On the shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL

B100204/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL

(2024/2952(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Cambodia,

having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas journalists, human rights defenders, political activists, trade unionist and other civil society actors are systematically harassed and attacked by the Cambodian authorities and organisations aligned with the government; whereas over the last years a legal framework has been put in place by the Cambodian government to weaken these organisations;

Whereas Cambodian government-aligned unions are harassing and threatening legal actions against the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), a Cambodian independent labour rights organisation and its programme manager, Tharo Khun;

Whereas in October award winning journalist Mech Dara was arrested for social media comments. While Dara was later released on bail, the charges of “incitement” remain; Whereas since April Executive Director of the Cambodian land rights NGO Equitable Cambodia is facing baseless criminal charges;

Whereas despite enhanced engagement and dialogue from the European Union, the state of the civic space has not improved, and activists are increasingly persecuted;

Whereas in February 2020 the EU partially withdrew tariff preferences granted to Cambodia under the “Everything But Arms” scheme due to serious and systematic human rights violations;

Reiterates its call on the Cambodian Government to put an end to all forms of harassment, abuse and politically motivated criminal charges against members of the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists and labour rights advocates, land rights and other civil society activists;

Calls for an immediate end to the administrative harassment of CENTRAL and the dismissal of the criminal charges against Tharo Khun ; Also, against the Executive Director of Equitable Cambodia; Reiterates its call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, journalists, human rights defenders and other civil society actors who are held under politically motivated charges;

Calls on the Cambodian Government to repeal all latest amendments to the Constitution, the Penal Code, the Law on Political Parties, the Trade Union Law, the Law on NGOs and all other pieces of legislation limiting freedom of speech and political freedoms that are not fully aligned with Cambodia’s obligations and international standards;

Reminds the Cambodian Government that it must fulfil its obligations and commitments relating to the democratic principles and fundamental human rights, which are an essential component of the EU-Cambodia Cooperation Agreement;

Calls on the EU and the international community to take immediate and effective action, including targeted sanctions against those responsible for the political repression, to put pressure on the Cambodian Government until all political prisoners are released;

Calls on the EU members and EEAS to provide protection for human rights defenders, civil society representatives and opposition members persecuted for their political activity in Cambodia;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HRVP of the Commission, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Prime Minister, the Government and the National Assembly of Cambodia.