Working Towards an Access to Information Law in Cambodia:Bridging the Government and Citizens for Participatory Law-Making

2014-2017

Phnom PenhOffice1.1. UNESCO’S WORK ON A2I ALL OVER THE WORLD

Phnom PenhOffice1.2. A2I LEGISLATION BACKGROUND IN CAMBODIA

1st draft on Access to Information law

2nd draft on Access to Information law

Draft Policy Framework

with the technical assistance

from USAID and Pact

Existing draft laws such as the Existing draft laws such as the Model Law on A2I drafted by CSOs, and an A2I law by the opposition party, the government has indicated a strong wish to draft a new law

201220112010200920082007 20132006 2014 2015

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Better understanding by everyone of the key role that Access to Information plays in improving livelihoods

Government accountability and transparency in disclosing information

Capacity of government officials to draft and pass a participatory legislation on Access to Information

Capacity of media professionals to provide independent, free and unbiased investigative reports by exercising their right to information

1.3. EXPECTED OUTCOMES

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A2I Draft Law

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REVISIONS ON DRAFT TECHNICAL WORKING

GROUP

RECOMMENDATION PAPERS

SECTORAL FORUMS

COMMUNITY FORUMS

Overall Objective: Promote an inclusive and participatory law-making process by bridging the government and citizens in drafting an Access to Information Law in Cambodia

1.4. OVERVIEW

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INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE

A2I Final Law

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MEDIA CAMPAIGN

1.4. OVERVIEW

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MINISTRIES

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

UN AGENCIES

UNESCO

OHCHR

CSOS

CAMBODIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION COMMITTEE (CHRAC)

CLUB OF CAMBODIANJOURNALISTS(CCJ)

CAMBODIAN CENTERFOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA(CCIM)

ADVOCACY AND POLICYINSTITUTE (API)

MINISTRY OF INFORMATIONCHAIR

MINISTRY OFNATIONAL ASSEMBLY-SENATE RELATIONS AND INSPECTION

2.1. COMPOSITION OF THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP

DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

COUNCIL OF JURISTS

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COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND FINE ARTSMINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND HANDICRAFT

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

MINISTRY OF POSTSAND TELECOMMUNICATIONSMINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH

AND SPORT

NATIONAL BANK OF CAMBODIA

MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY

MINISTRY OF LABORAND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS, VETERANSAND YOUTH REHABILITATION

MINISTRY OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS

COUNCIL FOR THE DEVELOPMENTOF CAMBODIA

MINISTRY OF INFORMATIONCHAIR

2.2. COMPOSITION OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE

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TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP

INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE

Established by a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Information;

Meets every two months; Gathering Civil Society

Organizations (CSOs), journalist associations, development partners including UN.

Established by a Sub-decree; Debate and submit the law to the

Council of Ministers; Will meet in year 2 and 3 every

two months to discuss and debate the draft law.

2. EXPECTED RESULT 1:ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP AND AN INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE

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UNESCO and Ministry of Information will assess the training needs of the members of the Technical Working Group and the Inter-ministerial Committee and implement trainings to develop an effective legislation.

The trainings will ensure the high capacity of the members of the Technical Working Group and the Inter-ministerial Committee

Trainings will be on concepts of A2I, legislative process in Cambodia, international/regional standards on A2I and Decentralisation and Deconcentration.

2.3. TWG AND IC TRAININGS

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Production of 36 recommendation papers

3. EXPECTED RESULT 2: PARTICIPATORY LAW-MAKING ANDINCREASING DEMAND FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION

SECTORAL FORUMSCOMMUNITY FORUMS

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1st Region

Phnom PenhKandalPrey VengSvay RiengTakeoKampong Cham

5th Region

Siem ReapPreah VihearOddar MeancheyKampong Thom

4th Region

KratieStung TrengRattanakiriMondulkiriTbong Khmum

3rd region

Kampong SomKoh KongKampotKepKampong Speu

2nd Region

BattambangBanteay MeancheyPailinPursatKampong Chhnang

Under the project, community forums will be organized in 5 geographical regions over the course of 3 years (total 15 community forums).

3.1. COMMUNITY FORUMS

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Issue-based, sectoral approach to create demand for the Access to Information Law; Organization of 7 sectoral forums in Phnom Penh over the course per year.

YOUTH HEALTHEDUCATION

WOMENHUMAN RIGHTS ENVIRONMENT/AGRICULTURE MEDIA

3.2. SECTORAL FORUMS

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Year 1:Assessing

information needs of each sector

Year 2Gathering

information needs of each sector and

receiving feedback on the Draft Law

Year 3:Reporting back to

each sector on how the TWG and the IC have included their feedback into the

Draft Law

3.3. PURPOSE OF THE FORUMS

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Journalist modules on Access to Information Law, investigative reporting and code of ethics developed and published in English and Khmer

45 highly qualified and dedicated journalists better able to report on issues of Access to Information, conduct investigative reporting and establish a culture where requesting information is the norm

45 investigative reports published every year through an online platform

3.4. INCREASING DEMAND FOR A2I FROM THE MEDIA SECTOR

Phnom PenhOffice4. EXPECTED RESULT 3

MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Citizens understand the concepts of Access to Information law and are in better position to demand for the passage of the law

Citizens are able to critically reflect and contribute to the process of drafting the law

Concepts of Access to Information mainstreamed among the general public for social action

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UNESCO Office in Phnom Penh

Ms. Jamie Hyo-Jin LEE

Information and Communication Programme OfficerEmail: hj.lee@unesco.orgTel: (078) 77 21 44

5. CONTACTS

Ministry of Information

H.E. Saravuth HUY

Under-Secretary of State Email: saravuth_huy@hotmail.frTel: (011) 30 30 02