Cambodia country brief

Australia-Cambodia Relations

Overview

Australia entered into diplomatic relations with Cambodia over 60 years ago. Australia's strong support for the Cambodian Peace Process in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including our lead role in the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (1992-93), still resonates positively with Cambodians. Both countries are working closely to combat people smuggling and trafficking, child sex tourism, narcotics trafficking and terrorism.

Australia maintains a strong commitment to Cambodia's development. This is reflected in our substantial Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Cambodia for which $77.4 million has been allocated for 2011-12. Through our ODA, we are working with Cambodia to improve productivity in agriculture, strengthen law and justice systems, health, and infrastructure. Australia also has a defence cooperation program with Cambodia.
The bilateral relationship is supported by high-level exchanges between Australia and Cambodia. Most recently Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HE Sar Kheng, visited Australia in May 2010 as a Guest of the Australian Government. During his visit a Joint Declaration on Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime was signed. Cambodia's Prime Minister, Samdech Hun Sen, visited Australia as a Guest of the Australian Government in October 2006. During this visit, an Agreement between Australia and Cambodia on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on investment cooperation were signed.
Former Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Mr Bob McMullan MP, visited Cambodia in April 2008. A four-person parliamentary delegation visited Cambodia in July 2008 to observe the fourth National Assembly elections. An Australian Parliamentary Delegation also attended the 32nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Association (AIPA) in Phnom Penh in September 2011.

Human Rights

The process of rebuilding Cambodia following the Khmer Rouge era continues. Despite democratic freedoms in Cambodia, there are periodic reports of intimidation and political violence. Human rights concerns continue to be raised in relation to land disputes between residents and companies pursuing economic development.
Cambodia's legal framework remains weak in some areas. The Cambodian Government is working to develop legislation in a range of sectors and to strengthen Cambodia's judicial system to address inconsistencies in application of the law. While police and security forces can now be prosecuted for criminal activity a culture of impunity remains. In March 2010 Cambodia’s National Assembly unanimously passed a long-awaited anti-corruption law.
Land disputes are a legacy of the Khmer Rouge period, when private land ownership was abolished and populations relocated. Delays in re-establishing a cadastral system and increased demand for land due to rapid growth have exacerbated the situation; disputes in urban areas have escalated with increasing land values. Australia is concerned that all resettlements through Cambodia are carried out according to due process and international human rights standards.
Australia's development assistance program has, since 1997, helped to strengthen the legal and judicial system in Cambodia including providing training and infrastructure support to assist reform. AusAID's Cambodia Criminal Justice Assistance Project (Phases I and II) supported community-based crime prevention programs, improvements in prison management and development of a training handbook of court criminal law procedures for judicial officers. Phase III is supporting the Cambodian Government’s implementation of its National Strategic Development Plan and Legal and Judicial Reform Strategy. Building on earlier phases, it is focusing on institutional strengthening and training of the Cambodian National Police (CNP), Department of Prisons, Ministry of Justice and Courts and General Secretariat for the Council for Legal and Judicial Reform. Phase III is supporting the development of more efficient service delivery by the police, prisons and courts to ensure services meet community expectations. Assistance to vulnerable groups (juveniles, women and others disadvantaged) and countering corruption are key priorities. At Cambodia’s request a senior Australian Police Adviser is currently co-located within the CNP to work directly with a Deputy Commissioner to strengthen the strategic, executive and technical capacity of the CNP. A final phase of assistance (2013-15) is currently being planned with a focus on community based justice, reducing prison overcrowding and ending violence against women.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (Khmer Rouge Tribunal)

In 1997 the Cambodian Government asked the UN to assist with the establishment of an internationally credible tribunal to try Khmer Rouge (KR) leaders most responsible for the humanitarian and other crimes committed between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979. The UN Chief Negotiator, Hans Correll and Cambodian Senior Minister, Sok An signed an agreement on the terms of a tribunal in June 2003.
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) sit within Cambodia's court system. They comprise a pre-trial chamber, a trial chamber and a supreme court chamber. It is a hybrid court, with Cambodian and international judges presiding over each chamber. Decisions will be made by a super-majority.
Australia has to date committed $16.7 million to the ECCC. Australia has also provided funding to support public outreach campaigns and is an active member of the 'Friends of the ECCC' group. Cambodian and international judges (including Australian Rowan Downing QC) and prosecutors were sworn in on 3 July 2006. The former head of Tuol Sleng detention centre, Eav Guek Kaing (known as "Duch"), was the first defendant to be tried. On 26 July 2010 "Duch" was found guilty of crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. He was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment. On 3 February 2012 his sentence was increased on appeal to life imprisonment. The initial hearing in the second case against the three most senior surviving leaders of the former Khmer Rouge regime (Nuon Chea, known as "Brother No 2"; Khieu Samphan, former KR head of state; and Ieng Sary, former KR foreign minister) was held on 27 June 2011. They are charged with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and serious Cambodian domestic crimes.

People smuggling

The Cambodian and Australian Governments enjoy high levels of cooperation in efforts to combat people smuggling and trafficking in people. Australia maintains an Australian Federal Police (AFP) liaison office in Phnom Penh to encourage and assist Cambodian law enforcement agencies to deal with transnational crime, including people smuggling. An MOU between the two countries which provides a framework for cooperative activities designed to combat people smuggling was signed in 2002.

Child sex tourism

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) liaison office in Phnom Penh and the Cambodian National Police are providing mechanisms to assist effective investigation and prosecution of suspected child sex tourism offenders in Cambodia.
AusAID also supports the work of non-government organisations (NGOs) and international organisations in Cambodia providing direct support for victims of child sexual abuse, prevention programs and awareness-raising and advocacy activities.

Australian Community in Cambodia

The Australian community in Cambodia is modest - approximately 2500 Australians are resident in Cambodia, most being dual Cambodian-Australian citizens or expatriates involved in development assistance work or business. Approximately 85,000 Australians visit Cambodia each year.

Cambodian Community in Australia

Small numbers of Cambodian refugees began arriving in Australia after Pol Pot gained power in 1975, numbers peaked in the 1980s. Between April 1975 and June 1986, 12,813 arrivals were sponsored under the Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program. Family stream migration increased the numbers of the Cambodia-born in Australia to over 20,000 by the mid-1990s. According to the August 2006 census, there were around 24,530 Cambodian-born people resident in Australia.

General Information

Background

Cambodia is divided into 20 provinces and 4 municipalities, including the capital Phnom Penh. A province usually has the same name as its major town. The city of Phnom Penh consists of four urban districts and three outlying districts and has a population of over one million people. During the dry season, many thousands of people move into the city from the countryside to seek work.

People

Cambodia is the most ethnically homogenous country in South-East Asia. Ethnic Khmer comprise 94 per cent of the population. The two main minority groups are ethnic Chinese (about 4 per cent) and the ethnic Vietnamese (about 1.1 per cent). The Chinese are primarily engaged in commerce, while the Vietnamese are mainly farmers, fishermen and semi-skilled workers. Two Islamic communities in Cambodia, the Cham and Chvea, represent 3.4 to 5 per cent of the population. A number of indigenous hill tribes live in the remote north-east of Cambodia. Ninety per cent of Cambodians live in the central lowlands region.

Language and Religion

The official language of Cambodia is Khmer. English is the preferred second language, particularly among younger people. French is often spoken by the older generation of Cambodians.
Cambodia's population is predominantly Buddhist. Theravada Buddhism is a pervasive influence in Cambodian life and was reinstituted in 1989 as the state religion. Representatives of the Buddhist priesthood are on certain government bodies. Most villages have a wat (temple) and monks are a common sight around the country. Cambodia has a small Islamic community and a very small Christian community. Astrology is also widely practiced.

Political History

Khmer Empire (9th to 14th centuries)

Modern-day Cambodia is the successor state of the mighty Khmer empire, which ruled much of what is now Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand during the Angkorian period (9th to 14th centuries). Following its decline, Khmer history is dominated for about a century and a half by dynastic rivalries and warfare with the Vietnamese and the Thais.

The French Protectorate (1863-1953)

In 1941, after nearly 80 years of French rule over Indochina, France placed Prince Norodom Sihanouk on the Cambodian throne. King Norodom Sihanouk dissolved the national parliament in January 1953, declared martial law and worked to gain international support for his country's independence. Cambodia was proclaimed on independent in 1953 and recognised by the Geneva Conference of May 1954.

Cambodian Independent Rule (1953-1975)

In 1955, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated and entered politics. He dominated Cambodian politics for the next 15 years. King Norodom Sihanouk drew closer to North Vietnam and China and broke off diplomatic relations with Washington in 1965. As the war in Vietnam intensified in 1969, the United States began a program of bombing suspected Viet Cong base camps in Cambodia. During this period, the Cambodian guerrilla movement, the Khmer Rouge (KR), gained in strength and gradually assumed control over large parts of the countryside. In March 1970, General Lon Nol instigated a coup d'état and established a republic. Norodom Sihanouk established a government in exile in Beijing.

Khmer Rouge (1975-1979)

On 17 April 1975 Phnom Penh surrendered to the KR, led by Pol Pot (Saloth Sar). The KR implemented a radical and brutal policy of restructuring society. The country was renamed Democratic Kampuchea, currency was abolished and the cities were emptied. It is believed that up to one quarter of the Cambodian population died as a direct result of the policies of the KR Government. Norodom Sihanouk was permitted by the Khmer Rouge to return to Phnom Penh in December 1975. He presided over the promulgation of a new constitution in 1976 as Chief of State but subsequently resigned this position. He was confined to the royal palace until Pol Pot was overthrown.

People's Republic of Kampuchea (1979-1985)

On 7 January 1979, Vietnamese soldiers entered Phnom Penh toppling the Pol Pot Government and established the People's Republic of Kampuchea (PRK), led by former KR officer Heng Samrin, who had fled to Vietnam in 1978, and Pen Sovan (until the latter's downfall in 1981). Hun Sen, a former regimental KR commander (who fled to Vietnam in 1977) became Foreign Minister. The ousted KR forces continued their resistance from bases along the Thai border. In 1982, with other elements opposing the PRK, the KR formed the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK) as a government in exile. Following a renewed attack on their bases in 1985, the KR retreated into Thailand. The KR, and to a lesser extent the other two factions of the CGDK, continued to wage a guerrilla war throughout the country during the 1980s, sustained by external support from countries opposed to the PRK. The KR is now a spent force.

The State of Cambodia (1985-1993)

In 1985, Hun Sen, at the age of 33, became Prime Minister in the government of the PRK in which his party, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) held power. In September 1989 Vietnam withdrew its troops from Cambodia under international pressure and the PRK was renamed the State of Cambodia (SOC).
In May 1991, the warring Cambodian factions finally agreed on a voluntary ceasefire. On 23 October 1991, a Peace Agreement was signed in Paris, establishing the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). Australia actively supported the peace process and Australians played key roles in UNTAC. Australian Lieutenant-General John Sanderson, as Force Commander, led a force of personnel from 46 countries, including Australia, to supervise the ceasefire including demobilising and disarming military groups and demining.

Royal Government of Cambodia (1993 to present)

1993 National Assembly Elections: The first elections, conducted in May under the auspices of UNTAC, were generally regarded as an outstanding success with over 90 per cent of the 4.5 million electors turning out to vote. A coalition was formed, led jointly by Prince Norodom Ranariddh, leader of the National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) as 'First' Prime Minister and Cambodian People's Party (CPP) leader Hun Sen as 'Second' Prime Minister. A new constitution was promulgated on 24 September 1993, transforming Cambodia into a Constitutional Monarchy under King Norodom Sihanouk.
Prince Ranariddh exiled: After a period of calm, the political atmosphere began to deteriorate in mid 1994. By 1997 the two coalition parties were competing to gain the support of armed groups, including KR remnants. This precipitated a military clash in July 1997 when the CPP accused Prince Norodom Ranariddh and his supporters of planning a coup d'état and moved decisively against him. A new first Prime Minister, Ung Huot (FUNCINPEC), was appointed by the National Assembly in August 1997 to replace Norodom Ranariddh whose forces were decisively defeated.
1998 National Assembly Elections: Ranariddh and other opposition exiled politicians returned to Cambodia in early 1998, following a concerted international diplomatic intervention by the 'Friends of Cambodia', including Australia, working closely with the ASEAN Troika (the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia). Pressure from the 'Friends' and the ASEAN Troika also led to a National Electoral Commission and a Constitutional Council being established to prepare for the 26 July elections. Twenty-two Australian observers were deployed. This period was marked by violence and intimidation, although official observers reported the polling process itself was conducted satisfactorily.
The CPP failed to achieve the two-thirds majority in the Assembly required to form government and a coalition was formed with FUNCINPEC, which held the second highest number of seats. Sam Rainsy accepted the role of opposition leader. Hun Sen was sworn in as Prime Minister and Prince Norodom Ranariddh as President of the National Assembly in November.
2002 Commune Council (Local) Elections: The first Commune Council elections took place in February 2002. The local elections were an important step in the implementation of democracy at grassroots level but were marked by violence. The CCP won an overwhelming victory.
2003 National Assembly Elections: Cambodia's third national elections were held on 27 July 2003. Australia provided around $1 million in support and sent a small parliamentary observer delegation. Violence and intimidation in the lead up to and following the election was less than in previous elections and the process was generally considered to be credible. Although the CPP failed to achieve the two-thirds majority then required constitutionally to rule in its own right. After a delay of almost a year a coalition was formed with FUNCINPEC. Hun Sen became Prime Minister and Prince Norodom Ranariddh President of the National Assembly.
2008 National Assembly Elections: The fourth National Assembly elections took place on 27 July 2008. The elections were generally regarded as credible. They were considered to have been freer than past elections and conducted in a more open and peaceful environment. Overall compliance with procedures and technical requirements was of a higher level than previously. However, despite evident progress, deficiencies remained.
The 2008 elections are the first where government was determined by a simple majority. The CPP received 90 of the National Assembly's 123 seats, the SRP 26 seats, the Human Rights Party (HRP) 3 seats and the NRP and FUNCINPEC 2 seats each. Opposition parties received around 42 per cent of the vote.
A four-member Australian parliamentary delegation, together with volunteers from the Australian Embassy, observed the polls on election day. Australia contributed $570,000 in support of voter education and civic participation in the lead up to elections. Australia also worked with the UN encouraging those eligible to register and to encourage independent news reporting and broadcasting time for political party campaigns. Hun Sen was sworn in as Prime Minister in September 2008.

System of Government

Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy. The King, Norodom Sihamoni (who succeeded his father King Norodom Sihanouk in October 2004), is the Head of State but does not exercise executive power over the Kingdom. The Prime Minister is appointed by the King from the representatives of the party holding the majority in the National Assembly. Cambodia has a bicameral parliament. The lower house - the National Assembly - is made up of 123 members elected every five years from 24 provinces and municipalities. The Senate, which also has a five year term, is made up of 61 members of whom 2 are appointed by the King, 2 are appointed by the National Assembly, and the remainder is elected by commune councillors through non-universal election (the first Senate elections took place in January 2006, the most recent were held on 29 January 2012). The Council of Ministers (Cabinet) is formed by members of the Royal Government.
Members of the Commune (local) Councils are elected by universal vote every five years (next elections have been rescheduled to June 2012). As well as voting for senators, Council members elect village chiefs for the villages they administer. Municipal/district councillors (who will next stand for election in May 2014) are elected by non-universal vote by sitting commune councillors for five year terms.

Judicial system

Cambodia has a three tier judicial system: trial court, appeals court and supreme court. Each province and municipality has its own courts. Judges and magistrates are appointed, promoted and dismissed by the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, which is chaired by the King. The Supreme Council of the Magistracy consists of the Minister of Justice, the President of the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme Court, the President of the Appeals Court, the Appeals Court Prosecutor and three elected judges, each with a five year mandate.
Authority to interpret Cambodia's Constitution and laws is granted to the Constitutional Council which comprises nine members with a nine year mandate. Three members of the Council are appointed by the King, three by the National Assembly and another three by the Supreme Council of the Magistracy.

Foreign Policy

Cambodia's foreign relations have historically been dominated by its geographical position between its two large and populous neighbours, Thailand and Vietnam. Since the establishment of the Kingdom of Cambodia in 1993 the foreign policy of the Cambodian Government has become increasingly outward-looking.
Cambodia acceded to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in January 1995 and participated in the ASEAN Regional Forum in 1995. Cambodia is the 2012 Chair of ASEAN and the East Asia Summit in 2012. Cambodia previously chaired ASEAN in 2003.
China's geopolitical interest in Cambodia changed significantly with the end of the Cold War. It retains considerable influence, including through close links with former King Norodom Sihanouk, many senior members of Cambodian Government and the ethnic Chinese community in Cambodia. There are regular high level exchanges between the two countries. China provides substantial bilateral aid, and economic links continued to grow. In 2010 China was Cambodia's principal import source.
Thailand is Cambodia's second largest import source and has been a key investor in Cambodia, including in the tourism sector. National Highway 48 through Koh Kong Province is likely to become a major commercial and economic link between the two countries. However, border demarcation remains an irritant in the relationship, fuelled by historical sensitivities and tensions flare periodically.
Japan plays a constructive role in Cambodia and is one of the largest donors to Cambodia. Prime Minister Hun Sen paid an official visit to Japan in June 2007. During the visit an Agreement on Liberalisation, Promotion and Protection of Investment was signed. King Norodom Sihamoni paid a state visit to Japan in May 2010.
The United States is Cambodia's major export market. In February 2007 the US lifted the ten-year ban on direct bilateral aid to Cambodia which had resulted from congressional concerns about the lack of political freedoms in Cambodia.
Commensurate with its role as Cambodia's former colonial administrator, France continues to take an active interest in Cambodia's development. French business linkages are also significant.

Economic overview

Cambodia's economic infrastructure was devastated by the civil war of the early 1970s and the rule of the KR between 1975 and 1979. Cambodia's diplomatic isolation also stifled growth in the first half of the 1980s. Growth accelerated in the late 1980s with the government's gradual move towards free market economic policies.
Cambodia remains one of the world's least developed countries, with an estimated GDP per capita in 2011 of US$912. In spite of some recent diversification, the Cambodian economy is predominantly agriculturally-based.
Cambodia has a relatively open trading regime, and acceded to the WTO in 2004. Its accession provisions require Cambodia to enact and implement a wide range of commercial laws.
Cambodia's narrow-based economy was affected by the global economic downturn. Three of its four main drivers of growth, garments, tourism and construction registered significant contractions. The garment and tourism sectors were particularly vulnerable to decreased international demand. Real GDP growth (percentage year on year) fell from several years of double-digit growth to 6.7 per cent in 2008 and -2.00 in 2009. Real GDP growth in 2011 is estimated to have been 6.7 per cent.
A key disincentive to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been the lack of an effective judicial and legal system and a poor corporate governance environment. FDI has tended to be concentrated in garment manufacturing, services, construction, tourism and, to a lesser extent, wood processing.

Bilateral economic and trade relationship

Two-way merchandise trade between Australia and Cambodia in 2010-11 was worth $58 million. Australian exports to Cambodia were primarily wheat, cereal preparations, medicaments, and sugars, molasses and honey. Major imports from Cambodia in 2010-11 were clothing, bed and other linen, footwear and rice. Australia is Cambodia's 16th largest import source.

Australian Government Trade and Investment Strategies

As a least developed country, Cambodian products are granted tariff-free access to Australia.
As part of the process of Cambodia's accession to the WTO, Cambodia and Australia concluded a bilateral market access agreement.
Australia and Cambodia are parties to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement which entered into force on 1 January 2010.
Trade has been recognised as integral to the region's efforts to reduce poverty and expand economic growth. Australia is working with ASEAN regionally to help developing countries integrate into the global marketplace. Bilaterally it is working with the Cambodian Government to reduce poverty and to promote good governance and sustainable development in Cambodia.
The Australian Business Association of Cambodia was established in 1995 to promote the interests of the Australian business community. Membership spans a wide-range of sectors, including construction, law, transportation, medical and education.

Export Opportunities

Despite poor commercial infrastructure and weaknesses in Cambodia's legal framework, opportunities exist for Australian companies.
While comprehensive data is not available, Cambodia is also believed to have significant mineral as well as offshore oil and gas deposits and the Cambodian Government is committed to developing this sector. Large-scale minerals extraction has not yet commenced.. Several Australian companies including Southern Gold are currently prospecting in Cambodia.
ANZ opened a joint venture bank with Cambodia's Royal Group - ANZ Royal Bank - in 2005. Other Australian companies are providing financial and professional services in Cambodia.
Australian companies and universities are involved in Cambodia's education sector as well as supporting research and capacity development programs. IDP Australia teaches English in Cambodia through the Australian Centre for Education.

Updated March 2012

Source from: http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/cambodia/cambodia_brief.html