Debates

Friday, 26 October 2012 - Strasbourg

Situation in Cambodia

  Jiří Maštálka, author. − (CS) I should like to express my support for the recommendations made by our Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, implying a deep understanding of human rights inextricably linked to social and political rights.

According to the available UN sources, the Human Development Index, which takes account of education and health care as well as economic data, puts Cambodia in 139th place in the world, while Belgium, for example, is in 18th place. The per capita GDP in Cambodia is approximately USD 1 700, in Belgium USD 33 000. In Cambodia 88 children die before the age of five, compared with five children in Belgium. I could go on.

I wonder what the European Parliament has done in practice to improve the conditions in Cambodia to ensure respect for the inalienable rights to dignity, freedom and happiness. I am afraid that political resolutions are not enough in this respect.