MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on situation in Cambodia
23.10.2012 - (2012/2844(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Niccolò Rinaldi; Graham Watson; Marietje Schaake; Ramon Tremosa i Balcells; Izaskun Bilbao Barandica; Robert Rochefort; Marielle de Sarnez; Kristiina Ojuland; Sonia Alfano; Jelko Kacin; Sarah Ludford; Edward McMillan-Scott; Johannes Cornelis van Baalen; Anneli Jäätteenmäki; Cecilia Wikström on behalf of the ALDE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0478/2012
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the 16 July 2012 report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia,
– having regard to the 21st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council of 24 September 2012,
– having regard to the Statement by the Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Aston of 1 October 2012 on the sentencing of Human Rights defenders in Cambodia,
– having regard to the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission report on National Assembly Elections of 27 July 2008 in Cambodia,
– having regard to the Cambodia - European Community Strategy Paper for the period 2007-2013,
– having regard to the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia,
– having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure;
A. whereas after two decades of conflict and since the Paris Peace Accords in 1991, Cambodia has made significant progress in strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law;
B. whereas four human rights defenders Mr Mom Sonando, head of the Association of Democrats of Cambodia and director of the Beehive radio and his co-defendants, Mr Phorn Sreoun, Mr Touch Ream and Mr Kann Sovann were sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 1 October 2012;
C. whereas according to human rights organisations, at least 50 activists or peaceful protestors are known to have been subjected to intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detention or violence between January and September 2012;
D. whereas according to the main findings of the UN Special Rapporteur's report, major flaws exist in the administration of elections in Cambodia and urgent reforms are needed to give Cambodians confidence in the electoral process as the country approaches its general elections in July 2013;
E. whereas following Cambodia's last national elections, the EU Election Observation Mission in Cambodia concluded that the elections did not meet international standards for democratic elections and called on the Cambodian government to undertake a number of fundamental electoral reforms;
F. whereas land disputes and forced evictions continue unabated featuring the use of force by the authorities and businesses leading to violent clashes with communities;
G. whereas the EU is Cambodia’s single largest donor,
1. Notes that the overall situation of human rights has improved in Cambodia over the years;
2. Expresses its concern on the sentencing of four human rights defenders in Cambodia on 1 October and intimidation, arbitrary arrests, detention and violence reported by the human rights organisations;
3. Stresses that all those responsible for human rights violations should be identified and be held accountable for their actions;
4. Urges the Cambodian Government to cease all forced evictions and introduce and enforce a moratorium on forced evictions in Cambodia until a transparent and accountable legal framework and relevant policies are in place to ensure that evictions are conducted only in accordance with international human rights law and ensure that all those forcibly evicted are guaranteed adequate compensation and suitable alternative accommodation that meets international standards for adequate housing, water and sanitation, food security and livelihood;
5. Calls on the European Commission to consider a temporary suspension of the EBA initiative on sugar and other agricultural products in Cambodia until all irregularities in relation to economic land concessions have been properly addressed;
6. Urges the Cambodian government, the National Election Committee and the provincial elections committee to implement the recent UN recommendations to reform the electoral system to ensure it conforms with international standards before, during and after the casting of votes; calls on the European Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the UN recommendations by the Cambodian authorities;
7. Is concerned that increased intolerance towards the exercise of freedom of expression in criticising corruption, impunity and land grabbing is likely to limit the political space available to opposition parties in the run up to the elections;
8. Is concerned about the situation of Sam Rainsy, the leader of the Sam Rainsy Party, convicted on charges that are allegedly politically motivated; urges the Cambodian government and opposition parties to work towards reconciliation in order to enable Sam Rainsy, as the leader of the opposition, to play a full role in Cambodian politics and in the forthcoming elections, in order to provide credibility to the electoral process;
9. Encourages the Cambodian government to continue to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms - in particular freedom of expression and assembly;
10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Cambodia, the EU High Representative, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the governments of the ASEAN Member States.