MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

4 March 2005

pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure,
tabled by AGNOLETTO and SJOSTEDT on behalf of the GUE/NGL group
on the human rights situation in Cambodia

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B6-0190/2005

European parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Cambodia

The European Parliament,

• -having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia, and in particular those of 13 March 2003, 12 February 2004 and 13 January 2005,
• -having regard to the declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the European Union following the suspension of the parliamentary immunity of three members of the opposition,
• -having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas Sam Rainsy, MP, leader of the opposition of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and two other parliamentarians, Chean Channy and Chea Poch, were stripped of their parliamentary immunity by the Cambodian National Assembly on 3 February 2005,

B.  concerned by the fact that the vote was taken by a show of hands in violation of the Cambodian National Assembly's own regulations and procedures and was held behind closed doors,

C.  whereas Chean Channy was arrested and is currently detained by the Cambodian military in Phnom Penh,

D.  insisting on the fact that parliamentary immunity is designed to protect parliamentarians from possibly groundless proceedings or accusations that may be politically motivated,

1.  Calls on the government of Cambodia to release Cheam Channy immediately and unconditionally;

2.  Calls on the Cambodian Assembly to reverse its recent action of stripping opposition parliamentarians Sam Rainsy, Cheam Channy and Chea Poch of their immunity;

3.  Believes that this action undermines the democratic progress already accomplished by Cambodia;

4.  Instruct its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary General and the Parliament and Government of Cambodia.