MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
7 March 2005
by Gintaras Didžiokas and Anna Fotyga
on behalf of Union for Europe of the Nations
on situation in Cambodia
B6-0210/2005
European parliament resolution on the situation in Cambodia
The European Parliament ,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia, and particularly to its resolutions of 13th March 2003 on the situation in Cambodia, 12th February 2004 on situation in Cambodia and 13th January 2005,
– having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the National Assembly of Cambodia voted on 3rd February to lift the parliamentary immunity of outspoken opposition leader Sam Rainsy and legislators Cheam Channy and Chea Poch, members of the Sam Rainsy Party,
B. whereas these opposition members of Cambodia’s National Assembly were stripped of their parliamentary immunity and one was subsequently arrested, brought to military court for questioning and detained at the National Military Police Headquarters for two nights, after which he was transferred to the military prison in Phnom Penh,
C. whereas all the international observers who were present at the meeting to monitor the proceedings were barred from the session and the meeting was actually held behind closed doors,
1. Strongly condemns all acts of political violence in Cambodia against those who criticise the current government and those who seek to exercise freedom of speech and political association in Cambodia;
2. Calls on the immediate release of Cheam Channy, emphasising that his charge and detention are illegal;
3. Calls for the restoration of parliamentary immunity to the three opposition party members and stresses that it must be ensured that they can return to the political stage without fear of prosecution;
4. Considers the targeting of opposition parliamentarians as an effort by Cambodia’s ruling parties to silence the parliamentary opposition in the country and to eliminate them from the political scene;
5. Regrets that this case can be considered as a step back from the progress on political pluralism in Cambodia made since the 1991 peace agreements; believes, however, that it will be reviewed again and it will not hinder the progress towards a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Cambodia;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary General and the Parliament and Government of Cambodia.