MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha

11.9.2018 - (2018/2842(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 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Cristian Dan Preda, Tomáš Zdechovský, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez‑Neyra, Jaromír Štětina, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Krzysztof Hetman, Eduard Kukan, Patricija Šulin, Marijana Petir, Tunne Kelam, Elisabetta Gardini, Roberta Metsola, Csaba Sógor, Romana Tomc, Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Cristian‑Silviu Buşoi, Giovanni La Via, Pavel Svoboda, Ivan Štefanec, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, József Nagy, Adam Szejnfeld, Stanislav Polčák, Tadeusz Zwiefka, Michaela Šojdrová, Joachim Zeller, Sandra Kalniete, Francis Zammit Dimech, David McAllister, Seán Kelly, Ivana Maletić, Deirdre Clune, Dubravka Šuica, Milan Zver, Francisco José Millán Mon, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0366/2018

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

B8‑0375/2018

European Parliament resolution on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha

(2018/2842(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia,

-  having regard to the Council conclusions on Cambodia of 26 February 2018,

-   having regard to the statement by the Spokesperson of the European External Action Service of 30 July 2018 on the general elections in Cambodia,

-   having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

-   having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966,

-  having regard to the 1997 Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Cambodia,

-   having regard to Rules 135(5) and 123(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas, on 3 September 2017, Kem Sokha, the president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was arrested and charged with treason under Article 443 of the Cambodian Criminal Code, despite having parliamentary immunity;

B.  whereas Kem Sokha was detained without trial for more than one year; whereas he was released on bail on 9 September 2018; whereas he is unable to leave the vicinity of his house and is not allowed to communicate with other members from the opposition or the media;

C.  whereas, on 16 November 2017, the Supreme Court announced the dissolution of the CNRP, at the end of a one-day hearing; whereas the Supreme Court has also banned 118 CNRP politicians from being politically active for five years;

D.  whereas at the 10th EU-Cambodia Joint Committee Meeting held in Brussels on 14 March 2018, the EU reiterated its call on the Cambodian Government to engage in a constructive dialogue with the opposition and to take all necessary measure to ensure a political environment in which opposition parties, civil society and media can operate freely;

E.  whereas the general elections in Cambodia of 29 July 2018 took place in a highly restrictive political climate; whereas the Council has reiterated that an electoral process from which the main opposition party has been arbitrarily excluded is not legitimate;

1.   Takes note of the release of Kem Sokha; notes that he is facing serious restrictions; calls for all charges against him to be dropped;

2.  Expresses its serious concerns at the dissolution of the CNRP; stresses that the enforced dissolution of CNRP denies the will of the voters and undermines the credibility of the general election; calls on the Cambodian government to take the necessary measures to reverse the dissolution of CNRP;

3.  Reiterates its strong concerns about the further worsening climate for opposition politicians, human rights activists and members of civil society in Cambodia;

4.  Urges the Cambodian government to cease using the judiciary as a political tool to harass and intimidate political opponents, civil society, labour rights activists and human rights defenders;

5.  Reiterates its call on the Cambodian government to work towards strengthening democracy and the rule of law and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, which include full compliance with the constitutional provisions concerning pluralism and freedom of association and expression;

6.  Calls on the Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to closely monitor the situation in Cambodia;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and National Assembly of Cambodia.