MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: the case of opposition leader Kem Sokha

14.3.2023 - (2023/2589(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 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Stelios Kouloglou, Marina Mesure
on behalf of The Left Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0169/2023

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

B9‑0169/2023

European Parliament resolution on Cambodia: the case of opposition leader Kem Sokha

(2023/2589(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Kem Sokha, the former president of the dissolved main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), has been sentenced to 27 years of house arrest for “conspiring with [a] foreign power”; whereas the court also ordered the permanent removal of Sokha’s political rights to stand or vote in an election;  whereas these charges stem from a public intervention in which Sokha explained that the US advised him, which constitutes a flagrant crime under Cambodian law; whereas UN Special Rapporteurs have condemned the verdict as “politically motivated” and called for his release;

B. whereas at least 39 political opposition members are arbitrarily arrested in Cambodia; whereas UN Special Rapporteurs have denounced the mass trials that have convicted approximately 150 CNRP members, many in absentia; whereas at least seven members of the newly formed Candlelight Party (CP) have been arrested;

C. whereas the verdict takes place in a context of intensified crackdowns on political opposition, land activists, trade union leaders, civil society and critical media, in the lead up to the July 2023 general election; whereas the credibility of the last elections (2018) were questioned due to the absence of the main opposition party and the increased restrictions on freedom of speech as well as the rights to association and assembly in the run-up to the elections; whereas the Prime Minister, Mr. Hun Sen, has been in this position since 1985 and the People's Party of Cambodia, beyond a change of name, has been in power since 1979;

1. Asks the authorities to quash the conviction of Kem Sokha and to immediately and unconditionally release him;

2. Urges the Cambodian authorities to immediately release all prisoners detained for conducting their legitimate work or exercising their rights, including CNRP and CP members and supporters, journalists, human rights defenders, environmental activists and trade unionists;

3. Condemns all acts of torture and violence, accusations for political reasons, arbitrary arrests, mass trials, revocation of passports, harassment and convictions against the political opposition and the social movement; calls on the authorities to conduct independent investigations into all allegations of violence;

4. Urges the authorities to abide by their international human rights obligations and respect freedom of expression, of association and of peaceful assembly, the independence of the judiciary and the right to a fair trial and to a due process for all ;

5. Urges the Cambodian authorities to ensure in law and in practice, particularly by the 2023 national elections, a safe civil and political environment, the full enjoyment of electoral rights by everyone, and that all political parties can conduct an equal, free and transparent electoral campaign and enable the organisation of free and fair election;

6. Asks the Commission to closely monitor on the situation and to communicate specific and time-bound human rights benchmarks as part of its engagement with Cambodia;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, and the Cambodian authorities.