Resolution on political repression in Cambodia

The European Parliament adopted by 80 votes to 0, with 1 abstention, a resolution on political repression in Cambodia.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the PES, UEN, ALDE, EPP-ED, GUE/NGL, and Green/ALE groups.

Parliament is deeply concerned about the recent arrests and prosecutions and urges the Cambodian government to consider very carefully the compatibility of such actions with the commitments it has given to its people and to donors to build a more open, democratic and just society. It urges Cambodia to stop breaching its obligations under international law, and in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also calls on the authorities to release certain human rights activists, the leader of the opposition and a member of the Cambodian Parliament.

Parliament urges Cambodia to stop breaching its obligations under international law. It calls on the Commission and the Council to respond to the latest crackdown on civil and political rights in clear and unambiguous terms.

Parliament expresses concern that the use of the Cambodian judiciary as an instrument of repression. It strongly believes that dissenting views and opinions should be challenged through public debate rather than criminal law suits and calls for prosecutions on defamation charges to be stopped, as they could easily be abused for political purposes. Serious doubts are cast over the Cambodian government's commitment to establish the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in accordance with international standards of judicial independence, fair trial and due legal process.

The EU is called upon to take steps to ensure that fundamental freedoms are respected and that attacks on civil liberties have consequences. Parliament also calls on the EU to make continuation of its financial aid conditional upon an improvement in Cambodia's human rights record.

Lastly, Parliament reiterates its demand that an ad hoc delegation of the Parliament visit Cambodia to evaluate respect for the provisions of Article 1 of the Cooperation Agreement and the situation of detained parliamentarians, media representatives and trade union leaders in the country.