Manet Rejects Civil Society Restrictions, Highlights Government Support for 'Genuine' Groups

Prime Minister Hun Manet has rejected claims that the Cambodian government suppresses or restricts civil society organisations, insisting that the it remains open and fully supportive of organisations that operate transparently, honestly and effectively for the benefit of the Cambodian people and national development, particularly in the field of human resource development. He shared his comments on July 2, as he attended celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE). The prime minister also presented graduation certificates to 500 students from the 2021–2024 academic cohorts. Manet said reports suggesting that the government discourages or limits civil society activities were “misleading”. “There are misunderstandings, particularly in some media reports claiming that the government does not support civil society organisations, or that it suppresses freedoms and prevents them from operating. That is simply not true. A small number of cases involving specific organisations or issues of expression are separate matters and must operate within the law,” he said. He noted that Cambodia has around 6,500 registered associations and NGOs — approximately 3,000 associations and 3,500 NGOs — operating across the country. “Some have ceased operating, but thousands of NGOs remain valuable partners of the government. Why would the government restrict organisations like these? On the contrary, we encourage them to do even more, provided they are genuinely serving the public,” he said. The prime minister cited PSE as an example of a civil society organisation that enjoys the government’s full support because of its longstanding work assisting disadvantaged children through education, vocational training and employment opportunities over the past three decades. Founded in Cambodia in 1996 by Christian and Marie-France des Pallières, PSE is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping impoverished children escape poverty through education and vocational skills training. On average, the organisation provides annual support to nearly 7,000 disadvantaged and vulnerable children, offering accommodation, meals, general education and vocational training. Graduates have gone on to secure employment across a wide range of sectors in Cambodia, while some have also found work overseas. Manet said that over the past 30 years, PSE has made a significant contribution to Cambodia’s poverty reduction efforts and human resource development by delivering high-quality vocational education. The organisation has helped tens of thousands of Cambodian children and young people build better futures while supporting the government’s broader sustainable development goals, he noted. He argued that organisations providing education, healthcare and social welfare deliver fundamental human rights in practice. “Is an organisation like PSE, which provides education and training, somehow less valuable than an organisation that simply shelters under a label and spends its time making accusations? Certainly not,” he said. “Civil society organisations that genuinely serve people are the ones expanding people’s rights and freedoms. Human rights are not simply about shouting slogans or holding protests. Human rights include the right to education, healthcare and social welfare. These are fundamental rights,” he added. He noted that education empowers people by giving them knowledge and genuine freedom, and said the government would continue welcoming and supporting the thousands of civil society organisations working constructively alongside the state. The Prime Minister also called on all civil society organisations to strengthen cooperation with the government and development partners to help address social challenges and contribute to Cambodia’s continued development. “The government will always welcome sincere, constructive efforts from all stakeholders working together to build a better Cambodia,” he said.