Subject: NDI Press Statement | Cambodia
From: "Ken Wollack" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2017 17:47:33 -0400

Below is our statement in response to the closure of the NDI office in
Cambodia.  The U.S. embassy issued a similar statement in Phnom Penh as did
the State Department at today's press briefing.  Other organizations, both
foreign and domestic, are also under attack in Cambodia, including Voice of
America.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Ken

Kenneth Wollack
President
National Democratic Institute
455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
202-728-5500 (Tel)
888-875-2887 (Fax)
email: [email-masked]
website: www.ndi.org

For Immediate Release: August 23, 2017
Contact: Emily Rodriguez, [email-masked] 202-728-5527 <(202)%20728-5527>

www.ndi.org

Statement on Cambodian Government’s Decision to Shut Down NDI's Office in
Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia - The National Democratic Institute (NDI) expresses
deep disappointment in the decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation to shut down the Institute’s office in Cambodia.

"We are surprised and saddened by this development," said NDI President
Kenneth Wollack. "For 25 years in Cambodia, NDI has worked with all major
political parties, including the ruling party. We have been transparent in
our work, and have made every attempt to comply with the law. It is our
sincere hope the Cambodian government will review its decision."

NDI has worked with Cambodian political parties, citizens and civil society
groups to support transparent governance and inclusive political
participation, which are guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution. All
major parties, including the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), have
participated actively in NDI programs. Carried out in cooperation with the
Royal Government of Cambodia, this work is strictly nonpartisan and has
included party development, candidate debates and multi-party dialogue,
women's participation, and citizen-led efforts to observe the electoral
process.

“NDI’s efforts help strengthen democratic processes and institutions and
not a particular electoral outcome,” Wollack said.

NDI has fulfilled all legal obligations for registration through the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Ministry
accepted NDI’s registration documents on September 21, 2016, and has yet to
act on the submission. Article 14 of Cambodia’s Law on Non-Governmental
Organizations (LANGO) requires the Ministry to make a decision on a
registration application within 45 working days. NDI has a Memorandum of
Understanding with the National Election Committee (NEC) and works closely
with the Committee.

NDI programs in Cambodia are supported by the U.S. Agency for International
Development. NDI wishes to thank the many organizations in Cambodia that
have expressed their support for the Institute and its work.

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
working in more than 60 nations to support and strengthen democratic
institutions through citizen participation, openness and accountability in
government.

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