In addition, there was no shared consensus that “watchdog organizations fear being coerced politically, economically or physically.” but there was agreement that the Government does not take corruption seriously as an issue, the report said.

The mission by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was aimed at examining the state of democracy in the region, with particular emphasis on programmes supported with US Government funding via NGOs.

The United States should take into account local sensitivities in its bid to promote democracy and good governance in Asia, the Congressional report said.

It covered Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Sri Lanka and was part of a broad study that also included Africa, Central Europe and Latin America.

The report also wanted US-funded democracy promotion efforts in Asia to focus on building democratic institutions and “avoid the occasional perception of targeting or promoting political personalities.”

It said “US Government officials should recognize that effective promotion of democracy and good governance in Asia requires acknowledgement of cultural and national sensitivities”.

The study was conducted amid concerns that governments across the world had increasingly tightened controls on foreign NGOs to restrict their ability to work independently.