Sweden cancels aid to Cambodia, shifting focus to civil society
The Swedish government announced today it will cease providing development assistance, starting from July 1, and will redirect its focus to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
According to a press release issued by the Embassy of Sweden in Phnom Penh, the decision was made on the grounds that the Kingdom in recent years has severely restricted democratic space, human rights, civil society and the media.
“This has made it difficult to pursue broad and close cooperation,” said Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation Peter Eriksson.
“The Government has therefore chosen to redirect our development efforts to offer better support for change with regards to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the country,” he said, adding that the Swedish government will continue to support civil society, human rights defenders and democracy advocates in Cambodia.
