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

B100205/2024

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 Rules 150(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Cambodia`s authorities are tightening control over civic space, fundamental freedoms and the media by jailing, harassing and threatening human rights defenders, opposition politicians, civil society workers, unionists, land and environmental activists, and journalists;

whereas Cambodian authorities launched an unjustified crackdown on NGOs working for the self determination of workers` unions and trade federations, in particular the criminal accusations against CENTRAL and against the LRSU union whose members are getting constantly harassed and their worker`s elections are not recognized by the Government;

whereas Cambodian authorities continue to delegitimize independent media, pressure “confessions” to discredit activists and organizations and implement pre-trial detentions according to the 2015 Law on Associations and NGOs (LANGO) and other criminal code statues on incitement to disturb social order , which are employed to stifle dissent and curb the activities of independent organisations;

Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of detained activists, dropping the politically-motivated charges against activists and the end of administrative and legal harassment of CSOs and unions;

Calls for the Cambodian authorities to end constraining of the media by legal hurdles, intimidation and shutdown of media outlets and stop the politicalized criminal charges, audits, legal threats, and disinformation against journalists and activists;

Calls for the improvement of the human rights situation in Cambodia as a precondition for further economic cooperation, trade and investment and for the EU to lift the partial suspension of trade preferences for Cambodia under the “Everything but Arms” (EBA) scheme;

Calls for public condemnation of the closing civic and political space through increased diplomatic pressure and leverage as the EU and its member states should press the Cambodian government to release all political prisoners and uphold democratic values;

Calls on the governments of the EU member states to increase or sustain financial support for Cambodian CSOs to strengthen Cambodia`s civil society, democracy and human rights;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, the Commission, the Council, the ASEAN Secretary-General and the Government, Prime Minister and National Assembly of Cambodia.