MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of right defenders and opposition activists in Cambodia and Laos

14.1.2014 - (2014/2515(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Fiorello Provera, Lorenzo Fontana, Matteo Salvini, Mara Bizzotto, Juozas Imbrasas, Jaroslav Paška, Rolandas Paksas on behalf of the EFD Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0033/2014

B7‑0035/2014

European Parliament resolution on the situation of right defenders and opposition activists in Cambodia and Laos

(2014/2515(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to the 5 August 2013 report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia,

 

–         having regard to the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,

 

–     having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

 

–         having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia,

 

–    having regards to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

 

–         having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure;

 

A. Whereas the right to freedom of peaceful assembly – for people to come together to express their views – is protected in Cambodia’s Constitution, in article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

 

B. Whereas Cambodia's garment industry has become by far Cambodia's biggest export earner employing some 600,000 people in hundreds of mostly foreign-owned firms.

 

C. Whereas under international law, if a protest turns violent security forces are only allowed to use force as is strictly necessary for the performance of their duty and proportionally to the threat. The intentional lethal use of firearms can only be justified if it is strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.

 

D. Whereas about 23 union leaders and workers have been detained since Friday the third, held incommunicado and without medical care at the remote CC3 prison at Trapeang Phlong in Kampong Cham;

 

E. Whereas land disputes and forced evictions continue unabated featuring the use of force by the authorities, whereas forty percent of the country, that is about 17 million acres, in land concessions have been taken, and this is about 30,000 Cambodian families that have been forcefully evicted from their homes over the last five years.

 

The situation in Cambodia

 

1. Expresses deep concern about the human rights situation in Cambodia and calls on all sides to exercise restraint, particularly given the current levels of tension in Cambodia following the disputed election in July 2013.

 

2. Believes the Hun Sen Government, which is facing a serious problem of legitimacy, should either accept an independent investigation into the recent election irregularities and their impact on the election results, or organize new elections.

 

3. Condemns the killing of at least four protestors and the wounding of another 30 following a violent crackdown by security forces on striking garment workers in Phnom Penh on January 2- 3; calls on the Cambodian Government to launch an investigation into these deaths and to ensure full accountability of members of security forces found to have used disproportionate and excessive force

 

4. Express serious concern for the arrest and detention of 23 peaceful demonstrators after the crackdown; calls on the Cambodian authorities to protect their human rights and to release all people detained for their non-violent political and social activism.

 

5. Condemns the Cambodian Government's decision to impose an indefinite general ban on demonstrations, in violation of the rights to peaceful assembly, association, and expression under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia is a party.

 

6. Expresses serious concerns about reports of a general crackdown by Government authorities on the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and other opposition; this includes the filing of politically motivated criminal cases against party President Sam Rainsy and Vice President Kem Sokha, and union leader Rong Chhun for incitement of unrest.

 

7. 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;

 

8. 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.