. (See page 46.) Land In 1998, Oxfam GB initiated a Land Study Project spurred by accounts of increasing land disputes expressed by its partners and as witnessed by the constant flow of rural communities demonstrating in front of the National Assembly. The initial phase of the project ended with a national workshop, which concluded that the main causes of land disputes were the shortcomings of the 1994 Land Law. An outcome of the workshop was the formation of an NGO/IO land working group that worked on one of the two Increasing Democratic Space Fisheries Management The need to advocate for improved community access to fisheries resources came to the attention of a network of NGOs when a serious dispute occurred in the provinces. Fishing communities saw their access to traditional fishing areas dramatically curtailed by private fishing concessions issued by the government. At the same Final consultation workshop on community fisheries sub-decrees, 2001. 12
drafts incorporated into the new Land Law and enacted in August 2001. Land disputes continue to be a problem in Cambodia and conservative estimates state that 100,000 people are currently in a situation in which powerful figures are trying to displace them. Resolutions are rare, particularly in cases that involve the military and/or large companies. Nevertheless, NGOs and communities are becoming bolder and legal aid organizations are gaining experience leading to some small isolated successes. Currently the government is drafting subdecrees that will clarify the Land Law. Of special concern to NGOs is the composition of the Cadastral Commission, which will be responsible for resolving disputes at the local level. The government is understandably reluctant to open the door to civil society participation in dispute resolution, arguing that participation at the local level will make the system too complex. Proponents argue that there is no legal obstacle to civil society participation in the Cadastral Commission and that without it appointed officials who may have vested interest in some land cases would heavily influence the Commission. Land disputes are expected to increase as a planned land title project moves forward and titles held or created by powerful figures are discovered. While civil society organizations have coordinated strongly on land issues, motivation and coordination will have to continue in order to engage the government on this sensitive livelihood issue. (See page 54.) Garment Labor Movement The organized garment labor movement took place in two main phases. The first phase occurred between 1994 and 1997 when international organizations lobbied the National Assembly and the Ministry of Labor, provided technical assistance, and sent relevant officials on study tours. Lobbying strategies included a workshop by an international union for 20-30 members of the National Assembly on the international labor code. The final Labor Law, passed in 1997, was the combined product of a draft produced by the EMOs held a public forum before the commune council election in Kampong Cham and invited parliamentarians to participate, 2001. National Assembly and one produced by the Ministry of Labor. The second phase started after the Labor Law passed, whereby focus was shifted to strengthening local unions and improving working conditions in the factories. These efforts have been somewhat undermined by the regular dismissal of union leaders and the fact that the garment workers are young, rural women recently moved to the city, who are in need of programs to build confidence and empowerment before they can play active roles in advocacy. (See page 59.) Commune Council Election Law Electoral monitoring organizations (EMOs) knew from the start that the three objectives they set regarding the commune council election law campaign were ambitious, particularly the objective to switch from a proportional to a direct electoral system. Unlike most campaigns, this one has a long-term objective and advocates have not been deterred by their failure to secure changes in the draft law before it was passed. The EMOs conducted opinion polls and organized a number of public forums in the provinces. They also organized a march, participated in monthly Conflict Prevention in the Cambodian Elections (COPCEL) discussions with government and party officials, and obtained meetings with high-level officials to present their arguments. At one point in the process, the EMOs considered withdrawing from the election process in protest over the proposed role of an NGO Coordinating Committee (NGOCC) within the Ministry of Interior. The original objectives of this campaign were not met, yet the issue attracted considerable press through a strategic media campaign. Efforts were slightly weakened when ideological differences prevented the EMOs from presenting a unified front at times. The most valuable lesson for these advocating organizations, which are not traditionally community-based NGOs, was the sense of legitimacy they gained from conducting the public polls that gave strong credence to popular demand for a direct electoral system. Other lessons learned include the need to think more strategically before implying that the EMOs Increasing Democratic Space 13
Page 1 and 2: advocacy in cambodia: increasing de
Page 3 and 4: executive summary The Cambodian non
Page 5 and 6: sectors reviewed in this document
Page 7 and 8: livelihood of populations, includin
Page 9 and 10: Pursat Rice Miller’s Association,
Page 11 and 12: Protected Forest and Land Dispute:
Page 13: implementation. Without policy impl
Page 17 and 18: the relocation site and not at the
Page 19 and 20: Landless Families: O’thkov Villag
Page 21 and 22: Short-term and long-term implicatio
Page 23 and 24: EMOs do not traditionally base thei
Page 25 and 26: or even fearful to solve conflicts,
Page 27 and 28: collection of information on public
Page 29 and 30: each month. Facilitating Engagement
Page 31 and 32: analyzing impact of advocacy activi
Page 33 and 34: communities and NGOs can work with
Page 35 and 36: influencing the legislative process
Page 37 and 38: informal contacts and being able to
Page 39 and 40: CHART OF LEGISLATIVE PROCESS (10) K
Page 41 and 42: considerable public attention, but
Page 43 and 44: lessons learned Advocates have lear
Page 45 and 46: ecommendations The following are re
Page 47 and 48: conclusion Outside of human rights
Page 49 and 50: conclusion of the forum, the govern
Page 51 and 52: level can sustainable resource use
Page 53 and 54: literature, interviews, and field v
Page 55 and 56: Future Considerations The following
Page 57 and 58: Timeline of Land Issues Over the Pa
Page 59 and 60: The new Land Law will require betwe
Page 61 and 62: labor The garment factory labor mov
Page 63 and 64: input from AFL-CIO, the largest lab
Page 65 and 66:
intervene are by activating the Lab
Page 67 and 68:
ights have, in principle if not in
Page 69 and 70:
commune council election law The ca
Page 71 and 72:
maximize the group’s collective i
Page 73 and 74:
communication between EMOs and dono
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The CCEL campaign was the first opp
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in every four women (25%) aged 15-4
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estimates the number of sex workers
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elections saw an increase to 14 fem
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healthcare. While many women know t
Page 85 and 86:
losing influence. For this reason,
Page 87 and 88:
plaintiffs at a disadvantage. A sec
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level to increase interaction betwe
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courses for members of the media (p
Page 93 and 94:
economic issues NGOs are advocating
Page 95 and 96:
come together to discuss problems a
Page 97 and 98:
the issue on the government’s age
Page 99 and 100:
premier center for rights-based and
Page 101 and 102:
Penh. Watson, Gabrielle, 2000. Advo
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Advocacy in Cambodia: Increasing Democratic ... - Pact Cambodia

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