Transnational Networks, International Organizations and Political Participation in Cambodia: Human Rights, Labour Rights and Common Rights

Abstract

Much international attention has been focused upon the promotion of a civil society in Cambodia, able to demand transparency and accountability from the Cambodian government. This article argues that international agencies, although apparently supportive of civil society, have in fact undermined the representation of collective interests in Cambodia through insistence on highly regulated and atomizing modes of participation, aimed at demobilizing and depoliticizing contentious groups in Cambodian society, and routing contentious politics through internationally sanctioned sites of participation. This trend in international engagement is traced across three issue areas -human rights, labour rights, and common rights in the forestry sector. In each case, it is argued, international agencies promoting neo-liberal agendas have taken the lead, at the expense of potentially radical transnational networks. The international backing awarded to local organizations has been highly conditional, and these organizations have consequently found it difficult to find political space to develop as autonomous actors. Because of this, an increasingly authoritarian state has been able to isolate and repress radical individual leaders. The result has been a dramatic shrinking of space for public participation in politics over the past ten years.

Developing a Movement? Aid-Based Mediated Diffusion as a Strategy to Promote Labour Activism in post-Tsunami Aceh

“…Research suggests that heavy reliance on donors means that partner organisations tend to be less radical in their approach (Sampson, 2003). In Cambodia, the international community's concern about its relationship with the government meant that they encouraged human rights organisations to focus on activities such as training rather than on advocacy or public protest, which were considered too volatile (Hughes, 2007). In Timor Leste, an NGO that had received a grant from the Australian Government's aid agency, AusAID, had it revoked after signing a petition calling for the Australian Government to respect Timor Leste's sovereignty in their negotiations about a maritime boundary between the two countries.…”

“…Although the particular methods by which the international donor community have sought to promote activism have changed over the last several decades, the fundamental purpose of 'exporting democracy' has remained the same (Sampson, 2003). In Cambodia, for instance, the international community engaged with the human rights and labour movements in the early 1990s as part of its strategy of 'peacebuilding via international democracy promotion' (Hughes, 2007). Organisations that target other types of civil society groups also emphasise the promotion of democratic structures as one of their key goals.…”

“…It is therefore necessary to turn to the sub-section of the development literature that focuses on aid projects targeting civil society organisations in order to address the question of how aid interfaces with social movements more generally (e.g. Austin & Eder, 2007;Ford, 2006;Hrycak, 2007;Hughes, 2007). There are many studies that examine the problems associated with the use of aid to support social movements in the quest to 'develop' civil society.…”

Workers’ Agency and Re-Working Power Relations in Cambodia's Garment Industry

“…This, in combination with the government's directive to sponsor a range of unions as a means to undermine the independent and opposition-oriented unions (Arnold and Toh 2010;Ear 2011;Hughes 2007), means space for independent trade unions and other social movement organizations in Cambodia has been under constant pressure throughout the 2000s. Prime Minister Hun Sen, in response to suggestions that he should be concerned about his position in light of the overthrow of the Tunisian dictator in 2011, is quoted as saying, 'I not only weaken the opposition, I'm going to make them dead [...] and if anyone is strong enough to try to hold a demonstration, I will beat all those dogs and put them in a cage' (Adams 2012).…”

Large-Scale Land Acquisitions

“…Dating back to the social and economic dislocations of Khmer Rouge rule (1975)(1976)(1977)(1978) and its aftermath (during the 1980s and 1990s), the distribution of land and associated questions of access and ownership have long been at the heart of contemporary Cambodian politics (Chandler, 1993;Gottesman, 2003;Hughes, 2007;Un and So, 2009;Cock, 2010;Heder, 2011). One of the central motifs through which this history has unfolded is 'anarchic encroachment' , a term that state officials often use to describe the activities of smallholders on lands that are claimed as state property.…”