Three resolutions on human rights issues around the world were adopted, as usual, at the end of the Strasbourg session. MEPs supported the extradition of Alberto Fujimori from Chile to Peru, condemned the violence of the Egyptian police in clearing a group of Sudanese refugees from outside the Egyptian office of the UNHCR, and called for EU action in response to repression in Cambodia.
Cambodia - political repression
In recent weeks political repression in Cambodia has dramatically increased with several arrests of human rights workers, journalists and trade unionists for defamation offences. Kem Sokha, President of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), Pa Nguon Teang, Acting Director of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights and radio director, Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodian Independent Teachers' Association (CITA), and Mam Sonando, Director of the Beehive Radio, are facing trial. Yeng Virak and Kem Sokha were released on bail but the charges were not dropped. For the same reasons, the Cambodian authorities are searching for Chea Mony, President of the Free Trade Union of Workers, Ea Channa, Deputy Secretary General of the Students' Movement for Democracy, Men Nath, President of the Cambodian Independent Civil Servants' Association, Prince Sisowath Tomico, secretary to former King Sihanouk, and Say Bory, advisor to former King Sihanouk. Several other activists and members of the opposition have left the country under the threat of arrest and persecution. On 22 December 2005 the leader of the opposition, Sam Rainsy, was sentenced in absentia to 18 months' imprisonment on defamation charges brought by the Prime Minister and the President of the National Assembly. Cheam Channy, Member of the Cambodian Parliament, was tried and convicted in August 2005, and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
In a resolution adopted by a clear majority, Parliament says it is deeply concerned about the recent arrests and prosecutions and urges the Cambodian Government to consider very carefully the compatibility of such actions with the commitments it has given to its people and to donors to build a more open, democratic and just society. It takes note of the release of the recently arrested human rights activists and calls for the annulment of all charges against them, as well as the annulment of all charges and arrest warrants issued on human rights defenders who are not currently detained. It calls moreover for all acts of intimidation and harassment of human rights activists in Cambodia to be halted.
MEPs urge Cambodia to stop breaching its obligations under international law, and in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and immediately release Cheam Channy. They call for the judgment against Sam Rainsy and Chea Poch to be overturned and their parliamentary immunity restored.
Parliament strongly believes that the continuing detentions of leading figures from the political opposition, trade unions, the media and NGOs and the use of the criminal law in cases of expression of dissenting opinions on matters of politics and policy send a worrying message to the donor community on which the government relies for about 50% of its annual budget. It reminds the Cambodian Government that it has to meet its obligations and commitments regarding the democratic principles and fundamental human rights which are an essential element of the Cooperation Agreement of 1997 between the EC and Cambodia as defined in Article 1 of the Agreement.
MEPs call on the Commission and the Council to respond to the latest crackdown on civil and political rights in clear and unambiguous terms, in coordination with the donor community, at the forthcoming Consultative Group meeting. They express their support for the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Human Rights in Cambodia and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose mandate includes protection and monitoring.
Parliament is concerned that the use of the Cambodian judiciary as an instrument of repression against the political opposition and civil society casts serious doubts on the Cambodian Government's commitment to establish the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in accordance with international standards of judicial independence, fair trials and due legal process, as agreed with the UN in June 2003. Parliament questions the need for defamation of the office of the Prime Minister to be a criminal offence. It strongly believes that dissenting views and opinions should be challenged through public debate rather than criminal law suits and calls for prosecutions on defamation charges to be abolished, as they could easily be abused for political purposes.
MEPs call on the EU to take steps to ensure that fundamental freedoms are respected and that attacks on civil liberties have consequences. They say the EU should also make continuation of its financial aid conditional upon an improvement in Cambodia's human rights record. They call for an EP ad hoc delegation visit Cambodia to evaluate respect for Article 1 of the Cooperation Agreement and the situation of detained parliamentarians, media representatives and trade union leaders in the country.
Finally, Parliament call on the Cambodian authorities to fully implement the 1953 UNHCR Convention both with regard to the protection of Montagnard refugees, refraining from illegal forced deportation to Vietnam, and to granting refugee status to ethnic Khmer Krom escaping from Vietnam.
Contact: Ralph PINE Press Service - Press Officer email : Presse-en@europarl.eu.int
tel : (32-2) 28 42941 (BXL) tel : (32) (0) 498 98 3587 (STR)
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